After talking to people at the excursions desk, I learned that the excursion  I had booked, to the Xcaret Archeological Park, was not wheelchair accessible--too many rough paths and steep inclines.  I cashed in our tickets with hopes that we could find something to do on the island.  It was impressive to watch the people pouring out of the two huge ships only forty feet apart.  People began immediately lining up for ferryboats to Cancun and various mainland tours.  We had to navigate a group of shops at the end of the pier before reaching the road to the island.  I talked to a guide in about an island tour for us.  He told me, $152 cash.  I had no cash, so told the girls to wait while went back to the ship to get some. 

     The bursar told me they couldn't give me cash until the casino opened.  Finally, after about a half-hour, the supervisor made an exception and gave me $300 on my account.  By that time, Daisey had come looking for me.  When we got back out to the road, Juan, the taxi dispatcher, assured me that I could leave my electric wheelchair in his "office" (an open area near the stairs in front of the building).  I took a chance and transferred to my portable chair.  We took the next cab.  I asked the driver to take us around the island.  He was happy to oblige.  At first we passed beautiful beaches and resorts on the north side, then turned on a main highway headed south.  Most of the island appeared to be quite brushy and barren, populated only by small animals and birds.

      When we reached the south side of the island, the Caribbean Sea was a rough from high winds blowing inland.  The girls were impressed with the violence of the blue-green sea.  The shore was rocky in places and we drove for miles without seeing anyone on the beach except for occasional tourist stops with minimal services.  Finally, we left the beaches and drove along the boulevard leading to the only city on the island.  I asked the driver to stop along the seawall by the main square at a restaurant he recommended. It was so hot that it was good to get out in the strong breeze.   We had lunch there and were serenaded while we ate.  We then grabbed another cab back to the pier.  I was glad to see my electric chair sitting by the building in Juan's office just like he said it would. 

     We returned to the ship.  The strong wind blew Daiseyís favorite straw hat into the drink just off the bow.  I asked some of the crew to save it, but they just watched it disappear between ship and dock. Back on board, everyone stood on the decks and watched Voyager pull away from the pier, turn around, and steam for Miami. Our ship followed just before dinner.  We shared our stories of the day with our friends at dinner.  It had been up to 125 degrees on the mainland.  I was glad we hadn't gone to Xcaret. That night, we went to a show by an outlandish, irreverent comedian who juggled knives, bowling balls, and apples--and rode a unicycle.