Mexico City (Three): Kayaking Xochimilco

Although it's true that we did eat our way through Mexico City, we also found time for some fun outdoor activity, continuing our tradition of paddling in the midst of the city.  But where is this possible in Mexico City?  Xochimilco.

XOCHIMILCO

WILDFLOWERS AT XOCHIMILCO

Lake Xochimilco is filled with canals around man-made islands called chinampas.  I am not exactly sure of the history of this area, but the gist is that at some point, resourceful individuals created floating islands - chinampas - to develop opportunities for agricultural pursuits.  The area is a national protected natural area, and it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

PELICANS

Paddling is not a common activity in Xochimilco.  No, most people take trajineras to tour Xochimilco. Trajineras are colorful gondola-like vessels push-poled by experienced boatmen.  And while those boats would be a great experience, we wanted something a little more active.

TRAJINERAS AT XOCHIMILCO

WADINGS BIRDS WERE EVERYWHERE!

And that's when we found Daniel through AirBnB experiences.

OUR GUIDE, DANIEL

Daniel answered all our questions in advance, including when, where, how much, and what's included (yes, even lunch!).  He met us on time at the Embarcadero Cuemenco Xochimilco, or boat dock, and he walked us down to the place where we'd launch our kayaks.

KARLA and KEVIN AT THE BOAT DOCK

From the launch, we crossed the main canal, with the largest amount of boat traffic, and entered a smaller canal that was not suitable for more than one trajinera to pass at a time.

KEVIN PADDLING THE MAIN CANAL

AHHH: A SMALLER,  MORE SECLUDED CANAL

We paddled past cows, which impressed us far more than they impressed Daniel.

COWS GRAZING ALONG THE CANALS

We tried pulque, which is a fermented, slightly alcoholic drink traditionally used for energy.  The texture was something between a milkshake and a smoothie, and it was delicious!

K&K WITH DANIEL, SAMPLING PULQUE

We saw axolotl, a type of salamander that lives only in Lake Xochimilco.  It was also native to Lake Chalco, also in central Mexico, but that lake was drained, and the axolotl lost much of their available habitat.

AXOLOTL

AXOLOTL

We were serenaded by a mariachi band.

RANDOM MARIACHI BAND FLOATING THE CANALS

And we visited Doll Island.

Doll Island was one of the highlights of trip for me.  I like things that are a little creepy, and Doll Island certainly fits that bill.  Daniel told us that it started after the farmer of the Doll Island chinampa found a drowned girl and believed that she haunted the island.  The farmer started finding dolls in the water, which he placed on trees around the chinampa to ward off evil spirits.  After many years, the farmer was found drowned in the same area where he'd found the drowned girl.  No one lives or farms the chinampa these days ... but the dolls remain, still protecting the island from any spirits who might haunt it.

KEVIN & KARLA AT THE ONLY SHADY SPOT ON THE ISLAND:
THIS HUT WAS FILLED WITH CREEPY DOLLS

DOLL ISLAND

I enjoyed seeing all the interesting, rotting dolls around the island.  I found the story fascinating.  And I convinced Kevin that we should do some acro yoga in the clearing amongst the creepy dolls.  (He humored me.)

DOLL ISLAND ACRO

After a wonderful day of paddling, we made our way back to the Embarcadero Cuemanco Xochimilco, where we enjoyed lunch with Daniel, entertained by adult soccer teams drinking and singing their afternoon away.  It was a day I won't soon forget!

AFTER KAYAKING: LUNCH (WITH A GIANT BEVERAGE!)

If you are interested in an unusual experience in Mexico City with a terrific guide, I highly recommend contacting Daniel through AirBnB experiences.  This is a one-of-a-kind tour.  I'd do it again, if I ever get the chance to return to Mexico City.

ALMOST BACK TO THE DOCK