Search results matching tags 'Travel' and 'Wildlife'

Kinnon Family Trip Report 2013 - Chapultepec Zoo

435836 — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:20:00 GMT

Our first full day in Mexico City was sunny and warm. Warm enough for shorts and flip flops but, having learned my lesson in Monterrey and Guadalajara, I knew that more formal attire would be expected. So, despite the weather, Rob and I wore long pants and closed shoes. While our scheduled trip to the zoo in Chapultepec Park would be a casual time, I was yet uncertain where we would be dining and decided to play it safe with somewhat dressier clothes.

We grabbed a cab from the hotel and made a quick trip down La Reforma and into the park. Chaplutepec Park, also known as Bosque de Chapultepec, is a sprawling oasis of 1600 green acres in the center of Mexico City. It is home to the Museum of Anthroplogy, the monument to the Ninos Heroes, the Natural History Museum, the Botanical Gardens, the Modern Art Museum, an amusement park and the Chapultepec Zoo among many other things. Criss-crossed by miles and miles of bike and walking paths, the park is well used and enjoyed by visitors and local residents alike. The park is bisected by the beautiful La Reforma boulevard and is bordered by some of Mexico City's most distinguished neighborhoods, including my new favorite Polanco...more on that later.

I'm not sure a lot of people think of Mexico City as a great travel destination for families with kids. I know I didn't but I certainly knew that a trip to the zoo would be a fun family activity and keep me in good standing with my kids. Truth be told, Rob and I have spent many an afternoon wandering through zoos and aquariums. I have lost count of how many trips we have made to the New England Aquarium in Boston and we will most likely find ourselves there again this summer! We have seen some good zoos and some not-so-good zoos in our travels. I think I would count this one somewhere in the middle of the pack. It's not the prettiest zoo but it was quite clean and the animals we saw appeared to be calm and well cared for. They all seemed to be well fed and in suitable enclosures with shelter and shade and access to water.

The zoo provided nice signage (en espanol) for each of the exhibits and plenty of stationary maps to help you navigate through. Entrance to the zoo is free, making for an affordable family outing, but there is a charge to enter several of the specialized exhibits such as the herpetarium and the butterfly aviary. There is also a food court inside offering all kinds of fast food and cold drinks. One of the things I particularly noticed and appreciated was a concerted effort to have indigenous wildlife well represented, particularly species at risk of extinction. Much of the signage throughout the property provided information specific to the species represented but also showed its proliferation or lack thereof and suggested ways in which the animals might be protected. Good information to kids and grownups alike.

While of course, like most zoos, the big draw for North American children seems to be the collection of animals from the continent of Africa. The giraffes, hippos, rhinos and, of course, the big cats seem to be perennial favorites and were well represented here. My favorites tend to lean in the direction of the polar bears, seals and sea lions. I am also a big otter fan. I was a bit disappointed to only find one lowly sea lion, the other enclosures being empty on this day. What was incredibly cool was to see the giant pandas Xiu Hua, Shuan Shuan and Xin Xin. Mexico holds the distinction of being the only country, other than China, to successfully breed giant pandas in captivity so it was very exciting to have the chance to see them. Sadly, a few days after we returned home to Playa, Xiu Hua, the oldest at age 28, died of natural causes.

RIP Xiu Hua

Fortunately, because we were there off-season when everyone seems to leave the city and head toward the coast, there were not very many people at the zoo. Unfortunately, because it was off-season, many of the displays were under repair or being revamped in some way and many of the animals were out of site. Without hordes of families and school groups to accommodate this would be the best time to do maintenance and give the animals some quiet time. Too bad for us but good for the park. Still, we made it all the way through, had a great time and made it out in time to make it to our lunch reservation at Mexico's top rated restaurant.

Next: Our lunch with the kids at Pujol!

A Boat Trip Through Muyil into the Sian Ka'an

435836 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

"Mommy, I wanna be a real estate agent when I grow up" - said no five year old child ever!!!

It's true. Children dream of being princesses and firemen, veterinarians and astronauts, musicians and ballerinas. They do not dream of being real estate agents. That just...happens. It's not a bad career, of course. If you are good at it, it can be remarkably lucrative and satisfying. It's just nobody's lifetime ambition.

But, if you find that you have stumbled into the world of real estate, there can be no finer place to do it than in Playa del Carmen. You get to fulfill people dreams everyday and you sure can't beat the view. Most days it's all luxury condos and golf course villas but every once in a while, the job takes us on an adventure.

Take a look at a day in our life!

Check out my video of our lancha moving through the channels cut through the mangrove by the ancient Maya.

So, that about wraps up the work day.

What's the view like from your desk?

I moved to Mexico with my family in 2004 with the hope of offering our children a more global education and world view. Since then, we have traveled through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, gathering friends and life experiences and learning a lot about ourselves along the way. When we are not out and about exploring, Rob and I own and operate BuyPlaya, a Playa del Carmen real estate company and FurnitureMex. "Life's a Beach" is a catch-all blog where you may find anything from restaurant reviews, to recipes, gardening tips, commentary about expat daily life, local events, information about moving to Mexico and educating children in Playa del Carmen. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

5th Annual Whale Shark Festival Set for June 15-17, 2012 on Isla Mujeres

435836 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:20:00 GMT

The 2012 Whale Shark Festival has been announced in the following Press Release!

Isla Mujeres, Mexico - Feb 02, 2012 -- Celebrating the beauty and culture of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and championing the need to preserve a fragile marine ecosystem, eco-tourism travel agency Ceviche Tours and the Isla Mujeres Department of Tourism announce the Fifth Annual Whale Shark Festival, a community extravaganza that showcases the achievements, traditions and environmental splendor of Isla Mujeres.

The Festival will be held June 15-17, 2012 in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Last year thousands flocked to the family-friendly Whale Shark Festival, which offers guests an opportunity to participate in eco-tourism adventures such as swimming with whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean and an endangered species; swimming with sailfish; join in traditional dancing performed by local troupes; exploring ancient Mayan ruins and much more.

Proceeds from the Whale Shark Festival will be donated to Amigos de Isla Contoy, a 501c3 non-profit organization that is involved in the education of the local population on sustainable marine conservation and eco-tourism.

The Whale Shark Festival is an effort to raise awareness for the need to preserve the area's marine ecosystem. Isla Mujeres is part of the second largest barrier reef on the planet, and serves as the nursery of the Caribbean and the migratory path of whale sharks, sea turtles, water fowl and game fishes. "Sustainable eco-tourism engages guests in the effort to preserve the culture of Isla Mujeres, their way of life and the marine environment," said John Vater, who co-founded Ceviche Tours with his wife, Adriana, and longtime friend and Isla Mujeres native Luis "Cuco" Refugio and his family.

Swim with 200+ Whale Sharks Kicking off the Festival will be the whale shark bloom, when hundreds of these gentle giants come together to swim in a group near the coast of Isla Mujeres. As many as 1,400 whale sharks may make their way through the waters north of Isla Mujeres every summer according to Dr. Robert Hueter, Director of the Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory and scheduled speaker at the 2012 Whale Shark Festival.

The Isla Mujeres Tourism Department Director, Eyder Jahil Hoth Perez, stated, "Through this event tourism awareness about the whale shark has increased over the last several years, especially regarding the need to protect all our species and natural resources. Eco-tourism-related activities have also been creating a new culture of respect and care for our natural resources in the new generations of islanders. In this, children have been playing a very important role toward changing behaviors that were unsustainable in the long term."

Guests of the Festival can participate in a wide array of activities:

Swimming with Whale Sharks -- Guests can swim with whale sharks and join a conservation effort spearheaded by ECOCEAN, a non-profit organization that maintains the global Whale Shark Photo-Identification Library, a visual database of the unique markings, or spots, that can identify individual whale sharks and track them. Guests can add their underwater photos of the whale sharks to ECOCEAN's global database.

Fun for Families -- The festival will feature many educational children's activities about environmental conservation.

Academic Seminars and Film Showcase -- Scientists from around the world will attend to present a series of Academic Seminars on marine biology, sustainable eco-tourism and Mayan architecture. Renowned marine biologist Rafael de la Parra, who discussed his groundbreaking research, "An Unprecedented Aggregation of Whale Sharks, Rhincodon typus, in Mexican Coastal Waters of the Caribbean Sea" at last year's Whale Shark Festival, will again be speaking and also organizing the 2012 panel of distinguished speakers.

Booking travel travel arrangements and bookings to swim with whale sharks can be made through the Ceviche Tours Website ( www.cevichetours.com ).

For a complete listing of Whale Shark Festival activities and for more information, visit www.whalesharkfest.com.

Top 10 Ways to Save the Reef of the Riviera Maya

435836 — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:00:00 GMT

The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the largest barrier reef in the Atlantic and stretches over 1000 km from the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula down to the Bay Islands of Honduras. This reef is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Mesoamerican reef serves two important functions. It provides a habitat for a vast array of marine life that rely on the coral for food and shelter. It also functions as a natural barrier to protect the coastline from the damaging effects of storms and coastal erosion. The Mesoamerican reef system supports nearly 60 varieties of coral, 350 mollusks, and 500 species of fish. There are numerous endangered or protected species that live in or around the reef system. These include the magnificent sea turtles that call the shores and bays of the Riviera Maya home and the Whale Sharks that migrate yearly to the waters surrounding Holbox and Isla Contoy.

Today, the Mesoamerican Reef faces a wide array of threats, from land-based pollution, waste water run off and severe overfishing to poor tourism practices, infestation of non-indigenous marine life and global climate change. As one of the millions of tourists who will visit the Riviera Maya this year, how can you help to protect this valuable natural resource? What can you do to ensure that your enjoyment of the reef does not contribute to its degeneration thus preserving it for future marine life enthusiasts? This our list of the Top 10 ways you can help save the Mesoamerican Reef during your next stay on the Riviera Maya.

Practice responsible fishing, kayaking, sailing, jet skiing and other recreational boating activities on the water. Never discard anything overboard and do not anchor on the reef. Be aware of marine life in the waters around you. Remember the old saying: “Take only pictures, leave only bubbles”.

Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect the Mesoamerican Reef habitat and its indigenous marine wildlife. Find a reef preservation initiative like the MAR Leadership Program or a local organization such as the Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA) and consider making a financial contribution or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy.
Before you book an excursion, ask the fishing, dive or snorkeling operators what steps they take to protect the reef and follow reef-friendly protocols. Ask if they are affiliated with any local reef conservation or advocacy groups.
Participate in a Beach Clean-Up Day! Every year, several beach clean-up days take place in Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Xcacel and Tulum. See if there are any scheduled during your stay. It’s a fun family activity and a great way to meet new people. The local organization Flora, Fauna y Cultura will be able to tell you about upcoming events.
I know it’s tempting, but do avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoise-shell jewelry and hair accessories, decorative shells and shark products. Harvesting these items for sale is detrimental to the health of the reef and its eco-system.
Whether you enjoy diving, kite-surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. If you see garbage left on the beach, do the right thing and dispose of it properly. Some areas, like Akumal, have easy to find recycling and garbage bins to utilize. If you can’t find one where you are, bag it up and take it back to your hotel or condo to throw away.
Use only recommended biodegradable sunscreen and avoid commercial moisturizers, oils, insect repellents, perfumes, deodorants and hair products when swimming, snorkeling or diving. The chemicals used in these products will kill coral and marine life.
Explore and appreciate the underwater world of the Mexican Caribbean without interfering with marine life or removing rocks and coral. Millions of people visit the Riviera Maya each year and many will come to see the amazing sea turtles that nest and reside here. Please, if you are lucky enough to spot one, observe from a distance. Do not hover over them and please do not touch them.
Do not touch or stand on the coral whether it appears to be dead or alive. A single touch can kill live coral and essential micro-organisms. When resting over the reef try not to disturb the coral below by stirring up sand with your flippers.
Report any illegal activities you may witness on our reef. Illegal fishing, improper anchoring, dumping of trash and bad tour practices should be reported to proper authorities. If you do not know who to report these activities to, tell a local dive shop or tour operator what you have seen. They are invested in the area and will be sure to take the appropriate action.

Not planning a trip to the Riviera Maya but want to help preserve the reef and its inhabitants? Share this list with your friends!

Travels in the Yucatan - Parque Centenario and the Zoo

435836 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:01:00 GMT

Six years ago, the first time we visited the Merida Zoo, the kids were not much more than babies. We were in the city doing some exploring and celebrating Cole's 2nd birthday so a trip to the zoo seemed like the perfect way to spend the afternoon. It turned out to be the perfect time for both little one's to spike a fever and come down with some sort of horrible virus that landed us in our hotel room for a few days. Two words: diarrhea and tights. Not a good combination especially in a public restroom at a playground.

This visit was entirely more pleasant with two happy healthy children set loose in acres of fun! The Parque Centenario is free and open to the public 7 days a week. Within the perimeter of the park you will find a small but well kept zoo, a sizable playground, gardens and walking paths and a variety of vendors peddling everything from palomitas to pony rides. First on the list were the bumper boats, always big fun. Who doesn't like a stinky hot boat motor perched precariously between their thighs

First stop at the zoo was a walk through the aviary. I snapped the Peacock photo required for all zoo visits but was pretty uninspired by the rest of the inhabitants which amounted to a few ducks and some chachalacas. In separate enclosures there were a few birds of prey, toucans, parrots, guacamayas, oscillated turkeys and other birds indigenous to this area. I think I was pretty impressed six years ago.

We continued on to the primates and saw several species of baboons, spider monkeys, capuchins and two large, old chimpanzees. As you know, Rob is a big fan of all things monkey so we lingered for quite awhile. The two chimpanzees, an adult male and female were obviously tired after a long day of being gawked at and ready for the front gates to close on the last visitors. The female was quite agitated and, while most of us were giving the cage a wide berth, one small child was lured close to the cage by her antics. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She reached back, grabbed a large handful of poo and hurled it at the unknowing young boy. Great thunderous laughter exploded from the crowd of onlookers who had been waiting as patiently as the chimp for this grand finale. Primate 1. Fragile ego of small child 0.

The big cats were really something to see. It was just before feeding time and they were all really riled up in anticipation of their supper. I don't think I have ever seem tigers quite this animated. I took a quick video of the tigers but I'm not sure it's very good.

Feeding time!

Why so nervous?

Clever use for any old planes you might have laying about.

Less carnival attraction than vocational training methinks!

As the street lights turned on across the park, we returned to home base to wash the nature off and get spruced up for dinner. I had read a restaurant review on my favorite website for all things Merida, Yucatan Living, that had piqued my interest. Slavia, located on Paseo Montejo just across from the Monumento a la Patria, is not exactly the obvious choice for a family friendly meal but I had faith that the Kinnon kids would totally dig this place and the eclectic menu. My only concern was whether the staff at Slavia would welcome our motley crew. Rob didn't have any long pants, strongly recommended in the dining rooms of Merida's more formal dining rooms and the kids certainly didn't look like the typical young chic professional crowd that flocks to Slavia's funky restaurant and lounge on any given evening. Turns out my worries were for naught. The smartly dressed maitre d' greeted us warmly, welcomed us inside and settled us in to a cozy table in the front room.

This dinner falling squarely in the "special occasion" category, I requested the wine list We were presented with a nice list of wines, spirits and after dinner specialty liquors but, even better, I was invited to join the sommelier in the small temperature controlled wine vault to hand select a bottle. Joy! From their well thought out (if pricey) inventory, I selected a Cabernet-Temperanillo blend from a favorite Mexico wine house, Casa Madero, which at over 500 years old, is apparently the oldest operating winery in the Western hemisphere. This line of wines are named for the original San Lorenzo Winery, which was founded in its current location in the Valle de Parras region in Central Mexico in 1597! So far, so good.

The menu, as eclectic as the decor is dominated by what I refer to as "small plates" with a few "platos fuertes" and some fondue offerings. We had a tough time deciding what to try but settled on an array of appetizers including balsamic grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon, carpaccio, thai spring rolls and an ensalada caprese. We also tried a traditional fondue which the kids loved and a delicious grilled tuna dish. Everything was fantastic in taste and presentation with the exception of the caprese which came with edam cheese rather than the customary fresh mozzarella. It wasn't bad, just not what I wanted. The fondue was the best I have had in a long time with the perfect balance of cheeses and dry white wine and the tuna was fresh, moist and flavorful.. Yummo! We all left happy and satisfied and I wouldn't hesitate to go back, either with the kids or as a couple for a romantic evening.

Tomorrow, the feria de caballos in Tizimin. Joy!!

Go to: Day 4 - Tizimin and the Feria de Caballos

[Video]

Ak Lu'um Presented to the Municipal Govt. of Solidaridad as a Featured Eco-Project

435836 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:08:00 GMT

On Monday, I was invited to attend a conference with local environmental groups presenting their various projects to the local media and representatives from the Office of Environmental Affairs for the Municipal Government of Solidaridad. Held in the grand auditorium of the Municipal Plaza, six eco initiatives were presented for the consideration of the assembly including Ak Lu'um International School and their 1st annual "Eco-Reto", a challenge for local families to design and build the best eco-friendly toy. Also addressing the group were representatives from the Direccion de Medio Ambiente del H. Ayuntamiente del Municipio de Solidaridad promoting the Riviera Maya's monthly recycling program and a new state of the art landfill project that is now underway (CIMRES), also under the supervision of the Municipality. Other presentations came from the World Wildlife Federation with an ambitious proposal to reduce the carbon footprint of the Riviera Maya travel industry and Moce Yax Cuxtal A.C. with their Living Museum of Ancient Urban Trees. We also heard about an initiative to promote sustainable urban agriculture within the various neighborhoods in the city of Playa del Carmen and the Amigos de Sian Ka'an A.C. spoke about their efforts to save our precious reef system.

I was impressed with the information imparted and the quality of the presentations themselves and hope to receive more information about each of these organizations. Of course, I was in attendance primarily to support Itzel and the Fundacion Ak Lu'um A.C. but I was delighted to see so many other important and viable initiatives in the works!

For more information on what can and is being done to reduce carbon emissions, visit Live the Deal. See what your country has committed to doing to help preserve the environment.

Road Trip 2010 - Day 2 - Calakmul to Palenque

435836 — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Birdie and I rose early this morning, roused by the cacophony of the sounds coming from the jungle around us. After a failed attempt to connect to the internet, we joined the boys for a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit and omelets.

Cole and friend

Breakfast at Puerta Calakmul

Despite my desire to find lodging as close to the ruin site as possible, our hotel was still a good hour and a half from the archeological zone. We twisted and turned our way south, stopping only to snap a few photos of the flora and fauna. Upon reaching the ruins we entered into a good sized parking area which was nearly empty and an attractive reception center, also empty. We were unpleasantly surprised to find no water available for sale, nor were there any printed maps or guides for hire. We made a good mental note of the site map at the entrance and carried on down the path and into the jungle. Having arrived in the morning, we were there at the right time to see dozens of spider monkeys swinging and leaping from tree to tree over head. Near one of the first structures, we happened upon a peccary (a wild pig indigenous to the region) foraging for food in the underbrush and several resplendent oscillated turkeys.

Spider Monkeys

Bromeliads

Oscillated Turkey

Peccary

There are three possible routes to take through the ruins, corta, larga and mediana. For the sake of the children and considering our lack of water we chose the short route, one that would take us past the most significant and dramatic plazas and temples. This is a large site, covering over 70 acres. Most of the area can be accessed one wide, smooth roads, all of which are marked with informative signs along the way.

Calakmul Ruins - Stellae

Structure No.2 in the Main Plaza

About an hour and a half into the tour, halfway up the largest structure, no. 2, Cole blew out a flip flop. This is when we realized that there are no signs for the “salida”, no way to determine which way was out! There are no site maps posted past the entrance, no markers to tell you “You are here”, so we went back out the way we came in, quite a hike for a little boy with no shoes.

In general, Calakmul is a beautiful archeological site whose significance cannot be disputed. If you are planning to visit these ruins, you will find limited information about how to best plan your trip. You may want to keep these tips in mind.

· The ruin site of Calakmul is one and a half hours from the nearest hotel and a full two hours from the nearest town, Xpujil.

· If coming from the east, be sure to gas up in Xpujil and buy plenty of water. The next Pemex is in Escarcega and no water is available for sale at the ruin site.

· Print up a map of the ruin site before you embark on your trip or take a photo of the site map at the entrance for reference.

· Anyone who is not fit or up for walking a distance may want to reconsider this site.

· There are no guides for hire onsite. Make the appropriate arrangements at your hotel.

Despite the flip flop debacle, we did manage to see and enjoy most of the site. On the drive back out to the highway, we blew out a tire. Thankfully, a nice family, also returning from the ruins, stopped to help us, a welcome helping hand in the heat of the now high midday sun. We backtracked to Xpujil to gas up, buy water and enjoy a quick and delicious lunch of pollo asado before continuing on to our next stop.

Pollo Asado

About a half hour before Escarcega, we slowed down to pass through a small village where an enormous crowd had gathered along the roadside. What appeared at first to be a festival of some kind, perhaps in celebration of Palm Sunday, turned out to be a horse race. Super chido! Of course, we stopped to join in the fun.

Caballero

Heading for the starting line

The winner

Back on the road, night falling fast around us, we stocked up on cervezas for the night and headed southwest, through Tabasco, into Chiapas and finally to our resting place for the evening, El Panchan at the entrance to the archeological zone of Palenque. El Panchan is a lively compound with carious lodging options (none of which my husband found even remotely acceptable) and a wonderful bar and restaurant onsite, tucked into the lush, tropical jungle. The band was fired up and everyone was dancing up a storm when we arrived.

El Panchan Palenque

We had a fabulous and economical dinner and then tucked ourselves into bed, tired from a long day on the road and looking forward to the next leg of our adventure.

Road Trip 2010 - Day 1 - Playa del Carmen to Calakmul

435836 — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:14:00 GMT

Welcome to the Kinnon Family Road Trip 2010! Day 1 of our itinerary brought us from Playa del Carmen to Calakmul, a ruin site of great cultural significance in the Classic Period, located in the state of Campeche. We made great time moving south on 307, the same road that carried us to Belize in 2008 and then Guatemala in 2009. As expected, as every year, we noted more and more construction, particularly in Tulum and Bacalar. The turnoff toward Escarcega took us into new territory but through a countryside that remained familiar. The well kept, wide two lane highway stretched out long and straight, through acres and acres of small farms and sugarcane plantations. While this kind of ride bores my husband to tears, I enjoy trying to make out what crops are being cultivated by the campesinos and what also seems to grow wild in the fields along the road.

No video games. No DVDs. Just books and a lot of imagination.

The ruins at Rio Bec

This is an area far more dependent on agriculture then the Riviera Maya. One can finds numerous breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and all manner of poultry being raised next to wide tracts of corn and sugar cane. Fruit bearing trees are plentiful and prolific, the ground often littered with rotting citrus fruit, a pleasant snack for wandering livestock. The wide, flat farmlands slowly gave way to gently rolling hills and soon we arrived at our destination, the eco-resort, Puerta Calakmul.

Our cabana at Puerta Calakmul

The kids love those mosquito nets.

Orchids everywhere!

We checked in quickly to our accommodations, a rustic screened in cabana in the jungle with two matrimonial sized beds draped with elegant mosquito netting. Dropping off our belongings and changing into appropriate shoes, we immediately headed out on our first excursion. Located about 5 minutes drive back east toward the pueblo of Xpujil, is an enormous cave system that is home to millions of bats. Every evening at the same time, the bats pour out of these caverns in search of food.

On the edge of the cavern

We arrived in time to witness this amazing spectacle along with some fellow guests and a handful of students armed with video camera and tripod. Everyone was mesmerized as the bats flooded out of the cave like a thick black ribbon of smoke. The bats spiraled, en mass, around and around, slowly rising up and out of the gulley and into the night sky. We stayed for over 20 minutes and still the bats kept coming. It was a real Animal Planet moment and one we are not likely to forget.

It was very hard to capture the bats on film but we will post a video when we get back.

We returned to our hotel after dark and enjoyed a nice dinner of chicken fajitas. Pretty pedestrian fare by our standards but tasty and good enough to fill our bellies before heading off to bed. An early night for us all as we plan to tour the ruins of Calakmul in the morning.

We found no internet in this remote location, nor would we until San Cristobal.

More to come......

Ruins, Cenotes, Monkeys and More

435836 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:14:00 GMT

Yesterday, the kids had a day off from school to celebrate (early) Benito Juarez' birthday, so I packed them and their bikes into the Xterra and we set off on a much needed adventure. Our first stop was Coba, about an hour and a half from Playa del Carmen, where, for $81 pesos ($51 pesos for my entry fee and $30 pesos for my bike rental), we spent a wonderful few hours riding through the jungle, spotting coatimundi and iguanas with green parrots flying overhead. On bikes we easily managed to see the whole site and all the various ruin formations. Our kids love visiting ruins and I can really see their fertile imaginations at work as they try to read the hyrogliphs and decifer the mystical carvings worn by centuries of weather. They looked for "footprints" along the paths made by civilizations long gone. They concocted fanciful stories about the renegade chicle farmers when we would happen apon a tree with the tell-tale machete marks.They played on the ball courts pretending they were ancient Maya youth competing for the pride of their city and the favor of the Gods. What more could a child want than this fantastic backdrop on which to paint their fantasies!

Our last stop was the grand pyramid which I was obliged to scramble up behind my two intredid explorers. As always, it was worth it to see the look of accomplishment on their faces.

The next stop on our trip was a well deserved cool off in a nearby cenote. Recommended by like minded adventurer Sara Moen of Playa Maya News, Cenote Tamcach Ha was a spectacular find. Cool, deep and unbelievably clear this cenote is almost completely underground, accessed only by a twisting, narrow wooden staircase that disappears before you into the eerie darkness. Once inside, the enormous cave is well lit by floodlights running off of a generator, casting dramatic shadows on the stelagtites and stelagmites and allowing us to see to the very bottom of the cavern. Cole was brave enough to leap from the jump off point and encouraged some of the older swimmers to follow. A mere 10 minute drive from Coba, this is the perfect place to cool off and relax after a hot day at the ruins. There are 3 other cenotes nearby to explore as well. Adult entry for each cenote in the area is $45 pesos. My kids, at 5 and 7, again entered for free.

Now, well into the afternoon, we dried off and once again set off on an adventure to find Punta Laguna, also recommended by our pal Sara. Some 20 kilometers down a well paved but perilously narrow "highway", we found the tiny Mayan village supported primarily by tourist activity at Punta Laguna. To say that there are more dogs and chickens than human inhabitants is NOT an exageration! We pulled in, quickly paid $20 pesos admission to the park (again, kids were free) and trudged off with our towels down to the water's edge. We shared the lagoon for just a while with a group of French tourists and then we had the whole place to ourselves! We rented a kayak ($70 pesos for an hour) and the kids took turns paddling while I laid back and enjoyed the sunset.

I'm not sure sure how long we were out on the water, (there was certainly noone watching us) so we returned the kayak on our own and headed into the jungle in hopes of finding some spider monkeys. On the way, we found our kayak guy and $150 pesos later, we were surrounded by monkeys, jumping, swinging and feeding in the trees above our heads. Adults, juveniles and mothers with babies all gathered in this area, close to the edge of the lake, to forage for food after the sun had dipped below the horizon. According to our guide, dawn and dusk are the very best times to view the primates in their natural habitat. Unlike the howler monkeys at The Baboon Sanctuary in Belize, these monkeys are not tame, just tolerant of our presence. We tiptoed along the ragged paths following our guide and trying not to trip or disturb the creatures around us. Our guide, a young Maya, pointed them all out to us, identifying each one by name and approximate age. Having grown up in this tiny village, he knows these creatures as he knows his family and neighbors. It was an amazing experience.

Tired and sore (just me really) from our exciting day, we wound our way back to Tulum for a quick dinner. I was so tired, I don't even remember the name of the restaurant. We all split a large bowl of piping hot seafood soup, and a couple of tamales, treated ourselves to ice cream and, sleepily, (not just me) drove back home to Playa. It was a great day and one that the kids will be sure to remember and talk about often. With all the remarkable places of interest within a reasonable drive from Playa del Carmen, we have no shortage of great destinations for special day trips and fabulous adventures. Next time you have a free day, log off the computer, turn off the TV, grab your kids, fill up the car and just go! You'll be making memories that last a lifetime!