Flight good, relatively short, and uneventful. At the Cuban customs was very interesting - through one by one, stern unfriendly faces, Brian's Visa did not work so he needed to buy another one prior to departing from Cancun airport, close inspection face to face. There was a locked door from the cubicle to the main airport area, which only the inspector could release after he was satisfied. Judy' door would not open, even after several attempts. Boss was called who tried again, to no avail. Eventually (after about 10 tries) she was taken to another cubicle and the process was repeated successfully. In the meantime, Brian was anxiously waiting on the other side wondering what was happening.
Taxi waiting for us, transport to our hotel. Hotel quite satisfactory, with most facilities available. Our room even includes a small TV. It is right in the centre of Old Havana, and a fantastic spot where we can walk everywhere in the old town. Good sleep.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
October 12 Playa del Carmen
Travelled to here by car. This is a very tropical resort, right on the beach facing aqua waters and a view of the island offshore. The daily rate is all-inclusive, so food, activities, and drinks are all covered except for the more expensive activities such as jet-skis and access to the computer. There are all kinds of activities available, including boating, paragliding, kayaking, dive boats and dive lessons, etc. The buffet meals are excellent, and the quality of the food very good and healthy.
There are speakers scattered around the tropical garden, set inside rocks placed between the plants, playing Mexican music all day.
We have had rain storms overnight, about midday, and late in the afternoon. These are accompanied by loud thunder and lighting, and extremely heavy rain as opposed to showers. Shortly afterwards, the sun reappears along with the bikinis and towels. The humidity is very high, and the air feels very steamy.
Yesterday on a jaunt into the township, we cruised the stalls and one of them had two tiny monkeys on leads which were available for photographs at a price. We have not seen monkeys so small anywhere before.
Mexico produces a great deal of sisal, some for export, and in the past it was the major source of income for Mexico. This is grown as a plant which is like a large fleshy-leafed cactus plant. It takes about 5 years to grow to maturity, after which 4 - 5 leaves are harvested each year. The leaves are crushed, and the internal fibre is then processed to form the sisal fibre with which we are familiar. It is used to produce ropes, string, bags, fabric, and even the sacks which hold the sand as banks close to the shore at our hotel.
We have seen no lamb on any menu in our travels.
All our rooms have been very good, and all have a large-screen TV. However, there is always some item missing (usually only one) such as a bathmat, flannel, drinking glasses, clock, etc.
Tomorrow we depart for Cuba - our next adventure. This will be a highlight, and we cannot wait to explore and experience an exciting part of our trip.
Still cannot publish photos, and there may be no computer access in Cuba.
There are speakers scattered around the tropical garden, set inside rocks placed between the plants, playing Mexican music all day.
We have had rain storms overnight, about midday, and late in the afternoon. These are accompanied by loud thunder and lighting, and extremely heavy rain as opposed to showers. Shortly afterwards, the sun reappears along with the bikinis and towels. The humidity is very high, and the air feels very steamy.
Yesterday on a jaunt into the township, we cruised the stalls and one of them had two tiny monkeys on leads which were available for photographs at a price. We have not seen monkeys so small anywhere before.
Mexico produces a great deal of sisal, some for export, and in the past it was the major source of income for Mexico. This is grown as a plant which is like a large fleshy-leafed cactus plant. It takes about 5 years to grow to maturity, after which 4 - 5 leaves are harvested each year. The leaves are crushed, and the internal fibre is then processed to form the sisal fibre with which we are familiar. It is used to produce ropes, string, bags, fabric, and even the sacks which hold the sand as banks close to the shore at our hotel.
We have seen no lamb on any menu in our travels.
All our rooms have been very good, and all have a large-screen TV. However, there is always some item missing (usually only one) such as a bathmat, flannel, drinking glasses, clock, etc.
Tomorrow we depart for Cuba - our next adventure. This will be a highlight, and we cannot wait to explore and experience an exciting part of our trip.
Still cannot publish photos, and there may be no computer access in Cuba.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
October 8 Merida to Cancun
Left Merida early by car, and travelled to Chichen Itza (means mouth, well, and the local Itza tribe). There we visited with a guide the temples and palace of the ancient Maya tribe. The site was only unearthed in the 1930s. It is now very, very hot, so walking around a limestone site was exceptionally so. The humidity is also in the 90s, so it is very uncomfortable for us. The visit was very impressive, and we were intrigued by the information given to us by the guide. As usual, wherever tourists visit there are aisles of vendors of local produce and artifacts - there were 560 at this site! Fortunately, they are not pushy.
We have now arrived at Cancun after a long drive, staying in a hotel which is quite grand. Our room has a view over the Caribbean, with a very long pool and open air restaurant in the foreground. Our room is very large and tastefully decorated, so we can feel spoilt for two nights. We have booked for dinner tonight in the open-air restaurant right next to the sand and overlooking the sunset.
The whole country seems to be enamoured with VWs.
There are few motorbikes, and even fewer bicycles.
Forgot to mention that in Merida, the ceiling in our room was 24 feet high, and the entry and bathroom doors were 12 feet high.
We had lunch today in Chichen Itza, with 1,000 other bus-traveller tourists. Very congested, but the buffet food was good. Ethnic dancers entertained the tourists as they queued and ate. They danced with bottles of liquid, or glasses on trays on their heads. They also performed a maypole. Very entertaining.
The mosquitoes have been having a feast - need to use the repellent now we are in the warmer weather.
Forgot to mention that at Palanque we were woken at dawn by a very loud and strange noise - later we were told that it was a small black monkey high in the trees.
The roads are very good, but a driver must be very alert for the "humps" (the Mexicans call them "sleeping policemen"). You must reduce the speed to about 3 km/hour, or risk serious damage to the vehicle. They work extremely well, and are located wherever there is any sign of civilisation (even a very small village)
We have now arrived at Cancun after a long drive, staying in a hotel which is quite grand. Our room has a view over the Caribbean, with a very long pool and open air restaurant in the foreground. Our room is very large and tastefully decorated, so we can feel spoilt for two nights. We have booked for dinner tonight in the open-air restaurant right next to the sand and overlooking the sunset.
The whole country seems to be enamoured with VWs.
There are few motorbikes, and even fewer bicycles.
Forgot to mention that in Merida, the ceiling in our room was 24 feet high, and the entry and bathroom doors were 12 feet high.
We had lunch today in Chichen Itza, with 1,000 other bus-traveller tourists. Very congested, but the buffet food was good. Ethnic dancers entertained the tourists as they queued and ate. They danced with bottles of liquid, or glasses on trays on their heads. They also performed a maypole. Very entertaining.
The mosquitoes have been having a feast - need to use the repellent now we are in the warmer weather.
Forgot to mention that at Palanque we were woken at dawn by a very loud and strange noise - later we were told that it was a small black monkey high in the trees.
The roads are very good, but a driver must be very alert for the "humps" (the Mexicans call them "sleeping policemen"). You must reduce the speed to about 3 km/hour, or risk serious damage to the vehicle. They work extremely well, and are located wherever there is any sign of civilisation (even a very small village)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
October 7 Merida
Free day today. Took a taxi into town to the market and square, visited the Cathedral, and generally just wandered around in the heat. Not being too adventurous with street food, we bought a banana and water each for lunch. Brian is still adopting the security of carrying a toilet roll in his back pocket each day in case of emergency.
Back at our lovely little hotel now and feeling a little cooler. Tomorrow we depart very early for a full day´s busride.
This computer will not allow Brian to publish any of his photos. Perhaps at the next overnight stop.
We really appreciate the comments you have been leaving for us. Makes us feel in contact with Australia.
Back at our lovely little hotel now and feeling a little cooler. Tomorrow we depart very early for a full day´s busride.
This computer will not allow Brian to publish any of his photos. Perhaps at the next overnight stop.
We really appreciate the comments you have been leaving for us. Makes us feel in contact with Australia.
October 6 Palenque to Merida
Visited a very important site of ruins from the Mayan era, which had been buried for centuries before discovery in the 1950´s. Some of the temples have been partially restored, which is an ongoing process. This is a beautiful site.
We then had a very long drive of about 5 hrs toVillahermosa to catch the short flight to Merida, arriving at about 9.30 pm in the evening.
It is very, very hot now, probably more than 30 degrees, and the humidity more than 90%. The heat makes one wilt, and walking around a market or other sightseeing is a very tiring experience.
Our hotel here has a very pretty courtyard filled with a small pool and flowered plants, and beyond that a modern swimming pool with lounge chairs and tables for meals. The ceilings are very high, and the entrance doors to our suite are about 20 feet high! This is a small place which accommodates only about 16 people, and we are the only guests at present. The courtyard contains many plants which we recognise - monsteria, frangipani, coconut palms, creepers, and other bright green foliage.
We have found Mexican people to be very helpful and friendly, and to date have felt very safe. Most are short, and some very short perhaps only reaching to Judy´s shoulder.
The young girls are quite plump, and the older women more so. All schoolchildren wear a uniform, with each school being different. The girls in particular look clean and fresh. We did see one young girl in uniform who was very pregnant.
We then had a very long drive of about 5 hrs toVillahermosa to catch the short flight to Merida, arriving at about 9.30 pm in the evening.
It is very, very hot now, probably more than 30 degrees, and the humidity more than 90%. The heat makes one wilt, and walking around a market or other sightseeing is a very tiring experience.
Our hotel here has a very pretty courtyard filled with a small pool and flowered plants, and beyond that a modern swimming pool with lounge chairs and tables for meals. The ceilings are very high, and the entrance doors to our suite are about 20 feet high! This is a small place which accommodates only about 16 people, and we are the only guests at present. The courtyard contains many plants which we recognise - monsteria, frangipani, coconut palms, creepers, and other bright green foliage.
We have found Mexican people to be very helpful and friendly, and to date have felt very safe. Most are short, and some very short perhaps only reaching to Judy´s shoulder.
The young girls are quite plump, and the older women more so. All schoolchildren wear a uniform, with each school being different. The girls in particular look clean and fresh. We did see one young girl in uniform who was very pregnant.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
October 6 Palenque
Tried to put some photos on but they will not accept them at this Hotel.
Went to the ruins at Palenque today and they were really something to see. More later.
We are about to leave to catch the plane to Merida and will try to send more information from there.
Melissa, let Mardi know that the trip is really going well. The guides and the drivers are first class. The driver is very safe and the guides are very knowledgeable.
More soon
Went to the ruins at Palenque today and they were really something to see. More later.
We are about to leave to catch the plane to Merida and will try to send more information from there.
Melissa, let Mardi know that the trip is really going well. The guides and the drivers are first class. The driver is very safe and the guides are very knowledgeable.
More soon
Monday, October 6, 2008
October 5 San Cristobal to Palenque
Today we travelled a long way in our bus, through very green and mountainous countryside. Most of the trip was very slow, particularly with the high road humps across the road in every small village or settlement. Travelled about 220 km in 5.5 hours.
On the way we stopped at a very beautiful waterfall with blue water cascading some hundreds of feet in different separate falls. Three separate small rivers meet at this point, and with the recent rain the flow was very strong. We have not seen such a beautiful waterfall anywhere. Had lunch there, partaking of a delicious grilled fish caught in the river and cooked to perfection.
We have now reached Palenque and tomorrow we visit and explore the old Mayo ruins.
We may not have access to a computer for two days, but will try.
It is really good to receive comments from those of you who have responded to our entries.
On the way we stopped at a very beautiful waterfall with blue water cascading some hundreds of feet in different separate falls. Three separate small rivers meet at this point, and with the recent rain the flow was very strong. We have not seen such a beautiful waterfall anywhere. Had lunch there, partaking of a delicious grilled fish caught in the river and cooked to perfection.
We have now reached Palenque and tomorrow we visit and explore the old Mayo ruins.
We may not have access to a computer for two days, but will try.
It is really good to receive comments from those of you who have responded to our entries.
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