June 2008 TR

[Dan-0]

Chetumal- Museo de La Cultura Maya Part 2
6/22/08

Replica of Chichen Itza


Replica of Tulum






A Maya fisherman


The centerpiece on the 2nd floor




The Underworld


The exhibits have good explanations in English and Spanish


A Maya tomb


Maya Abacus


The Rain God, Chaac Mool

[TEX]

Awesome stuff, Dan-O. The museum pics are wonderful. Keep it coming.

[Dan-0]

PDS- thanks for the comment, I hope you and your family get to come down to this part of QR someday. Laguna Bacalar, Boulevard Bahia, and the Museo de la Cultura Maya make the area worth the trip, IMHO. Also, duty free shopping and casinos, if that's your bag, are just across the border in Belize.

TEX- thanks, glad you liked the museum photos. Hopefully, Playa will be the next series of photos.

[Ginger]

I just LOVE this mural, so beautiful!



Keep it coming!!!

[Eileencc]

Dan-o...I'm love love loving your report! Wonderful pics, especially of parts of the area that I've never seen. Keep the great report coming!

One of my favorite shots so far...



The light is so beautiful, as is the scene. Just gorgeous!

[Dan-0]

Thanks, Ginger. The lighting on murals made for great photos. I didn't realize it when I took the photos, but when I uploaded them I said- wow! So, when are y'all heading down this way? Shouldn't be too long, right?

Eileen, I'm glad you're enjoying the photos and report, thanks. That photo is Cenote Azul and Lake Bacalar, and they're just as beautiful as the pic. I'm enjoying doing this report, especially since most of the photos are of places in Quintana Roo that many of y'all might not have seen.

[SUNBABY]

I am actually having fun reading your report. Some day I plan to venture further away from Playa.

[Dan-0]

Santa Elena, Belize (Duty-free Zone)
6/25/08

Just across the Mexico-Belize border lies the little town of Santa Elena, Belize, which really isn't a town at all but a "no-man's land" of duty free stores, casinos, and the like. It's kind of like a 3rd-world shopper's paradise. It's run-down, hot, and somewhat dirty, but it isn't without it's seedy charm, too. People come from all over this area of Mexico to gamble in the casinos and buy cheap, mostly fake, name-brand clothes and other goods. Imported liquor and beer are very cheap, too. And, best of all, there's a Chilly Willy's! Or, so I hear. Here are some photos we took today.

Crossing the border, leaving Mexico


The International Bridge into Belize


View of the Rio Hondo from the right, going into Belize. This river separates Mexico-Belize, in this region, kind of like the Rio Grande on the Mexico-Texas border


View of the Rio Hondo from the left, going into Belize. Mexican Navy boats are docked on the Mexico side.


The flag of Belize- it's hard to get a photo of anything here, there are power lines everywhere


After crossing the Bridge, the first thing you'll see are two casinos, one on the left and one on the right.


Princess Casino- this is a new, and pretty good, casino. They have all kinds of slot machines and card games going on here. They used to serve free booze, too. I haven't been since last year, I'm trying to cut back...


These are mototaxis and they buzz all over the Duty-free zone like bees. Drivers are aggressive and "loco"


Las Vegas Casino- right here in Belize! This is at the rear of the zone


Some of the stores are very nice... like this one


And Belmex


Curbside liquor store


Leaving Belize, crossing the bridge back into Mexico

[DiJo]

I am really enjoying this little trip "we" are taking. Great pictures and lots of good information for us wannabees.

Ek Balam was next on our list, but maybe it will have to be Chetumal.

[Beth&Scott]

Dan-O
I dont blame your wife, those "Besucona" Lizard are freaky! Ive seen them in Cozumel and Punta Allen (BTW- didnt know their name- thanks to you now I do!). Didnt you love Isla Mujeres?---I loved it...

Wow...you did a lot and even went to Belize....!!! Im determined to visit Xcalax for our next Mexico trip and a day boat trip to Belize is not too far away from there, so Im hoping to make this happen. Really like your photos, great job!

[HoneyB]

We spent a few days thee last summer. I wish that we had gone to Calderitas but we were a little uncertain as to the logistics.

After the Lonely Planet guide described Chetumal Bay as "muddy," I was completely unprepared for the vast turquoise expanse of water when we walked up to the malecon.

We walked up to the zoo one day and quite enjoyed it. I saw animals there that I've only seen in books, and some that I hadn't seen in books. At the ocelot enclosure I was leaning up to the chain link looking for the cat in the habitat when I saw him almost nose to nose with me on the other side of the fence - it was quite the unexpected thrill!

Chetumal is not at all a tourist own, although there is much to commend it. Look through Dan-O's pics again and notice what you see everywhere in the streets of PDC that's missing in Chetumal (basura). Chetumal seemed so clean by comparison.

I've really enjoyed reading this.

[Dan-0]

Beatrice,

We spent a few days thee last summer. I wish that we had gone to Calderitas but we were a little uncertain as to the logistics.

To get to Calderitas, turn left (north) when you hit the Boulevard Bahia (malecon) and just keep going, it's a few miles up the road.

After the Lonely Planet guide described Chetumal Bay as "muddy," I was completely unprepared for the vast turquoise expanse of water when we walked up to the malecon.

That's the problem with guide books. On the day this writer was there, the Bay of Chetumal may well have been muddy- the color of the water changes drastically depending on several variables. I have seen the water when it was a brilliant turquoise, like the day you were there. This is usually when the sun is bright and it hasn't rained for a while. This year, we haven't gotten to see that turquoise color because it has rained too much, I think. The water color has ranged from deep blue to muddy and rust colored, almost like a red tide. Again, the water color changes constantly, so if you don't like it one day, just wait 'til the next.

Chetumal is not at all a tourist own, although there is much to commend it. Look through Dan-O's pics again and notice what you see everywhere in the streets of PDC that's missing in Chetumal (basura). Chetumal seemed so clean by comparison.

This is exactly why I LIKE IT SO MUCH. I was in Playa this weekend, and while I enjoy it for a few days, I am not that much of a "beach person" or a party guy so I tire of it in a few days and start missing the many cultural activities that there are in Chetumal. Not that Playa doesn't have its share, they are just harder to find, I think. I only know of two other Americans in Chetumal. One is a professor at UQROO who I met once at a party and the other is my estranged sister-in-law who I rarely see anymore. Occasionally, I do see a few backpackers wandering through town and always at the bus terminal. A lot of people in Chetumal can speak and understand basic English because of its proximity to Belize.

I'm glad you're enjoying the report, thanks.

[Dan-0]

Playa del Carmen
6/27/08-6/29/08

Well, I ended my stay in Mexico, for now, in Playa. But, it was not much fun. On this occasion, I was really there just to be close to the Cancun airport. Even though I had planned to stay in Mexico for a few more weeks, I had a work emergency and I had to fly back to the U.S. on Tues., July 1st. We stayed Thurs-Sat. in Playa then went to Cancun on Sunday and Monday nights. It was a stressful end to an otherwise relaxing month in Mexico as I spent my weekend in Playa frantically sending e-mails and calling Aeromexico trying to get my flight changed. A colleague of mine, who was supposed to cover for me, flaked out. So, not being able to get someone else to DO MY JOB SO I COULD STAY IN MEXICO, I had to come back. Here are a few photos from my last days in Mexico, in Playa and Cancun. I will be back on Aug. 1, hopefully! I live for the day when my job is 100% Web-based.

We left Chetumal on Thurs., June 27. We took ADO first-class from Chetumal-Playa. It was about 200 pesos per ticket, one way. It's about a 6-hour bus ride with stops in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Tulum. We got to Playa at around 9:00 pm. The Maya Bric was full, so after some searching and phone calls, we ended up staying at the Maria Bonita. I liked it and would have been happy staying another night or two there, but Wendy didn't like the musty smell the room had, so we spent Fri.-Sat. at our usual hotel, the Maya Bric. There weren't that many people at the "Bric", just a bunch of Dutch tourists on a diving tour. It was 500 pesos per night. We didn't get to do very much but walk around town a little bit, like I said I spent most of the weekend on the Internet and on the phone desperately trying to work things out with my job and, finally, trying to get my plane ticket bumped up so I could come back.

Wendy and the kids are still in Mexico. I will continue to post photos as soon as she uploads them. Thanks for all the comments from those who followed our trip!

Our first night in Playa, we ended up at the Hotel Maria Bonita. They had a promotion: 680 pesos for a double including breakfast. I thought it was a decent hotel for a good price. It's right down the street from La Tortuga.


Here's night shot of the pool in the courtyard at Hotel Maria Bonita:


And here's a day shot from our balcony of the pool and courtyard at the Maria Bonita


The balcony at the Maria Bonita


Another hotel that I like and where we have stayed is The Maya Turquesa on 8th St. About 2 blocks off 5th Ave., close to Walmart


Youth Hostel on 8th St.- looks like a good place for backpackers


The Sahara Hotel. Anybody stayed here? I haven't but it looks cool and makes a good photo!


I like the pastel colors on these condos


This is a funkly little place on 14th St.


In front of Media Luna


Maya Bric hotel, in the reception area. Lola is an English bulldog who's the unofficial mascot at the Maya Bric. She lays around the hotel all day like an old hound dog. Celeste and Carlos enjoyed playing with her


The little pool at the Maya Bric


Wendy and Celeste enjoying the pool at the Maya Bric


Thursday night, we had dinner at El Fogon on 30th Ave. and 6th St. In this photo, I seem to be hypnotized by the parrilla: beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, potato, Cambray onions, and queso fundido.


Celeste and Wendy on 5th Ave. with the Maya Bird Guy

[Dan-0]

Playa del Carmen- Part II
6/26/08-6/29/08

One of our favorite places to eat on the beach, La Tarraya


I don't remember the name of this place, but it's a decent place to have breakfast by the beach. It's right next to La Tarraya




Wendy and Celeste on the south end of 5th with the "Statue Guy". Creepy!


Wendy by the pool at Maria Bonita


Jellyfish lights on 5th


Bright enough for ya?


Night shot of the fruit stands in park by the ferry dock


Street painter in the park






Chilling at the beach

[HoneyB]

I'm so sorry that your trip was cut short. It has to be incredibly frustrating for you! Can you at least fire Mr. Flakey?

I feel like your trip report was MY Mexican vacation this year.

Oh well, I now have five cabinets hanging on my kitchen walls. Six to go. Then the lowers. Then the guest bath. Then the laundry room. Then the master bath. Then the floors. Then the yard. The house will be finished and I WILL have a vacation next year.

I the meanwhile, I'm going to re-read your post.

B

[Dan-0]

Originally Posted by HoneyB

I'm so sorry that your trip was cut short. It has to be incredibly frustrating for you! Can you at least fire Mr. Flakey?

Beatrice, it's MS. Flakey and no I can't fire her, she's a colleague not a subordinate. Actually, she has covered for me in this situation before, so I shouldn't complain too much. Yes, it was hard to come back but it always is.

I feel like your trip report was MY Mexican vacation this year.

What a sweet thing to say, thanks! It really makes it worth the effort when you hear comments like that. I hope you get to have your REAL Mexican vacation soon!

Oh well, I now have five cabinets hanging on my kitchen walls. Six to go. Then the lowers. Then the guest bath. Then the laundry room. Then the master bath. Then the floors. Then the yard. The house will be finished and I WILL have a vacation next year.

I the meanwhile, I'm going to re-read your post.

When you get finished will you come help me refinish my countertops, strip my hardwood floors, and paint my deck?