And I can’t say I’m happy about it. Three days of catching up on my work has already put my shoulders back up around my ears. I want to be a woman of leisure all the time; the working man’s a sucker.
Our three night stay quickly changed to a four night stay; justification is our specialty. “Well, by the time we got here and set up, the entire first day was gone.” Then when it poured rain for an hour on the second or third day, it was, “Well, now we definitely deserve to stay one more night,” etc. until we had all convinced ourselves that we had originally planned to stay four nights in the first place. We did the same thing when we last visited Bacalar together in November/December of 2005. On that trip, we stayed at Hotel Laguna Bacalar and visited the Mayan ruins of Kohunlich, but on this trip we had a whole lot of nothing planned.
Bacalar is a town of about 10,000 people located around 3.5 hours south of Playa del Carmen (with stops), 130 km west of Chetumal, and not too far from the Belize border. The name is thought to be derived from the Mayan b’ak halal, which means “surrounded by reedy water” or “surrounded by reeds” (I’ve seen both translations). Bacalar lagoon is a large, freshwater lake nicknamed “Laguna de los Siete Colores,” or the Lagoon of Seven Colors, for the amazing colors it shares with the Caribbean Sea. This is one of my favorite places on Earth and I would someday like to live there. Or at least own property there and visit often.
Our friend, the kickass Ms. Keersten has a gorgeous plot of land directly on the lagoon and has tricked it out with some amazing amenities: outdoor kitchen, showers/bathrooms, tents, games, books, kayak, fire pit, awesome dock/palapa overlooking the lagoon, two refrigerators, and a top-of-the-line BBQ grill better than anything I’ve ever owned in my life. I think these rough conditions prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that I could definitely win it all on Survivor, people.
Sara and I turned out some great food, including Ribeyes/mashed potatoes/salad, tuna melts/mac ‘n’ cheese, parmesan/garlic crusted chicken breasts, Italian sausage/pepper and onion sandwiches, Asian pork tenderloin kabobs, and more. Every morning we had some sort of delicious egg/meat scramble and ate so many different snack foods that I have used up my entire yearly quota of junk. Best part had to be the saucer-eyes on the boys when we put plates of this “camp food” in front of them. Michael assured me that if they were cooking, we’d have been eating hot dogs every day. Yick.
Our days were spent lounging around on the dock, drinking and shooting the shit, swimming, cooking, and eating. We played 80s trivia one night and the boys won, but only because of their sneaky, drunken strategy of talking the entire time we were trying to think of the answers. Cheaters. If we got all the easy Married With Children questions we could have won, too, jerks!
Before I get to the photos, let’s do some arithmetic, shall we?
4 nights + 5 days+4 people+2 bottles of vodka+6 bottles of wine+more cases of beer than I care to admit publicly=4 sturdy, practiced livers and countless hours of good times, good times.
The first night, Michael and I were all, Oh, we don’t need to put up a tent, we’ll just sleep under the stars, and Sara and Steve were all, Oh, we don’t need to put up a tent, we’ll just sleep in the van.
After Sara and Steve sweltered in the van and got devoured by mosquitos and I slept approximately 15 minutes because of the dogs freaking out at every little thing and got devoured by mosquitos, sleeping under the stars was out and both couples put up tents the next day.
See that little space in the middle? That’s where the dogs allowed me to sleep for 15 minutes that first night. Photo courtesy of Brother Omen.
The only good thing about not being able to sleep is that I got to see my first sunrise of my entire life. Well, except for those many sunrises I saw in my youth on the backside of the night, through bloodshot eyes. Photo courtesy of Brother Omen.
That’s a mighty big dock you got there.
The outdoor kitchen/bar
Sara/Steve’s tent and the bathrooms/showers
OMG, this view is so disgusting it hurts my eyes.
The only photographic evidence you will see of me standing up on this entire trip. Photo courtesy of Brother Omen.
The hammock that became my home. In it, I read Julia Alvarez’s Saving the World (thanks, Caroline!) and Chuck Pahlaniuk’s Haunted (containing one of the grossest, most disturbing stories I’ve ever read. Michael says I’m not allowed to talk about it anymore). Don’t worry, I checked periodically to make sure all the dogs were still breathing.
Steve, futilely trying to inflate his sinking floatie while he’s in it.
Michael, with his “insta-tan” and Franky, pensively looking out across the lagoon
It’s rare when you love one half of a couple as much as you love the other one.
Foster, aka as “Fuckface Piggles” and “Crankypants” getting some relaxation
Brighton is so the Alpha Dog
Franky is so tired. Historically afraid of water, he surprised us all by jumping in the lake several times.
Vinnie, also exhausted from all her sleeping and playing.
Just north of Keersten’s land is a public park, and it was nice on Sunday when we got to see lots of local families swimming, laughing, and enjoying the beauty of their hometown.
Steve, are you wearing sunblock?
I’m serious. I am in this damn hammock in every photo.
See what I mean?
After it rained really hard for an hour, Steve caught these double rainbows on film.
Steve also found a little frog hiding in a hole by the entry gate.
Look at that moonrise. Photo courtesy of Brother Omen.
The boys spied this on the way into town for a beer run. Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Photo courtesy of Brother Omen.
Bromance of the Century
The International Male catalog photo shoot. I’m going to get crucified for posting this, so you all better appreciate it.
So not nice to take pictures of us when we are sleeping.
At least Sara got me to sit up in the hammock for a minute.
Two of the most photogenic people on the planet. Steve and I don’t like them very much.
This is in the van on the way home: 4 dogs + 4 people+heat+having to leave Bacalar=crabby chicks.
What an incredible long weekend. If you’ve never been to Bacalar, go. Go now.
I live vicariously through you.
By: Stef on June 21, 2008
at 2:59 pm
Awesome photos – and looks like my kind of vacay !!! Total chill time…the dogs look like they are chilling out to !
By: Tappy on June 21, 2008
at 3:22 pm
I guess you are the best teacher – on how to have an amazing vacation. Sounds absolutely perfect, and what a beautiful place!
Loved Saving the World, can’t read Chuck Pahlaniuk anymore, sheesh.
Glad you’re back.
By: Nancy on June 21, 2008
at 5:14 pm
Looks like a great trip!! Very relaxing!!
By: micheleinplaya on June 21, 2008
at 6:09 pm
Great to have you back my dear, you’ve been missed. And for oh such a good reason, great “trip report” and fab pics, thanks amiga!
By: CancunCanuck on June 22, 2008
at 7:39 am
Too gorgeous for words!!! No need to justify spending an extra night….I would still be there. A beautiful spot with good friends and adorable puppies…..LIFE IS GOOD!! Thanks for letting us take a peek!
By: beanie on June 22, 2008
at 7:40 am
I so wanna be you
I destressed just looking at the pics.
btw, you want disturbing… if you haven’t already, read Chuck’s “Rant” – I’m still gagging.
xoxo
C
By: CaroleLB on June 22, 2008
at 9:32 am
If I were to go camping that would be my kind of camping. It certainly did not look like you were roughing it. Oh and the food sounded delicious!
By: Jackie on June 22, 2008
at 10:31 am
Hooray! I’ve been waiting for your trip report and it didn’t disappoint. Sounds like a perfect few days. What an idyllic spot.
The photos are all wonderful, but I especially love the moonrise and “Jesus Jose y Maria”!
ellen
By: ellen on June 22, 2008
at 11:48 am
I just heard on weather channel about a dog in a closed car in LA died after 90 minutes. That makes me very angry…I could see forgetting your kid…but the puppy??
So, when I come there…I want to go here. FYI….Garretts goes very well with your stories…I had at least three handfulls while watching the blog.
By: Amy on June 22, 2008
at 5:05 pm
I’m so glad you a great time. You look so relaxed. I wanted to go there after Liz reported about it. Now I want to go even more!
By: wayne on June 22, 2008
at 9:52 pm
Awesome trip report, Heather. Balacar looks like paradise on earth. I love that the doggies got to come play, too. (Sigh, I’m missing our doggies right now, especially Wolfric.)
And the International Male pic is fabulous. Reminds me of the catalog man shots – have you seen those?
Do a search on Yahoo for ‘catalog man photos’… ha ha ha.
By: Julie on June 23, 2008
at 8:16 am
Can we please please go back there? Right now! Love the blog as usual; it captured the trip perfectly. I am already planning our next trip…..
By: Sara on June 23, 2008
at 8:33 am
My favorite pic is you in the hammaca all tangled up like you’ve been spun into a web by a spider.
By: Elizabeth on June 23, 2008
at 10:22 am
Stef: As I do through you. You get to have a great marriage and wonderful kids. I get Bacalar.
Tappy: It made my heart just swell to see my dogs running around that yard. There is no place in Playa where they can do that.
Nancy, Michele, Kelly, Beanie: It was relaxing, and I was sad to leave, but was happy to come home.
Carole: I love Chuck Pahlaniuk, but yeah. He’s gross.
Jackie: I don’t get much more “rustic” than that. If you want me to stay happy, that is.
Ellen: Both of those great photos are courtesy of Steve Moen.
Amy: What do you mean about the kid thing vs. dogs? I’m confused…I think leaving either in a locked car is pretty horrifying. And I think living without Garrett popcorn for 4 years + is pretty horrifying, too.
Wayne: Let’s go. I’m game. Next Spring?
Julie: You know I am googling that immediately.
Sara: Ok. I’m in. I’m an excellent spinner.
Elizabeth: I do look like I’m in a cocoon, don’t I?
By: heatherinparadise on June 23, 2008
at 8:52 pm
Hans was in Bacalar this weekend, too! But he was doing the free diving competition in Cenote Azul. He said we have to go there, but seeing your pics makes me want to go there NOW! Looks like fun, but I have to say I checked your blog on Wed, Thurs, Fri and thought “Where is she? How was camping?” I’m such a nerd.
By: mexpat on June 23, 2008
at 9:33 pm
So, I tried googling Catalog Man and now I can’t find the site that had all the pics. Sigh. Here’s at least one, if you couldn’t locate them:
http://www.lastgasp.com/d/22845/
By: Julie A. on June 25, 2008
at 1:30 pm
Wow. I sit here with tears of jealousy running down my face. Sometimes I dislike you. Haha.
Looks like a fab time….for you & the puppys!
By: Melissa on June 26, 2008
at 10:15 pm
that looks like such an amazing place – I totally want to go there one day.
By: tacogirl on June 28, 2008
at 3:47 pm