Fourth of July was different for us this year. No apple pie, No fireworks (Other than a thunder and lighting shower) but we did get in our baseball (Ranger vs White Sox on MLBTV.COM.. Sad, the Rangers are tanking it right now and they lost.) We did have brats and burgers along with live Mexican music. We attended a ExPat function with our friends from the IWC (International Women's Club of Cancun).

 We had some of our adopted local grand kids. This is Leah our princess and her mother, Andrea by the pool. They also spent some time at the beach across the street.

 One of the members let us use their Bed and Breakfast for the event.

 This is the entrance to the B&B and the courtyard where we BBQd Hamburgers and Brats and lounged around listening to the musicians and chatting.

 Andres was the cook and he also sang for us too. Very talented guy.

 Here is one of our adopted families. The Domingues', Leo, Andrea, Leah and Austin.

Quintin & Claudia are some of our first friends in the area, They have been wonderful, helping us learn the area.

Fourth of July is still my favorite holiday. We missed family and friends, but have found many new friends here in Cancun.

First Tropical Storm of the season Debby...

 The flowers and foliage is so beautiful right after the storm passes. All is washed and refreshed with the cleansing rain.

 The brilliancy and fragrant of the flowers in in the air and the fresh air is so refreshing.

 The blooms in the trees are brilliant with orange, yellow, red and purple.

 The streets are washed clean and the rebirth of new plants will begin.

 Sport and Sissy weather the storm, thou Sissy is not a fan of the thunder claps and the lighting flashes.

 During the storm water is everywhere. The roads and highways become rivers.

We are hanging on and looking ahead. This is only June and we have until the first of November before the hurricane season is over.

Dennis came and conquered Riviera Maya

Dennis and I have been friends since birth. It was really great to have him come stay with us at our little Hammock & Tacos Casa. (In the states you have Bed & Breakfast), we have hammocks and tacos.

We filled his days with our little bit of Paradise. We hope he enjoyed himself as much as we enjoyed having him and returns again. One week is not enough time to see everything but we tried.

I am sure Dennis will need a vacation to rest up from his time spent in Mexico. I went along with him and I am still recuperating.

Dennis took over 500 photos while he was here. I picked out a few to share. The Blog would be too long to include all 500.

 Beach work for retirees.. Ross, Becky & Dennis

 Senor Frog on Isla Murjeres (Isle of Women)

 Our Chariot awaits

 Crocodile wrestling at Crococun Crocodile farm and zoo.

 Babysitting the baby anaconda.

 Soaking up the sun

 Nice tie!

 This is a peck on the check.

 New mother with a baby on her back.

 Pre season game between the Taxi company and the Quintana Roo Tigres.

 Jose Conseco was playing for the Taxi company.

 Macaws at Xcaret

 Tough job! But, someone has to do it!

 Waterfalls in the Butterfly sanctuary.

 Underground rivers to float in. About a mile long. Much of the trip in underground.

 Iguana was monitoring the trash.

 Cougars taking a nap.

 Dennis standing next to an actual sized Sea Turtle painting in the Turtle exhibit.

 Up close and personal with a Sea Turtle.

 Flamingos

Manatees

The Neighborhood Nature Park

We took a stroll thru the nature park near our home. Weather was perfect and the greenery of the park was wonderful.
They have a typical Mayan House there and there are many animals that reside in the park. We really didn't get  to see many of the animals. There is a walking/jogging path around the park that is about a mile and a half. The park consists of thick jungle with trees and ferns everywhere.

There is a work out area, picnic facilities and a children's playground. They have a small museum and restrooms.

Bryce, Sarah, Sally & Sammy Ayres came for a visit. They were her two weeks, staying with us on both ends of their vacation. Spent the middle week (Sat to Sat) at the Royal Islander Resort. see www.royalresorts.com.

The pictures below were taken by Bryce on the trip to Xcaret .. A magic place to see the local animals,ie: Monkeys, Crocodiles, Jaguars, Panthers, Butterflies, many different birds and domesticated animals like horses and cattle.

Xcaret is a true marvel. With underground rivers to float, lagoons to snorkel and swim and a large aquarium with a Sea Turtle preserve. They have Mayan ruins to explore complete with a working Mayan village and the ancient ball game. The night show is a history of the region and national folk dancing and music.

This is #1 on my list of attractions here on the Maya Rivera.

We enjoyed the company and hope that a good time was had by all.

Bryce and Sarah Ayres

Sarah and Sammy at Xcaret

Sally having a Mexican Slurpee!

Toucans are local also

Parrots are common as Robins in the States

Vultures are the Mexican Eagle

Flamingos are found in the marsh lands on the coast

Sea Turtles are captured at birth and raised until they are about 12 inches in diameter and released to the Caribbean. The sanctuary is very large. They return about 20,000 per year to the sea.

 Mayan ruins are being reconstructed to show the culture of the early Mayans.

No Mayan here! That is Sammy up on the ruins.

Brahma bulls are a common livestock in the area.