Paradise in Yucatan Peninsula + Pictures

Hola,

Exploring the ancient mexican culture, we arrived to Palenque, an enchanted Mayan metropolis, with over 200 ruined buildings in a middle of a jungle, which unveils the story of a rich Mayan culture. Yaxchilan, another incredible mayan city, lies half hidden in a rainforest on a river shore, with magic spread in the air and sound of roaring gritan monkeys – Feels like a scene taken directly from an Indiana Jones' film.

Further exploring the heritage, we went to visit an Indian village with lacandons natives, a direct descendant of the Mayans, that speak Maya and eat snakes and frogs. Slept in the jungle next to a river in an open cabana and spend the next day wondering about the jungle.

A 12 hours night drive brought us to a Paradise on earth called Tulum. A small village located on the shores of an amazing turquoise Caribbean beach. Schedule was mainly 'beten-gav' and lying on hammocks, watching thunder storms lightning over the ocean, catching up with some literature as coconuts falling from the trees and seagulls hunt for fish prey. Slept on the beach, in huts with hanging bed, covered with mosquito-net (to protect from 'vilde-hayes'). Not that it helped... some burning red ants decided to gather in our room for the night... ouchhhhhhhhhhh!

The absolute highlight was scuba diving inside a stalactite cave at Cenota de Dos Ojos (the two eyes cave). We dove 10M deep inside the dark crystal blue water, maneuvering through the hidden stalactites. Absolutely amazing!

On the food front, we had some new discoveries: green tomatoes, numerous kinds of peppers (like an extremely spicy green pepper called Japalano, which we were brave/stupid enough to try…). Found the best Taqueria (tacos place), owned by Carlos, the King of Tacos from Tulum, who became our friend and told us that ´Hanan´ in Mayan language, means ´Eating´, which make perfect sense…

Took a car and drove south to Punta Allen. The road is a rough path along a tropical jungle, with Caribbean Sea on one side and lakes on the other side. Scenery composed of colored lagoons, green trees, Iguanas crossing as well as snakes, birds, foxes, herds of locus (arbe) and loads of yellowish crabs (we actually had to steer in between them as they were all over the road...).

Last days spent on the famous Isla Mujeres, next to Cancun. A spectacular Caribbean beach: coconut trees on white sand set against background of green-blue-turquoise shallow water, calling for absolute relaxation. We did take a boat trip to some snorkeling sites (with barracudas and giant sea-turtles). And oh, swam with sharks, which was rather spooky.

Finally, it was time to come back home.
We found Mexico to be much more than we expected: Wild nature, ancient cultural heritage of over 3000 years, authentic Indian villages, extremely tasty and spicy food, and above all - warm people.

Anat y Hanan

Pictures:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/hananlev/album/576460762324782936#page1

Blogs:

http://hananlevin-mexico1.blogspot.com/

http://hananlevin-mexico2.blogspot.com/

http://hananlevin-mexico3.blogspot.com/