Tulum - Mexico

A "sleepy hollow" 130km south of Cancun Tulum is famous for its picturesque Mayan ruins which are perched atop the Caribbean coast.

Our eco-resort doesnt even have TV (although aircon is a must here) Here there is always something interesting to see ...

... or someone different to meet.

The day starts off very still then gradually the breeze picks up and is strongest between 2pm-6pm bringing out the kite-surfers.

Then evening falls, the wind dies down and total calm except for the roar of the surf - paradise!

Greetings from Cancun Mexico

We departed Cuba on an antique Russian version of the 707 T-Jet that Reg Ansett would have rejected back  in the 1960s. 

 

Sedated with Rum & Coke we landed safely in Cancun an Americanised version of the Gold Coast located on the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

 

Spent the first 2 days here in recovery, getting all our laundry done, and sorting out travel plans back to Mexico City. Now we are finally in the R&R mode.

Took a day trip to Isle Mujeres ...

 ... where we had late breakfast of Chardonnay/Beer with lime and Cervici (remember its raw seafood in lemon juice) served with freshly made Nachos. Still hobbling around on an injured foot unsuccessfully tried to locate the camping ground where Sarah & Lila stayed, instead finding a nice beach for a swim and drinks.

Before returning to the mainland we just had to have another Cerviche, this time with pizza and more wine.

Today is our last day here before making our wending way back to Mexico City so its intense relaxation - none of this...

... just this!

Gadabout's Cuba

Havana is a demanding mistress and a paradox - a place and culture that takes effort to appreciate. It is not the Harry Belafonte Caribbean of our expectations.

The people are more in your face, especially the guys, trying to get something out of you, and scam you - but when they only get paid $20/month you can justify that. You don't feel unsafe but its not a comfort zone! That explained it was a great experience to see it the way it is now. There is a simpleness in life here that has great value.

Look at this lady she loves me (it only cost $1) and look at her mother she loves me too! (another $1) - capitalism is healthy in Cuba!

Havana is a place of wrecks ...

... and yet it is a place of cultural significance and grand architecture

Travel out a bit to the rural settings, which although in drought show the Caribbean lifestyle - but its not one of people slumbering under coconut palms. We visited tobacco plantations and witnessed the lifestyle and saw how a cigar is rolled from a pile of leaves. A rural rum ("Rrrrrron" as they call it) distillery provided a tasty treat.

Even with the charm of 1950's cars everywhere (some are in beautiful condition - but most are oil burning, dented bombs,) the everlasting memory of Havana for us is the Malecon, the sea-wall promenade, and the drenching splash as the occasional wave surges over the wall to everyone's delight!

Off on the wrong foot in Cuba

Arrived here around noon - the taxi ride from airport revealed a time & place very similar to my early Navy days in Singapore Island - tropical 3rd worldish. Our "Hotel Nacional" is very good, even superb in its heyday!

Had some refreshing drinks in the shade of the veranda while waiting for our room to be ready.

 

Next we went for a walk looking for non-existant 711's to get some drinks - got into a conversation with a big black dude a foot taller than me about getting affordable laundry service, and keeping an eye on him while I was walking (we didn't trust him) I fell down a manhole in the footpath just as Joan yelled watch out Harry!

Walked in bloodied thong for 20 minutes along the Malceon (the sea retaining wall) unsuccessfully looking for access to the sea to bathe a bloodied foot in salt water.

Limped back to the hotel and saw the hotel doctor - $5 and 15 minutes later have dressing applied and will look pot for all footpath holes ion the future!

Come to think this place is very much like old Singapore, back in 1970 I fell into a 7ft storm drain (alcohol induced) and had to walk miles to get out.

Taxco - Silver City

Took a day tour to Taxco  180km south of Mexico City stopping first at the spa town of Cuernavaca to inspect the 1520's "Catedral de la Asuncion" which has a mural detailing the death by crucifixion of a local dude, Saint  Phillip, while a missionary in Japan way back then.

 

The town is very pretty and is known as "the place of eternal Spring" as flowers are always in bloom. It is very popular as a weekend spa retreat for the people of Mexico City

Next on to Taxco a true gem about to be world heritage listed, which is a famous silver mining town full of Silver Craft shops. As one Gadabout loves silver we shopped around a bit, but still had plenty of time to explore the winding cobblestone streets.

 
We witnessed an interesting funeral procession where the mourners followed the hearse to the church and then carried the coffin away down the street after the service with band playing a funeral march.

With both Gadabouts loving a drink we located Bar Bertha, the place where the famous Margarita cocktail was invented, and tried it out - lovely even though it wasn't served in in a fancy cocktail glass (the owner was a nice guy even though he looks one mean dude)

 We loved Taxco and wished we could stay longer - perhaps on our return from Cuba as we make our way overland back to Mexico City!

A Mexico City Mixture

 

 

The pre-Aztec site of Teotihaucan is only 35km north of Mexico City but is a full day tour with a few extra attractions thrown in. We walked down the 2.3 km "Avenue of the Dead" and clambered up the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon - it was hard going but Joan stood up well to the relentless sun while suffering from a dose of the common travellers' malady.

The next day we took it easy by taking the open deck city bus tour.

We disembarked in the bohemian district of Condesa and found a seafood restaurant that  was packed out by the locals, no wonder the food was great!

Today is Mayday and the crowds started flocking noisily past out hotel into the Central Plaza from 2am this morning. Its a big deal here especially as there is an ongoing protesters tent-city occupying the square. All day different bands of unions parade in as others disperse.

We had intended to travel around the Metro subway system today as its not packed on the weekend, but the stations around here are shut with the Mayday marches. Instead we strolled down a different route than usual and found nice restaurants and shopping emporiums nearby and had a day of retail therapy, replacing Joan's wardrobe; look at all this for just over A$200 - and finally a swimsuit!