18: Turkey - Istanbul Walking Tour on a Hot Summer Day...

"Not every battle needs to be fought. Not every person deserves your explanation. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is walk away..."

(Bosphorous Strait connects the Black Sea and the  Sea of Marmara)

Day 18: 06/07/25 (Sunday)
Activity: Istanbul Walking Tour
Hotel: Hotel Oran Istanbul

We landed at Istanbul International Airport Arnavutköy at 9.00 am. The airport is always busy even early in the morning. For the time being only one terminal is functional in this new airport. Four out of six runways are in operation, and five concourses are home to the numerous airlines that fly from and to the airport.

At the Transfer Desk, we obtained our boarding passes for IST-KUL for tomorrow's flight home.

After Immigration clearance we headed to the Meet and Greet counter at Departure Gate 8. A van was already waiting to take us to our hotel.

We are staying for only one night at the Oran Hotel located at Balabanağa, Fatih in Istanbul. Even though it was too early to check in, Mr. Fehat of the Oran Hotel provided us the room for us to rest.

After a refreshing shower and a much needed power nap, we started out on our self walking tour and walked along the tram trail to visit some of the many attractions in Istanbul. Summer in Istanbul is very hot, especially in July with the heatwave reaching a new high. We brought with us enough water to hydrate. There are plenty of drinkable water fountains scattered throughout the city to refill our water bottles.

The Beyazit Square is one of the interesting places located in front of Istanbul University and next to the Grand Bazaar and the Old Book Bazaar. The university was built as a fortress and has a martial design because it was built by the Ministry of War back in the Ottoman Empire. There are literally a hundred shops surrounding the Grand Bazaar. Unfortunate for us, the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. We had not so tasty steamed hot dog and burger for lunch bought from the roadside vendor.

We stopped at Sinan Pasa Madrasah in Bezayit. Sinan Pasa was the son of a peasant named Ali of Albanian origin. He served as a grand vizier five times during the reigns of Murad Ill and Mehmed I. The madrasah conducts weekly hadith and Quran memorization lessons. Weekly Quran interpretation Risale-i Nur lessons are also conducted in different languages.

We visited the Sultan Hamed Camii or the Blue Mosque of Istanbul at Binbirdirek. The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Camii, is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque. It was constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning mosque today. It also attracts a large number of tourists and is one of the most iconic and popular monuments of Ottoman architecture.

Next stop was at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque or Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi. It is a mosque and former church serving as a major cultural and historical site in Turkey. The last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in AD 537, becoming the world's largest interior space and among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have changed the history of architecture.

We passed by the Topkapi Palace at Cankurtaran. The Topkapı Palace is a large museum and library in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul. From the 1460s to the completion of Dolmabahçe Palace in 1856, it served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, and was the main residence of its sultans. The entrance tickets are TKR 900 per pax. We did not plan to visit Topkapi Palace as it was already late in the afternnon.

Next to the Topkapi Palace is Gulhane Park. Gülhane Park is a lush green oasis-a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. This large public park offers something for everyone, from picnics and concerts to beautiful gardens and stunning views of the Marmara Sea. Gülhane Park has been around since 1806, but it wasn't opened to the public until 1912. The park was once part of Topkapi Palace. Gülhane Park is located within walking distance of many of Istanbul's major attractions, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia Museum and Sultanahmet Square.

We walked through Gulhane Park and exited on the other end to the Bosphorus waterfront. In the hot blazing sun we watched the Fortuna Cruise Ship sailed out of the Marmara Sea of the Istanbul harbour at Sarayburnu. Since it is a weekend, the area near the Bosphorus was crowded with people. Locals were relaxing and having their picnics and tourists were taking pictures of the view. Everyone was enjoying the hot summer weather.

It was already sunset when we traced our way back to the hotel. We stopped at Burger King for dinner of Whopper Jr. and Burger King's Special combo sets.

Back at the Oran Hotel in Fatih for the night after a long tiring day. Tonight we slept early and rested well. We will be leaving for the Istanbul International Airport at 11.30 am tomorrow morning.

17: Cuba/Venezuela/Turkey - Goodbye! Half of my heart is in Havana...

"Maturity isn’t about who wins an argument - it’s about knowing when an argument isn’t worth having..."

(Flying from Havana - Caracas - Istanbul)

Day 17: 05/07/25 (Saturday)
Flight: TK183 HAV 0900/IST 0855+1 (Turkish Air)
Route: Havana, Cuba - Caracas, Venezuela - Istanbul, Turkey

Hotel: The Oran Hotel Istanbul

The alarm woke us up at 4.30 am. Showered and performed subuh prayers. By 5.15 am the taxi was already waiting for us. This morning only the three of us would be flying to Istanbul. Unfortunate for Hazimin, his flight was not confirmed so he had to stay for another day in Cuba and had to take the next flight to Istanbul tomorrow morning instead.

When we arrived at the airport there was already a long queue at the check-in counters. We made sure all our checked-in luggage will go direct to KLIA. We will bring only one hand-carry bag for a night stay in Istanbul. Once we had our boarding passes, we went for a simple breakfast of a cup of Cappuccino and a plain croissant.

It was a lengthy process for me at the Immigration checkpoint. I was asked to remove my hijab for the camera which I refused. Then I was queried about my visa which I told them that Malaysian do not require visa to enter Turkey. I was cleared after my case was referred to their officers.

At Gate 14, we boarded the TK183 flight which was on time. We were served breakfast of sandwich and coffee after take-off. The three hours flight to Caracas was spent listening to Led Zeppelin.

We arrived at Caracas International Airport, Venezuela at noon. We had about three hours layover on board the Turkish Airlines Flight. The cleaning crew and the security crew went about the duties while we were on board. We took a nap while waiting for the plane to be cleaned and boarded. It was a full flight from Caracas to Istanbul.

The flight from Caracas to Istanbul took about 12 hours. We spent time on board napping in between meals and in-flight movies.

16 Cuba: Vinales Valley - the land of tobacco, caves and karst landscape...

"Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems..." - Epictetus

(Mural de la Prehistoria, Vinales)

Day 16: 04/07/25 (Friday)
Activity: Vinales Valley Day Trip
Hotel: Home in La Havana, Cuba

We had a light breakfast of steaming Hazelnut Coffee and sweet bread before heading to Viñales.

Today we planned to go for a day tour to explore Vinales in a Classic American Car. The driver picked us up from our apartment sharp at 7.30 am. Vinales is located about 185 km from Havana city and would be about 3 hour drive. We will be visiting the Vinales Valley and some of the attractions around the area.

The Viñales valley is encircled by mountains and its landscape is interspersed with dramatic rocky outcrops. Traditional techniques are still in use for agricultural production, particularly of tobacco. The quality of this cultural landscape is enhanced by the vernacular architecture of its farms and villages, where a rich multi-ethnic society survives, illustrating the cultural development of the islands of the Caribbean, and of Cuba.

On the way about an hour's drive from Havana, we stopped for breakfast at a small roadside eatery at Los Santicos. We had eggs sandwiches and Sunchy mango nectar for our drinks. Surprisingly, they did not serve hot drinks here.

When we reached Venales, we were met by our local tour guide at a meeting point near Hotel Horizontes Las Jasmine. After a short briefing, we convoyed in two vintage cars to begin our tour of Vinales Valley.

First stop was at the Mural of Prehistory or Mural de la Prehistoria. It is located approximately five kilometres from Vinales town. This massive mural on the side of Mogote Pita measures some 120 metres wide and, as the name suggests, portrays the prehistory of the region dating back from the time of the dinosaurs to the arrival of the first human inhabitants. Commissioned by the Cuban government in 1961, the Mural of Prehistory was designed by Cuban artist Leovigildo González Morillo. It took about twenty artists four years to complete this mural. We tasted a complimentary refreshing non alcoholic Pina Colada here.

Next attraction was the Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave). It is an ancient indigenous dwelling located 5.5 km north of Viñales and near the town of San Vicente. It is an important Cuban cave system. The cave was found in 1920 by a peasant named Juan Diaz. The río San Vicente runs through the cave. We had to climb a flight of stairs to get into the cave. Then went through a section of the cave in a motorboat. It is a very interesting to see the geological formations of stalactites and stalagmites. This Cueva del Indio is illuminated by colorfully lightings.

From the cave we drove a distance to the valley to explore the coffee and tobacco plantations. We had the option of riding a horse or take a walk to the farms. Four of us decided to walk while two others rode on the horses.

Mr Umberto, the village local guide gave a tour of his farm and kindly explained to us on the coffee making process, of drying the coffee beans naturally before processing. He showed us the rum produced from guava and the production of honey. After lunch, he demonstrated the art of rolling the cigars and we sampled a cigar each. Four dried tobacco leaves are used in making one cigar. In Cuba, all the tobacco plantations are still using a traditional methods and the government is specifically encouraging the farmer to do it this way to preserve the finest quality of tobacco by not introducing anything chemical in the process. Each of the seeds is hand-planted carefully and left to grow for about three months. It's then followed by the harvesting process, which is the most labor intensive. 

Lunch was served at the village restaurant. We had grilled red snapper and varieties of vegetables and fresh pressed mango juice for drinks.

It was raining when we drove back in the rain. It was a long drive, so we slept all the way.

Back at the apartment we had rice and sambal sotong for dinner.

15 Cuba: Havana City Tour - a fascinating blend of old and new...

 "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit...” Aristotle

(Havana, Cuba is well known for its Vintage American cars)

Day 15: 03/07/25 (Thursday)
Activity: Havana City Tour
Hotel: Home in La Havana, Cuba

0ld Havana or La Habana Vieja is the city center and one of the fifteen municipalities forming Havana, Cuba. It has the second highest population density in the city and contains the core of the original city of Havana. The positions of the original Havana city walls are the modern boundaries of Old Havana. 

Our lodging was in the old Quarters Havana. During the day, the park in front of the apartment was not as busy and as noisy as when it was at night. Although this area attracts a lot of visitors, there are still a lot of residential buildings. Many old buildings in the southern half of Havana Vieja have been transformed into apartments, and some of these apartments are available for visitors to rent.

Our apartment has two rooms. There is only one adjoining bathroom and had to be shared with the other two gentlemen. And there is a small bathroom behind the kitchen. 

This morning we planned for a walking tour of Havana Vieja. Earlier, we already booked a local guide for the half day tour. The meeting point was a short walking distance away. It was still early so we detoured to a Vegan Cafe to have breakfast of scrambled eggs and Cuban bread with hot chocolate and latte. It was a government coffee shop. We paid in USD but the change was in peso. We were short changed with a very low rate.

We were at the meeting point early. At the Simon Bolivar Statue, we met a Muslim brother, Hamzah who informed us that the Havana Mosque is not far away. He gave his phone numbers in case we need his assistance when were here.

The bronze statue of Simon Bolivar stands in a small park at the corner of Mercaderes and Obrapia streets in Havana's Old Town. This statue honors Simon Bolivar, the Latin American liberator, and is situated in a serene park setting.. The peaceful atmosphere reflect on Bolivar's legacy in this tranquil environment. 

Mr. Rollie, our tour guide was a little late as his motorbike broke down on the way to meet us.  Our walking tour with Rollie covered most of the old buildings and historical sites of The Old Quarter of Havana. We walked through the streets with the quaint historical buildings. Each building has a story to share. 

A Portuguese Cafe Columnata Egipciana is a beautiful café on Mercaderes Street in Old Havana. In the 19th century, Eca de Queiroz used to go here, the great Portuguese realist writer, who was also a lawyer and Ambassador of Portugal in Havana at the time.

Hotel Ambos Mundos, also known as the Hemingway Hitel is built with a square form with five floors. It has an eclectic set of characteristics of 20th-century style architecture. It was built in 1924 on a site that previously had been occupied by an old family house on the corner of Calle Obispo and Mercaderes (Bishop and Merchants Streets) in Old Havana. It is a frequent tourist destination because it was home to the popular writer Ernest Hemingway for seven years in the 1930.. 

The Museum of Mural Painting is housed in a historic building considered to be the oldest house in Havana, on the gloomy Calle Obispo , in the historic center of the city. This museum brings together, explains, and encourages exploration of the diverse pictorial treasures found on the walls and facades of some of Old Havana's buildings both contemporary and those created during the city's various artistic periods. The foundation occupies the upper and lower parts of the house, including the entrance hall, the gallery, and the courtyard. The museum is equipped with various panels with historical information 

El Templete is a monument to the initial mass of San Cristóbal de la Habana celebrated on November 16, 1519.. It's a neoclassical monument and museum commemorating the founding of the town of Havana in Cuba.. Jean Baptiste Vermay painted the interior of the monument. 

Legend has it that both the first religious ceremony and first council meeting for Havana took place under the shade of the Ceiba tree. Ceiba trees were highly revered by the indigenous inhabitants of Cuba, who were all wiped out by genocide and disease when Cuba became a Spanish colony. For the Africans brought here as slaves to replace them, the ceiba tree filled the void left by the absence of their beloved baobabs. People all over the Caribbean and in various parts of South American attribute magical-religious powers to these trees.

Plaza de San Francisco de Asis Square was built facing Havana port in the 16th century, when Spanish galleons would stop here on their way through the Indies to Spain. It currently functions as a gateway to the city. Here you can find a lot of pleasant cafes and restaurants.. Throughout the first few decades of the 15th century the square had a market and, in 1608, a church. The market was moved to the Plaza Vieja Square after monks complained about the noise.

While taking photos of the street art of Old Quarter of Havana we found a statue of José María López Lledin, an elegant vagabond known as El Caballero de Paris who wandered the streets of Havana and was a well-known cult figure.

At Plaza Vieja we headed to the Camera Obscura, an optical device mounted atop a 1909 building that projects a real-time 360° view of the colonial streets below. There was a small entrance fee and a guide explains landmarks, and there’s a rooftop terrace with a panoramic view.

Abdallah Mosque or Mezquita Abdallah is Havana’s first and only mosque. It is tucked into a charming colonial-era building in Old Havana. Opened in 2015 and repurposed from an antique car museum from charitable funding with support from Turkish and Saudi foundations, as well as other Muslim groups. The mosque is a one-story colonial-box style, with a modest minaret and rich Arabic calligraphy and carpets.

The National Capitol of Cuba, also known as Capitolio Nacional de La Habana, is a public edifice in Havana, the capital of Cuba. The building was commissioned by Cuban president Gerardo Machado and built from 1926 to 1929 under the direction of Eugenio Rayneri Piedra. 

At the end of the tour, we went to El Chanchullero Restaurant but it was full and the queue was long. Instead we went to a chick D'Lirios Restaurant located in front of the Capitol Building. Large portion of Caribbean and Cuban cuisines are served at D' Lirios. The unique characteristic of this place is the live baritone performance of their serving staff. It is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Havana.

We were back at our apartment for solat jamak before we went out again to explore the other parts of Havana.

We rented 2 trishaws to Jose Marti Mercado for souvenirs hunting. There was a misunderstanding at the end of the ride. Unsurprisingly, we ended up paying double than the agreed rental rate. We were earlier warned of scammers, conmen and pick-pockets in the old.Havana.

Mercado de Artesania is a huge warehouse, sitting on the docks of Havana bay. It is home to numerous vendors who sell goods, artifacts, curios and paintings. Once you go here, you probably will have seen it all in the old town of Havana. Vendors know some English, most will bargain, and some will force you to buy their products so one has to be careful and ask about the price. We bought some fridge magnets and duffel bags from here.

Havana is full of history, and there is plenty to see besides Spanish architectures and attractions in the old city. From Jose Marti Mercado, we hired a Classic Car taxi for the afternoon tour to see the other part of Havana city. We had to cross the bay to get to Casablanca on the other side of the harbour.

Our first stop was at the Plaza de La Revolucion which is the 60th largest city square in the world. The square is where many political rallies take place and Fidel Castro and other political figures address Cubans. The square is dominated by the José Martí Memorial. Opposite the memorial are the offices of the Ministries of the Interior and Communications, whose facades feature matching steel memorials of the two most important deceased heroes of the Cuban Revolution: Che Guevara, with the quotation "Hasta la Victoria Siempre" (Ever Onward to Victory) and Camilo Cienfuegos, with the quotation "Vas bien, Fidel" (You're doing fine, Fidel).

Casablanca is a part of the city of Havana, It is situated to the east of the entrance to Havana Harbor. Casablanca, a charming yet often overlooked district across the bay from Old Havana, offers a mix of panoramic views, colonial history, and local culture. A refreshing contrast from the tourist-filled streets of Old Havana. A frequent ferry links Casablanca with the dock at the foot of Santa Clara street in Old Havana. We didn't take the ferry, instead our taxi drove is to Casablanca via the underwater tunnel.

We took pictures at the big Cuba signage then drove uphill to Camilo Cienfuegos Lighthouse and the viewpoint. The iconic Faro del Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, perched atop the ramparts of El Morro Fortress, guarding Havana Bay’s entrance. It stands as the oldest operational lighthouse in Havana.

Not far was the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, one of the Americas' largest colonial forts, built in the 18th century. Cannon‑firing ceremony is held here at 9 pm daily and could be seen from the Old Havana.

We visited the Christ of Havana, a majestic 20 m marble statue of Christ overlooking Havana Bay, sculpted in 1958 from Italian Carrara marble. There is a panoramic terrace perfect for sunrise or sunset city views. 

Che Guevara"s house is located near the Christ statue. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, better known as El Ché, is one of the most important and symbolic figures during and after the Cuban Revolution. His likeness has become synonymous with revolutionary grit. It has transcended from his iconic heroism into a pop culture phenomenon whose image is used on everything from coffee mugs, ceramics, and pullovers - to statues, iron busts, and murals worldwide.. 

Comandancia del Che is a Military History Museum. The museum includes a downed US plane from the Missile Crisis. There are many outdoor exhibits rich in Cold War history.

Back at the Home In La Habana we went for more souvenir hunting at the souvenir shops next to our apartment.

14 Mexico/Cuba: Monterrey City Tour...

"I know that if I wasn't scared, something's wrong, because the thrill is what's scary..." - Richard Pryor

(Paseo Santa Lucia, Monterrey, a man-made canal)

Day 14: 02/07/25 (Wednesday)
Activity: Monterrey City Tour
Flight:  VB642 MTY 1530/HAV 2015  (Viva Air)
Route: Monterrey, Mexico - Havana, Cuba
Hotel: Home In La Havana, Cuba

Very early in the morning we ordered our breakfast. Our room service breakfast was a set of pancakes and maple syrup and a set of eggs and beans with orange juice and coffee. All were delivered through the Breakfast Service Box. We had half a morning to spend in Monterrey city before our VB642 1530 hrs to Havana, Cuba.. Rain is predicted so we were prepared with jackets and umbrellas.

We booked an Uber to visit the attractions in Monterrey. The Palace Museum is located in Nuevo León, and is part of the Three Museums complex, along with the Museum of Mexican History and the Museum of the Northeast. It is also part of the Paseo Santa Lucía complex.

The Macroplaza or Gran Plaza is a square in the city of Monterrey in Nuevo León, It is the name given to the central part of Monterrey, which occupies 40 hectares.. It is the largest square in Mexico and the fifth largest square in the world..

Fero Del Commercio Monterrey, Mexico Macroplaza, or the Lighthouse of Commerce is an emblematic monument of the city of Monterrey, located in the Macroplaza in front of the Monterrey Cathedral and behind the Municipal Offices.

The monument to Workers of Nuevo León is a tribute to all men and women workers who give life to this industrial city. It was designed by the sculptor Cuauhtémoc Zamudio.

Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín was born in Bahia del Espiritu Santo, then a Mexican territory in the state of Coahuila and Texas -today, Goliad, Texas, USA. The second of eight sons of Veracruz soldier Miguel Zaragoza Valdés and Texan María de Jesús Seguin Martínez, he was a distinguished and distinguished Mexican military man, Minister of War for President Benito Juárez in 1861, who defeated the French in the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Monterrey signage at the Macroplaza. The Macroplaza is a testament to Monterrey's twentieth century ambition.. This city block wide series of interconnected squares, also known as the Gran Plaza, was created in the 1980s by the demolition of a prime chunk of city-center real estate. A controversial but ultimately successful piece of redevelopment, its charm has increased over the years as the once bare urban space has been transformed into the largest public square in the world.. It has been softened by parks, trees and fountains.

The Santa Lucia riverwalk or Paseo Santa Lucía is an artificial canal located in Monterrey. Construction of the canal began in 1996, but for economic reasons was stopped for nine years. In 2005, construction continued and was finished in 2007. The man-made canal connects the Macroplaza and the Fundidora Park.

Fundidora Park is an urban park located in Monterrey, in what once were the grounds of the Monterrey Foundry, the first steel and iron foundry in Latin America. Fundidora Park is an industrial heritage museum and public park in the heart of Monterrey. Originally developed as the site of the Compañia Fundidora de Fierro y Acero de Monterrey, a steel foundry dating to 1900. The once-important industrial center now serves a recreational and educational purpose for the city and its visitors. The park contains several structures from the old foundry.ĺ

From the Fundidora Park we took an Uber back to the hotel to collect our luggage and check out. An Uber took us to the airport.

The Monterrey International Airport is considered one of the most modern airports in North America with a design based on energy savings and sustainability, serving more than eleven million passengers per year. We already check-in online and were just in time to check-in our luggage. But before we could check in our luggage we were requested to apply for Digital Travellers Entry Form online. As wifi in the airport was intermittent and internet roaming was also limited, it took time to fill in the form but we managed to get the QR codes.

Our VB642 flight to Cuba was delayed for almost an hour. We landed safely at José Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba. The airport is located in the municipality of Boyeros, twenty kilometres southwest of the centre of Havana, Cuba. It is Cuba's main international airport, and serves several million passengers each year.

After immigration checks and custom clearances which were very fast and efficient, we were met by a taxi driver who sent us to our rented apartment located in the Old Quarters in Villegas Havana. Even though it was nearly midnight when we reached the area, the badly lighted neighbourhood was still full of youngsters playing loud musics, dancing and talking loudly.

Lisa, the landlord was already waiting for us. Steep narrow staircases led us to the two rooms apartment on the 3rd floor. Lisa's friend helped us to carry our big bags upstairs for a small tip. This apartment will be our lodging for the next three nights.

Our first impression of Havana Veija neighbourhood was a bit scary!

13 Mexico: Free and Easy in Mexico City

 "We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them..." - Khalil Gibran

(Plaza de la Constitución, the main square of Mexico City) 

Day 13: 01/07/25 (Tuesday)

Activity: Free and Easy in Mexico City

Flight: VB1352 MEX 1705/MTY 1840 (Viva Air)

Route: Mexico City, Mexico - Monterrey, Mexico
Hotel: Hotel Myst Monterrey, Mexico

We had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. This morning we're going to do our own tour before flying to Monterrey later this afternoon. We checked out and kept our luggage in the store.

The Plaza de la Constitución is better known, across Mexico, as the Zócalo. It is the central plaza of the City and often referred to as the central plaza of the entire country. As such, it is the frequent site of many of the important events in the city and is often very crowded. Throughout the year, it hosts events, fairs, carnivals, concerts, parades, and more.

Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Bienaventurada Virgen Maria a los cielos), is a prominent landmark in Mexico City. It is situated on the northern side of the Plaza de la Constitución in the historic center of Mexico City, built atop the former Aztec sacred precinct near the Templo Mayor. It holds significance as the spiritual center of the Aztec capital and is considered the first cathedral built in the Americas.

Portal de Mercaderes Constitución Plaza is a historic arcaded building located on the west side of the Zócalo .The Portal de los Mercaderes, literally, the Merchants Portal, was begun 1527 by one Melchor Dávila. Fabric shops were already open, operated by one Gonzalo Ruiz, by 1532. Señor Ruiz no doubt witnessed this continuous struggle to keep the Zócalo from sinking into a continual morass of vendors buying selling, haggling, and vocally announcing their wares. The portals, the covered walkway along the square's western edge, were intended right from the beginning, to provide more space for vendors.

The Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento is the main seat of the Mexico City government. It's home to a small museum and several galleries which are open to the public. The Cabildos Hall and the Francisco Gamoneda Documentation Center are also inside the building. The first City Council meeting was held here on May 10, 1532.

The National Palace takes up the entirety of the east side of the Zócalo. It's the seat of the Executive Branch of the Mexican Federal Government. It takes up some 40,000 square meters and has been a World Heritage Site since 1987.

The Nacional Monte de Piedad is of interest to international visitors mostly for its main headquarters building on the northwest corner of the Zócalo in Mexico City. Established in Mexico 1774 and 1777, it's founder was Pedro Romero de Terreros, the first Count of Regla being just one of his titles. His home is a famous landmark, and he owned much of the property surrounding the present day Metro El Rosario,

The main pedestrian street in Mexico City's historic center is Francisco I. Madero Avenue, also known as Madero Street. It's a vibrant, bustling street lined with shops, restaurants, and historical buildings and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals.

The Barrio Chino in Mexico City is a small sub-neighborhood within San Juan Moyotlan, itself a neighborhood of the Centro Histórico. A few streets are the center of annual celebrations of the Chinese New Year. But year round there's a flavor of China and its people and traditions. The people of China have a long history of immigration to Mexico Some came along with the famous Manila Galleon Trade which connected Acapulco with the Philippine Islands for some 250 years.

We took an Uber to the Centro Educativo de la Comunidad Musulmana, AC, also known as the Mezquita de Polanco, is a mosque situated in the Anzures neighborhood of Mexico City. Established in 2001, it occupies a three-story building adapted for its religious functions, lacking traditional elements like a minaret and dome The mosque serves as a center for worship, education, and community activities, offering daily prayers, Friday sermons in Arabic and Spanish, and classes on Islamic principles and Arabic language. It also provides halal meat and chicken for the community. The mosque is open daily, with specific hours for prayers and activities.. However, it was closed when we were there.

We had lunch at Taj Mahal Bangladesh Restaurant. It's an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant specializing in halal food in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City. We had lamb biryani and naan with chicken masala. 

On the way back to the hotel we saw a protest parade along the road. Protest is a constant in Mexico City, the seat of the federal government and thus a focal point for angry, disgruntled and dissatisfied citizens from around the country. As the National Palace - the seat of executive power and now the president's residence as well - is located opposite the Zócalo, the central square is the most popular place for demonstrations, and many protest marches end there after commencing in other central parts of the capital.

Back at the Lagunilla Hotel, we collected our bags and took an Uber to the Benito Juarez International Airport for our flight to Monterrey.

Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City, welcomes millions of international visitors every year through its two main airports: Benito Juarez International Airport and Felipe Ángeles (Santa Lucía) International Airport. Navigating through these bustling hubs can be overwhelming, especially for first-time travelers to Mexico City.

After checked in, we had to walk a distance to Gate 4 to board our flight Viva VB1352 to Monterrey. Aeroenlaces Nacionales, trading as Viva (formerly Viva Aerobus), is a major Mexican low-cost airline headquartered at Monterrey International Airport, in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Measured by passenger numbers, it is Mexico's third-largest airline and eleventh-largest airline in North America, offering more than 160 routes in more than 50 destinations serving Mexico, the United States, Central and South America.

We arrived safely at Monterrey International Airport, an international airport located in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico serving Greater Monterrey. It operates flights to Mexico, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe. It wasn't quite busy when we landed.

We were met by an Uber driver who sent us to Hotel Myst, located near Fundidora Park and Macroplaza. It is a 4-star hotel providing 35 rooms. Hotel Myst Monterrey is about a 20-minute walk from Banamex Auditorium Amphitheatre.

12 Mexico: Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours...

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it..." - George Santayana

(Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan)

Day 12: 30/06/25 (Monday)

Activity: Teotihuacan and Basilica Day Trip
Hotel: Hotel MX Lagunilla Mexico City

(A simple buffet spread for the back-packers)

(A friendly reminder not to waste food)

(Our breakfast seats overlooking the main road)

(Toast with scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes)

This morning we had breakfast at the hotel dining room which was quite full with backpacking youngsters. From the hotel we walked to the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the meeting point for our day tour, passing a few attractions along the way and observing the local scenes.

(Museo del Tequila, dedicated to the history of Mexican drink)  

(A street scene in front of the hotel)

(A mural painted on the wall)

(An overloaded makeshift garbage truck)

(A wall heavily covered with graffiti)

(Passing by some homeless dwellings)

(Intermittent rain in Mexico City)

(Street Arts in Mexico City)

Today we joined the Teotihuacan and Basilica Amigo Tours where we are going to discover the magic of Teotihuacan by exploring the the ancient ruins complex where the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon are located. On the way back we will visit the stunning Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most important religious sites in Mexico. We will also stop at some historical places in town.

(Amigo Tours provide variety of private and group tours)

(The Tlatelolco University Cultural Centre)

(Manifesto of Mexican student movement of 1968)

(Street Art Tlatelolco)

(The Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco)

Our first visit was to the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, literally the 'Plaza of the Three Cultures', the main city square of the ancient Tlatelolco neighborhood.

The Plaza is the centerpiece of a dynamic section of the city, and thus named because it contains representative works from three major periods of Mexico City history. These are the pre-Hispanic archaeological ruins, the Spanish colonial culture of the Colegio de Santa Cruz, and the Modern Mexican culture, most notably of the architect and urbanist, Mario Pani, who designed the square. 

(Archaeological remains of Aztec city of Tlatelolco)

(Listening to the history of Tlatelolco)

(One of the oldest archeological sites in the city)

(Excavations have yielded thousands of objects and bodies)

Next to the ruins is the Church of Santiago Tlatelolco which was erected after the Conquest, in 1521. The victors chose the site where the Mexica had resisted military attacks for more than 80 days. When the conquistadors arrived at Tlatelolco, they destroyed the remains of the Mexica, aiming to erase all traces and legacies of such an important culture.

The broken structural remains became part of the construction of the Church of Santiago Apóstol. This building serve as the Imperial College of the Holy Cross of Tlatelolco, In the 19th century, it was used as a military prison and remained so until the 20th century. In 1976, it was renovated and housed the Historical Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(The Church of Santiago Apostol)

(The old doors to the chapel)

(Blending the prehispanic, Viceregal and modern cultures)

(Inside the Church of Santiago Apostol)

(A page from a book on the spreading of christianity)

After the visit to Tlatelolco, the bus took us to Teotihuacan, a vast Mexican archaeological complex about forty kilometers northeast of Mexico City. Before we entered the complex, we visited the Obsidian Workshop where the original Mexican handicrafts and artworks are made. As an antiquity, obsidian was highly valued for its sharp edges, which made it ideal for creating tools, such as arrowheads, blades, and cutting edges. In Mexico, obsidian mirrors were believed to possess divination abilities, providing a view into the invisible realms. Obsidian sources in Mesoamerica are limited in number and distribution, and are restricted to the volcanic regions of the Sierra Madre Mountains as they run through Mexico and Guatemala. Tourists can by their souvenir from the many souvenir shops here.

(A natural landscape of cacti and arid-region plants)

(Agave Tequilana plant for production of tequila)

(Collections of Obsidian handicrafts on display)

(A hand-woven carpet with ancient Teotihuacan pyramid)

(Displays of ancient artifacts replicas)

(A painting of a scene from Aztec history)

(Figurines of mythological deities)

(Aztec Maya Calendar Sun Stones)

(Local mexican scenes figurines) 

(Mexican poncho for sales, too thick and heavy to wear)

(A side walk cafe for a cup of tea)

(One of the souvenir shops selling caps and hats)

(Beautiful vibrant coloured shawls)

(The remnants of Aztec walls)

 

Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre Columbian Americas, namely the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Running down the middle of the site, which was once a flourishing pre-Columbian city, is the Avenue of the Dead. It links the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, the latter two with panoramic views from their summits. Artifacts are in the Museum of Teotihuacan Culture. Although close to Mexico City, Teotihuacan was not a Mexican or Aztec city, and it predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries.

(The Moon Pyramid - second largest pyramid in Teotihuacan)

(Built by a Mesoamerican culture used to stage ritual sacrifices)

(Sacrifices of animals and humans)

(The bigger Pyramid of the Sun in the background)

(A long walk towards the Moon Pyramid)

(The Pyramid of the Moon is elevated by the land at higher ground)

(The pyramid is constructed between 100 and 450 AD)

(Tourists scrambling to climb to the top)

(Taking a break half way up the Pyramid of the Moon)

(Ancient murals on the wall)

(A long walk through the Avenue of the Dead in the rain)

(The Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the third largest pyramid)

(Located at the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead)

We had lunch at the Tlacaelel Restaurant, located in the heart of Teotihuacán de Arista. Restaurante Tlacaelel brings a passion to its cuisine that visitors don't find in many restaurants. No matter which dish is chosen, visitors won't be disappointed.. There was a buffet line available. Ala carte was also a good option so we ordered grilled fish dishes supplemented with various sauces. The pescados or fish options were good and tasty.

(Lunch at Tlacaelel Restaurant)

(Outside dining is available but it was raining)

(Live entertainment while we eat lunch)

(The dining area was spacious, cosy and warm)

(My grilled fish and salads)

(Tuna grilled fish, salads and sweet rice pudding)

(Spacious dining hall catering for bus-load of tourists)

(The handsome receptionist)

(Cultural dancer with traditional attire)

(A wood sculpture of a cheetah)

After lunch we drove back towards Mexico City to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe officially called Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe or the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is a basilica of the Catholic Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at the foot of the Hill of Tepeyac in the Gustavo A. Madero borough of Mexico City.. There was a mass taking place in the church when we were there.

(The Clock and Bell Tower)

(The square at Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe)

(The religious complex of Tepeyac)

(The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

(The interior of the new Basilica)

(The famous image of the Virgin of Guadalupe)

(The statue of Pope John Paul II)

(Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

(A significant Catholic basilica located at the foot of Tepeyac Hill)

(Capilla del Cerrito on top of Tepeyac Hill)

(Getting out of the complex, the rain is brewing!)

(The plaque of St John Paul II above lighted candles)

(It was raining heavily when the bus dropped us off)

(Road side vendors and the crowd in the rain)

We back at the MX Lagunilla Hotel in Mexico City soaking wet in the heavy rain. We had Maggi for dinner in our room. It's our final night here in Mexico City. We will be flying out to Monterrey tomorrow.