Day 20: Telchac Puerto to Progreso

January 18, 2026

My dreams with the seabirds fly, out of reach, out of cry, (out of focus.?)

Heart

Comment

We consulted our friend near Progreso for any source of our needed Microsoft charger. It turns out that Amazon is a thing even way out here, and he ordered us one on two day delivery. We should have it tomorrow, but for now there is no way to download photos from the big camera. That means a bird photo holiday (well, mostly)!

We set out on the coastal road, which is one of the more fun rides in Yucatan. There are views of the water and of water birds from time to time. Other parts of the ride are through the "manglares" (mangroves). One of the common man made sights is of huge apartment or hotel construction projects, apparently frozen in some financial crisis, or perhaps proceeding flat out, but on Mexican time.

We rode beside water like this, often with wader birds to be seen.

This one looks finished and rather nice.

Now here is a strange one. No need to go to Barcelona for a little Gaudi.

The iguana conveys to us tht it is hot and dry here.

Here for excitement is a factory making the circular cakes for Tres Reyes. I wonder what they do in the other months of the year.

About 10 km out of Progreso there is a small supermarket. That could be unremarkable, except that it is the biggest thing around, and the only source of fresh vegetables until in Progreso itself.. We stopped in mainly to look, but also it is air conditioned! Dodie went in first while I stayed with the bikes. I used the time to show Google Lens my e-assist controller. I wanted to get the model number, since it has been acting up a bit. The AI came back saying it sees a bunch of dirty bike parts in poor repair. Am I going to put up with that kind of lip from a stupid box?

We pulled abreast of Chicxulub Puerto, which is the nearest location on land to the spot where the asteroid hit 66 million years ago, causing the fourth extinction, wiping out the dinosaurs. The energy released is said to have been like 10 billion Hiroshima sized atomic bombs. It caused quite a mess,with gobs of the earth even hitting the moon. From my photo, it seems like they have not yet tidied up! However there were lots of birds in the nearby waters

A tidier part of Chicxulub Puerto. Other bits are a real mess.

Out on the road, several dinosaur models have been erected. It's part of a dinosaur trail and display centre they have tried out here. We have never found it open, but definitely in town there is a major meteorite museum, and we were targeting that now.

We entered Progreso and traveled down several outlying streets before reaching our place. It's called the Villamar, and is a impressive mansion built in 1925, during the hennequen boom. It is very elegant, with super high ceilings. Our room is on the ground floor, and is large.

Palm trees outside our mansion are very elegant.

Across the street the wind known as El Norte is whipping up the Gulf. It almost blew me off my bike a few kms back.

We set out to walk along the malecon to the meteorite museum. Along the way are some more vintage elegant mansions.

Dodie went into a restaurant to visit the bano, leaving me to watch seabirds.

At the museum, there are lots of dinosaur models and images outside.

We have read about increased use of different fees in France and Italy for EU citizens vs others. That is a common practice here as well. But Dodie conned them into believing that we were 100 peso old timers

The museum is very well crafted. It begins with the Big Bang and follows cosmic evolution, to the time of the 66 million years ago cataclysm. There are displays of meteorites, and many fossils. The party tricks for the museum are film clips on multi screens and many animatronic dinosaurs. It's a bit superficial and theatric, but fine for most visitors, including us.

The Mexicans threw in one of their own fanciful creatures at the end, just for fun.

Wow, $1.60 for the washroom. But you can get a shower too. With a $2.40 shower, I would economize and pee in there too!

5 km of strolling at the waterfront

Heart

Comment

Link

Today's ride: 47 km (29 miles)
Total: 719 km (446 miles)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	8
Comment on this entry	Comment	3

Bob KoreisDid the rooms with the dinosaurs have imagined dinosaur sounds playing?
Reply to this comment
1 week ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Bob KoreisYes, indeed. There was roaring, screeching, grunting and more.
Reply to this comment
1 week ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesTo Bob KoreisSteve here. I have been "interviewing" various field animals in videos for the grandchildren, and I interviewed the dinosaurs. If you wanted to send an email address or Whatsapp number to shadybrook at shaw dot ca I would send you a copy!
Reply to this comment
6 days ago