Mexico ... and a few other places

[amaroo]

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....

 

[amaroo]

It’s a big site ... just like a theme park!!!

 

[Jacques Vert]

Today we’ve got to backtrack a little to squeeze in Chichén Itzá. Will it be worth the 1:5hr drive?

Looks like it to me....

Perhaps your great photos make it look better than it is in real life.

 

[amaroo]

Looks like it to me....

Perhaps your great photos make it look better than it is in real life.

It's different from the other sites... not sure how to describe it, but if felt a little contrived. I will say it's a MUST when in the area .... but I will also say, please, get out and explore!

 

[amaroo]

Bit of a drive today .... with a diversion to Merida in a desperate search of a cash dispensing ATM.

Remember, we originally planned to fly into Merida from Belize .... these longish drives are a result of the diverted flight to Cancun.

Interesting drive - plenty of police and military checkpoints... some of them very large. The military have a very public profile - they are pretty much on every major road and have little camps set up all over the place. The locals we spoke to said its about ensuring this part of country is secure for the millions of tourist flooding the three popular states - Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche




With cash in the pocket (had to find three ATMs) we set off for our new digs - Hacienda Uayamon, another stunning SPG, luxury collection property.



The following photos were taken walking to reception .... this is strikingly beautiful property.

 

[amaroo]

Hacienda Uayamon was was built in 1700, like Hacienda San Jose it's an old Henequen plantation.

All the Haciendas we're staying are old plantations from the "Green Gold" era (Henequen / Sisal), basically, rope and twine made from the Agave plant ... a much needed material in its time.

Agave plant



Apparently, 50 families controlled the Agave market ... some 1500 plantations!

Some big money is being spent sprucing up these properties ... they're doing a terrific job!

Lifted from youtube - making rope from agave

 

[amaroo]

We stayed in two junior suites - kids had twins we had the king.

 

[amaroo]

This is a gorgeous property! They done a great job blending the old with the new...

 

[amaroo]

Just stunning!!

 

[amaroo]

Yeah, I took a lot of photos.... I really liked this place.

 

[OZDUCK]

That place looks really well equipped and comfortable but also incredibly picturesque and atmospheric.

 

[amaroo]

The next morning we had a short drive to our next Mayan Ruin - Edzna



We basically had the place to ourselves ...
over a couple of hours I think we saw around 10 people.



This place was spectacular - just massive!



The people in the photo below gives you some idea of the scale of this site.

 

[amaroo]

This is one site where you will want to sit and gaze...

 

[amaroo]

Amazing site - top 5 on our list.



Good example of a temple being overrun by nature.

 

[amaroo]

We then made tracks for Campeche, capital of the state of Campeche.


This is a very pretty city, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997. It’s a walled city with a couple of forts .... pirates and buccaneers were a bit of a problem in their day.

 

[amaroo]

Pretty is the word

 

[amaroo]

and colourful...

 

[amaroo]

Like Hacienda San Jose, Uayamon is located in the middle of nowhere. You could venture out for a meal however, driving at night is not the most sensible thing to do. The roads aren’t the best and who drives at night when on holidays

So we ate in-house on both nights. Cooked breakfast was included .... it’s the sort of place where you go out for lunch, but start and end the day in-house

Some of the plates we enjoyed.

 

[amaroo]

Soon enough it was time to pack the car and start another adventure. Today we start making our way back into Yukatan.




One of a few checkpoints we had to pass - the police or military would take a look through the windows and wave us on. Trucks and male only vehicles were normally pulled over for further inspection.



Our first destination for the day. Uxmal - another absolutely stunning Mayan site.

 

[amaroo]

Few more people at this site, nothing like Chichén Itzá .... this site is of a scale that you don’t really notice or feel it.