Mexico ... and a few other places

[amaroo]

Every ruin must have a sports stadium - the ball court



Yeah, we’re going up...

 

[amaroo]

If you go up - you get the best views!!



The temple we just came down from.

 

[LadyC]

Just catching up - glad you enjoyed Uxmal - it was one of my favorites. I am sure you are templed out now though!

 

[amaroo]

This is an amazing site... along with a few others we’ve seen.

 

[drron]

I admire your persistance.I would be ruined for ruins by now.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, it was worth the drive ... but it came in last on our list. If we were visiting only 1 or 2 sites, I suppose, we’d be a little more enthusiastic. But stacked up with all the archeological sites we covered on the trip - it just didn’t impress.

I’d say it’s a must if you bunker down in Cancun and restrict yourself to day trips .... like 97% of all tourists that visit Mexico, I suppose....

I thought that might be your reaction, after the other sites. Chichen Itza was my first Mayan site .. on a day trip from Cancun. and whetted my appetite for more.

I admire your persistance.I would be ruined for ruins by now.

I've been wondering how amaroo's young bloke is holding up ...

 

[amaroo]

Just catching up - glad you enjoyed Uxmal - it was one of my favorites. I am sure you are templed out now though!

What a beauty! Still have one to go, but it's not Mayan.

 

[amaroo]

I admire your persistance.I would be ruined for ruins by now.

No way! We purposely hit Mexico first up for only 4 days, and then headed off to Guatemala and Belize for the next 10. Too much of anything is too much. This way we had a good mix of ruins, jungle, beach, and cities.

I thought that might be your reaction, after the other sites. Chichen Itza was my first Mayan site .. on a day trip from Cancun. and whetted my appetite for more.

It's an impressive site, and worth a look. However, compared to the other sites we've seen - it's way down the list.

been wondering how amaroo's young bloke is holding up ...

My kids have been forced to view a thousand more galleries and museums .... they enjoyed the outdoor variety this trip offered. The kids are aged 16 and 14 .... I wouldn't recommend this type of trip for young children.

 

[amaroo]

From Uxmal it’s a short drive to our final Hacienda property - Hacienda Santa Rosa



Approaching Santa Rosa

 

[amaroo]

Junior suites

 

[amaroo]

Before and after photos...



This is another cracking property..







Some of the plates we enjoyed...






We stayed at 3 of the 5 SPG Luxury Collection Haciendas .... we couldn’t be happier with decision to stay here. The whole package is just perfect - location, people, food, and those beautiful properties!!

Highly recommend staying at these historic hotels - it just adds to your holiday.

 

[amaroo]

Just catching up - glad you enjoyed Uxmal - it was one of my favorites. I am sure you are templed out now though!

What a beauty! Still have one to go, but it's not Mayan.

Forgot one. We have two left ... and it's one of the best

 

[amaroo]

A short drive from the Hacienda and we arrive at Celestún - famous for Pink Flamingos.



Never ending battle keeping the vegetation from devouring the road.



You can hire a boat directly from the beach or from the lagoon ... we did the lagoon as the road went directly passed it. If you were staying in town I reckon the beach would be fun.



Ria Celestún- home of the Pink Flamingos

The mangroves have turned the water red and the Flamingos are pink because they feast on pink shrimp.

 

[amaroo]

One of those occasions where I thought a decent camera would be a good idea .... every photo I take / post is from a phone. Most of the time convenience trumps quality - this was not one of them.



It was a lovely experience - highly recommended.

They are mesmerising to watch in their natural environment- noisy, active, elegant...

If you do come here - I would advise staying local and go in the late afternoon. Apparently that’s the best time... FWIW, we went late morning - it was still very good.

 

[amaroo]

We then headed into the mangroves for a gander..

 

[amaroo]

Terrific couple of hours .... must do when in the area.

 

[craven morehead]

View attachment 116881

View attachment 116882

View attachment 116877 View attachment 116878 View attachment 116879 View attachment 116880

Terrific couple of hours .... must do when in the area.

No issue with mozzies ?

 

[amaroo]

No issue with mozzies ?

None. We even left the boat for a walk on a broadwalk they've built through the mangroves - no issues whatsoever.

 

[amaroo]

Back onshore we drove the short distance to checkout Celestún, have a bite to eat and tick off a swim in the Gulf of Mexico

These are the boats you can catch to take you Flamingo spotting in the lagoon.



La Palapa - this place was heaving, we were lucky to jag a table on the beach.

 

[amaroo]

We then drove back to Hacienda Santa Rosa to pickup our luggage.

On these drives we’ve passed quite a few abandoned Agave plantations (Hacienda), oh, to have the time and money!



Whilst the girls picked up some last minute purchases from the gift shop - I took a final look around Hacienda Santa Rosa



Must come back and stay at a few more of these sensational hotels.