beautiful private lounging on the beach at Playa 55, Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
the Playa 55 beach at Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
The pool at Playa 55 in Celestun, Yucatan
Celestun is a very small village on the northwest coast of the Yucatan and the predominant industry is fishing
Celestun and its world class biosphere nature reserve is internationally known for its mangroves, Pelicans and Flamingos
At certain times of the year you cannot see the swamp waters for the density of 35,000 Flamingos wading in them in the distance, but sometimes you can get lucky and find them right in front of you.
Watching an ocean storm arriving over Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico. First comes the wind!
Everywhere you look in Mexican settlements there is colour. These chairs were seen against a wall in Celestun village square at dusk. Stark and strangely beautiful.
Hard to tell without video but the wind is helping to create this image of coconuts buried in the tree fronds. The rustling is very noisy!
A large, very decorative wall image based on Mayan art style found at Playa 55, Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
This sensitively designed entry courtyard at Playa 55 is a wonderful spatial experience for a balmy evening of conversation
There are some every interesting creations along the beachfront in Celestun
Apparently used for storage, this pole and thatch building is representative of Mayan style building technology for the housing of ordinary folks still seen in use in some locations.
A bad ocean storm and high tides leave seaweed and boats high and dry in Celestun, Yucatan
not something you want to see at eye level when the power comes back on at night on the coast of the Yucatan
On the edge of mangrove swamp surrounding an inlet on the south east edge of Celestun, an elderly lady who speaks excellent English lives with her chickens and cow and invited me to see the flamingos. I almost trod on a nesting Crocodile resting in the mud at the waters edge.
This street is generically the same as any unimproved rural settlement street we witnessed in Yucatan.
Typical of many street frontages on the edges of villages.
It is not uncommon to see stock animals wandering loose or tethered on any bit of available grass.
Probably a new house, using the cheapest means of construction, Mayan style, log poles and thatch of palm
These home made , uninsured and unlicensed taxis seem to be the second means of household support after fishing in Celestun. They are primitive and as they move at cycling pace seem to hold together.
Long and narrow lots provide better density but do little for better quality housing
Coquina is a lime and mud wall filled with shells. It is very strong and developed by the Spanish, used in fortifications in Florida and in some extent in Mexico. It is very resilient to impact even from canon balls.
Coconut milk is highly treasured in Yucatan but the meat of the nut is often thrown away. It is not uncommon to see large piles of emptied cocunuts where they are dumped by the roadside. It is a shame to not process the husks for this material.
Mexico is the land of festivals and parades and the locals seem to get really involved. This lady was dressed to go to the celebrations in the village plaza to celebrate the Mexican revolution.
There are only a few small strips of developed roadways in the centre of Celestun and they look very different to the outskirts. It is not a major tourist village but they are trying to attract visitors to the Bio-reserve to see the wildlife and go fishing.
There are many buildings disintegrating in various parts of Celestun, their entry doorways and windows sometimes boarded and locked but often broken open and destroyed interiors visible. It seems that some of these buildings are several hundred years old.
the simple exterior appears older than the inside of the church shows it to be.
This simple community church was built more recently than many of the Catholic churches in Mexico. From the outside it appears as if old but the interior is perhaps only 100+ years old
Advertising your purpose pays!
These benches are found in many locations across urban centres. They are made from iron and cast iron and are identical except for having the municipal crest of their location set into the back. They are also mightily uncomfortable for sitting too long!
A small fishing village, Celestuns beach development is very minor, sand, coconut palms, a few shelters
This chair sits in the beach in Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico, staring out into the Gulf of Mexico. A place to relish the sound and smells of the ocean, the cries of pelicans and seagulls, watching them dive for fish, feel the sun at your back and the warm breeze on your face. A place to relax, perhaps doze, read, contemplate.
Pool - to beach - to Gulf of Mexico
Playa 55, Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
Pool - to beach - to Gulf of Mexico
Playa 55, Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
Celestun, Yucatan is a village of poor fisher folk. There are about 6000 people living here. It is not really a resort village, though there are a growing number of much nicer vacation locations. Many live around the periphery in situations like this.
This Bougainvillea Glabra was observed growing wild in Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
The storm subsided....Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
Found growing wild in Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
Found growing wild in Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico
Cocunuts just cut down, ready to prepare
seen from the private beach
