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One of the cool things about many of the Mayan ruins in Mexico, is that they are still excavating, uncovering newly discovered artifacts all the time! Here Gene went off the beaten path a bit, to find some only partially recovered ruins. |
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We rented a car, and drove to Tulum, then inland and stayed in Coba. The next morning we drove to Chichen itza, and spent 3-4 hours walking around there, really interesting. Then we stopped in a local town for lunch, and looped back through Cancun to Playa del Carmen. |
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We spent some time hanging out at Mamitas beach, about a 4 block walk from our hotel. You needed to stake out your palapa early, and then relax… swim when your hot, read and people watch. We got to know the beach server pretty well, he was always willing to serve up some Fajitas and cold beer! |
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About the diving We dove the Cenotes, which were fresh and salt water caves, they were really interesting! In order to get to them, you have to be driven out into the Jungle, and then go through some farmers gate, (give him a few pesos) and find the ’hole in the ground’. Some were quite a hike down to the water’s entrance. The water was chilly, and if you stayed calm in the water, you could see the exact place where the fresh water (which is lighter) and the salt water which is heavier, meet. It looks like a lake within a lake… hard to describe. The caves were beautiful! Amazing rock formations. No fish! We also dove the local water at Playa del Carmen. (Above is a picture of what getting in the boat looked like… which is part of the reason there are no underwater pictures from this trip!) Some days it was quite exciting getting in and out of the water. This is right at Mamitas beach, so when you were done, you could just look for a palapa, and relax. It was fun. The diving was not quite as nice as Cozumel reefs, but you could take a ferry, and be in Cozumel in an hour! |
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Gene taking in some sun. |
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Chichen itza, was really worth the drive through the jungle, which was also fun. |
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Cenote at Chichen itza, (This was not one you could dive or even access,.. Who knows what lies beneath that green murky water!) |
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Tulum was right along the water, so there were some great views. Had we realized it was so accessible to the beach, we would have brought our suits and towels and gone for a swim with these other folks. |
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Kathy trying to stay out of that hot Mexican (December) sun! |
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Obligatory iguana photo |
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Standing in front of ancient Mayan building. |