Laguna in Front of Casa Estrella de Bacalar

Story and photos by Mari Pintkowski

Our first visit to Casa Estrella de Bacalar last April was magical,
but our second visit in July was even more amazing. When my husband
and I arrived at the house it was hard not to begin snapping pictures
immediately when we saw the garden full of colorful tropical plants
and terracotta pottery leading up to the carved wooden front door with
flowering vines hanging in front of it.

Once inside, fresh flower arrangements decorated each and every room.
The layout of the house is perfect for a couple or two couples. There
are two bedrooms separated by the colorful, fully furnished kitchen
and dining room with a large table looking out at the verdant backyard
and lake of seven colors. The master bedroom with a view of the lake
has air conditioning, a queen bed, chaise lounge and a huge bathroom
with a shower/tub that in itself is a work of art. Nature surrounds
you everywhere. There are fluffy towels galore, mirrors and bath
products so that no detail has gone unnoticed. The second bedroom has a
double futon, a chaise lounge, good reading light, air conditioning
and a charming bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The Mexican art, including: pottery, hand-woven rugs, textiles,
paintings and drawings and wood carvings let you know you are in the
home of people who treasure the handicrafts of indigenous people of
this country.

The house also has a small, comfortable living room that is
beautifully decorated that includes a DVD player, many interesting
books and magazines about Mayan history and local sites, wi-fi (It
works even better at the restaurant next door.)

We spent most of our time moving peacefully from the hammocks on the
outside deck, to the lounges on the grassy lawn at the edge of the
lake, to the beautiful dining set where we ate all our meals. The lake
is like bathwater in the summer, and a little cooler in the spring.
You can walk right into the water from the back yard and swim to your
hearts content. The big trees growing along the shore give you plenty
of privacy.

We ordered from the menu (20% discount for Casa Estrella guests) at
the Rancho Encantado Resort next door and the friendly staff delivered
our meals with a smile. If you prefer the resort has a lovely dining
room that overlooks the lake. The spa was offering a special and both
of us had a facial and salt-scrub combination with massage. Rinsing
off in the lake on the back side of the little spa was very
refreshing. There is also a large jacuzzi at the resort if you want to
tear yourself away from Casa Bacalar.

The morning sunrises were spectacular and drew us out of bed to go
kayaking on the lake when the water surface was like glass. As the
wind comes up in the afternoon it becomes a bit choppy.

Because we are B&B owner/operators in Tulum just two hours away, we
escaped to Bacalar to rest and regenerate.  Next time we may visit one
of the nearby Mayan ruins, the Cenote Azul or try the zip line at
BioMaya. There are many interesting tourist sites within an hour (and
some a little farther) if you want an adventure vacation. The town of
Bacalar, only five minutes away, has an assortment of small
restaurants, local shops, and ruins of a historical fort.  A ride or
walk through town will give you a glimpse of a developing Mexican
community.

For us, we are already planning our next trip to return for more R&R
and maybe some local sight-seeing.

Mari and Louis www.laselvamariposa.com

Casa Estrella de Bacalar is a vacation rental located on the shore of Laguna Bacalar (the Lake of Seven Colors) in Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula MEXICO. Click here for more information or here to contact us regarding availability and reservations.

by Susanna Starr

Although many of us certainly understand the concept of being here now, the mind still likes to travel and takes us on many trips, many to places that we’ve already visited. Being at Casa Estrella, on the shore of the magical Laguna Bacalar, is a place I often revisit in my mind. The astounding colors of the water, the pristine clarity and the gentle, soothing sound of the waves against the shoreline, is a never ending source of delight.

Landscaping - Casa Estrella de Bacalar

But that’s not all…..each day brings new discoveries in the opening of various exotic flowers, the growth of the different plantings, the feeling of spaciousness in the lawn that extends to the water’s edge. Each day, on my morning walk, I gather the hibiscus, the bougainvillea and the amazing bird of paradise blossoms, which I add to the colorful arrangements of various leaves from the immense variety of plants, and place them in each room. At night, the delicious perfumes of jasmine, of Juan de la Noche, of gardenia and lime and orange blossoms fill the air with their subtle fragrances. There are plants in the master bathroom garden, more rare, that blossom only once or twice a year but when they do, their perfume is intense.

Bathtub and Bathroom Garden, Casa Estrella de Bacalar

Each room has been designed to feature hand made furniture of exotic hardwoods, hand loomed textiles and all kinds of art to please the eye and the hand. The spacious main bedroom also acts as an office and being able to look out at the water, or watch the breeze blow the palm fronds, or just listen to the sounds of the birds, makes working at the computer almost as nice an experience as lying down on the chaise on the terraza. Is it only in my memory that the weather seems to be perfect always? Even when it’s windy, it’s so protected on the terraza, that the wind isn’t intrusive. So, I can just continue to read, and be part of the environment, with no intrusions from the outside world. This gives me the unique opportunity to go inward, to simply be quiet. Some might call it relaxing, which it is, but for me it’s something more – it’s my own form of meditation. Sometimes I see physical results of this time at the house, like the collection of small paintings I did that continue to give me pleasure.

Susanna's Art, Terazza of Casa Estrella de Bacalar

Another time of being there produced a couple of hundred pages of writing that will some day become part of a memoir. But I know that other things are going on as well, even when they have not yet made themselves manifest. When those times of occasional restlessness occur, I remind myself of this, that the quiet time is important, too. Having no agenda, waking up to each day satisfied to watch it unfold, without my overt direction, requires a shift, an “allowing.” For some people, travel means going to new places, having new experiences, meeting new people, tasting new foods, visiting different cultures, having adventures. Maybe it’s because I feel satisfied that I’ve already done much of this, that I appreciate the feeling I have in my “other” home. My particular need is to be plugged into the beauty of the natural environment. It’s a never-ending source of awe, giving me that sense of great appreciation and gratitude that provides the nourishment for my spirit.

Toucan, Laguna Bacalar

Mask at Kohunlich Maya Archaeological Site, near Bacalar MEXICO

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