After lazy time in the hacienda hotel, we went to Izamal to stay in the camping run by Harald, originally from Austria. It was time to wash Balios and clean its interior thoroughly. The heat and humidity were unbeatable. Simple tasks proved to be extremely hard to complete. It took us with Eva good half day and in the afternoon, we went to Chiquilá in the state of Quintana Roo. We reached the shore of the Gulf of Mexico on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. Here we left the car and went by ferry to Holbox Island. We were in a different world.

Holbox (pronunciation hall-bosh) is the opposite of the popular Cancun, which is relatively close. Holbox has no cars; local transport on sandy roads is by golf carts only. There are not many tourists on this island; all the buildings are lower than the surrounding palm trees, and this amazingly calm, endless coastline.

The shallow lagoon is home to hundreds of flamingos. It was an unforgettable experience for us walking many kilometers in the water at the knee level. Watching flamingo colonies from a short distance is a great attraction. They are so beautiful. With long legs and slender necks, these birds look very dignified. They look equally dignified while sleeping, standing on one leg, with the head under the wing.

Why exactly are flamingos pink? You might think it is their natural color. This is not true. Flamingos are born white. Their color depends on their diet. These birds eat algae and shrimp containing pigments called carotenoids. Pigment molecules are absorbed and deposited in the feathers, changing their color.

We returned from Holbox to Izamal. Time has come for us to fly home from the nearby airport in Merida. Balios had its secure place to rest in Camping Izamal. He has to wait there until we return to continue our journey through the World of the Maya.