terry&mike

Ours for October, 2014, Istanbul to Athens, is also $850. Once I factor in the deviation fee so I can arrive/depart on different days of $150, and the $199 for an extra leg to my non-gateway home city, I'm at $1199. Mine seems in line to me.

TNT123 - I understand your comments about the trash in the area, as I have a house nearby, and on each visit I designate a trash clean up day to pick up around my house, my beach, and nearby. Each time I come, it's back to the same. Frustrating.

It may help for you to know two things about the area. The first is that throwing trash on the ground, rather in bins, is commonplace in this culture, they are raised doing it, and don't see that it is wrong and that there is a better way. Sometimes locals are astonished when they see me picking up garbage from the beach. Culturally, there is a different mindset about garbage, and so they don't know that gringos would be offended by seeing it. The second thing to be aware of is that there is no formal trash service out at the beach towns, no truck to come around on Tuesday and Friday and pick up your garbage, etc. Your garbage must be sorted and bagged and either taken to the dump, or you must flag down one of the old guys in beat up pick up trucks that ride around yelling "basura, basura" (trash) out their window. Both the dump and the guy trying to make a living charge 5 pesos (about .45 cents) per bag for accepting trash - this is an awful lot of money for someone who's average income is $12 per day - if they are able to find a job.

Not giving excuses, just understanding. I have a hard time with it too.

I did want to address a couple of other things, that I forgot to mention.

As to prostitutes, neither my husband nor I, nor any of our visiting friends or family, have ever been propositioned. The only "working girls" we have seen in the area were late at night, on the main road (Avenue Itzaes - same street where the interesting zoo is, by the way), out in the commercial area on the way to the Merida airport, about 40 miles from Progreso.

I do know of the lady in Progreso who's 2 daughters help her sell jewelry and other trinkets. All I can say is that they never appear to be in need of food or clothing, and they are with their mother. Not ideal, but it helps to find the positive in the situation. I know most folks would not chose this for their children, and possibly this lady would not either if there were options, but Mexico has no "safety net" - if you're poor, you're poor, if you're starving, you're starving, if you're homeless... you get the picture.

Did you know there is an ice skating rink in the large Liverpool Mall, just north of Merida on the road between Progreso and Merida? And also a movie theater with lounge chairs serving cocktails and food? Just an aside.

I'll actually be using the Carnival Fantasy July 11 sailing and it's stop in Progreso to go check on some projects at my beach house in Chelem. Since it leaves from New Orleans, and I live in Baton Rouge, it's an economical and simple way to check out the house, and get some relaxing time in also!

My husband and I own a second home in the small fishing village of Chelem, just 6 miles west of Progreso. The area is certainly not your usual tourist spot, but it has it's own charms. Progreso has long been a beach destination for locals from Merida and Mexico City, and other cities throughout the country. In the past few years, as cruise ships have begun to port there, it is trying to learn the way to appeal to the gringo market, but it is still mainly a beach vacation or beach day trip for Mexican families, and happily so. If you visit on days when a cruise ship is not in port, it has a totally different vibe.

The people of the area are hard working, and some of the friendliest you'll find anywhere. Yes they are mostly poor, they generally make around $15 per day, but they are amazingly positive people and very family oriented, enjoying life on a different financial scale.

Close by are some amazing things to see. The ruins at Dzibilchaltun are about 20 minutes away, smaller than Uxmal or Chichen Itza, but interesting, and with a great museum. Merida is a lovely colonial city dating back to the 1500's with glorious architecture, many plazas/squares, a cafe society and wide avenues. At one time it was the richest city in the world, due to it's production of rope from the henequin plant, and many of it's grand homes remain. Now it is a city of over a million people with a large historic center. There are places nearby to go kayaking to see flamingo habitats, swimming in crystal clear cenotes (underground rivers), and fishing. If you head east towards Telchac Puerto and Santa Rosa you'll see the perfect beaches and modern grand beach houses built by the wealthy. If you head a bit south you can visit the "yellow city" of Izamal, with it's 400 year old convent and monastery and charming town. There are interesting tours of henequin plantations, such as Sotuta de Peon, that rival a sugar plantation tour in South Louisiana.

The area is just waiting for folks to get out and explore a bit, it's just getting it's tourist wheels rolling, so you have to try a bit harder to seek out the great, until they get it all figured out and start bringing the great to the port, that's all.

As to safety, we drive all over this area and always feel safe, and anytime we have a problem the folks we happen upon are always more than happy to be of help.

I hope you enjoy your time, and know that your money spent really does help someone who lives on much less than you. Best.