We spent about 30 minutes this morning looking for a new camera and the best we could find in one shop was 1.3 Megapixels. Other shops had some good models but not the brand we were chasing. Lucky, Sandia, the aussie, saved the day and let us use her camera.
We had a number of choices today as to what we could do in Merida. After our cenote experience yesterday, we opted to see more of these, in Cuzama Haciendo. We caught a private van and stopped on the way at the local markets with plenty of local Mexican transportation.
We stocked up on some fresh fruit and also some fresh tortilla’s which we saw being made before our eyes. The locals in the market were very friendly and keen to have their photo taken. 
To get to the cenotes, we were told we would catch a horse and cart. We turned up and the horse was there but the “cart” was simply an old carriage that sat on railways with the horse pulling it along. As the rail track itself was one way, if you came across anyone coming the other way one cart would have to stop and lift the cart off the tracks, wait for the other cart to pass, put theirs back on and continue on their journey.
It was a fairly rustic trip with the horse pulling our cart but it was lots of fun. We traveled about three kilometers to our first cenote, which we had all to ourself. The cenote was broad and open with clear blue water. Dan was first in diving from a three metre platform splashing Claudio (who was carefully testing the water). We spent about forty minutes in the cenote then boarded our “train” to the next one.
This cenote was a little harder to see from the surface. The entrance was around 3 x 1.5 metres and there were some steep ladders down where I hit my head on the rocks trying to get in. Again it was clear and blue and the water was lovely to swim in. The cenote had tree roots hanging over the edge that dangled in the water. 
Back on the “train” to the next cenote. We sat right on the back of this one that meant we had to dangle our feet and lift then above the tracks for a few km’s hanging on tightly around the corners so we didn’t topple off the cart.
We arrived at the last and definitely the best cenote. The entrance could barely be seen from surface. Dan was first to climb down the near vertical ladder (made of wood) which was about 10 metres, it was also very dark. The climb was worth it. This cenote was so clear you could see the bottom which was very deep. The water was the bluest we had seen with a small rock stack on in the middle to stand on. Light was streaming into the cave creating light rippling through and shadows. It was absolutely beautiful. Again we had the cave to ourselves and I was first in on this one. We spent about another 40 minutes swimming around this cave and exploring. The cave was full of stalactites and rock formations. 
That night we came back to Merida and explored a bit of the town. The sun was setting and colours were amazing. First up we went to Casa de Montejo which had ornate window features.
Next we went to middle Americas oldest cathedral from 1598 – Catedrel De San Ildefonso. The outside was lovely, although the inside was fairly plain. The Cathedral surrounded the Grand Plaza.
We walked past the armed guards at Palacio De Gobierno to see the wall sized murals depicting famous people and scenes associated with Mayan History.
Later that night we went for dinner (including Pina Coladas) with local entertainment in the courtyard surrounded by portico’s. Later that night there was a Mayan festival on with dancing around the plaza. We got to see some of the dances again that we saw in Playa including the traditional one with glasses and bottles on the head.
We had a number of choices today as to what we could do in Merida. After our cenote experience yesterday, we opted to see more of these, in Cuzama Haciendo. We caught a private van and stopped on the way at the local markets with plenty of local Mexican transportation.
We stocked up on some fresh fruit and also some fresh tortilla’s which we saw being made before our eyes. The locals in the market were very friendly and keen to have their photo taken. To get to the cenotes, we were told we would catch a horse and cart. We turned up and the horse was there but the “cart” was simply an old carriage that sat on railways with the horse pulling it along. As the rail track itself was one way, if you came across anyone coming the other way one cart would have to stop and lift the cart off the tracks, wait for the other cart to pass, put theirs back on and continue on their journey.It was a fairly rustic trip with the horse pulling our cart but it was lots of fun. We traveled about three kilometers to our first cenote, which we had all to ourself. The cenote was broad and open with clear blue water. Dan was first in diving from a three metre platform splashing Claudio (who was carefully testing the water). We spent about forty minutes in the cenote then boarded our “train” to the next one.This cenote was a little harder to see from the surface. The entrance was around 3 x 1.5 metres and there were some steep ladders down where I hit my head on the rocks trying to get in. Again it was clear and blue and the water was lovely to swim in. The cenote had tree roots hanging over the edge that dangled in the water. Back on the “train” to the next cenote. We sat right on the back of this one that meant we had to dangle our feet and lift then above the tracks for a few km’s hanging on tightly around the corners so we didn’t topple off the cart.We arrived at the last and definitely the best cenote. The entrance could barely be seen from surface. Dan was first to climb down the near vertical ladder (made of wood) which was about 10 metres, it was also very dark. The climb was worth it. This cenote was so clear you could see the bottom which was very deep. The water was the bluest we had seen with a small rock stack on in the middle to stand on. Light was streaming into the cave creating light rippling through and shadows. It was absolutely beautiful. Again we had the cave to ourselves and I was first in on this one. We spent about another 40 minutes swimming around this cave and exploring. The cave was full of stalactites and rock formations. That night we came back to Merida and explored a bit of the town. The sun was setting and colours were amazing. First up we went to Casa de Montejo which had ornate window features.Next we went to middle Americas oldest cathedral from 1598 – Catedrel De San Ildefonso. The outside was lovely, although the inside was fairly plain. The Cathedral surrounded the Grand Plaza.We walked past the armed guards at Palacio De Gobierno to see the wall sized murals depicting famous people and scenes associated with Mayan History.Later that night we went for dinner (including Pina Coladas) with local entertainment in the courtyard surrounded by portico’s. Later that night there was a Mayan festival on with dancing around the plaza. We got to see some of the dances again that we saw in Playa including the traditional one with glasses and bottles on the head.
No comments:
Post a Comment