Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 2011

June 23,  Playa del Carmen, Mexico

The weather is really something.  Poured rain this morning with some wind, but within 15 minutes, the sky was clear!

Walked the beach.

June 22,  Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Caught the ferry to Cozumel, only took about 30 minutes.  

But before you even have a chance to buy your ticket the sellers are on you to sign up for their tour!  And then you get more on the ferry!  And then there is huge line of tour operators as you walk on the pier to the street!  Off course they all have the best price, and will discount for you!  They are all the same price!  But did sign up for snorkel/glass bottom boat trip along the southern lee shore of the island.  Apparently the best area for diving and snorkeling.

3 stops for snorkeling.  Turned out there probably was more snorkelers than fish!  Also saw a few divers on the bottom.  the water is very clear!  Strange seeing them on the bottom.

There was a few fish, nothing new other than a flounder which is a strange looking fish.  Very flat with eyes on the top of head.  Did see a white/beige snake or eel, not sure which.  Very nice, and pretty big!  The guide touched it, but not a lot.  The areas for snorkeling were quite deep, and mostly sandy bottom with some coral here and there.

Was a good trip.  Spent the time waiting for the next ferry wandering around the city.  This city is set up for the cruise ships.  Only saw 1 today.  But i do not know where all the people were.  There was hardly anyone in town.  Could walk down the street and not see another tourist only the shop owners sitting outside their doors!

June 21,  Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Walked the beach.

June 20,  Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Went on a tour to Chichen Itza.  Amazingly the van arrived 15 minutes early.  I was ready, but the next couple just down the street were still having breakfast.  The route took me back to Tulum and then another 1 hour plus driving.

These ruins have been reconstructed.  Similar to the others.  I just do not understand how they worked out the astronomy!  Apparently on the spring and fall equinox, the sides of temple create a shadow on the stairs on one side that looks like a serpent!  

Really nice but many people showed up shortly after our tour arrived.  The site is bigger than Tulum but no where near the size of Tikal. 

As one of the wonders of world, all the areas are roped off.

Then stopped at cenote (a sink hole filled with water) for a swim.  Really an amazing thing.  Not sure how deep it was but the color was very blue.  Amazing to have roots trailing down from the ground above.  Very much set up for swimming with stairs all the way down to water and then 2 fairly large stone platforms for jumping/diving into the water.  Here again, many people showed up.  The tour I am on seems to be about 20 minutes ahead off all the other tours.  It was the same at the ruins, for lunch, and the cenotes.

Then a stop in Valladolid.  A small city with very Spanish architecture.  Found in the early 1500s.  Only had a chance to walk around the main square.  As usual, church and municipal office around the square.

Then ride back to Playa del Carmen, arriving about 8 pm.

June 19,  Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Walked the beach.

Sand here is very nice.  Fine and powdery.  The water has amazing colors of blue.