Mexico

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:20 pm

This was first time on the east coast of Mexico. Was in the province or area known as "Yucatan." This home is also the home of ancient Mayan civilization. Many of the locals are descendant of the Maya and have distinct physical appearances that relate them to being Mayan. Short sqare bodies, short necks, mongolian spots on their back.

The Mexican gov't of the Yucatan is turning this entire providence into a safe spot for tourists. Much like Luxor. It has pyramids sites in about 10 different places, underground rivers that are now open for tourists to float down viewing stalagtits and stalagmites, jungle that each resort must preserve to keep all the indigenous animals happy.

One of the most common features of buildings there is that big, small and in-between they all sport thatched roofs. The Mexicans call this "Palapa" and even the hotels have concrete walls topped by heavily thatched roofs.

This was the central lobby - high open walls with thatched roofs to keep the hot air circulating. Given the outside was in the mid-90ies it was remarkably cool inside the buildings and fans and A/C wasn't commonly seen or heard.

This is me in the main lobby looking up. You can see a fountain which located in the middle of a pond. Probably easy 40 meters long and wide with two 'rivers' coming into each end. Full of a fish which I'd call big cichlids (but not sure)

This was the roof under the concierge and really typical of many of the roofs on the buildings - circular with vents to let the hot air out. The only drawback that the hotel does NOT advertise (and I wasn't able to get a photo) but at night BATS fly in and out of the vents in droves!

Lobby residents. There were 8 to 10 of them. Funny to watch and they'd occasionally escape to walk the floors and hallways of the main building

This is down by the beach and again every building big and small has a thatched roof.

It was off-season and a few of the buildings in this resort (I was in building #20 and I think they went up to the 30ies) were being renovated to have roofs/palapas fixed and replaced. Each building was 3 stories high and had probably 20 or so rooms per/floor. Each building was interconnected by stone paths and bridges and 'rivers' that connected each of the 8 or 9 swimming pools. I thought I'd be able to swim the length of the resort but was disappointed and surprised to see that under each brige there was a block so each pool wasn't really connected to the other pool.

As this resort is carved out of jungle there are all sorts of critters hanging about. I was cappi bara but was not fast enough to get a photo. These guys - lemurs - were everywhere and often begging food

Conscience and good sense made me NOT feed them as am sure one day they're going to nip the tourist hand that feeds them. Signs are everywhere saying "Do NOT Feed" them but tourists being silly tourists are out there smuggling food from the restaurants (which are all open to the outside) to them.

Floor cleaning was real interesting as these guys likewise were abundant and ate anything and everything that touched the floor. This guy was loving chips that were falling on the floor from a little kid.

These iguanas were everywhere and I got mega photos of them posing all over on rocks and fountains. WOW could they scurry up the trees super fast. Lots of little geckos and smaller lizards all over too.

Butterflies were also everywhere. Tons of 'em. I haven't researched it but I believe Monarch butterflies migrate back and forth between this area and Mexico. They're anywhere and everywhere.

Can't wait to get back for another trip. Pyramids like Luxor and touts are around but I felt totally safe the entire time and everybody I met couldn't have been nicer. Had no difficulties with the water either. Your room is stocked everyother day with free bottles of water, soda pop and beer AND all the resorts there are "all inclusive" which means everything is included - food, drinks - you name it so there is no tipping or being bothered that way. Was FAB!

Post by **Horus** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:38 am

Great travelogue LLL

thanks for taking the time to share it with us

I like all the wildlife that is wandering about, but as you say, don't feed them!
The hotel looks fabulous and I don't blame you for going back again, plus those pyramids and the Mayan culture to soak up as well, so what more could you want. The big plus has got to be the lack of persistant hassle, we all enjoy seeing and buying from street vendors and they add to the flavour of any holiday destination, but when it comes to Luxor !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:47 pm

I think one of the main differences with the touts in Mexico is that while they called out and approached and had the "por favor almost free" chant going they took 'no' for 'no' and went away quickly. Nobody followed you, argued with you and since you quickly glanced at something you wanted to buy it and it was up to them to now establish a price with you even though you've now walked to the other side of the Souk and are eating an evening meal.

I had one guy once follow me through the Souk and even when I was sitting drinking a "manga" juice keep bringing me items from his store and try to plead a deal. Nothing was going to deter this guy. Also had another fellow who was selling spices refuse to leave even when I was getting my purse stitched up and repaired. My tendency is to say 'no' and ignore but sometimes in Egypt this just don't work.

What was the same between Mexico and Luxor was the 'quality' of the tourist stuff that was being sold. Poor poor poor and ALL the SAME! I would have given eye teeth to have seen an original painting or work or art that I would have felt was unique and I wanted to keep in my home but when almost everything has 'Mexico' written on it - well - just doesn't fit my decor.

As for taxis in Mexico at each taxi stand there was a large sign with all the different destinations posted on it with the corresponding cab fare. There was no haggling about it. At the hotel all the taxis were parked off site and when one was wanted the Concierge pressed a buzzer/rang a bell and the next taxi in line appeared for you. Same as when you're downtown. They were all lined up and were dispatched 1,2,3,4 with fares all posted. Definitely eliminated the hassle of trying to figure out a 'good' fare and if your driver didn't speak english you just had to point on the sign to where you wanted to go. Loved it!

Post by **Grandad** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:17 pm

LLL, thanks for sharing all that and for making some comparisons with our beloved Luxor (with all its warts and shortcomings

) And as usual some great pics

Sounds like you have found a new destination for us all to consider, I am very interested

I don't usually like all inclusive and have seldom holidayed under that arrangement. However, I think it is a good idea on a first visit to enable one to get their bearings.... Another thing is that to travel from Europe would be fairly costly for airfare and AI tends to be a good deal.

On the subject of costs, can you give us some idea of comparitive costs with your Mexican hotel and a good 4/5 star in Luxor, and any other destination.

Have not yet thought about holidays for next year and as we have never been West, perhaps the time has come to try

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:35 pm

As for costs from here (Seatac Airport) to Phoenix (transfer) to Cancun / return, all accomodation and all food + drinks for 14 days (air/hotel/food) was $1400USD.

That also included a transfer from the airport to hotel and back again. For everything included it was $100/day. Food was excellent with great variety and your choice of an open buffet and/or going to anyone of about 7 restaurants. All the drinks you wanted (I had my first Pina Coloda ever) served to you anywhere and everywhere throughout the resort and the cost of the flight.

In the resort there were designated areas for children, they had 5 + men and women doing daily (or trying to get people involved in daily activities) activities, rooms made up each and every day and stocked with bottled water/soda and beer. (I hate beer so didn't capitalize on that one with me at all, nor am I much of a drinker. "Tea" is my drink of choice - ok I'm boring!

)

There was a large spa at this resort and gym too. I didn't go to either but spa costs are extra. I asked once and a 1hr massage by the pool on a table under the trees and palapa was 2 massages for $90. They also had a photographer that walked through with a money, macaw and toucan and would take your photos ($15US EACH and cause I was taking my own pictures I passed on this service as well.)

Every night at 9:30 they offered in a theatre and dance/song review. Some from Broadway, some Jazz. This entertainment is apparently on a 2 week rotation so you never catch the same show twice. I also have to admit I'm a morning person and while I intended every night to take in a show (much like what you'd get on a cruise ship) I never really made it over to the theatre for the night time shows.

Lots of other activities offered during the day too - salsa dance lessons, water polo, tennis (lots of people there playing in the heat

) and little trolley cars that would carry you from point to point about the resort if you didn't want to walk.

This was the swimming pool directly infront of my building. It had a neat waterfall bar where you could get drinks underneath the waterfall at a sit down bar or go upstairs for snack - pizza, mexican foods, fruit bar, dessert bar and all the ice cream you can eat.

Any inside many of the swimming pools at the shallow ends they had these 'hot tub' deals where you could sit and get bubbled. Was neat but most of these were in the sun so mostly I was swimming in the shade. None of the water deeper than 4' in the pool.

Water was very clean, not chlorinated. It actually had a salt taste to it.

This was my first time to an all-inclusive. I went here as my brother and SIL has been going to this area and raving about it to me for years now. I'm not sure why I was leery of all inclusive 'cept I thought it was going to be ridiculously expensive but I have to say the assortment and variety of food was fantastic (never eaten so much shrimp/calamari/baked salmon and other seafoods in my life) and as it was always there you don't have to figure out where you're going to go for meals and you don't have to trek out trying to find somewhere to eat. No tipping allowed but if you sneak a tip to a waiter they don't say no BUT nobody in the resort gives on hint of an expectation to get any tips at all.

I hope me saying prices on here isn't breaking any of Keefy's rules. If so please Moderator just delete and anybody who is interested please just PM me and I'll give you all the specific details.

Post by **Grandad** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:02 am

Thanks for that very comprehensive resume LLL

Sounds like a really good deal to me and as we can fly direct to Cancun it would probably come out about the same price, and somwhere different for a change

EDIT: PS, just done a quick check and it looks like your deal was very good because I am finding around the same price but in pounds sterling. If you tell me your resort hotel name I can do an exact comparison. On the face of it, it looks like you Americans get a better deal than us but that seems to be the case on most things. I find that for electronics the pound and dollar are near enough on parity.....

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:05 am

I've noticed that the Pound Sterling and US$ seem to be on par when I compare the prices of books.

The exact resort I was at was call "The Grand Occidental." It is about 45 minute drive south of Cancun and probably closer to Playa del Carmen. Reality is the entire coast is nothing but one HUGE resort - The Iberostar, The Mayan Palace, The Adventura Spa etc. I'd estimate maybe 100+ Resorts easy located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. I actually heard one salesman once when I in the office getting tickets that his hotel chain or grouping had 10,000 rooms available to them hence they could give you reservations within 24 hours (and then he talked about other areas of the world to where you need weeks to months in advance to get reservations)

Cancun is real popular with Canadians too cause Air Canada flies directly there too. Hope this helps!

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:34 pm

As I expected LLL, not only parity but even negative parity

If there is such a thing

I could go for 14 days on Monday 31st on a last minute deal for £1300 pp but after that it is £1750 pp. Both are direct British Airways flights including all taxes and baggage.

If I really shopped around I might find a better price but it looks as if you DID get a really good deal.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:30 am

Wow - those prices are interesting. I flew USAirways. (no meals, no movie, no snacks, nada). Interesting cause when I've gone to Cairo, Egypt I've flown British Air. Usually I'll get a fare for about $500 BUT British Air wracks up MEGA tax here so the final cost is about triple what they advertise as their 'cheap' rate.

The main 'cheap' airlines here are Continental (which I fly often to the Caribbean and Trinidad), USAirways and if you're going to Hawaii then it is Hawaiin Air or Alaska.

Here the expensive airlines are British Air, KLM and right now AirFrance has just started flying out of Seattle (Seatac airport) so the telly is inundated with their advertisements. When you check out their fares they're not cheap.

What I notice most here are cheap fares from the UK to New York. Would it be worth trying to catch a hop to New York and then switching over to one of the American airlines - USAir, Delta, Continental to go further south to Cancun.

This IS the low season in Mexico. They advertise on TV here all the time now for people to come and visit Cancun.

W

Post by **jewel** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:41 pm

The main issue I have with Mexico are the lack of animal rights ...I am aware of the rampanant animal abuse there, I know someone attempting to track a gang of hispanic mexican youths who posted the worst graphic videos of cat torture (including decapitation of kitten) I have ever seen...truly sickening

And from what I hear Mexico is a pretty lawless place right now, the indiugenous indians were/are lovely but the spanish /hispanic conquerers are pretty brutal.....alongside the military. With that and the drugs gangs I wouldn't see it as a safe or desirable destination

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -hour.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 56067.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ve-by.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -room.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... esort.html

Post by **jewel** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:56 am

Having said all that I am very pleased you had a good holiday and a positive experience, I love the photographs

Sadly it's just when I hear Mexico mentioned it has negative connotations for me.....

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:46 pm

There IS lots of violence happening in Mexico right now in all what are known as 'border towns' - Juarez, Tiajuana etc. There is overt violence, daily shootings and drugs are rampant.

I was way down south. Closer to Belieze and I was also on the Caribbean side. That being said - each resort IS fenced and there are guards at the entrances and everybody has to show ID going in. Taxis are not allowed to just drive up but have to clear the check point first. Also on the main highways there are Mexican Police with machine guns at check points. They stop traffic, check (at least all the did was check the tour bus) and let us pass. This sounds kinda 'bad' but really the far south Yucatan Penninsula is extremely quiet and safe.

As for animals - I saw horses, cows, dogs etc. but all looked pretty ok to me. I know what you mean though about animal cruelty and I've seen some animals in Trinidad that are in horrible shape. Dogs are never neutered or spayed, work animals are 'worked' and lots of animals look pretty darn thin. Didn't see anything like that where I was at. Can't speak for the border towns other than to say they are all in crisis and it is well known everywhere they are not safe.

Post by **Phantom** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:57 pm

Ah, takes me back to my hols this year - loved Riviera Maya

Post by **Horus** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:22 pm

Nice to see you over on this side Phantom

got any pictures to share with us?

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:07 am

A Phantom! The "Rivera Mayan" is a way cool looking resort. I passed it only but it, for sure, was a great looking place. I'd appreciate any thoughts, ideas, comments on Riviera Mayan and photos are always always welcomed too. Love to hear about the RM and how it was.

Post by **Phantom** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:57 am

Loads of pics Horus, as I had my new camera, but I'm not very good at loading on here. The one of the cenote that one the comp on the other side was from there.
Going to camera classes now, so don't use auto anymore (well not very often) so hopefully the pics will get better.

Post by **Horus** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:00 pm

No excuses Phantom

if you can upload over on the Blue side you can do it here.

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:52 am

@ Phantom - did you go to Excaret when you were on hols in the Yucatan?

Post by **Phantom** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:42 am

I'll give it a go on the ones already resized, but not sure how to put a pic in a post .........

No, can't put into a post. I've put a couple in my album, but can't insert.

Didn't go to Excaret, but did temples etc and lovely Akumel beach where we swam with a wonderful huge turtle.

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:35 pm

I looked at your lovely pictures and realised that we have seen them before so you must have posted in the past somehow Phantom. Anyhow, just to help, I have posted them for you.

THESE ARE PHANTOMS PICTURES

CHILD IN 'TYPICAL' MAYAN VILLAGE

CENOTE

I especially like the second picture, dramatic and mystical