I'm allergic to Shrimp. *just in case you are with me in Mexico some day and order for me. Please dont forget. Don't say, "I'll order something you are going to love - trust me!" (oh, and please don't order TWO shrimp dishes so we cant switch.)
Skip: note to self - ask better questions. Heather told me she, "got a hotel near Calakmul. All the hotels inside the park are either booked, or not answering." [*remember post #1 it's the one place she has to go on this vacation.] So she sends me a link to a hotel. (this is weeks ago) i open it - it's all in Spanish..... duhhh. { HERE < is a link in English. } Well it turns out the hotel she booked is NOT near Calakmul. It's a series of 7 cabins out in the middle of the jungle. 2 hours away from the Mayan ruins. A four hour drive from the 'free Condo' up in Puerto Aventures. *Truth be told it was a cute little spot. but it was NOT near any ruins. So we saw the jungle for two days.
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| August 2003 Tikal Guatemala |
(note: Aunt Nona (above left, with mom and dad) would have called this place '4 showers'.
that's how many times per day you sweat through and need to shower and change clothes.)
After the Jungle lodging, El Chital (that's with a 'C', not an S) we drove to the alternate Mayan spot - Kohunlich. (only 2 hours away. We did make it into the park so it was a great planning success.) The Park was almost deserted so that was a nice relaxing feature. It is known for it's large masks.
Another aside in the ask better questions category. We stopped at Bacalar on the way to the hotel. Better yet, turned around and went back. (a salt water inlet) I'm driving along - on a two lane / three lane shuffle board road @ 115 kmh. Heather says, "there's Bacalar on the left." i didnt see it, i'm driving. "it's the most beautiful water." sorry, didnt see it, driving. [have you driven the roads down here? they took the small two lane road and widened it to about 3 lanes. two actual lanes and a half lane on each side of the road. a wide shoulder that is used for passing. Next they put the speed limit at 110kmh. All this with unlimited on and off at every little side road. Plus for a bonus challenge they added 'Topes'. These things can kill you. They range in size from big to massive.
Topes - Giant Mexican Speedbumps
Now, you have oncoming traffic and THEY will drive into YOUR lane when passing. they expect YOU to move over onto your shoulder for them to pass in your lane. (head on collision) So, imagine a double rig Propane truck. (two massive tanks, in a train) This thing is passing a very slow person on a bicycle. so far that's OK. person on bike is on the shoulder lane. the Propane train is in their lane. Then some idiot in an Escalade passes both of them in your lane. You come over a hill facing everything but your shoulder taken. This is not the exception, it's the norm. If they see you are only one vehicle, they have no problem driving in your lane - oncoming - knowing they have zero chance of getting over before they meet you.] *there were several occasions yesterday driving where i faced three vehicles across heading for me in my lane on a two lane road. (one in my lane)
So i drive on, not seeing Bacalar. after we are past it, past the town, past the multiple exits and countless Topes through town, Heather becomes angry because i didn't stop. "You really should have stopped." well why didn't you say to stop? "I did." no you didn't, you said, "there's Bacalar." i didnt understand you to say 'we need to stop.' "well i said the water was beautiful." Heather let's agree that when you want to stop, you say "stop the car." dont comment on the beautiful view.... (sheesh) So, we turn around and go back to Bacalar. (note: it's got pretty water) *Oh by the way there's also a large Pirate Fort built on the shoreline. "Oh, i forgot there's a Pirate fort." (sheesh) We stopped and i took pictures.
Yesterday after the Mayan ruins we drove back to Puerto Aventuras, arriving before dark. Today i rested. Rested and worked on photos. Now i think i'll brush my teeth and have nightmares of three semi trailers driving straight for me, in my lane!
So i drive on, not seeing Bacalar. after we are past it, past the town, past the multiple exits and countless Topes through town, Heather becomes angry because i didn't stop. "You really should have stopped." well why didn't you say to stop? "I did." no you didn't, you said, "there's Bacalar." i didnt understand you to say 'we need to stop.' "well i said the water was beautiful." Heather let's agree that when you want to stop, you say "stop the car." dont comment on the beautiful view.... (sheesh) So, we turn around and go back to Bacalar. (note: it's got pretty water) *Oh by the way there's also a large Pirate Fort built on the shoreline. "Oh, i forgot there's a Pirate fort." (sheesh) We stopped and i took pictures.
Yesterday after the Mayan ruins we drove back to Puerto Aventuras, arriving before dark. Today i rested. Rested and worked on photos. Now i think i'll brush my teeth and have nightmares of three semi trailers driving straight for me, in my lane!
The ruins at Kohunlich are known for the masks.
The lighthouse in Chetumal - along the way...
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