We arrived at the ADO in Cancun in time
to catch the 8:00 a.m. bus to Valladolid.
We were in Valladolid by about 10:30, once we settled in our hotel we hit the streets with a map and a list of "places we must see" while here.
The sidewalks are very narrow in places.
The name of this street is "Road of the Friars"
http://moines.mayas.free.fr/Monks%20and%20Mayas/index_pages/The%20Valladolid%20convent%20in%20the%20Yucatan.htm - right click to view web info on the convent.
The tower built on top of a cenote which provided water to the convent and probably still does to this day.
Our photo is taken in the tower.
Although pigeons inhabit parts of the building it is well maintained.
The Chapel
Artifacts and paintings dating back to the early days of the building's history.
This is an interesting concept, these boxes are used for cremated remains. The depth of soil is very shallow, however there are cemeteries as you have seen in past posts - why do they have cremation boxes for the ash urns? I have no idea, because some of these urn case date back in time.
I am not sure if these plaques on the lower wall are there to cover urns or if they are there only as a memorial.
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Behind Allan you can see part of the root system from this tree. The roots are not only at the base of the tree, they also hang from the branches. They too go down into the ground to get its needed water and nutrients.
From here you can see this same tree on the right - they grow huge!
We stumbled upon " The Mayan Organic Chocolate Factory" This lady is making taste testing bits which are served free to the guests as they are toured through the factory. Somewhat different from our Chocolate Factory in Kagawong.
These are the other two of the 3 member team working on the day we took the tour.
Motorcycles and scooters are common modes of transportation. Notice how the little one below is sitting sideways on the seat in front of the driver.
After lunch we stopped at the tequila museum
"Tequila Los Tres Tonos"
I have looked for an English written web site but have not found one so I will have to explain the process here.
Several hectares of cacti are planted, it takes 10 - 12 years for a plant to mature to the age and size required to make tequila.
The root called "the pineapple" is dug and used to make the tequila.
The cooked pineapple is then mashed by a
large heavy stone wheel pulled by mules.
The liquid mashed from the cooked pineapple passes through drains and collected for further processing.
This is the still setup.
Allan getting the fine details as to how the still works.
Like - is this any different from others you have hmmmm - seen Allan.
Tour guests get to sample of the finished product at the completion of the tour.
This is the end result! I should have had a match!
Allan and our guide showing the varieties they have for sale.
Valladolid and its main square in the evening.
This is the "Cathedral of San Gevasio" in her nightly lighting. What a spectacular sight to see!
The cathedral is on the main square/park of Valladolid so I was able to take shots from different angles.
And this is a night shot of our hotel, also on the main square.
A walk through the park brought me the opportunity to take a picture of this lovely fountain.
Our first scheduled stop was at "Casa de las Venados"
The building which houses this museum was purchased by John and Dorianne Venator in 2000 and renovated to house their collection of Mexican folk art.
There are 5 identical suites in the home used for their private guests and family, each suite is decorated with pieces of artwork from their extensive collection.
Their private quarters are in the back of the building.
Ah, someone was thinking - a bar poolside
and a bathroom right behind that!
This dining room is awesome. If it was difficult to find conversation there is certainly lots to look at!
More information can be found on their website at
On our way to the Restaurant and Cenote Zaci we found these critters hangin' out in the sun on a rock pile.
information explaining what a cenote is can be found at this site
After a delicious lunch we took a walk down to the Cenote.
Following our tour of the Cenote Zaci we found the Parque Del Barrio Del Santa Ana. This church was locked so we were unable to enter it. We were told it is built on top of a cenote. Interesting, but it is a natural water source, no wells to be drilled and no worries of being without water.
Then we made our way to the Museum Regional De San Roque.
Of course there is nothing written in English so it was difficult for us to know for sure what we were looking at. One thing was certain, it was all old,
This giant size tree was in the park at the back of the Museum, the little blue and white creature under it is Allan.
The grounds keeper showed us the size of its leaves and the inedible fruit it bears.
That concluded our list of "must sees in Valladolid"
for this trip. I was surprised that all of these points of interest were within a short walking distance of the main square.
We then returned to our hotel for some rest before going out to dinner and taking in the evening sights. Allan is in serious mode as you can see, he is catching up on news from home.
I am tired of struggling with my Dell and have settled for a game of Sudoku.
These pics show our hotel on the inside.
Before dinner we found the energy to go for another walk
and stumbled across this shop with these beautiful dresses.
Allan found a model he liked - one that wouldn't talk back. Now that I take a closer look, I think she is giving him the "back off mister!" signal.
More beautiful dresses. Carnival is coming soon and lots of young ladies will be getting ready for the spectacular event.
Another look at their flag as we pass through the square again. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a picture of a flag blowing us right in the wind?
At 4:00 the doors were opened to the public at the Cathedral San Gevasio (on the square). I can not resist going into churches - even though I have been in this one at least 5 or 6 times I had to go in again and take more pictures.
This piece is hand carved from wood, it measures approximately 30 feet high.
The doors are massive in height and in thickness. Notice the smaller door within the larger one?
A late afternoon shot from the street. Trying to get that perfect photo.
This shot was taken from the hotel balcony.
This water fountain was so pretty by day I knew it would be gorgeous at night.
On our last night something happened that caused the flag to be taken down. Two men worked on the scaffolding pulling each peace up by ropes and putting them in place. The flag pole was about 70 feet high by guess. One worked in shoes the other in bare feet. They had an assistant on the ground who had to climb up part way to catch the ropes as they were send down, he climbed the scaffolding with flip-flops on
The next morning we walked to the ADO station, this bag lady was sleeping across the street.
Many people were starting their day, going to work, school or other things.
Vendors were setting up shop for their day.
We witnessed a near accident when this elderly man ran out in front of this bicycle. No injuries, just a few tense seconds though.
I had to take this picture for Nancy M. not sure what they sell here but it translates to
"Pharmacy of East". Could be some interesting stuff sold here.
