February 22, 2010

We had a great day, would I do it again?

Yes, in an instant!

Coba Ruin Tour is well worth the day, there are so many more ruins that in Chichen Itza and the area is much less touristy. Chichen Itza is so commercialized, in Coba there are no vendors within the park and very few at the entrance. Souveniere prices are less at Coba with the selection being similar but in lower quantity.

Would I go back to Chichen Itza? - Yes I would do that again too, even though I have been there twice already. There is always something new to see and learn.

We stopped to pick up a couple of pizzas in the Colonia at Pizza del Carman-GREAT PIZZA! GREAT DINNER!

On our way back to Puerto Morelos it started to rain - it poured down!

A Mayan street car

Crocodiles in the lagoon and people pay to do the zip line across it!

A crocodile in the lagoon at Coba.

Cerveza Time! It was hot and we were thirsty.

Edith and I taking the ride back - we left a little earlier than the men - you will see why in a minute.

A view from the top

The surface of the top of this huge structure

Allan climbed to the top! People are still allowed to climb this 42 meter high structure - but this practice may be discontinued in the near future.

A replica of an original tablet

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Tablets at Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins - there is colour in the peak of this building

Coba Ruins

We cheated and took the tricycle part of the way, there is a lot of walking at these ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Coba Ruins

Our guide is explaining the layout of the ruins and what we will be seeing throughout the tour

This plaque is at the entrance to the Coba Ruins

This picture was taken upstairs in the restaurant with one of the areas 5 lagoons in the background.

We then were taken for lunch at this beautiful restaurant in Coba

And she did it! From standing on the dive platform it is very unnerving - the water is a beautiful pale blue and you can see right to the bottom of the cenote - is looks really shallow from up there - no way it looks as deep as it actually is.

This young lady from Quebec is trying to make the dive from about 20 feet up. It took her a while to build up the courage.

A little bit of greenery growing on a ledge inside the caveran

This is the stairway. The steps were wet and looked slippery but we took it slowly and had no problems.

We climbed down a circular stair way to the water level a distance of about 70 feet. The only hole in the ground was the one holding the stairway which was about 10 feet wide. The water depth we were told is about 30 meters deep (90 feet) at the deepest part and you can see to the bottom!

We were then taken to the Coba Cenote

One of the girls making tortillas - they were best we have eaten ever!!

One of the little ones - swinging piecefully in a hammock

And this lucky litter of pups have a puppysitter-the family monkey. The monkey is so close to the same colour it is difficult to see the difference. The monkey sits on the dog and puppies - she has one in front of her by her left paw. (remember to click on the picture if you wish to enlarge)

Here we have a dog with a litter of 4 puppies

This little critter is in a closed pen

Here one of the girls is making a hammock for sale

A type of racoon - several of them were wandering around

- like famly pets

Another living/sleeping papala

Mayan turkeys

One of the sleeping areas for the family of 16 children

A sow and her pigglet

On the tour we stopped at a Mayan family home

On the way our driver pulled over to the side of the road, then he and his partner got out of the vehicle leaving all 8 of us inside. We looked out the front window and this is what we saw!! Awe - what is happening here?? Not what one would think.

Truth is, we didn't as of yet have our tickets to the ruins, another driver was coming along behind us with them. This just happened to be a safe place to pull over as the road was wider at this point. The army on the overpass are on guard because of all the Central American Presidents being on they Mayan Riviara for a conference. For the duration of their visit the army and police forces have been out in full force.

We left Puerto Morelos at about 7:30 on our Caba Ruins Tour

February 21, 2010

The always sociable Ed, he is friendly toward his

customers and is very attentive to their needs.

Entertainment back at Ed's fundraiser for Danny and his son

More entertainment at the fundraiser for Cecilia

Music in the square

This entertainment was happening in the square to fundraise for Cecilia

Upon returning to Puerto Morelos we saw this sign out in from of Ed's

Here I am in part of show heaven!

We are trying to find shoes for Edith - size 2 or 3 in Canada

or a size 0 or 1 in Mexico. - no luck!!

Later in the day we went to Playa del Carmen - we catch the ADO bus out at the highway and it is only about a 30 minute drive to Playa. The ADO bus is very comfortable with bathrooms and TV on board.

OH, MY GOSH! A nude picture of me - who'd a thought!

A quaint little place

This is their breakfast menue

Sunday morning we had coffee at this little Mexican restraunt across from the church.

Here are a couple of dogs we see regularily on our outings. The brown one has a cone over his head. We were wondering what one of these would do for Edith's hearing. Poor Edith, she is a good sport and we do give her a rough time on occasion.

This is "Lily", she provides maid services to us one day a week.

Bob and Edith had more surprises in their laundry! Just in case you are wondering, there is a lost and found bin at the laundry facility - so when you get something that isn't yours you take it back to the laundromat. If you are missing a piece or pieces in your laundry - just simply go back and check the lost and found bin. Chances are it will be there and if it is you can be certain it will be clean. How many lost and found bins give you back your items clean??? Only in Mexico!!!

February 20, 2010

When one says standing room only at Ed's Cantina Habaneros - it is just that "Standing Room Only"

We stopped at Ed's on our way back to the casa

Just a small sample of his talent.

One of his fininshed pieces - done in no time flat!

He has been doing this for 11 years now. He talks and jokes

with his admirors while doing this work

No brushes, just his hands!

Abraham has a great talent and a wonderful sence of humour!

When doing our evening walk-about we met Abraham - the artist. His work is just awesome!!

We had dinner at the "Biergarten"this evening. Here is a picture of Ulanda and Dieter enjoying their special of "German Pork Hocks" - delicious!!

A cactus in blossom

Allan picking up our laundry

Awe, the money truck was in town-we were happy to see that

The flowers were just beautiful. Later in the evening we walked past

and the church was full to capacity with people standing outside.

When passing past the church we noticed it was decorrated for a wedding.

Edith took advantage of the day and went shopping - she has her eyes closed here - I think she is trying to calculate Mexican pecos to Canadian dollars.

An ambulance on standby during the event

Massage Theropists are massaging participants prior to and following their race.

There was a large tent set up and bags in it with numbers (one for each swimmer) on them. I am assuming they held personal items for the swimmers to pick up upon their return to shore. We can only guess where the wearer of the prosthetic devise is!

The pelicans are waiting patiently for this to be over so

they can get back to their fishing

They're off!

As with any event there are lots waiting for their time to participate

There are lots of participants, various classes and lots of excitement

Participants are of all ages and each has a number printed on them

People are collection on the pier, music is playing,

announcments are being made.

We find out there is a swimming competition!

We notice there is lots of activity at the pier - 7 in the morning - this is unusual!

Today we were to go to Coba Ruins, however due to vehicle problems the trip was postponed until Monday. One thing about vacationing in Mexico you have to understand the way of the Mexican - mañana is a word used very often - translated it says "tomorrow" the true meaning is "maybe tomorrow"

Hey, we are on vacation - what else do we have to do other than eat, drink, relax and be happy! So we accept the word mañana and move on with optimism.