Visiting The Mayan Ruins In Q. Roo And Yucatan

Since I am hopping from ruins to ruins I decided to just incorporate all my exciting experiences here in just one big blog to save the time. It will be a very exciting journey out there in the jungles of the Yucatan peninsula and the beautiful state of Quintana Roo. I just can´t wait to blog it here. Hope you all can relate with my enthralling experiences. I still have to write it in the first person point of view so that you can feel the sensitivity of the trip and that you are really with me on this sublime journey. Are you all ready! Here we go guys!

December 7, 2013, a Saturday, I flew out through an AeroMexico Flight 239 going to Cancun from Mexico City and then took an ADO bus going to Playa del Carmen. From there I then bought a ticket going to Tulum and arrived there past noon. The Polish owner of the hotel named Miras (who is versatile of speaking Spanish)had welcomed me with open arms. I settled myself and then decided to go to the beach to view the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea that´s washing off the white sandy shores of the beaches in Tulum. It was a nice tranquil walk after eating a steamed fish draped with seafoods at a restaurant near the Playa de Pescaderos, which is a public beach in Tulum.

December 8, 2013, a Sunday, the following morning I woke up late because my body was very sore from the bus transfers. My luggage was very heavy because of some stuff that I bought at Puebla (preferably the yellow onyx lamp shade that I bought in Ticali). And I have to pay 350 Mexican pesos for the overweight luggage which is roughly $29.00 at a current exchange rate. Not that bad! I woke up at 1100H and then started to take a warm shower to soak my sore body. I changed after that and then left the hotel and hired a taxi to drop me off at the Tulum Ruins.

After paying the entrance ticket, I then started roaming around the well known Mayan ruins perched on top of a cliff overlooking the blue and green waters of the Carribean sea. There were a lot of tourists and locals visiting the place, maybe because it was the most famous among the Mayan ruins along with Chichen Itza and Palenque. The place was crowded with people and it looks like a playground there. The lawns were well manicured and then there were lots of ground iguanas of varying sizes and colors roaming around the lush green gardens and grounds of the ruins.

The place looks like an old settlement, and appears to be more cultivated compared to the other settlements that I have seen online. I like the emperor´s palace near the end of the cliff. It was the highlight of all the ruins in there and the most preserved I think. It is sad though because all the buildings were all cordoned and that people couldn´t even feel and see the insides of the edifices. But it was a very exciting journey.

There was a very nice vista at the back of the temple overlooking the Carriben Sea and some people could even go down and take a plunge on the wavy surf of the aquamarine waters. There were a lot of foreigners taking a dip at the blue waters. There was even a makeshift stairs for people to go up and down the beach portion of the ruins.

There was also a haven of torqouises wherein turtle eggs were being burried under a warm soft sand until they were hatched. But sad to know that the area was close for the protection of the eggs. All in all Tulum is a very beautiful and very pretty place. It was a very hot day though and I was drenched with sweat after I came out there. I took a lot of pictures of my trip inside the ruins and had posted it in my Facebook account. There were two albums plus an album for all the panoramic views I´ve took of the ruins. Please click here to see the albums. Thanks!

December 9, 2013, a Monday, I woke up early in the morning at 0600H because I will have a long day today taking a bus ride going to Coba and if time will permit will also go to Ek Balam and then stay overnight at Valladolid and then travel again the next day going to Chichen Itza. That will be the plan and will still remain to be found out. Hopefully, it will be pushed through. And I believe that God will help me fulfill it.

I left Tulum at 0830H taking a Mayab Bus going to Coba. It only took forty minutes by bus to arrive there. The bus driver had dropped me off at the vicinity so that it would not be hard for me to look for it. Thank you Mr. Bus Driver! After alighting from the bus I then ambled a few meters towards the park but I went pass through it so I have to go back again and then finally found it. My bladder was about to burst when I got there so I needed to empty it before going inside. Hah!

After that I went ahead to buy a ticket for the entrance and then proceeded to go inside the park. The park entrance was just right beside the Lago Coba which is a depressed portion of the park. The entrance had guided me towards the "Juego de Pelota" courtyard where a small pyramid which was used for rituals can be found. I started to peruse the place and then took a lot of pictures. There were also a lot of tourists there preferably Europeans I guess.

After perusing the first group of pyramid structures near the entrance I then continued ambling down the road and met a guy telling me to hire a taxi (which is a pedicab, an open tricycle where the driver is seated pedalling at the back) because the main pyramid was four kilometers far amidst the mangroves inside the heart of the forest. I then hired the same guy as a driver and then we went off towards the heart of the jungle.

In between the jungle we stopped by at Lago Macanxoc which is the biggest among the three lakes there and then he also brought me to the third and smallest lake which is Lago Sacalpuc. We then continued driving until he dropped me at another "Juego de Pelota" courtyard which is larger than the first one earlier. I went down to take a picture of the structure while he was waiting for me.

After that we went more inside the forest and then stopped at another small round pyramid they called as Xay Be. It looks like a round cone hut but in a round pyramidal form. The sunrays had defined it from the entrance and the nearby worshipped place before that can also be seen from there.

After taking the picture of the Xay Be pyramid the driver had warned me that we were nearing the climax which is the apparition of the major pyramid called the Nohoch Mul. He continued driving for almost half mile and from the horizon I can see the towering structure of the famous pyramid almost shaped like a cone. As we were nearing I just can't wait to see it personally so I completely forgot that I was still sitting in the cab. When the driver stopped the cab he told me that he will wait for me while I'm climbing the pyramid. He urged (challenged actually) me to climb the steep stairs.

I went ahead and climbed the 53 meters tall pyramid and I was catching my breath when I reached the middle part forgetting that I was still there I glanced at the bottom and felt dizzy after that. I stopped for a while to catch my breath and then pledge not to look down again until I reached the top. Few minutes later I was at the summit and I was huffing and puffing persistently just like my lungs were about to explode. My legs were shaky and felt spongy like they were melting. Oh my God, what have I done to my life. I never knew that I was agoraphobic but at that moment I felt that whatever fears I have were been conquered. I am so proud of myself at that moment.

After seeing the vast area of the jungle and also taking pictures of the lush green vegetation and staying there for half an hour, I descended the steep stairs gradually. Going down was easy but since it was my first strenuous exercise for a long time I felt that both of my thighs were hard as a log. It felt that they were locked up or shall we say weighed like a thousand tons of logs. I can't barely walk out from there as if I will have to crawl out there in the jungle if I may have to do it. I panicked but I held on my composure and walked as slow as I could towards the pedicab.

The driver asked me if I am okay and I told him that my legs were hard and heavy and he laughed as hard as he could upon knowing my dilemma. He told me that it's the usual complaints of the first timers and he assured me that I will be okay. I took his assurance and calmed myself down. Then the driver took me to the entrance for my exit and there I paid him for his charge. I then left Coba and inquired outside where to get a ride going to Ek Balam.

The taxi driver told me that the next bus will pass by at 1300H and it's only 1030H at that time when I went out of Coba and I have to wait for two and a half hours for the next ride. I calculated that I might lose a lot of time if I waited for the bus. I asked the taxi driver how much he will charge to drive me to Valladolid and from there I will just get the "collectivo". He told me that it will cost me 200 pesos which is roughly $17. I think it was cheap considering that it took one hour to drive going to Valladolid at the same time I will save a lot of time from waiting the bus. So I struck a deal with the taxi driver and then we took off.

We drove on the paved road going North towards Valladolid. My location was kind of in the middle of Tulum and Valladolid so the bus seldom passed by there, at least every three hours. So my decision to hire a taxi was just appropriate and I can't decide for anything else to do. I noticed that all the roads in Mexico, be it urban or rural roads were all paved and accessible, just like in the US. Unlike in the Philippines some of the roads were not that paved but cheaply asphalted. It was a shame to compare it to other developed countries.

I also noticed in Mexico that every farm products were easily transported because of the nice roads they have. That is why when I roamed around each town's "mercado" it seems that all the produce were all fresh and new. That's how progressive it is here. If I have to chose, I will stay here for a long time because of the cheerful and hospitable people over here. But sad to say I can't but if given a spare chance I will.

On the way to Valladolid the driver had put on a CD on the record rack and it was playing 80's songs from Jon Bon Jovi, Air Supply, Madonna, and Backstreet Boys. I started reminiscing those days when I was young. I complimented the driver for the nice music and he was happy that I liked it. After an hour we arrived safely at the colonial town of Valladolid. The driver then dropped me at a "collectiv" spot and from there I took a taxi along with four more passengers and then we divided the fare which ends up for us paying 50 pesos each going to Ek Balam.

The drive to Ek Balam was about twenty five minutes and we got there safe. The place was already open but it seems that there were only few tourists there. I only saw two or three tourist's buses there. I then paid the entrance ticket and fee and then went inside. The place looks deserted and maybe not famous or shall we say undiscovered because I only saw few people from there roaming around the vast area.

First up, the entrance opens up with a small structure which I believe was a little altar and then two twin ruined edifices followed with a big ceremonial building (which was still perfect) adjacent to it. The compound was big and some people were climbing up the stairs of the ceremonial building and can freely roam around the whole building. The buildings were not cordoned to the public so basically the visitors can browse each structures independently.

Nearby was a medium size "Juego de Pelota" ball court but I took cover first because it was drizzling slightly. Few minutes later the drizzle abated so I resumed my perusal of the park. From the ball court I crossed the huge garden and then was surprised by a huge palace they called "La Acropolis". It was huge with vacant rooms spanning on both sides and divided with a towering stairs spanning towards the tip and on the sides of the stairs were art structures covered with grass straws to protect the art structure from the extreme heat of the sun and the erosion of the wind and rain. I took a panoramic view of the building and then proceeded to go up the stairs.

Although, my thighs were hurting from climbing the previous pyramid I still continued to go up slowly and carefully not looking down so as not to get dizzy and tipsy with the high altitude. When I got to the top I was huffing and puffing again maybe because of my lack of activity lately. From there I can see the ceremonial building across the vast garden and I requested one of the two guys who were already there to get me some few pictures which one of them had eagerly did for my sake. Thanks guys for your kindness.

I felt so blessed that I went up there and feel the sacredness of the place. It was a very humbling experience because I felt that I was traveled back in time where the place was still at it's height. I can feel the pulse of the place during that time imagining the progressive events and activities in that epoch. It gave me a realization about the ways and cultures of the indigenous people of Mexico and had educated me about their society. I felt so lucky to have been there and felt it.

After that I descended gradually from the "La Acropolis" and roamed the vast place going back across the garden towards the ceremonial building where the entrance and exit were located. I then left the sacred grounds and then left Ek Balam. It was a very heartfelt experience being there. I don't know why I am so drawn to all these Mayan ruins or whatever ruins that existed during the pre-Columbian times. That's still remain a mystery to me.

I went out of the park and then looked for a taxi to drove me back to Valladolid. After thirty minutes I arrived to Valladolid and instructed the driver to drop me off at Ecotel Quinta Hotel. I then checked in and settled myself because I was really tired from the long day trip starting from Tulum to Coba to Ek Balam. I wanted to rest for now because I will have a long day tomorrow at Chichen Itza.

I took a nap and when I woke up I decided to roam around the zocalo in Valladolid trying to see what's good about the town. I took a lot of pictures of the center town and then decided to eat at one of the hotel near there. I ordered a half chicken boiled with five different peppers wrapped in young banana leaves and it was really delicious. After the dinner I went shopping for some jewelries because I've heard that silver in Valladolid was cheap and of the best quality. I went back to my hotel at 1900H very tired and then I slept well in preparation for the next day event.

December 9, 2013, a Monday, I woke up at 0700H readying myself for another Mayan pyramid ruin adventure in Chichen Itza. I have to woke up early because the ride to Chichen Itza will be long. I took a warm shower and then checked out at the hotel. Then I hired a taxi to drop me off at the ADO bus station going to Chichen Itza. The driver recommended me to take the collectivo because it was cheaper. Then I asked him to drop me off there.

When we got at the station the driver told me that the van was about to leave and saw that the weather was very nice at that time.

In Light Of My Long Absence

I greatly apologize to all my avid readers that I haven't been blogging for three weeks since I arrived here at Puebla. It's been a very hectic schedule that have derailed me from sharing all my experiences here. I've been on a study grant to learn Spanish here and I have to focus on my lessons purposefully because of a lot of assignments given to me after class.

Despite all the odds I've been secretly saving all my adventures behind my subconscious for me to share to you. My apologies for giving it to you in a very late or shall we say tardy fashion..... but I have lots and lots of stories to share to you. I know I have still three blogs to finish.... the ones that I've partially made before I came here to Puebla but I promise you that I will fish it just in time.

For now, I am glad that my rusty mind had not been waning in remembering vividly all the events that I've been through from my various experiences of ambling around Puebla, to my daring adventure in Pachuca de Soto and Tulla de Allende, from my scary sojourn in Poza Rica to see the undiscovered Pyramids of El Tajin, and from making a slight mistake in getting down a bus at Xicotepec and stayed in a cold foggy night at a cheap hotel there.... and so on.

My studies will culminate this week and I can't wait for my seven days real vacation enjoying the beaches of Quintana Roo starting down at Tulum, to Playa del Carmen and the beautiful island of Cozumel, and finish up at the populated beaches of Cancun. I just can't wait to start blogging all my experiences all throughout the month that I stayed here.

It was a very fun experience I've got here. My lessons were getting harder and harder. I've noticed there were a lot of improvements from the first day I set foot on this quiet traditional but welcoming colonial city. I can now conjugate verbs well and expressed myself fairly well in Spanish but still I'm hesitant to push myself for the fear of getting embarrassed. But I think it's all okay.

My "maestra" was very helpful. She was very charming and bubbly. She was very approachable and had assisted me a lot. She said I am a very quick learner but I think I still underestimated myself. But thanks Angelica for boosting my confidence. Everyday I've been assigned to a "guia" or guide for my conversation class. ANd I've been to three different persons since I came here three weeks ago.

My first week guide was quite timid and was not really helpful. At times he talked to me in broken English. I cannot blame him because I am still not pro at speaking Spanish well. I've only known some basic and fundamental grammar and Lenardo had a hard time understanding me so he resorted to talking to me in English. I had him for two days which was a Tuesday and a Thursday.

The first day that I came here was a Monday, November 18, and I was told that they were not expecting me that day. They thought I had backed out because technically I should show up a day before for my orientation but since I was there that day my orientation had started then. In the afternoon they gave me to Veronica as my "guia" after I've sorted out all my applications and paperworks. Veronica was very helpful but sad to say she was only assigned to me that day. I wished I could have her all throughout my time. Hehehe.... but sadly not.

My second week guide was Edgar. He was very patient and soft spoken and had helped me a lot comprehending some very important key words. I was s blessed to have him that week and thanks to Angelica for improving my conjugation skills and that I can rebut Edgar's questions very well. I was so excited of my newfound confidence and I couldn't agree more that the institute's program was really working magically. Edgar was very helpful in correcting and finding meaning for my "oraciones". I really felt the big change.

As the week progresses my lessons become more intense and Angelica had been feeding and grilling me questions that really helped me straighten my Spanish. Now I can say that my Spanish was "mejor" or they say better.

My third week guide was Raul. He was a very perky yet intelligent scrawny guy. He bubbles so fast yet it made me train my ears listen more and understand what he was saying. He was very helpful in training my ears comprehend everything. I had him for two days now and all I can say that this guy is an adventurer. He had brought me to places that I've never been before. Thanks to him that I had browsed the Amparo Museum and also had known the Las Fuertes de Loreto y Guadalupe. I still have two more days with him before I terminate my stay and who knows where he will bring me.... hehehe....

My stay here was not just purely studies. I've been mixing it with going to nice and interesting places to learn about the culture and immerse with the people. In that I can learn more from those experiences as well as practice what I have learned in the classroom. I volunteered also helping in an orphanage on my spare time during Tuesdays and Thursdays and also teach students English, Math, and Science at the nearby private school. It was a very wholesome experience for me that I cannot forget.

Puebla is a very big place and I've been to a lot of Churches here. I've been to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion, the Church of Santo Domingo which I visited the Chapel of the Holy Rosary wherein it's dome ceiling was highly adorned with priced gold foils, the church of San Francisco where I saw the mummy of Beato Francisco, and many many more churches around it and the nearby towns like Cholula and Tlaxcala. I've been to the famous Zocalo where we meet our guides in the afternoon for our conversation class. The museums like the Amparo Museums, the Museo de las Muniecas, and the antique Palafox Library at the Museo de las Cultura.

Every Wednesdays we have a free excursions and we've been to Tlaxcala during my first Wednesday visiting the Tlaxcal Municipal Hall and see the Mural on its wall, visiting the Zocalo, and the antiquated Baroque Church with vintage arts and statues inside and lastly the Artisanal Museum.

On my second Wednesday we visited two of the 300 churches of Cholula beautifully decorated with colored Talavera tiles but sadly taking photos was prohibited and we visited the famous Pyramids of Cholula and went under the mountain and see how the pyramid were formed. It was very fascinating. Our guide during those trips was Heidi and she was also a bubbly, confident, and very informative guide who knows what she was doing.

I also traveled to Tula and Pachuca de Soto during my first weekend to see the pyramid ruins of Tula and also feel the tranquility of the place. It was a very stunning experience I've had. Adventurous and brave yet very educational. I had used all my knowledge in speaking Spanish just to reach the place safely. (Please refer to my following blog about Tula Ruins for a more vivid discussion of my experiences. It will come out soon I promise.)

The second week of my adventure was spend in Poza Rica to traverse the lost and undiscovered pyramids of El Tajin in Papantla where I was mesmerized by the intricacy and meticulousness of the "Pyramid of the Niches". And yes you have to read about it in my following blogs and I promise it will be out soon. Sorry!

All in all, my experience here in Puebla was worth it apart from my other experiences in Mexico City. I think I can't complain for more because right now I still feel that there's still more adventures that will be happening and I can't wait for it to happen. I am just fortunate that I made this very hard decision to come here and learn Spanish and the Mexican culture as well as appreciate the beauty of the places that I've been through.

And I thank you al for being so patient in waiting for my blogs. I am very sorry for causing you misery and keep you waiting for it. But now that I'm nearing he end of my lessons then the blogs will just kept pouring out and that's a promise. Thanks for all your support. Buen dia amigos!