By Bob Van Leer

  (CANCUN, MEXICO, Sunday, July 25, 2004) - We arrived in this Mexican resort city yesterday evening after a delayed trip from Dallas. Cancun is a city of about 200,000 people on the Caribbean Sea. We are not staying directly in the city, but at the Barcelo' Maya Beach Resort about 60 miles south. The trip is a gathering of members of my family. We try to get together somewhere every few years. We enjoy one another's company. There are 16 of us so far with two to arrive tomorrow and this should be the party for this gathering.

  The older generation is myself and wife, Betty, my two sisters, June Pallardy and Ruth Chiodini, of St. Louis, both widows, and some of our descendants.

By Bob Van Leer

  (CANCUN, MEXICO, Tuesday, July 27, 2004) - Today was a busy day starting with water sports at a tourist attraction and then proceeding to Tulum, one of the most significant Mayan ruins. We left our hotel, the Barcelo' Maya Beach, by bus just after 8:00 a.m. and drove to Xel-Ha', pronounced Shell-HA'. Our full party of 18 was along. This is an estuary of the Caribbean Sea, probably used as a seaport by the Mayan nation. (We'll have more on the Mayas later).

  It is difficult to describe what Xel-Ha' is but it is very heavy in water sports. It is a good snorkeling spot and equipment is rented at four locations on the estuary.

By Bob Van Leer

  (CANCUN, MEXICO, Tuesday, July 30, 2004) - Today, our last full day here, we took a cab from our hotel, Barcelo' Maya Beach, to Playa del Carmen, 13 miles north, where ferries from Cozumel dock. Cozumel is close enough to the mainland (11 miles) to see the island on the horizon. It is a 25 minute ferry ride and just $18.50 for a round trip. The island has such excellent diving areas it is considered an underwater national park. In addition, of course, there are lots of souvenir shops for the tourists. Cozumel is flat as a pancake, 29 miles long and 10 miles wide. The city of San Miguel (population 50,000) is the major settlement on the island