Mexico
This was a trip without the Bee or even Guy although I was in the excellent company of four friends.
We flew via LA and then down to Cancun in Mexico as direct flights between the USA and Cuba weren't possible for political reasons. Visas were required for the USA even though we were only transitting.
We had a few days in Mexico before and after our Intrepid Cuba trip.
We flew via LA and then down to Cancun in Mexico as direct flights between the USA and Cuba weren't possible for political reasons. Visas were required for the USA even though we were only transitting.
We had a few days in Mexico before and after our Intrepid Cuba trip.
24 October 2016
Our flight departed Brisbane on the morning of October 24, crossing the dateline during the night and arriving in LA the morning of October 24. Transitted to our flight to Cancun, Mexico and on our arrival in Cancun we were taken to our bed and breakfast accommodation.
Our flight departed Brisbane on the morning of October 24, crossing the dateline during the night and arriving in LA the morning of October 24. Transitted to our flight to Cancun, Mexico and on our arrival in Cancun we were taken to our bed and breakfast accommodation.
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25 October
We rallied well the next morning despite the flights and delay in LA yesterday. After breakfast we met Gilberto our guide who would take us on the 3 day tour we had planned. After a two hour drive from Cancun to Valladolid we dropped our gear off at our hotel and headed north to visit the Hubiku Cenote for a cooling swim. The cenote had a hole in the roof with shrubs and trees hanging over and roots hanging down almost reaching the water. Catfish, small and large, in the water were not worried by people. Cenotes, from the Mayan word Dzonot meaning hole with water, form over time by rainwater dissolving the limestone creating underground pools and rivers. In some places the ground collapses or some cracks are created showing beautiful pools of fresh water. Around the Hubiku Cenote was a Mayan display village where the stingless native bees, larger than ours were once revered. |
Hubiku Cenote
Swimming in the clear cool waters of the Hubiku Cenote.
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The beautiful clear waters of the Cenote Hubiku.
After enjoying a tasty lunch in Temozon which is known for its smoked meat, mainly pork, we drove past fields of agave on our way to Mayapan Agave Distillery. We walked through the distillery where the ancient way of making the drink was explained to us by Gilberto. Tasted 5 different tequilas aged 0, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and up to 5/6 years. The older tequilas becoming more honey coloured and better tasting.
Returned to our hotel via a quick guided tour of Valladolid.
During the afternoon we walked through the town centre and were fortunate to find a chocolate making shop where the organic chocolate was made in the traditional Mayan way with coco and a little honey, no milk. Several flavours including honey and cinnamon, oregano, coffee, milk (all their milk is lactose free) and green pepper were available for tasting. Photos and utensils were on display and the process was explained briefly.
During the afternoon we walked through the town centre and were fortunate to find a chocolate making shop where the organic chocolate was made in the traditional Mayan way with coco and a little honey, no milk. Several flavours including honey and cinnamon, oregano, coffee, milk (all their milk is lactose free) and green pepper were available for tasting. Photos and utensils were on display and the process was explained briefly.
Stepped pyramid of El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan). An older temple exists under this one. Interesting accoustics when you clap.
26 October Valladolid
Bright and early we arrived at the Chichen Itza ruins before the crowds and even before many stallholders had set up.
Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Mayan people as a major focal point from 600 - 1200 AD. Several buildings have survived and been restored. We began our tour at the great ballcourt where the Mesoamerican ballgame was played. Measuring 168 by 70 metres the court has 12 metre high walls on either side with a stone ring carved with intertwined feathered serpents 9 metres up from the base. The aim of the game was to get a ball through the ring. The game had religious significance with the captain of the losing team sometimes being beheaded and sacrificed to the gods. There is a scene with a decapitated person on a base carving nearby. Other highlights were the Tzompantli, or Skull Platform and El Castillo, stepped pyramid, with it's 6m high temple on the summit with many features reflecting the Mayan calender. The pyramid is deliberately aligned so that on the Spring and Autumn equinoxes the northwest corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows against the western balustrade that evokes the appearance of a serpent wriggling down the staircase. More highlights were the Temple of the Warriors with its 1000 carved stone pillars depicting warriors; the nunnery; the church; the observatory and the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote).
Bright and early we arrived at the Chichen Itza ruins before the crowds and even before many stallholders had set up.
Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Mayan people as a major focal point from 600 - 1200 AD. Several buildings have survived and been restored. We began our tour at the great ballcourt where the Mesoamerican ballgame was played. Measuring 168 by 70 metres the court has 12 metre high walls on either side with a stone ring carved with intertwined feathered serpents 9 metres up from the base. The aim of the game was to get a ball through the ring. The game had religious significance with the captain of the losing team sometimes being beheaded and sacrificed to the gods. There is a scene with a decapitated person on a base carving nearby. Other highlights were the Tzompantli, or Skull Platform and El Castillo, stepped pyramid, with it's 6m high temple on the summit with many features reflecting the Mayan calender. The pyramid is deliberately aligned so that on the Spring and Autumn equinoxes the northwest corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows against the western balustrade that evokes the appearance of a serpent wriggling down the staircase. More highlights were the Temple of the Warriors with its 1000 carved stone pillars depicting warriors; the nunnery; the church; the observatory and the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote).
Off to Cenote Oxman (50 pesos) which was a bit run down. We entered down a spiral staircase of about 60 steps to beautiful clear water but few fish this time. It was partially open at the top so we could see trees and their roots all the way down as we swam.
Next stop was the hamaca maker living in a very small house on the outskirts of a village. I bought a double woven one. We returned to Valladolid.
After a late lunch we went for a walk around the town. Later in the evening there was a festival going on in front of the cathedral with dancing and firecrackers being released nearby. Some of the crackers came down in the crowd with excitement all around. The cathedral was open and lit up. A man walked in with a dried pigs head on a platter and took it in to a side chapel. Perhaps getting it blessed. It was on to hot chocolate then. Day of the Dead celebrations were beginning.
Next stop was the hamaca maker living in a very small house on the outskirts of a village. I bought a double woven one. We returned to Valladolid.
After a late lunch we went for a walk around the town. Later in the evening there was a festival going on in front of the cathedral with dancing and firecrackers being released nearby. Some of the crackers came down in the crowd with excitement all around. The cathedral was open and lit up. A man walked in with a dried pigs head on a platter and took it in to a side chapel. Perhaps getting it blessed. It was on to hot chocolate then. Day of the Dead celebrations were beginning.
The centerpiece of the 'Day of the Dead' celebration is an altar loaded with offerings to welcome spirits back. Here Catrina sits at the end of the table.
Day of the Dead originated a few thousand years ago in Mexico when mourning the dead was considered disrespectful and death was a natural phase in life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit—and during Día de los Muertos, they temporarily returned to Earth.
Although the theme is death the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members on November 1 and 2—All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar. An altar with bright colors, candles, pictures, water and a lot of food is prepared as an offering to welcome spirits back.
Literary calavera (spanish for skulls) were used to describe short, humorous poems, which were often sarcastic tombstone epitaphs which eventually became a popular part of Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Although the theme is death the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members on November 1 and 2—All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar. An altar with bright colors, candles, pictures, water and a lot of food is prepared as an offering to welcome spirits back.
Literary calavera (spanish for skulls) were used to describe short, humorous poems, which were often sarcastic tombstone epitaphs which eventually became a popular part of Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Hotel menu for the Day of the Dead celebrations.
In the early 20th century, Mexican cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada created an etching to accompany a literary calavera. He dressed his personification of death in fancy French garb and called it Calavera Garbancera, intending it as social commentary on Mexican society’s emulation of European sophistication. “Todos somos calaveras,” a quote commonly attributed to Posada, means “we are all skeletons.”
In 1947 artist Diego Rivera featured Posada’s stylized skeleton in his masterpiece mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park.” Posada’s skeletal bust was dressed in a large feminine hat, and Rivera made his female and named her Catrina, slang for “the rich.” Today, the calavera Catrina, or elegant skull, is the Day of the Dead’s most ubiquitous symbol.
In 1947 artist Diego Rivera featured Posada’s stylized skeleton in his masterpiece mural “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park.” Posada’s skeletal bust was dressed in a large feminine hat, and Rivera made his female and named her Catrina, slang for “the rich.” Today, the calavera Catrina, or elegant skull, is the Day of the Dead’s most ubiquitous symbol.
27 October
Early departure for Cancun via Coba which was about an hour on the way. At Coba Gilberto gave us a part tour and then we hired bikes with fat tyres and cycled to the Nohuch Mul pyramid which is 42 m high, and is the tallest Mayan structure in the Yucatan. We visited smaller temples and buildings on our return cycle.
Coba in the Yucatan jungle contains ruins of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is undeveloped and only a small portion has been cleared from the jungle and restored by archaeologists. The bulk of Coba's major construction was about 500 to 900 AD, with most of the dated hieroglypic inscriptions from the 7th century. However Coba remained an important site and new temples were built and old ones kept in repair until at least the 14th century, possibly as late as the arrival of the Spanish. Coba was set up with multiple residential areas that consisted of around 15 houses in clusters. All clusters were connected by sacbeobs, or elevated walkways.
After Coba we checked out the Cenote Multun-Ha and then continued on through villages to Cancun which took about 2.5 hrs. On arrival in Cancun we settled back into the accommodation we had been in a few days earlier.
Early departure for Cancun via Coba which was about an hour on the way. At Coba Gilberto gave us a part tour and then we hired bikes with fat tyres and cycled to the Nohuch Mul pyramid which is 42 m high, and is the tallest Mayan structure in the Yucatan. We visited smaller temples and buildings on our return cycle.
Coba in the Yucatan jungle contains ruins of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is undeveloped and only a small portion has been cleared from the jungle and restored by archaeologists. The bulk of Coba's major construction was about 500 to 900 AD, with most of the dated hieroglypic inscriptions from the 7th century. However Coba remained an important site and new temples were built and old ones kept in repair until at least the 14th century, possibly as late as the arrival of the Spanish. Coba was set up with multiple residential areas that consisted of around 15 houses in clusters. All clusters were connected by sacbeobs, or elevated walkways.
After Coba we checked out the Cenote Multun-Ha and then continued on through villages to Cancun which took about 2.5 hrs. On arrival in Cancun we settled back into the accommodation we had been in a few days earlier.
Cheryl and Catrina
28 October
An enjoyable breakfast of eggs, tomatoes and onion, refried beans and toast before leaving. There was a bit of confusion about payment before we left but it was cleared up with help from an english-spanish speaking guest.
Flight with Aeromexico was to leave at 11:09am but it was almost an hour late with the gate not confirmed till the last minute. Fortunately lots of excellent duty free shopping with some good quality, reasonably priced souvenirs - cheaper in pesos than $s.
Unfortunately we were leaving Mexico on the morning when the main Day of the Dead celebrations were about to start.
Next time.
An enjoyable breakfast of eggs, tomatoes and onion, refried beans and toast before leaving. There was a bit of confusion about payment before we left but it was cleared up with help from an english-spanish speaking guest.
Flight with Aeromexico was to leave at 11:09am but it was almost an hour late with the gate not confirmed till the last minute. Fortunately lots of excellent duty free shopping with some good quality, reasonably priced souvenirs - cheaper in pesos than $s.
Unfortunately we were leaving Mexico on the morning when the main Day of the Dead celebrations were about to start.
Next time.
Sponsorship for the controllers?
6 November
On arrival in Cancun from Havana my bag was searched due to the Cuban cigars but all ok.
It was then a 50 minute drive to our accommodation in down town Playa del Carmen. Although the accommodation looked a bit uninviting behind the steel gates the Suites Fenicia was a clean very friendly family run business within walking distance of the beach and tourist area.
About 7 o'clock we walked down to the main drag on 5th avenue which is a paved pedestrian mall with many colourful shops. We ate dinner there with orders from eggs, to hamburgesas, guacamole and ribs with beer, margueritas and a complimentary tequila.
7 November
A beautiful sunny day and a relaxing morning spent walking along the beach and squeezing in some last minute shopping in 5th Avenue.
We then boarded the van that took us back to Cancun airport for the long journey back to Australia via Los Angeles.
On arrival in Cancun from Havana my bag was searched due to the Cuban cigars but all ok.
It was then a 50 minute drive to our accommodation in down town Playa del Carmen. Although the accommodation looked a bit uninviting behind the steel gates the Suites Fenicia was a clean very friendly family run business within walking distance of the beach and tourist area.
About 7 o'clock we walked down to the main drag on 5th avenue which is a paved pedestrian mall with many colourful shops. We ate dinner there with orders from eggs, to hamburgesas, guacamole and ribs with beer, margueritas and a complimentary tequila.
7 November
A beautiful sunny day and a relaxing morning spent walking along the beach and squeezing in some last minute shopping in 5th Avenue.
We then boarded the van that took us back to Cancun airport for the long journey back to Australia via Los Angeles.
A great holiday. Thank you ladies!