TravelStream™ news feed for member paula.ka on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/paula.ka en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:40:35 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197586920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197586920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197586920/tpod.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:40:35 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Isla Holbox, Mexico

Isla Holbox (pronounced holebosh as "x" in Mayan is pronounced "sh") is another location in Yucatan that I would truly recommend to anyone looking for this tiny bit of a private paradise as it's not as busy as any other places that we've been to.  Located to the northwest of Cancun, Mexico, Holbox Island is just 26 miles / 42 km long and was once settled by pirates who intermarried with local Mayans living in the area. Holbox is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other exotic birds and creatures. So if you are wildlife lover this is a destination for you. From Cancun you can either take a bus that goes there I believe twice daily, or you can hire a car, and this is what we did (again with Hertz). It takes about 3.5 hours to get there so better leave early if you want to enjoy more time on the island and come back to Cancun the same day. Make sure that you take the freeway 180 instead of toll road 180d that won't let you out until Valladolid which is a bit too far as you want to head north to Chiquila. Taking the freeway has it's bright sides as you get to see many small villages with tiny colourful houses and local people and how they get along with their everyday lives. And when you get to Chiquila make your way to the ferry point. Ferries run across Yalahao Lagoon from the mainland every half an hour and costs around 70 pesos each.  There are no cars on the island, but there are golf carts, bikes and scooters to rent (even Taxis are made of golf carts). There are no rocks in the island, which is made entirely of sand and shells (no wonder most inhabitants don't wear shoes). The streets are sand lined with brightly painted wooden houses. The shallow water ringing Holbox is a light emerald green because this is the place where Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. You can walk quite far in the shallows, but 3 miles (5 km) out, the water is 12.5 miles (20 km) deep. Most of the island's shore is white sandy beach where you can find all types of shells washed up by northern flowing currents.Isla Holbox is one of the best spots for kitesurfing in this part of the world with its shallow waters, also good for beginners. Shame that we didn't have that much time, but next time I would consider on staying on the island for about a week or more...So if you´re thinking between the Mexico and the Caribbean for a holiday, it´s nice to know that Isla Holbox gives you the best of both - a truly intimate island experience cheered up by the mood and flavor of this colorfully joyful country.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197504000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197504000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197504000/tpod.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:28:46 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Cancun, Mexico

Most of hotels and restaurants in Cancun organise those Mexican Fiestas very often which is something like a local performance of traditional dancing and music. Worth seeing at least once while there, as you'll get to know a bit more about local traditions. 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197502080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197502080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197502080/tpod.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:25:16 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Tulum, Mexico

One thing that you must see in Yucatan is Tulum - a bit smaller site than the one in Chichen Itza, but it's location is breathtaking. The ruins are located on about 12 m cliffs, along the east coast of Yucatan down from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. You can easily plan the whole day there as apart of ruins there is also a lovely beach to which there are steps from the top of the cliffs within the site. To get there you go from the parking (30 pesos for the whole day) through a small shopping parade with all sorts of tiny souvenir shops to small cafes and restaurants. You have to walk to the site's entrance or you can take a ride on this funky train on wheels. we walked there, it's not a long walk, maybe about 1 km. Site entrance is on your left and it costs around 35 pesos each. the visit timetable is 8am to 5 pm, everyday. The whole site is amazing, it's set between small palm trees and other exotic plants. Buildings are well preserved. I liked it much more than the whole Chicken Pizza thing which I found a little bit too commercial. Tulum is more natural and the setting of it is breathtaking, so even if you're not interested in the history of the site there s still plenty to do and see over there. The beach is also fantastic. White sand and lots of iguanas patiently waiting for some cookies or any other snacks that you might have. The view of the cliffs and some of the ancient buildings from down there is also amazing. It's so convenient as when you get tired of walking and sightseeing you just go down to the beach, swim, relax, have your lunch (Right - one more thing - it's better to have your lunch with you as you might easily stay there for few hours and there are no shops within the site) and then go back to the site to finish exploring what's left to explore.  Altogether we spent a fantastic day in Tulum and are planning to go back next time in Mexico.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197495360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197495360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197495360/tpod.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:51:17 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Playa del Carmen, Mexico

  On our way to Tulum we also stopped in Playa del Carmen, but it's a place definitely worth going for a longer stay. This half an hour that we had on the beach wasn't definitely enough as we didn't have the time to go and see that famous 5th Avenue where all the shopping takes place.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197491520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197491520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197491520/tpod.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:41:49 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Puerto Morelos, Mexico

so we hired a car one day from Hertz (they have 2 offices in the Hotel Zone). we got the cheapest available, Atos for $50 a day. We wanted to go to Tulum and stop by in few smaller towns on our way there. First on the list was Puerto Morelos and I can definitely recommend this place for a longer stay as it's much more quiet and peaceful than crazy Cancun We only managed to see one beach as there was no parking in the town centre and also, we were on our way to Tulum so didn't really have that much time to wonder around Puerto Morelos.  At least we have something left for our next visit in Mexico... 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197675720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197675720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197675720/tpod.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:57:43 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Cancun, Mexico

When you are staying in the Hotel Zone in Cancun there is actually a little bit more to it than only nice sandy beaches. You can spare one morning or afternoon and go to see El Rey ruins on km 17. It takes about 1-2 hours and is a time well spent.El Rey is estimated to have been built around 300 A.D., and is the largest archaeological site on Cancun Island. It costs around 30 pesos entrance fee but is well worth it as you might be lucky enough to have the whole site for yourself like we had. It doesn't seem to be a popular site so when you there by yourself you can endlessly wonder around, take lots of photos of lazy iguanas sunbathing on rocks (there are tons of them), climb everything, touch everything... total freedom comparing with Chichen Itza.and site by itself is very nice as well. most of the ruins have signs that explain their history. I think I even liked this site more than the whole Chicken Pizza stuff few days before...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197071340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197071340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197071340/tpod.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:47:17 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Cancun, Mexico

our best sunsets from Yucatan, just showing you those pics as it's well worth stopping for just a few minutes a day to watch those... some were quite amazing...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197930780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197930780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1197930780/tpod.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:44:41 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Isla Mujeres, Mexico

we went to Isla Mujeres which is just about 30 minute boat ride from Cancun. It's the most picturesque place you can imagine but also a very diverse place. the northern side of the island is very touristic with all types of small shops, restaurants, bars. while the southern side of the island is were local people live and is poorer than the northern side. As you might know back in 2005 this island was badly hit by the hurricane wilma which destroyed lots of houses and this is why many people are still living in shelters.but lets start from the beginning. from the Cancun's Hotel Zone you have to take bus R1 that goes to the Cancun's downtown but you have to make sure that it goes to Puerto Juarez (not every R1 bus goes there) as this is where you can take a very cheap but very fast boat ride to Isla Mujeres for only 35 pesos one way.There is also another place within the Hotel Zone that you can take a ferry to isla Mujeres but it costs about 15 dollars, which makes it much more expensive. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Puerto Juarez. and then you have this 30 minutes boat ride with wonderful views of the coast and this amazing turquoise water. When you get there, there are usually lots of people waiting trying to sell you lots of different types of activities or tours available on the island. We went on the snorkeling tour for about 3-4 hours for 20 dollars a head with only 5 of us on the boat and two guides. We were first snorkeling on the coral reef and after about an hour moved to another location on the western side of the island. after snorkeling we headed to a very nice caribbean style restaurant - kind of like an open space place as there were almost no walls on the ground floor, with this huge grill outside where they prepared us fresh fish and rice. the food was well yummy and we could eat as much as we wanted to. we only paid for our drinks but that was something like 20 pesos for a coke. only two steps away was this place where you could swim with sharks. You only pay as much as you think is fair for it, so basically a donation. two steps in other direction was this small turtle farm for 20 pesos each. Worth seeing as turtles are hard to spot anywhere else. They actually created that farm to protect them as people are still hunting and killing them (illegal but some just don't care).after spending some time there we then headed up the coast to the northern beach and that was the end of the tour.But northern part of the island is actually a place where everything takes place so you can choose from shopping to dining or just spend some time on the beach. Northern beach is the most beautiful beach in this part of the world. those shallow turquoise waters and this blue blue sky... and white sand... and palm trees... everything was perfect... Was actually that perfect that we came back in few days time just to spend some relaxing time on the beach... and let me tell you about those beach bars that have happy hours almost the whole day where you can get two pinacoladas for only 40 pesos (comparing to the one that I paid 11 euros for on Costa Brava in Spain 3 years ago this is what I call the best deal ever).We did go through all those funky small shops also trying to get the best deal on anything that we bought. I think that Mexican people like it that way when you try to bargain with them, it's all like a one big game to them I think... So anyway, I managed to get this fabulous large beach bag for 100 pesos and Luk got 3 T's for 90 pesos which was the cheapest ever (and despite wearing them quite a few times they still fine and didn't washed out). There is also a small local food supermarket opposite the church.Our last afternoon on the island we hired a golf cart for only 2 hours as it was already 3pm (sunsets in December are just after 5pm). WE paid around 300 pesos for this but it was money well spent (the whole day is for only 550 pesos). Not only you get to see the whole island (which is only 1km wide and 8 km long) but driving this golf cart on those narrow streets on the south side of the island can be a good fun as well. Also, while talking about those golf carts, there is a possibility to hire a bicycle or scooter, but we saw many people struggling on bicycles in this hot weather, so I would still recommend those golf carts, more expensive but better fun...There is a small lighthouse (that you can go on the top for free) on the south end of the island with a sculpture park that you pay (not too much) to get in. We didn't have the time to see it, but my friends did on their last trip to Mexico and have some fantastic photos from the very end of the island where you can actually go down from the cliffs and it's the very first point in Mexico where the sun rises every day. How cool is that? I have to do it next time.Driving back to the northern end of the island it's cool to take that eastern road which goes by the seaside and you can stop on one of those rocky beaches and collect some huge shells (but think about your luggage restrictions before you collect too many). And if you still have some time left you can drive through those small, tiny houses that local people live in and see the real everyday life of those islanders.Oh, and after the whole day on the island and after enjoying many types of different activities, do not forget to stop for 10 minutes and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets on the north-west beach...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1228520760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1228520760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1228520760/tpod.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:49:37 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Cancun, Mexico

there is this water sport centre in Cancun's Hotel Zone (around km 14-15) where you can try all the types of water sport on the lagoon... They also organise lots of water activities on the sea and tours, like Jungle Tour, Snorkeling,Parasailing, Waverunners, Diving, Isla Mujeres Tour, Cozumel Tour, Aquatwister, Swimming with Dolphins. You can also go fishing and believe me, I saw my friends photos of fish that he caught and it was well big.As we were quite busy traveling around Cancun we only tried kayaking and windsurfing in Aquaworld, snorkeling tour we bought on Isla Mujeres and was much cheaper than the one in Aquaworld.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1185428700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1185428700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/paula.ka/mexico-07/1185428700/tpod.html Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:42:30 -0400 Yucatan in Mexico in two weeks

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Cancun, Mexico

We stayed in Cancun in one of the hotels in the hotel zone... mainly because this was our first time in this part of the world and we thought that Cancun is in the middle of everything worth seeing and might be a good base for like daily trips and traveling around. Besides, Cancun isn't only famous for its nightlife but also for those amazing white sandy beaches and the sea colour of the most deep turquoise that you can imagine.Next time we'll be heading to one of the islands (Cozumel, Isla Mujeres or Holbox) for longer, but for the very first visit I think that Cancun is actually the most convenient place to stay if you want to see something more than your hotel bar... Time difference between England and Yucatan is of 6 hours back. When we got there we were sleepy at 6pm and were waking up hungry at 3am in the morning with 4 hours to go till the breakfast. But you can get used to it quite quickly. It's the way back to England that I found very hard to go back to the english time and for the next 2-3 weeks I couldn't sleep until like 2-3am in the morning... but I guess everyone is different and some of you will probably cope better with those time changes than me. And just to say that beginning of December is still low season in Yucatan with high season starting about a week before Christmas. So if you prefer a little bit more of privacy, don't like crowds and waiting long for your food, you should try going in the low season. It's not only cheaper but you can get everywhere quicker and enjoy your time on the beach much more than with a hundreds of other people around you.
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