Tour of Tulum, Mayan Ruins, Mexico

Along the  Yucatan coastline on the beach south of Cancun, south of Playa del Carmen, south of Akumal (where we stayed) lies the coastal ruins of ancient Pre-Columbian Mayan temples, surrounding buildings, and dwellings.  I could go into great detail about some history of these ruins, but I won't, so if you're interested see here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulum#Description .  It's one of the most beautiful places that I've been in my life.  We were there about 9 years ago and things have changed - more tourists, more roped off areas, more markets and events going on.  You used to could go into some of the buildings, but because of erosion, wear and tear, they won't let you anymore.  It was more pristine before, but surely still beautiful...

Remember you can click on the photos if you want to enlarge!

The highway to Tulum.  The roads in the well-traveled areas are really pretty good. Just watch out for Mexican taxis!

Steps to begin the tour...

I can't tell you what all the names of these temples are - they are to all different gods - harvest, war, fertility, etc.  Just like our American Indians did...and other civilizations.

People that came to the New World discovered these ruins around 1500-something...

We saw SOOOOO many of this little critters - Iguanas - everywhere we went !

These temples were everywhere...

This one was a temple to the wind - with this huge hole underneath it the breezes went through...

 

This piece of beach was located between the two big rocky cliffs. AND a little rain storm blew up - as usual in tropical climes.

This temple, if I remember correctly, was the temple to the Descending (diving) god. I need to read up more on the different buildings here....

Here's my two creatures...

Isn't this absolutely gorgeous!

Hanging out with some of the locals in full Mayan costume!

Look at this big  baby!

Can you believe my little girl? Well, I can - she's always been a tomboy!

And NOW!  For a little shopping!!!

Doncha just LOVE all the colors in the markets???

This Mayan rite was so awesome and scary - they would climb up this tall tall pole...

Lots of beating of drums and little flute-thingies, and then, then, and then...

And fling themselves off the top and spin upside down round and round until they came to the ground!!!

Well, here we will conclude our tour of Tulum, Mayan Ruins, Mexico...   Here's us four (minus Josh - he didn't get to go because of work. :(    )   Hope you enjoyed it! We surely did!

Join me for just one more post about my vacation - something you probably won't see anywhere else - underwater diving photos of our guys and closing comments!  Thanks for putting up with all these photos and your sweet comments!  Hasta la proxima, amigos!

"We The People"

Part 1 - Akumal Vacation August 2010

Ok, my lovelies, HEEEEERRRRRREEEE we go!  I've got about half of my Mexico photos edited, so I'm gonna have to do 2-3 different vacation posts. Hope you won't mind. I won't talk much, just show you my photos. K???  We left August 2, and flew to Cancun, rented cars and drove another hour or so to Akumal, which is south of Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. Our friends have a luxurious vacation home on Yal Ku lagoon on the corner of the ocean and lagoon. It's beautiful as you'll see and the views are amazing.

Following are photos of our group, snorkeling in the lagoon, laying out by the pool, eating, eating and eating some more, and some of the places we went - our favorite restaurant Lol Ha, also La Lunita, and Que Onda.  The house is absolutely beautiful. If you'd like to visit the Mexican Riviera, please check out their home, Villa de los Suenos (or Casa de los Suenos) on LocoGringo.com.  Its a wonderful vacation spot with lots to do in the area.  There's Xel Ha - a beautiful snorkeling park with all kinds of things to do, the Mayan Ruins at Tulum, horseback riding, diving, etc. ....... More to come in the next post - visiting Tulum!!!

Just being lazy...

Hanging out and sleeping by the pool....

View from the 3rd floor roof where you could sleep under the stars...

Our kids...

Lol Ha Restaurant...

Evening looking out from Lol Ha...

Looking from Lol Ha...

Lol Ha on the beach....

Dusk at Turtle Bay Lagoon...

Walking along the beach (we did alot of that)...

Tuesday is fresh market day!!!

Know what these fruits are?  "Pitaya" also called 'dragon fruits' . They come from a cactus - You peel them and slice them up with sugar and water and make 'agua fresca' with them. They look and taste similar to kiwi except they are white inside with little black seeds.  Yum!

We had lots of fresh avocados, peppers, cilantro & tomatoes and onions for guac, and mangos, limes, pitalla, pineapple and mamoncillos (little grape-like clusters except they had a hard shell and a large pit)

Mamoncillos (source)

"AKUMAL" means 'place of the turtle'.  You see turtle stuff all over Akumal.  Hayley and the others were able to see sea turtles snorkeling in the lagoon (the KIDS were snorkeling, NOT the turtles)!  That was a real treat!

Eating at La Lunita...

Our kiddoes again...

Photo op!

Chili relleno stuffed with shrimp, crab and cheeses!

Gift shop at Akumal community...

This fellow hasn't been eatin' very well...

Sunrise at Yal Ku lagoon from Villa de los Suenos...

My family all tanned, relaxed and happy.  It sure was hard to leave!!!

Next post - the Mayan ruins at Tulum, more beautiful ocean photos AND something special ---- a Diving Adventure with underwater photos of our guys scuba diving!!!!

Thanks for visiting Mexico with me.  It was hard to pick from 719 photos which ones to show you.  I had so many I wanted to show you all.  I only made them Large and tried not to comment much so as to keep it short.  Thanks for hangin' on!!!  See ya next time!

BACK from Mexico! OLE!!!

Just a little quick note to let you all know that I AM back, and have 712 photos to load and edit of my vacation.  SOOOOO....  it'll be a couple more days before I'm ready to take you on my virtual vacation to Akumal, Mexico.  But here's just a little peak....

Be Back MUY PRONTO!!!