Blogs from Yucatán, Mexico, North America - page 15

Nukuin seitsemaan. Aamulla tyopuhelin ei kaynnistynyt lainkaan. Kavin pikaisella aamu-uinnilla. Aamiainen hotellin ravintolassa. Tiedustelin respasta missa on automaatteja ja mista voisi saada apua puhelimen ongelmaan. Ensimmaiseksi asiointireissulle. Nostin automaatista rahaa. Kavin liiketalossa, jossa oli paljon pienia teknologiamyymaloita. Yhdessa kokeiltiin vaihtaa puhelimeeni akku, ja se alkoikin taas toimia. Maksoi noin 9 euroa. Kavelin bussiasemalle ja ostin huomiselle 11 euron lipun Valladolidiin klo 12.40 lahtevaan bussiin. Seuraavaksi oli vuorossa katselukierros. Poikkesin kahvilla ja syomassa quesadillon. Kavelyreitti suuntautui mutkien kautta pohjoiseen, ja palasin keskustaan bussilla (0,4 euroa). Kavin katsomassa manner-Amerikan vanhinta kirkkoa, ja keskusaukion toisella puolella paasi toiseen kerrokseen parvekkeelle ottamaan kuvia. Kavin toisen kerran uima-altaassa... read more

The Mayans had an advanced civilization, and created scores of cities, settlements and artifacts throughout southern Mexico and Central America before the Spanish conquistadors set out to obliterate their culture. Their society was agricultural, with small but powerful noble and warrior classes and omnipotent priests who ruled everything and practised human sacrifice to appease their gods. They had a written language, an advanced knowledge of astronomy and engineering, an accurate calendar, and architecture which blended their knowledge with their religion. They built structures which are marvels even today, yet for reasons unknown they would often abandon a bustling city and build a new one at a different location. Unfortunately the Spaniards methodically destroyed their libraries, and today there are only bas-reliefs on walls and inscriptions on stone ... read more

We took the first class ADO bus from Playa del Carmen direct to Chichén Itzá. We arrived around mid day when the carpark was choc full of cars and coaches. The entrance hall was even busier so we left straight away and headed to our hotel about 4km down the road. We had a room overlooking the pool where we spent the afternoon swimming, reading and relaxing. We were up early the next morning to get to the ruins as close to the 8am opening as possible. Chichén Itzá was one of the largest cities built by the Mayan people and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico (an estimated 1.2 million visitors each year). It was so good being there early as we were able to enjoy seeing the ruins without huge ... read more

Hola amigos! Am letzten Dienstag war die Reise vom Nordwesten Mexikos nach Osten. Vivaaerobus sind nicht die pünktlichsten, sowohl der Flug von Torreón nach Mexico D.F. als auch der zweite von D.F. nach Cancún waren zu spät, dafür konnte ich am Flughafen von D.F. sehr gut zubereitete Tortillas mit scharfer Japalenos-Sauce essen. Ein Genuss! Überraschend war gleich mal das miese Wetter hier in Cancún (Die Tilde am Vokal geben übrigens an, wo die Betonung liegt.). Es hat geschüttet und auch die hiesigen Taxifahrer haben gefröstelt, obwohl´s sicher noch über 20° hatte. Aber ich bin am nächsten Morgen sowieso weg von Cancún westwärts in den Staat Yucatán. Es gibt hier mehrere Küstenabschnitte im Norden und Westen Yucatáns, wo man Flamingos sehen kann. Nach einer Nacht in Rio Lagartos habe ich am nächsten Morgen eine Bootstour mit Vogelbeobachtung ... read more

Our Mexican journey started in the most un-Mexican of cities; the dreadful tourist trap known as Cancun. Not interested in spending time on a manmade sandbar, laden with oversized resorts and the kind of numpties we are trying to get away from, we waited for Neil and Tom to touch ground after their flight from London and got out of town as soon as possible. After avoiding the taxi touts waving homemade signs that claimed the bus into the city costs $10US per person (the real cost being $4US per person), we swiftly made our way to the coast for the short boat ride out to Isla Mujeres in search of white sand, crystal clear waters, cheap tacos and some peace and tranquillity. Isla Mujeres (which translates as Woman Island) is a 7km long, half a ... read more