Akumal -Mayan Riviera -Mexico

I am writing today from the beautiful beach resort of Akumal in the Mayan Riviera of Mexico. Akumal means turtle in Mayan, and this beach is the area where sea turtles lay their eggs for reproduction. It is an ecologically protected area with coral reefs and shallow waters filled with beautiful fish and large tortoises. When I did my first dive, i was expecting to find a cute little turtle about the size of a football in the ocean. I then found a moving green sea tortoise of approximately 4 feet in length and a head of about 2 feet. I got a chill up my spine when I saw my first one. There are 2 species here, loggerheads and green turtles. When you dive below the surface, you enter a serene world that is quiet and peaceful and colourful. Little do these harmless creatures realize the dangers that us humans create for their existence.

There is a conservation museum at the beach that attempts to educate people on reducing the impact on the turtles environment. Unfortunately, urban waste water development does affect the algae production, which creates imbalances with the sea weed that the turtles eat. The clearing of the mangroves, or wetlands for resort developments reduces natures natural cleansing system of waste water before it enters the ocean, further creating imbalances in the oceans waters. This has an impact on the seaweed growth, causing potential risks to the turtles habitat. Only one out of 1000 turtle eggs born make it to adulthood. These creatures are very passive and have many predators. They are harmless as you snorkel around them and they graze on the seaweed below. attached is the local web cam at the Lo Ha restaurant. http://www.locogringo.com/upload/akumal-beach-cam.html

We humans are the most dangerous creatures on the planet.  We need to appreciate the gentleness of turtles to understand how we need to tread carefully on the environment. My first tortoise I saw I have now named Donattello.

Before arriving in Mexico, we were quite concerned about safety, as we had heard about the violence around the country. Security is everywhere in the area, and we feel safe and well taken care of in this oasis of life by the sea.

Come and enjoy the Mayan Riviera, but tread carefully on the earth when you come down.

"We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We borrow it from our children" Chief Seattle

Ola!


The Adventure Guy