Mexico is beautiful, friendly, and drenched in history.

From the looks of it the tiny area I’ve seen from Cancun to Tulum (Mexico’s "cave country") is exploding with development. Multi-million dollar 5-star resorts and mega projects are scattered along the highway, another international airport is on the horizon and the main roads are being rapidly widened as funding is being poured into the infrastructure. Hopefully that means good things.

Having played tourist for only a brief time I am certainly no expert, but found Mexico to pretty varied. Naturally, you have to visit the ruins, and even there you get a choice: do you want to see the relatively undisturbed ruins that have been only minimally excavated and preserved in a more natural condition (Coba - spend the few dollars and rent a bike there, it’s a BIG place), or do you want the spic and span, landscaped version with a nightly light show (Chichen Itza)? Or do you want something in between with an amazing view of the ocean (Tulum). Your choice. In either case the history and majesty will stay with you for a long time.

On a safety note - if you are planning on driving while in Mexico please be sure to talk to someone accustomed to their ways of the road because they have some interesting techniques you NEED to know.

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Depending on who you talk to the museum at Whitefish point is either a great thing or an awful thing. There are beautifully preserved artifacts recovered from many of the major wrecks in the area, and that’s the problem. Many divers there reportedly feel that since it was against the law for them to remove artifacts the same should apply to the museum, and have decided to boycott.

The museum features several buildings on the site of an old lighthouse. There are exhibits, artifacts, a movie, and even the lens from the lighthouse.  The bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald is perhaps the centerpiece to the whole place but of particular interest to divers will be the amazing models of the wrecks as they looked when they could still float.

I found the museum more than worthwhile, and would recommend it as highly informative, entertaining and professionally done. It is very close to where dive boats depart so is a great alternative if you get blown out.

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The story is a tragic tale of love and loss. In 1900 the proprietor of New York’s opulent Waldorf Astoria Hotel, George Boldt, started building a castle for his wife, the love of his life, Louise. The Boldt’s and their children spent four summers living in the Alster Tower, one of the first buildings to be completed as workers continued their efforts on the 120 room monument of love which included a power generating station, drawbridge, playhouse, clock tower, Italian garden, elevator, gazebo, bowling alley, billiard room, hennery, underground tunnels and the best of everything money could buy.

Then in 1904 Louise passed away suddenly and George sent a telegram that all construction was to stop immediately. The 300 workers put down their tools and the unfinished structures commenced 73 years of deterioration. Roofs collapsed, walls crumbled, and vandals helped speed the decay to the point it was about to be condemned for being too dangerous even though it was unoccupied. In 1977 the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority purchased the property from the US government for $1 and set about investing many millions in restoration efforts that will continue for years to come.

It’s hard to imagine the destruction when you enter the first floor. Perfect walls, immaculate flooring, pristine woodwork and gleaming brass are everywhere. It’s only once you reach the upper levels of the six storey castle where they have preserved what some of the rooms were like before restoration began, with large photos showing how close it was to all being demolished.

If you’re a diver and you have visited the wrecks around Rockport then you’re already very familiar with Boldt Castle since this is where the boats come to have passengers clear customs during the summer in the post-9-11 era.

A number of ferry boats do nothing but take people across to the castle, which was originally designed as a summer home. Be warned, this place is to “summer homes” what climbing Mount Everest is to “casual Sunday walks”.  It’s gorgeous, huge, and totally unfair unless you have a couple of your own collecting dust somewhere just as nice. Built on five acre Heart Island, hearts abound throughout the structure from outdoor planters to wrought iron and masonry work. Across a short stretch of river is the boat house located on Wellesley Island, designed to hold three yachts including tall masted sailing vessels based on the size of the doors. The largest of the slips is 128’ long and 64’ tall.

The castle has been visited by over five million guests since being taken over by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, including 750 weddings, and is well worth your visit during their open season from May through October. More information can be found at their gorgeous website.

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