About Me

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am married to my loving husband for more than 45 years now. I am a mother to 3 beautiful children, until years ago when I lost my youngest son. Since then my life is forever altered but yet unbroken....
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexico. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Central America 2025: Exploring the Mayan and the Aztecs Civilisation...

"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered..." - G.K. Chesterton

(Chichen Itza, Cancun, Mexico)

I’m in for a treat - an unforgettable adventure through Central America! 

This vibrant land calls with the roar of waterfalls, the sway of palm trees, and the colors of bustling markets spilling onto cobblestone streets. Our route will carry us from the mighty Panama Canal to Costa Rica’s misty rainforests alive with birdcalls, the vibrant heart of Mexico with its spices and melodies, and the timeless rhythm of Cuba where music drifts through the warm night air. Even the return journey promises surprise detours - Caracas and Istanbul - reminding me that the spirit of adventure is found not just in the destinations, but in every twist along the way.


Panama 
(20 - 22 June 2025)
Panama is a mix of modern cities and wild rainforests. We will be visiting the Panama Canal and try a boat tour through the canal and visit Embera indigenous villages, among other attractions.

Costa Rica 
(23 - 25 June 2025)
Costa Rica is an eco-paradise with the "Pura Vida" lifestyle. We will be expecting wildlife, rainforests and lots of tropical rain.

Mexico 
(26 June - 01 July 2025)
Mexico is a lively, colorful, and deeply historic country, incredible food, vibrant street life and diverse climates. The highlight of our trip will be visiting one on the Seven Wonders of the world, the Chichen Itza in Cancun which is the last in our list. In Mexico we will be visiting three cities - Cancun, Mexico City and Monterrey.

Cuba 
(02 - 05 July 2025)
Cuba is a timeless soulful country, classic cars, salsa music, and warm hospitality with vintage charm.Top highlights are Havana and a day trip to Viñales Valley.

This 20-day journey is more than just ticking places off a list - it’s a chance to soak in new experiences and stories along the way. Since some of the destinations we’re heading to have limited internet coverage, I may not be able to update the blog daily. But rest assured, the adventures will find their way here, even if a little later.

Central America Itinerary:
(19 June - 09 July 2025)


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Tuesday, 1 July 2025

08 Costa Rica/Mexico: Cancun Free and Easy...

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul..." – Anonymous

(Welcome to Cancun, Mexico)

Day 08: 26/06/25 (Thursday)
Flight: Q64070 SJO 0824/CUN 1140 (Volaris Air)
Route: San Jose, Costa Rica - Cancun, Mexico
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Cancun Centro Mexico

We had packed breakfast again as we will be going to the airport very early in the morning.

(Goodbye Costa Rica)

The uber fetched us around 5.30 am and it took an hour to reach the airport because of traffic jam. We had to rush to check in flight Q64070 bound for Cancun, Mexico. Tried unsuccessfully to check in at the online kiosks. Finally checked in online and got our boarding passes and our baggage checked in just in time.

(Need to use the kiosks to check in)
(Walking through Duty Free shops)
(Saying goodbye to Mr. Sloth)
(Need to smuggle one home)
(Having our breakfast before boarding)
(A muffin each for breakfast)
(Safely on board)
(Flying with Volaris Air)

Landed safely at Cancun Airport. It was the 10th busiest airport in the world in international passengers in 2021 according to the Airports Council International - Top 10 Busiest Airports Worldwide 2022 publication. In 2022 more than 13 million passengers traveled to Cancun and the Riviera Maya and the number of visitors is expected to increase rapidly thanks to its fast recovery and more flights being added from all over the world.

(Ibis Cancun Centro Hotel)
(Staying here for three nights)
(The view of Cancun from the 8th floor)

Checked in at the lbis Cancun Centro Hotel. Comprising 134 rooms, Ibis Cancun Centro Hotel is steps from a business district, about a 5-minute drive from Tres Rios Ecopark. This hotel also offers Wi-Fi throughout the property. The House of Culture and the vast modern shopping mall, Plaza Las Americas is a 10-minute walk away: The 3-star hotel is notable for its central location very near the Juega Juega Casino. Sport lovers will enjoy the proximity of Andres Quintana Roo Olympic Stadium. Ibis Cancun Centro hotel is located 20 km from Cancun airport.

(Early check-in)
(Waiting for the welcoming drink)
(Ibis Kitchen and dining hall)
(The notice on the wall)
(Waiting for our Uber at the lobby)

We took the Uber to an Indian restaurant. The Taste of India Cancun is a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Cancun's Zona Hotelera. This Indian restaurant brings authentic flavors to life, offering a diverse menu that features mouthwatering tandoori dishes, vibrant curries, and irresistible appetizers.

(The taste of India Restaurant)
(Many choices of good food)
(Prawn biryani for two)
(Vege empanadas on a plate)
(The cocktail bar)

Plaza Las AmĂ©ricas in CancĂșn, Quintana Roo state, Mexico is the largest shopping center in CancĂșn and opened in 1998. It now includes residential towers Torres de las AmĂ©ricas atop a second shopping area MalecĂłn AmĂ©ricas. There is a Combis, (small vans) terminal which offer direct routes to destinations like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum.

(Plaza de Toros, Cancun)
(Centro Commercial Las Americas)
(Varieties of imported products)
(A large shopping mall in Cancun)
(A popular spot for locals and tourists)
(The Mini van station)
(The bus station)
(A rambutan street vendor)
(Walking back to the hotel)


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Monday, 30 June 2025

09 Mexico: Chichen Itza - One of the Seven Wonders...

"I love those days when my only decision is whether to go to the beach in the morning or afternoon..."

(Chichen Itza, Mexico - One of the 7 Wonders of the World)

Day 09: 27/06/25 (Friday)
Activity: Valladolid, Cenote and Chichen Itza Day Trip
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Cancun Centro Mexico

We had a heavy breakfast at Ibis Kitchen Lounge before beginning the tour for Valladolid, Cenote and Chichén-Itza.

(Ibis Kitchen Lounge)
(A heavy breakfast to last till noon)

We took an Uber to the pick up point at Oasis Hotel. We will be joining a bus full of tourists for the full day ChichĂ©n-ItzĂĄ Tour by Amigo Tour. On the bus, Mr. Jonathan a.k.a. Johny Cash, our tour guide explained about the Mayan history, alphabets and numbers. 

(The pick up point at Oasis Hotel)
(Making sure to board the right bus)
(On board the tour bus)
(Mr Johny Cash, the tour guide)
(Understanding the Mayan Characters and alphabets)

The journey to our first stop, the Valladolid Town was about 2 hours' drive from Cancun. The town is only 170 km from Cancun but it has a different time zone of an hour behind.

(The highway passes through virgin jungle)
(The railway is running parallel to the highway)
(A junction to Valladolid Town centre)

Our first stop was the Valladolid Town Centre. The city was founded on May 28, 1543, by Francisco de Montejo. It was originally located in the Mayan town of Chauac-HĂĄ. In March 24, 1545, the town was moved to ZacĂ­, the capital of the Mayan chiefdom of the Cupules. In 1848, the city and its haciendas were taken by the indigenous Mayans during the Caste War in response to the oppression they suffered at the hands of the Yucatecan government, so the affected families had to emigrate to other regions. 

(The main square of the town)
(A Mayan lady at the fountain)
(Also known as the Park of Lovers)
  
The city was taken months later by the Yucatecan government after the agreement for the federal government to provide them with weapons and troops in exchange for abandoning the idea of separating from the Republic. In June 4, 1910, the city was the scene of one of the first antecedents of the Mexican Revolution known as the Valladolid Rebellion or the First Spark of the Revolution.

( A hop on hop off bus of Valladolid)
(The colourful buildings of Valladolid)
(Church of San Servatius)

Our second stop was at Chichikan Cultural and Ecological Park in Valladolid, YucatĂĄn, Mexico, offering an immersive experience into Mayan culture. It features a cenote for swimming and recreations of Mayan village life and opportunities to learn about Mayan traditions, including rituals and ceremonies.

(The wrist bands for the visitors)
(An important Mayan archaeological site)
(A sign for Chichikan Cenote)
(Ready to fly away)
(A beautiful place in the complex)
(The Mayan warriors showing their skills)

Cenotes are natural sinkholes found throughout the YucatĂĄn Peninsula, formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock exposing under ground water. Many cenotes are open to the public for swimming and exploring.

(A slippery wet path after the heavy rain)
(The oasis cenote of the Mayan)
(Beautifully woven bamboo. The entrance to the Cenote)
(The bamboo tunnel leading to the pool)
(Inside the bamboo tunnel)
(A slippery stairs to the Cenote)
(The view of the Cenote from the upper deck)
(A natural sink hole)
(Watching from above the sinkhole. The inside is lighted up)
(Clear fresh water underground swimming pool)

We had our Cenote lunch at the "Nool" Restaurant at Chichikan, which serves regional buffet-style Mayan cuisine, offering a taste of local flavours in a natural setting. We had the vegetarian lunch from the buffet spread. Later we visited the souvenir shops which display and sell varieties of vibrant coloured local handicrafts.

(Signages to the attractions)
(Having lunch under the canopy)
(Serene and tranquility in the forest)
(Celebratory reminder of life and death)
(Mexican folk arts bamboo paintings)

Our last destination was the Chichén-Itzå. It is one of the main Mayan archaeological sites on the Yucatån Peninsula. It is located just 2.5 km from the town of Pisté, in the municipality of Tinum, in the state of Yucatån, southeastern Mexico. It consisted of a city or ceremonial center that went through various construction periods and influences from the different peoples who occupied it and who promoted it since its foundation.

(The tickets to the Chichen Itza complex)
(The ancient path to the ruins)
(Walking in the heavy rain)
(My first sight of the ancient pyramid)
(The last of the seven wonders of the world)
(We are elated to be here)

Chichen Itza ia an important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization. The main constructions that remain there correspond to the period called late classic or early postclassic (800-1100 AD) within the Mesoamerican postclassic period. It is also known as El Castillo.

(One of the largest Mesoamerican cities)
(Nearly 1,000-year history)
(Built as early as 400 AD. By 600 AD)
(Exploring the Mayan civilisation)
(Slippery path to the pyramid)
(The capital of Mayan civilisation)
(The visitors in raincoats and umbrellas)
(The whole area was flooded)
(We were soaked to the skin)
(Souvenirs for the tourists)

We were back at the lbis Centro Cancun Hotel quite late at night. The surrounding areas were abuzz with Friday night revellers. Looks like this hotel is a happening place.

(Back in the hotel by 9.00 pm)


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