Mexico Day 14: Tequila and Walking Miles of Beach
Written by Super User
Walking the Beach:
This day, I decided to walk the beach and drink the tequila from my backback. I must have walk many miles. It was a interesting trip.
After I got back exhausted, I took a little nap. Then back out in evening to explore a different part of Playa De Carmen. Found Hangover Bar (good views on Trip Advisor) and a small snack and shrimp drinks.
Tequlia and Walking the beach
A few photos a long the way. I must have walked to Cancun and back.
Tequlia and Walking the beach
Where the true locals hang out.
Tequlia and Walking the beach
A few photos a long the way. I must have walked to Cancun and back.
Tequlia and Walking the beach
A few photos a long the way. I must have walked to Cancun and back.
Tequlia and Walking the beach
A few photos a long the way. I must have walked to Cancun and back.
Refresing carbonated drink with Sweet chilli and Shrimp
Now I wish I remembered the name
Hanging out:
Parents left today, wondered around for a bit, then later on in evening hung out with friends from Hostel.
Walking the beach
in Playa De Carmen
Hanging out with new aquaintances at the Hostel.
My job was to make the Guacomole.
Hanging out with new aquaintances at the Hostel.
Late in the evening, I don't remember taking this photo.
Rio Secreto:
Yet another adventure day, this one a little shorter but more intense.
Here is Rio Secreto website: http://www.riosecretomexico.com.mx/
Essential it was a Spelunking trip. Helmet, lamp, life jacket, shorty, and river shoes we are ready to go.
Floating underneath the stalactites was something I won't forget for a long time.
Afterwards, I checked into my new place in Popul Vuh.
Photo journal:
Kitten playing
This kitten was the entertainment while we waited for everyone to arrive.
Kitten playing
This kitten was the entertainment while we waited for everyone to arrive.
Rio Secreto:Group photo
First photo of the day. We are about ready to do some Spelunking down in the Rio Secreto. Helmet, lamp, life jacket, shorty, and river shoes we are ready to go.
Rio Secreto: Walk to the entrance
But first a walk in the jungle.
Rio Secreto: Blessing
The Mayans never went down into the caves because Cenote we part of the migration of life. They didn't want to interupt it.
Rio Secreto: Instructions
Guide telling us what to expect, what not to do, what to do.
Rio Secreto
Another photo along the way.
Rio Secreto: Family Photo
Dad, Mom and I
Rio Secreto: "Serpent Mouth"
Another family photo
Rio Secreto: Wow
When it was lite up it was very spectacular.
Rio Secreto: Another group photo
Looks like mom is not paying attention. :)
Rio Secreto: The swiming part.
That is not a broom, but Dad's walking stick.
Windshield
A lot of the vechiles out here in the jungle have permanent shades on top and bottom.
Popul - Vuh
My new accomendations here in Playa De Carmen. It is not much more than a bed, mosiqto nets and… but it works. I slept very good here.
Popul - Vuh
The shared bathrooms were some one fancy compared to the rest of the place.
Popul - Vuh
Shared court yard with hammocks.
Macaws:
Xcaret: Yes it was Spectacular. With only a couple of buses from Playa De Carmen to Xcaret we were scheduled us to spend the close to 12 hours there. We needed every minute of it.
So much to see and do. Kudos to them to make everything seemless and exceding the expectations at every spot.
If you want the official info here is the web address. http://www.xcaret.com/
Here is a short blurb about it:
Xcaret is a natural park that treasures the best of the traditions and culture of Mexico, a paradise that combines the natural beauty and cultural wealth of the country and the region. Located 45minutes from Cancun, Mexico, Riviera Maya, in Xcaret you will find underground rivers, natural pools and a myriad of attractions that will take you to live unforgettable experiences, as the first Butterfly Pavilion in Mexico, a Coral Reef Aquarium which is one of the few places in the world where reef structures can be seen in their natural habitat and a nursery for regional fauna, which has received recognition from Guinness World Records for having achieved the highest number of macaws born in the same facility during a year.
It was interesting the things that we really wanted to see like jaguars and butterfly were good but the things that really surprised us were things like the Cemetery and the Under Water rivers.
The show at the end was "spectacular". The costumes, the dances, the games, the .... you name it was in there. Ok, I thought it might have been one or two song too long, but it is a must see show.
Oh by the way, the buffet lunch was very fun was one of the largest selection of items I have every seen.
Photo Journal:
Xcaret : Quail hatching
This was right when we got there, Mom said that she would spend the rest of they day here. However, mucho mas experience to be had.
Xcaret:Scarlet Macaw
What adventure park doesn't have these?
Xcaret: Museum of Orchids
lots of pretty floweres here.
Xcaret: Mushroom
Cultivating mushrooms.
Xcaret: Paradise River
Mom and Dad, Floating down the Paraise River while we looked at flora and fauna along the away.
Xcaret: Paradise River
Turtle along the way
Xcaret: Paradise River
looking up
Xcaret: Fish Hatchery
Tialpia feeding frenzy
Xcaret : Aquarium
Jellyfish, oh so silent, smooth and silky
Xcaret : Aquarium
Magnified brain coral
Xcaret : Aquarium
The eye of a lobster
Xcaret : Aquarium
I am spooked by this guy
Xcaret : Aquarium
Mom and Dad looking at the eel
Xcaret: Wrays
Large wrays swimming along the walkway
Xcaret: Baby Turtles
Lots and lots of baby turtles
Xcaret: Baby Turtles
Lots and lots of baby turtles
Xcaret: Giant Turtles
These guys were HUGE! Hard to get a perspective.but were about 5 feet long?
Xcaret: Crocs
Only in Mexico do you have a walkway above live crocs.
Xcaret: Tapir
Lunch time.
Xcaret: Lunch buffet
Probably one of the most intersting and YUMMY lunches of my trip.
Xcaret: Underground River
Floating along one of the many differernt rivers. Many times they goe underground. This was one of Mom's favorite thigs.
Xcaret
Spot lighting mom and dad.
Xcaret: Owl
Whoot!
Xcaret
the tail feathers on these birds were very interesting.
Xcaret: Discovery
Xcaret is an amazing place, you are walking along (lost) then stumble up things like this.
Xcaret: Underground River
Another photo of people floating down the river. We are going to do it soon.
Xcaret: Traditional yarn
They showed different type of items to make the different colors for these traditonal colors.
Xcaret: Butterfly Museum
A very large place that had local butterflys. Didn't get some of the blue ones (my favorite) photographed.
Xcaret: Butterfly Museum
A very large place that had local butterflys. Didn't get some of the blue ones (my favorite) photographed.
Xcaret: Butterfly Museum
A very large place that had local butterflys. Didn't get some of the blue ones (my favorite) photographed.
Xcaret : Fiesta Charra Show
Ringside watching the charros and cowboys display their acrobatic skills on horseback
Xcaret: Mayan costumes to enterance to show
Even as a grown up, I was worried about night mares with these guys.
Xcaret: Mayan costumes to enterance to show
Even as a grown up, I was worried about night mares with these guys.
Xcaret: Mayan costumes to enterance to show
Even as a grown up, I was worried about night mares with these guys.
Xcaret: Espectacular
"More than 300 artists on stage will amaze you with a vibrant journey through the history of Mexico and Mayan culture bringing to life colorful Mexico traditions"
Xcaret: Espectacular
Crowd (and us) lighting our candles at the beginning of show.
Xcaret: Espectacular
Two versions of the pre-Hispanic Ball Game. One is one where they use their hips to knock the ball thru the small ring on side. Later on they played different "hockey" with a ball that was on fire. Crazy.
El Castillo:
Today was the schedule tour of Chiche Itza. We got on a big tour bus that stopped to pickup many different people from different resorts around the area. The guides spoke both in English and Spanish, so it doubled as a spanish lesson as well.
The site was very impressive. Lots of vendors selling/pushing trinkets, but we learned a lot (how much we will retain, not sure)... It was a very "warm" day.
Lunch was an all you can eat buffet. They also server drinks on board the bus (Coronas were so good after our walks).
The last stop was a very beautiful and refreshing swim in the Blue Cenote.
Back in the Playa we decided to go away from the tourist area into the neighborhood that I had scoped out the night before. We even happened upon a fabric store that mom got to explore the different materials.
Photo Journal:
Chichén Itzá: Temple of Xtoloc
The temple contains a series of pilasters carved with images of people, as well as representations of plants, birds and mythological scenes.
Chichén Itzá Tour: El Caracol
El Caracol was an ancient Maya observatory building and served as a man-made marker, and provided a way for the Maya people to observe changes in the sky due to the flattened landscape of the Yucatán
Chichén Itzá Tour: Chicchan
Chicchan was god of water.
Chichén Itzá: Jacuzzi
This was were the important people went to cool off after their sauna next door.
Chichén Itzá: El Castillo
This step pyramid stands about 30 metres (98 ft) high and consists of a series of nine square terraces, each approximately 2.57 metres (8.4 ft) high, with a 6-metre (20 ft) high temple upon the summit.[
Chichén Itzá: El Castillo
Mom and Dad pose
Chichén Itzá: Great Ball Court
Great Ball Court about 150 metres (490 ft) to the north-west of the Castillo is by far the most impressive. It is the largest and best preserved ball court in ancient Mesoamerica.
Chichén Itzá: Corona time
Back at the bus and a much deserved beers with Mom and Dad
Not sure outside where we had lunch;
but I like the lines and colors
Bus-ends
groving to the color
Chichén Itzá: Lunch time in a beautiful setting.
All you can eat...
Blue Cenote: From The Top
One word: Wow. Many words: Cenote are collapsed holes in the limestone bed exposing the sub terrain water system.
Blue Cenote: Sub surface
One the way down.
Blue Cenote: The dive
I actually did this myself.
Fabric Store
We happen upon a fabric store in neighboor around Hotel. Mom had a good time looking at the different types of material.
Blue Cenote: Looking up.
The water was so refreshing.
Blue Cenote: Looking up.
The water was so refreshing.
Fabric Store
Oh so colorful.
Mexico Day 9: Solid work day with lunch and dinner with Mom and Dad
Written by Super User
Lunch with a View:
Not to much to report for today. I worked a solid day with lunch and dinner breaks.
Lunch with Mom and Dad
Coke a cola lite, along the Playa (De Carmen)
Lunch with Mom and Dad
with a view along the Playa (De Carmen)
Mexico Day 8: Travel to Playa De Carmen, Pick up parents along the way
Written by Super User
Shampoo and Tequila:
Today was a travel day from Isla Mujeres to Playa De Carmen. First needed some supplies for my journey, then boarded ferry to Cancun. Took taxi to central bus station. Took bus to Airport. Picked up parents. Took Bus to Playa De Carmen. So that was my journey.
Photo Journal:
hotel Marcianito
Snapped shot of outside of hotel while leaving.
Trip to grocery store to buy two items.
Shampoo and Tequila
Hotel Barrio Latino
Very nice
Mom and Dad at La Playa
They are visiting this week. We have lots of activities planned.
Mom at Yo Taco
Having Snacks and Beers
Dad at Yo Taco
Having Snacks and Beers
Dad opening be-lated Birthday gifts
oh no we forgot to sing.
Isla Contoy: Natural Park and Bird Refuge.
wow, I booked a trip to Isla Contoy. My original plans on going on one boat did not work out, so they put me on another boat. It was AMAZING. I am a little burnt, but the snorkling, boat ride, island, lunch more snorkling, and boat ride back were a highlight of the trip so far.
The boat was made up of the people from Mexico, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Me (USA).
Here is the photo journal:
Breakfast and WiFi
Checking on the outside world while have some breakfast before my Isla Contoy trip
Wind in my hair
It was a fast boat: Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Just got in the water
Wow, I did not have high expect ion for this snorkel trip. The group mostly had novice snorkel people on it, but our guide showed as many beautiful thing. I brought my water camera but have not had a chance to look at the videos yet. Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Isla Contoy
The approach to the island.
Our boat
This was our boat. Much smaller than the rest, but also A LOT FASTER. Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Very beautiful
Isla Contoy is a National Park and Bird Refuge.
Official photo from Trip
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Rocky Shore on other side of island
Quite different that the tranquil turquoise side.
Group photo
Many different nationals. Mexican, Italy, Spain, Portugal and me USA. Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Barracuda
At lunch I was swimming with 5-6 of these guys. These guys are big and scary looking but mean. Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Lunch of Fish of course.
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Two iguanas. Not Safe for Work.
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Fun day out in the sun.
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
The pirate ship.
We were passed them in the water like it was nothing. Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Whatcha gotta do for a tequila shot.
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Whatcha gotta do for a tequila shot.
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
The reward
Taken by Christen the photographer on Isla Contoy Trip.
Mexico Day 6: Pack-up, Travel to Isla Mujeres, Beachtime, Super Moon
Written by Super User
Swinging Sunset. :
Today, I woke up after a few hours of sleep packed up and took the ferry to Isla Mujeres. My place was not much, but I did not pay for much. My only major complaint is the noise. Right across the street from a late night jazz club.
After checking, I headed to the beach for a little R&R. Looked around town. Watched the Sunset and Super moon rise.
Here is the photo journal:
Gran Puerto
Ferry ride to Isla Muejaras
Ferry ride to Isla Mujeres.
Look at the water
Ferry ride to Isla Mujeres.
I like the contrast of the yellow from the Ferry and the water
Hotel Marcianito
Inexpensive Hotel on Island Mujeres. I got what I paid for, everything sorta worked. My biggest complaint was the noise. Right next to a late night jazz club. If you want to go before midnight, then forget about it.
Hotel Marcianito
Inexpensive Hotel on Island Mujeres. Small but comfortable. No AC, but the fan is strong.
School Art
I guess this should be called cooperation?
Iguana
This guy comes running out of the bushes chased by another right towards me. Scared the living daylights out of me. They are everywhere, but this was my first encounter. Phew….
Relleno de Maricos
Lunch. "Stuffed with Seafood" This was quite good.
Streets of Isla Mujeres
Quaint little town.
Streets of Isla Mujeres
Quaint little town.
Happy Old Dog
Lots of dogs on the island. Some look better than others, but seemed to have a grin on their faces.
Kicking back on the "North Beach"
While sipping on some beers.
Nice afternoon to get song to
I thought it was only the tourist that liked this sort of things here are some locals who sang along to many songs.
More Happy Dogs
Not sure who these dogs belong to. No leash laws. But they played and played and played. The only stopped when they saw another amigo across the way.
Sunset on Isla Mujeres
Classic reflection photo
Sunset on Isla Mujeres
Green moss with interesting lines
Sunset on Isla Mujeres
The pier
Sunset on Isla Mujeres
Swings on the pier
Sunset on Isla Mujeres
Sunset on Isla Mujeres
Moonrise on Isla Mujeres
It was a "Super Moon" that night with the waves come crashing in.
Moonrise on Isla Mujeres
It was a "Super Moon" that night with a nice reflection
Orange Margs on Isla Mujeres
Everything was "Dos per Uno"
Super Moon, Ocean and a beer:
Since I did not get all what I needed to get done on Thursday, I needed to work some on Friday.
For lunch I went across the street and had 2 VERY FRESH Fish tacos. YUM.
In the evening I hoped on the Route 1 bus into Zona Hotela. I walked around a bit before decided to goto CoCo Bongo.
Here is the Photo Journal from today.
My Office for the morning
at least while they are cleaning my room.
Pescadera Monica
I had two of the FRESHEST fish tacos. He took a whole fresh Tilapia out of bucket. Filet it. His amigo fried it up. While he made fresh salsa out of tomatoes, cilantro and onions. It took about 10 mins. It was amazing. If the water is in question, everything he did was from water tap. Lets just say, I have seen outside garden spigot look a lot better than this water tap
Dinero Rapido
Glad they have fast money down in Mexico too.
Senior Frogs
Hola...
Senior Frogs
Dancing on chairs, I just watched from outside.
blue BAR
I really like this place. Sipped on Coronas and watched the waves roll in.
blue BAR
super moon, ocean and beer
CoCo Bongo
So I decided to spend some money and go to CoCo Bongo. I knew it was going to be a production, but i didn't realize the whole night was going to be one long show. It was very impressive, but it would have been better with friends.
CoCo Bongo
wow, let there be light
CoCo Bongo
swinging from the rafters. I am way up high, so I had and interesting perspective.
CoCo Bongo
the lighting was very impresive
CoCo Bongo
confeti and dancing.
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