Today was our first excursion - to Tulum and Xel-Ha! I wasn't really excited about Xel-Ha since we'll be visiting Xcaret on Friday, but I was beyond thrilled to see the beautiful beaches of Tulum! I've come quite far for someone who doesn't really like beaches to begin with! We woke up at the ass-crack of dawn and were picked up by the bus. We were ready, swimsuits under dresses, flip flops and sunscreen in bag, a bit of bug spray and some cookies for breakfast!

It took about an hour to get everyone and then hit Tulum. We were incredibly lucky, as the sun was out and shining today! Thank you Andi, Joy and Big for all your well-wishes - it certainly worked!! It was gorgeous today!! Actually it's very likely that it rained in Cancun and just not Tulum. We got to Tulum and the Mexican sun was kicking our asses. You could feel the places that you didn't carefully apply sunscreen BURN on in seconds! We trekked over to the Tulum ruins and our guide was the most boring explainer-of-things I've ever met. After a miserable 35 minutes standing in the sun, getting bit by mosquitos and sweltering our asses off, I look at V and go "let's blow this popscicle stand."

We break away from the group and quickly go over to the edge of the cliff and look down. There are almost a hundred people in the tiny beach area, but it is BEAUTIFUL. It is hands down the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Sparkling white sand, beautiful turqoise water and huge boulders with eroded bottoms I've only seen in pictures of Vietnam. Time is ticking until we have to get back to the bus so V and I went down the scary wood staircase and ditched our stuff on some rocks and entered the water along with other happy people from all over the world.

I've been to the shore of lots of beaches. All over the world, even Cannes. But I've never gone in because I can't swim. I usually sit on the shore, close to where the waters break. You might see me knee-deep in water for a few minutes before running back. But the combination of situations today. Bleeding hot from the sun, the most gorgeous beach I've ever seen, no rocks or impediments to entering the water, and the softest swells. I went in all the way up to my neck with V!! We were both so excited at both having gone in the ocean all the way for the first time as well as the amazing, amazing surroundings we were in! We were in CLEAR, AQUA WATER that just melted into a darker aquamarine a few miles from shore! What an amazing feeling!!! =)

The situation was ideal. We went far enough out that we only got swells that we could rise and fall with without it breaking on us but we could still touch the floor of the ocean. What a pair we were - V isn't a strong swimmer and I'm a freaking lead weight in the water, capable of drowning under the most unlikely circumstances! And there were no shells, no rocks, no jellyfish. It a was heavenly experience =)

Before long we saw my mom waving from on top fo the staircase asking us to come up. I'm sure our group was about to leave so we gathered our things and stayed in our bikinis for the next 6 minutes which succeeded in drying us out. We got on the bus and headed to Xel-Ha for lunch and eco-park type things! =) We found out that noone else from our tour was able to go into the water. They only had enough time left to look from over the cliff. Yeah, V and I were pretty proud of ourselves for making the right decision =) We got in a good 40 minutes in the magical water =)

Xel-Ha was AWESOME. It's built around a lagoon with a majority of the activities and restaurants being near the entrance. Let's sort by animals: The parrots, dolphins and reef fish (to chase while snorkeling) are at the end of the lagoon. The manatees are about a half mile in if you go towards the right of the path. The iguanas are EVERYWHERE.

I chilled in a hammock while V and my mom finished their lunches and then V and I went on an exploration around the entire lagoon. I wanted to find a cenote and go ziplining.  We ended up doing neither because we found all sorts of other goodies and had a brilliant time. Every few feet along this lagoon one finds an entrance to the lagoon in which to enter or exit snorkeling or swimming. Beach chairs, tables and straw umbrellas are located in the most thoughtful places. There are a few huts floating in the middle of the lagoon - they are MASSAGE HUTS! Somehow one is transported there (as it isn't connected to land) and given a massage in the middle of this jungle!

But the funnest (and most time consuming) activity we went on was the inner tube down the lagoon. It was such a spectacular experience, you start out in this mangrove inlet and float down a tunnel of mangrove branches barely higher than your seated head. Then you made your way into the lagoon but without paddles of flippers, V and I were kind of stationary. The double-seater inner tube prevents you from making much contact with the water other than your butt! Perhaps if our legs were longer we could kick, but all we could do was paddle a little with our hands. At one point though, we were doing ok, and V turns around and says to me "this is our audition tape for the Amazing Race!!" =D

We saw lovely things durig this float, and totally worked off our lunch. We saw an old couple - the guy with flippers kicking in his donut and holding onto his wife's inner tube so that they were both moving together. She was just sitting there and looking around in wonderment and her husband looked blissfully determined to get them both to the other side. God, I love seeing old school stuff like that!! Just sad I wasn't able to capture any of it because my waterproof camera decided to go on the fritz - and it's the first time that I've used it in the water! What a piece of crap.

Veronica and I made it about 2/3rds of the way in about an hour so we got off at one of those snorkeling entranes and walked the rest of the way in our bare feet! It was quite exhillarating running through the jungles, dodging iguanas, hermit crabs and stopping by to stare at the manatees. Very surprsed at what a wonderful experience the whole thing was, and we ended by topping off our visit with soft serve cones (which I haven't eaten since I've discovered Pinkberry's!) and a luxurious rest in a silk-weaved hammock. =D

An additional note about Xel-Ha after visiting Xcaret and having something to actually compare it to. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Xel-Ha over Xcaret as it is smaller but much cleaner, well maintained and friendlier than Xcaret. Animals are really well taken care of by constant and affectionate animal keepers. They are rarely left alone and they are not located in areas where people can bother them. You can look only. Also, there is a friendly vibe here, both from the people and the planning of this place. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get lost in Xel-Ha as the activities are located in nooks and crannies along a circular path. In addition, the "all-inclusive" meal is good as many times a day throughout the day as you feel you need to snack. You can come in the morning, eat a little, go play and work up an appetite, and go to another restaurant to eat something else. If you want to run in for a soda or an ice cream, that is ok too. This is NOT the case at Xcaret where you get 1 meal coupon that you can use at 1 restaurant and that's it.

Well, it was bound to happen. My bff breaking free from our tight grip and tying the knot. Thankfully her husband came in a package deal with his friends as well, so we agreed it was a good union and gave our approval.

We spent months and months planning for where the wedding would be (mostly over the phone and on the internet during work hours), we found the perfecdt spot...the Mayan Riviera...

The day of the wedding was perfect, except for the fact it was so bloody hot our make-up and hair was melting...

We went to the salon in the morning, got ready together, and then the photographer came to take the pics before the wedding...some of his ideas were a little quesitonable, and it seemed he wanted to take one too many of us lying in bed, but all in all it worked out.

Even though we were all nervous (I tripped walking up to the gazebo), the ceremony was short and sweet, just like we like it. After the ceremony, we went to the restaurant for the dinner, and then took turns giving our speeches to the happy couple...although by that time I doubt anyone remembers what was said.

It was a fantastic day and I will never forget it! (well, most of it, anyway...;))

Our last day in Playa we arranged a trip to the cenote´s nearby (freshwater caves). The whole area has a lot of limestone, which has collapsed and eroded over the years creating vast underground cave systems which have been flooded with freshwater. Sam, Raf & I were to dive, and Dennis, Nick & Mick were to snorkel (Poor Beck fell ill). It was an incredible dive... one of the best. the water is unbelievably clear. It didn´t even seem like you underwater, but you were occasionally reminded when you´re crappy hire mask fogged up or leaked. Underground we found ourselves in complete darkness finning through vast caverns with perfectly formed stalactites & mites, only illuminated by your torch. unbelievable.  

After such a high we headed back into town and said goodbye´s to our new friend Dennis and headed for Tulum via the local bus service (standing up, BUT airconditioned muy bien).

So we arrived in tulum mid afternoon... first impressions not so great. Hot and humid... to the point where it turns you off a place. After a few fiasco´s finding accomodation (heat was forcing us to approach tolerance levels and become emotional). We managed to find a nice (but a little pricey) place to say with AC (¡ es importante!).

A far cry below playa in your face atmosphere, but regardless, Tulum has a toned down version of the common Yucatan theme of knowing that their home is a beautiful place where people will visit regardless of thier slightly arrogant attitude towards travelers. It reinforces the obvious differences in areas of mexico. Oaxaca, Chiapas and even Mexico D.F. are much more welcoming... making it easier to really enjoy the culture.

We did enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling, which to be honest, wasn´t much chop (and makes you appreciate what you have at home), but it was worth it just to get on the water. We did split our posse and said our sad goodbye´s to our aussie friends, who we enjoyed such highs and lows with and checked into the ´go-to´hostel in town, making us realise how much we were spoilt over the last few weeks.

anyway, Tulum is a nice place. cars do occasionally stop in the middle of the main street when crossing, a pleasant gesture that we don´t even have at home. The beaches are amazing and everyone must see this place at least once.

But we´re ready to move on... tomorrow we try and head to Belize city with intentions of getting to Guatamala.... first (albeit tame) border crossing!

I´d also like to take this oppurtunity to insert a disclaimer: I dont proof read any of this, and usually write in a frenzy at an internet cafe so excuse any spelling grammar or mixup of words!

I stayed at this place for 5 nights this June. The Weary Traveler had been recommended to me in Tulum, but when I went there, the dorm smelled bad and we decided to keep looking. Casa del Sol isn't in the Lonely Planet, but there are posters along the main street in town directing you to it, so we took a chance. Glad we did! Carlos, the owner, has built this place himself. There are 2 dorms, each with 10 beds for $11 usd per night, including breakfast. There are also a bunch of private rooms as well. And you have full use of the kitchen. It is still a work in progress and has only been opened for 8 months (as of June 08), but it's coming along nicely. He is supposed to have Internet very soon for the guests. It's also walking distance to everything in town, but not right on the main street so it's pretty quiet. Definitely check it out!

Sights & Attractions: Tulum Ruins / Coba Ruins / All The Beautiful Cenotes / Biosphere of Siaan Kaan / Valladolid and Chichen itza. For The Lovers of "Scuba Diving" there is many dive shops / I recomend MexiDivers Right next to Zamas..they offer trips to Cenotes and to the reef. General Tips & Advice, Packing Suggestions • Comfortable Walking/Biking Shoes • Flip-Flops • A Few Sets Of Yoga Clothes Or T-Shirts And Shorts • Bikini • Sun Protection • Sarong • Sunglasses • A Hat To Protect You From The Sun While Walking/Biking • Personal Toiletries • Medications, Supplements • Water Bottle • A Flashlight • Sunscreen • Bug Stuff • Warm Clothes Or Shawl For Night-- A Few Chilly Evenings Lately • A Journal & Something To Write With • Camera • Eye pillow • Laptop ( we have Internet wireless connection ) • Ipod • Chargers • Map if you are planning to look around Reminders: • Remember To Reconfirm Your Flight! • Pack Passport, I.D.& Flight Ticket • Travel Advisory : In 2007 Mexico will require passports for all travelers entering the country. • Pack Light! And be ready to be in a unique place, Tulum Mexico Restaurants, Cafes & Food: Zamas Diamante K Copal Piedra Escondida Maya Tulum Posada Margherita Ana y Jose Shambala Petit hotel Jade Amansala La zebra Mezanine Hotels & Accommodations: Zamas Azulik Copal Diamante Posada Margherita Heminway tita Tulum Shambala Petit Hotel Uno La Nueva Vida de Ramiro Jade Amansala Coqui Coqui Nightlife & Entertainment: Mezzanine Ginger Zamas Zebra Alkin If you have any questions please do not hesitate and contact me..

After visiting the ruins, I asked our cab driver for a good place to eat typical food and he recommended this place. It’s a large outdoor restaurant. Although the place has a roof it doesn't have walls except for around the bathrooms and kitchen. The place is charming and has a good mix of locals and tourist. The menu is extensive and the prices are high for Mexico but lower than what you would find in the U.S. I had the fish fillet. It was a fish called Mero, which I'm unfamiliar with, and was prepared grilled with butter and garlic. It was very good and definitely what I would call typically Mexican. It was served with a side of rice and vegetables with some tortillas. I topped it off with a Dos X Amber which has a great flavor (similar to Bohemia). After eating I found out that it was also recommended by Fodor's which surprised me because that kind of recommendation usually tells you the place is a tourist trap... but not this time. Tip is included in the bill - you don't need to ad extra because its already accounted for by your waiter.

This ancient city was an important port in pre-Columbian America and is a must see attraction in the Yucatan Peninsula. The ruins are relatively small and the entire city can be seen in less than one hour but there is no reason to speed through. The iguana filled ruins are too fragile to traverse but it won't stop you from taking spectacular photos. Be sure to bring a bathing suit. The beach is small and current rough but it is a great place for body surfing. Cabs (will cost about 30 pesos from downtown and 40 pesos to return to town) drop you off about a quarter mile from the ruins you can walk or take a tractor pulled cart to the sight for $2. The ride is worth $0.50 and your better off walking unless you have trouble physically walking that distance. You can get a guided tour for an additional charge. I didn't take guided tour and can't give an opinion about the quality of the guided tour.

Tulum del 19 al 20 d'abril.- Pues aqui a tulum he conegut per primera vegada el caribe,... i no esta mal, a veure tal qual t'ho expliquen: sorra blanca, aigua supertransparent i no gaire freda i tranquila. A veure el poble girebe es nomes un carrer on hi han els bars, botigues i restaurants, despres la platja queda una mica apartada, bastan apartada, de fet lo normal es anar-hi amb cotxe. A la vora de la platja hi han unes altres ruines, pero ja m'havia saturat i vaig preferir estirar-me a la sorra per no fer res. A la platja s'estava prou ample, no hi havia massa gent.

L'alberg on vaig estar no em va agradar gaire, una mica descuidat, aqui per aixo vaig coincidir amb l'eva, una tia de valencia bastant ben parida i que deseguida s'animava a fer qualssevol cosa, a partir d'aqui vem coincidir 3 dies voltant per playa del carmen i cancun.

Aqui em vaig despistar una mica i no hi ha fotos del caribe, pero de veritat que hi he estat.

Tulum is has a great beach, blue water, palm trees, sun and simple but nice cabins. What to say about sleeping in a hammock or drinking your Corona in the bar on a swing!

Well we hopped a shady 2nd class bus to Tulum that stopped every 2minutes to pick up people on the side of the road. One guy carried a giant saw on board, me and Dylan laughed. I also witnessed the first time i have seen 2 cars pass another car at once (as in both passed together beside each other, therefore 3 cars were driving in 1 direction, kinda funny) An hour later we arrived in Tulum, with no room booked, so we opted for some crazy cheap cabanas on the beach, an unreal beach, that you can actually see the ruins of Tulum from. See the pics, it is unreal. Our cabana looks more like my dads toolshed, with tiny single beds with mosquito nets covering them, shady yet adventurous, therefore solid. Tulum is more of a Mexican town than the touristy Playa Del Carmen, and it is a good change for us especially. We wandered around Tulum´s markets and checked out an Argentinian restraunt, which was really good. Then we went to a small bar for a few beers.

Today is Jan 16th, and we got up at 6 am to take some pics of sunrise, which was pretty cool, other than getting up early. Next we headed to Tulum ruins, which are beautiful, overlook the Caribbean, and pictures don´t sum them up. Wandered around there for a few hours, and headed off to Hidden Worlds Caving, where we snorkelled in underground caves called cenotes, which are actually fresh water rivers running underground, awesome time, and met some more people from Alberta. We also got to zipline, which is like a really long line (1/4 km), that goes through the jungle, and you hold on and fly down through the jungle really fast, it was awesome, check out my pic. After that it was about 3pm, so we hit up the beach for a couple hours cuz it was still really hot, and relaxed. That night we taxi'd back into town and checked out red and blue bar, only to find both closed....so we headed back to our cabanas and hit up the bar there, just had a few beers, and met an nice American arborist named Lymon, he was in Tulum for a couple of weeks to relax, just on vacation from work.

Things that have happened include our cab driver (maybe 20 years old) asking how much i want for my Canada Hockey hat, i said i paid about 35 bucks for it, but i would give it to him for 50 pesos (6 bucks), cuz i bought a new hat on this trip, and i thought it was a good international relations gesture, lol. Second crazy thing, is us getting back to our cabana, or we thought it was our cabana, and the light was on, we try unlocking it and it doesn´t work, all of a sudden some guy inside is like, HELLO? who is that? CRAP!!! we were the next one over, sure that was a pleasant suprise at midnight for some couple. Last crazy thing is the amount of Turd Burgulars here, unreal, if you don´t know what that is, never mind.

Our Beach in Tulum at Sunrise

Tulum Ruins1

Tulum Ruins Beach

Me and Tulum Ruins

Me in My Wetsuit Ready for Cave Snorkelling
Thats my happy face

Ziplining
This is the girl that went after me, we couldn´t take our photos until after.

Dylan and Our Beasty Taxi
This is what we used to get to the Caves, Riding like Mexicans in the box!!!

Where we cave snorkelled
Beautiful down there.

Daytime shot of our beach in Tulum
Huge beach, gorgeous white sand, and beautiful turquoise water.

Still not feeling great, but had to take Keith to see at least one cenote.  For those of you not familiar with the term cenote or the area - the Yucatan is filled with sink holes that are linked to underground river systems that flow to the ocean.  This is a good place to get cave or cavern certified.  My favorite one close by is Gran Cenote.  It was the same too.  You only get about half the coolness without having a snorkel and mask.  I´ve always wanted to dive Dos Ojos or any of the cenotes in the area, but I´m always too cheap and am holding out for reef and wreck dives in Honduras.  Also much cheaper.

1st class ADO bus to Chetumal in the afternoon.  Note to others: many of the nicer buses in Mexico have the A/C on full blast, so I always take my sweatshirt on the bus and wear my shoes.  This also saves a lot of space in the pack.

Not much in Chetumal.  Stayed at Hostal Chetumal.  Lilia the owner has converted her home into a hostal.  She is a very nice woman.  My bed was good (firm) and the place was nice until some ahole moved the floor fan and I sweated all night.

Valentines Day...what more romatic thing to do than spend it on the beach with your father...or son.  I´d already been to the ruins in Tulum or at least the Tulum ruins not the ones on the other end of town, but I figured I´d best show my dad since we were there.  What do you know, same as last time just more expensive.  It is the only Mayan city built on the ocean and it´s very unique and beautiful, however they aren´t nearly as impressive or detailed as the others.  They are unique and worth seeing.  The color of the ocean here is great.  Next we headed down the road to the beach and watched gringos trying to learn to kiteboard unsuccessfully.  I was wondering why I wasn´t an expert on this sport as I grew up in the Columbia Gorge.  The only reason I can think of is football, basketball and track.  Oh yeah, I guess I can´t forget the waverunner, pool table and guns.

Met a cute girl from Argentina that I chatted with for awhile.  I hope to meet Ray and Lindsay there in March for some heli skiing/boarding, steak, wine and women???  I´ve only heard 95% good things about this country.

It had been a rough day at the beach so I quenched my thirst with some fresh squeezed orange juice and passed out in a hammock at the hostel.  Ate dinner with pops and started feeling shitty after.  Started getting a headache etc.  Powered through and went to the carnival celebration in town.  Sort of like an actual carnival with local dances etc.  Crazy busses were driving around town lit up with flashing lights and bumping music.  Went bed early feeling like crap.

If you like to see some of the Mayan Culture ans you don't want to drive to long, Tulum is the place to be. It's an hour driving from Playa del Carmen.

You can see al complete Mayan Trade Village situated at the coast!

2 hours is enough to see everything an to take beautiful pictures.

Our guide told everything about the Mayas. Be sure you have a good guide!

If you like lizards, Tulum is full with it.

In the afternoon you can go to Xel-ha for a snorkelingtrip.

This place is like a paradise. It's like being in the a Robinson Crusoe fairytale! Just amazing. There are only five beachfront cabanas and there is a general kitchen/dining area which can be used by the guests staying in the beachfront cabanas. This is a place were guests were gathering if they were looking for company, we even had a BBQ, on a old fashion fire pit! The whole property is supplied from Electricity by 3 solar panels & a wind turbine. It's a really eco-friendly place, with all the basic supplies like showers, hot water and electricity! Just check it out and believe me, you are going to love the place like I did! The owners are building a website www.cabanaslaluna.com, just check out the pictures! Best restaurant around is by far posada margarita, its a Italian place just 10 minutes walk away from Cabanas La Luna! Cabanas La Luna just made me a returning guest! See you next year! Adios

am samstag geht es erneut bereits um 5 uhr los und wir fahren mit einem minibus richtung norden, quer durch belize nach yucatan in mexico. die belize-duchquerung stellt sich schwieriger und insbesondere viel teuerer heraus als angenommen. staatsbuerger aus argentinien, israel und surprise surprise der schweiz sind naemlich die einzigen staatsbuerger, welche nur mit 50 USD-visum das land betreten duerfen. und die ausreise kostet ebenfalls nochmal 17 USD - dies allerdings fuer alle. wir hatten waehrend unserer gesamten bisherigen reise wohl noch nie eine so hohe hourly-cash-burning-rate wie waehrend diesen vier stunden in belize. gegen 19 uhr, es ist schon laengst dunkel und wir am verhungern, komen wir endlich in tulum an. hier suchen wir ein hotel, zuerst am strand bis, wir erfahren dass die nacht in einem strohhuettchen ohne bad mind. 50 USD kostet, und sogar ein dorm-bed in der 3km entfernten stadt mind. 10 USD kostet. das hostel, wo wir schlussendlich landen, bietet aber wenigstens ziemlich saubere nur-6-betten-zimmer, einen shuttlebus zum strand, fruehstueck sowie billiges selfmade-barbecue-abendessen, so dass wir uns so halbwegs mit der laestigen schlafsaal-rucksack-im-locker-situation arrangieren koennen.

die letzten tage haben wir uns nun durch ausschlafen und am strand liegen zu erholen versucht. der strand ist einfach nur traumhaft, mit weissem sand, so fein wie wir noch nie sand gesehen haben, palmen und tuerkisblauem wasser bis weit ins meer hinaus. am montag machen wir einen 1h-ausflug zu den direkt am strand gelegenen ruinen von tulum - die wohl hoechste anstrengung der woche. die ruinen sind recht klein und von touristengruppen aus playa del carmen und cancun ueberhaeuft. ihre einmalige lage machen die ruinen jedoch sehr speziell. zudem organisieren wir waehrend der woche einige administrative dinge wie geld wechseln, flug buchen und sonnencreme kaufen - denn fuer die naechsten drei wochen gehts auf kuba weiter....