Boys Just Jump

Boys Just Jump, originally uploaded by ersphotography.

Much like their Dad, these boys love to jump. They could do it all day.

Cenote Swimming

Part of our tour included swimming in a cenote.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but I certainly didn't think it would be so developed and crowded.  As we got there, so did a bunch of other tour buses.  It was a bit crazy.  We didn't have much time there, so we hurried and changed, went down some underground steps, and jumped in.  The water was pretty cold, but felt really good after a minute.

It really was beautiful!

 After swimming I hurried and took a couple of pictures.  See the insane crowd?  People were lining up to jump off that higher area, but everyone was being scaredy and slow (not Cal, he just walked up and jumped, and I didn't jump from up there).  Hardly any Americans, mostly Europeans.

The water was a beautiful color of blue and there were little fish swimming all over in there.  It was fun to float on your back and look up.

Waterfalls and vines all around the sides.

Swim in a cenote? 

Check.

Chichen Itza

Our trip to Chichen Itza was a full day excursion.  Cal had been before, but I had not.  I've been to Tikal in Guatemala (more Mayan ruins) and loved it so I was glad we could go.  We took a comfy tour bus there and saw some interesting things along the way.  I snapped a couple of pictures of little wooden huts, but this was the only shot from the bus that worked...  A little town we went through.

(sorry this is a long post...)

This is the main "step temple," the one that is most famous, Kukulkan's Pyramid.  It is a new "wonder of the world."  It is pretty impressive.  When Cal was there before you could climb onto and into a lot of the ruins, but almost everything was blocked off now.  Many people have fallen and they were being vandalized.  I was a little bummed to not get to climb around, but it was still fascinating.  Our tour guide had some good information, but was really slow on the delivery.  We stuck out the hour with him, then cruised around trying to see everything else before our bus left.

I loved all the intricate carvings everywhere!  These skulls were apparently to try to scare off invaders?  Or something like that.  It is appropriately called the skull platform.

Notice the head in the warriors hand.  Not exactly a peaceful people!

I actually liked some of the less restored ruins a lot.

This is supposed to be the biggest Mayan ball court.  I'm still not sure how they got a big ball through that hole.  The losing team was sacrificed.

I loved the little old Mayan ladies and kids.  This little lady was way shorter than me.  And that's saying something.  :)  She was adorable.

This is the sacred cenote (sink hole) that Chichen Itza was built around and named after.  They found jewels and pottery and lots and lots of bones from human sacrifices to the water god.  

The temple of the warriors.

It was hot and humid and sunny most of the time we were there.

A sweet little girl.

The thousand columns.  I believe this area was said to be a marketplace.

There were people selling trinkety things everywhere.  They would all make noise to try to get your attention.  That was the only negative about the place, they were rather obnoxious.  It would be much better if they had one marketplace for all of them.  I respect them for trying, but it is unfortunate how it is set up.

Another side of the temple of the warriors.

The storm clouds beginning to threaten.

Can you see the iguana climbing up?  There were quite a few around.

The dark clouds made for some cool pictures, at least.

We think this was a residential area.

The observatory.  The Mayans were very good astrologists and mathematicians and it was reflected in their archetecture.  Very impressive!

I loved this one.  Not sure why, but it was just beautiful and interesting.  I have no idea what it is.  They would build new structures over old ones, and it seems like you can see the rounded corner of an inner wall.  

A small temple near the governmental palace.  It was about here that the rain started!  We were glad we had our umbrella from the tour company.

A cool doorway with the Mayan "fake arch." 

 We were supposed to get lunch from a restaurant there, but the food looked pretty questionable and we only had time to grab a few pieces of bread.  We were glad we had packed a couple of snacks!

It was so fun to see and I wish we had had more time there.  There was so much to see!  Maybe some day we'll take the boys...

Sand, Sun, and Flip Flops

At the threat of our frequent flier miles losing value significantly, Cal and I booked a trip to sunny Cancun.  We went at the beginning of February and our timing couldn't have been nicer.  We left one dark cold morning after waking up to find a good 18 or so inches of fresh snow.  After triple checking that our flight was not cancelled (as hundreds had been for that day), we were off.  My parents so graciously watched the boys while we were gone (thanks again!).  Our flight was only delayed about a half hour, but then we sat on the plane getting de-iced for at least another hour before take-off.  We were just so happy it hadn't gotten cancelled or really delayed.

Ah, much better.

Our hotel had some pretty architecture.

We spent most of our time laying under a palapa reading our books and relaxing.  A little time bobbing in the ocean, cooling off in the pool, and walking the beach.  Heavenly. 

It rained every day we were there, but we also got some quality sunny outdoor time, too.  One day it was predicted to rain most of the day, so we took a tour bus to Chichen Itza and to a cenote (another post coming on that).  It turns out that was a beautiful day in Cancun, but we had a great time on our expedition and were glad we went.  One evening there was a really impressive thunderstorm and it was fun to watch and hear it.

I loved the crystal clear water and the beautiful color!

I decided Cancun was a bit touristy and commercialized for my taste.  But the soft white sand, gorgeous water, and reasonably safe food and water were wonderful.  We had some interesting bus rides into town to eat.  One bus was really fast to start and stop and just drove really fast.  I had to stay on alert to keep my head from hitting the window.  Another had guys playing some bongo drums in the back.  Another had a Mexican on it playing the guitar, singing, and playing a pan flute.  He was really impressive and a great singer and musician.  I loved it and it makes me smile just to think of it.

I can almost still feel the sand between my toes.  Sigh.