3rd December – Merida, Mexico

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.

2nd December – Cancun - Merida, Mexico

One of the new seven Wonders of the World is Chichen Itza, a UNESCO world heritage site, and one of the best examples of Mayan-Toltec ceremonial centre with its amazing time temples. This is on our list to see and today is all about our road trip to Merida via Chichen Itza.

Breakfast involved meeting all the members of the group, nine in total including our tour leader. Three aussies, two Danes, two Italians and a Londoner – a great mix. At breakfast we had to try the “anti cholesterol” juice. A mix of pineapple, celery, some other fillers and CACTUS – no spines. All I can say is that I won’t be trying this again.

The tour is via public buses and the ADO buses in Mexico are really good. Movies, good comfy seats, toilet and speed controlled via GPS. Very impressive. After 3 hours we made it to Chichen Itza we dumped our bags and headed to a cenote (pronounced see-not-ee). They are large limestone sink holes and often used for human sacrifice. We squashed into the taxi and traveled 5km up the road to Ik Kil cenote. The sink hole had dark blue water and tree roots dangling 20m from the lime stone overhang into the water. Water from a hose also created local water falls as added touch.
With bathers on, we hit the fresh water (only 50m deep) and went swimming. It was a great way to refresh after the bus ride. Floating on your back staring up the limestone walls complete with stalactites, dangling tree roots and blue sky with water spraying was pretty special.

I had to do a bombie in the cenote too!

Another squashy taxi ride and Felipe, our guide, was waiting eagerly for us. The Mayan, with convergence of Toltec influences, were very smart. The time temples, such as the great El Castillo, act as calendars and also designed to create serpent god shadows falling and rising from the ground on the equinoxes. An illusion to convince the masses.
The Juego del Pelota, or ball playing stadium was another set of buildings, with great acoustics. We learnt about the interpretation of the game and how the winning captain was taken by decapitation as a willing sacrifice to the gods. It’s hard to believe this was buried under jungle and not found until the early 1900’s by New York lawyer.
At this stage my camera decided it wasn’t time to work which brought back the horror of Luxor, Egypt, in the Great hypostyle hall when my batteries run out!

We observed some pre-Classical period ruins and were amazed at how smart the construction and engraved messages were! A quick group shot at the observatory (el caracol) and we hit the road to Merida, a 2 hour journey. On arrival at Hotel Trinidad, an English fellow come from across the road. The first thing I asked for was free beer (jokingly) and said “Once Melanee is here you can have a free cervesa!”. Sweet!

Our room is a belter with high ceilings, on the second floor with views of the courtyard. A old traditional Mexican house restored and converted to a hotel.

Sunday night is party night and Calle 60 was closed off to traffic and live bands were playing music with lots of dancing in the street. We sat outside in a nice restaurant with traditional Mexican food, tacos (not old El Paso style) with a soft tortillas. Tan had Sangria and I had a local beer. The beer was poured into a 1/3 full glass of lemon juice with salt on the rim. It took a while to finish!!
It was unfortunate that the trees above had birds that weren’t keen on gringos, so I got a hit twice. When Tan got poohed on, the waiter brought out anti-poop protection devices aka sombreros! They were effective too!

Tan finished her night dancing in the street with Pedro.