Sunday, January 07, 2007
Monarch Mariposa
The Monarch Butterflies arrive here in large numbers and gather to mate
before heading on their migration north.
The Butterflies gather in great clumps in the trees at night to protect
themselves from the cold. The weight at times can break the limbs of trees off!
And in the sunshine they emerge to fill the fields only to return to the
safety of the trees as the sun disappears
before heading on their migration north.
The Butterflies gather in great clumps in the trees at night to protect
themselves from the cold. The weight at times can break the limbs of trees off!
And in the sunshine they emerge to fill the fields only to return to the
safety of the trees as the sun disappears
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Pt Escondido
I found my way out to the Pacific coast past some sites that seem to
just cater for the tour buses. (Just happy I am not on one!) I arrived
in Pt Escondido, planning a stop of a day or two, undecided where to
camp here. Checking my guide books, I take a walk down the beach
only to find a German couple I met in Palenque and San Cristobal
I too found a place to camp.
just cater for the tour buses. (Just happy I am not on one!) I arrived
in Pt Escondido, planning a stop of a day or two, undecided where to
camp here. Checking my guide books, I take a walk down the beach
only to find a German couple I met in Palenque and San Cristobal
I too found a place to camp.
Being on the beach and where the fisherman come in with their boats was good,
and to get the fish from the boat in the morning was a real treat,
but the nice part is the women would clean or fillet fish for you. Part of the deal.
I stayed almost a week. In some parts in Mexico they do not look after their beaches. Here,
the community has taken an active role to keep their beach clean. Even the fishermen
do their part. Fish remains, etc are collected and reused. The waste water is disposed of well, and
the vendors on the beach keep the bottles and cups off the beach as well.
What a nice change.
Monday, December 18, 2006
San Cristobal
This is the first of the Colonial towns I will cross but more important,
it is in the heart of Chiapas, a pleasant town high in the hills. This makes
a nice change from the flat land of theYucatan.
I was expecting to see some more Police and Military check points here
but it was a surprise not to be stopped or see many.
it is in the heart of Chiapas, a pleasant town high in the hills. This makes
a nice change from the flat land of theYucatan.
I was expecting to see some more Police and Military check points here
but it was a surprise not to be stopped or see many.
as I arrived just before Xmas, I think that Santa was attacking, but then
this is a strong Mayan area so Pagan beliefs run strong.
(It could be the army in camouflage)
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Palenque
One of the last big Mayan sites , I was told that it was the garden of Eden.
the site is smaller than I expected but one that is different from others ,well
all are different to each other and this show how diverse the culture was
set in a rain forest makes for an interesting site and a tough fight with forest
built in a hilly situation rather than the flat land of other sites makes it different
like all the sites here in Mexico you can not climb the Temples or access them
via other ways ,(this is to protect them )
the site is smaller than I expected but one that is different from others ,well
all are different to each other and this show how diverse the culture was
set in a rain forest makes for an interesting site and a tough fight with forest
built in a hilly situation rather than the flat land of other sites makes it different
like all the sites here in Mexico you can not climb the Temples or access them
via other ways ,(this is to protect them )
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Uxma
Once again a great Mayan site here in Mexico , but
I think this one is better than other here in Mexico and
quite and yes it too has the 52 year building plan
now with a little immigration if you look at the first level you will see an entrance
this was the earlier height , it was then added to and a new temple was added
and a outside layer it is also interesting that this temple dose not have the
nine layers that is usually seen in the Mayan world
What is missing is the roof come common to all Mayan temples
what is also uncommon hear as well is the square plaza with buildings on each
side and it is common at this site
one question that I all ways wondered was how did they work out what the
city looked like , the answer is simple there was city planers in this world
and they made models of the cities to work with and were placed in graves
ect
The size of this site is just amazing and makes Chichen look small
I think this one is better than other here in Mexico and
quite and yes it too has the 52 year building plan
now with a little immigration if you look at the first level you will see an entrance
this was the earlier height , it was then added to and a new temple was added
and a outside layer it is also interesting that this temple dose not have the
nine layers that is usually seen in the Mayan world
What is missing is the roof come common to all Mayan temples
what is also uncommon hear as well is the square plaza with buildings on each
side and it is common at this site
one question that I all ways wondered was how did they work out what the
city looked like , the answer is simple there was city planers in this world
and they made models of the cities to work with and were placed in graves
ect
The size of this site is just amazing and makes Chichen look small
Friday, December 08, 2006
Chichen Itsu
After a short drive across to Chichen Itza I arrived early to avoid the
midday rush form the busses from Cancun , this worked well
and I returned in the afternoon for a second look as thing were
slowing down and stayed for the sound and light show
It is quite different site form the ones in Guatemala and Honduras
but the one constitant is they rebuild every 52 years or just add
a new layer
midday rush form the busses from Cancun , this worked well
and I returned in the afternoon for a second look as thing were
slowing down and stayed for the sound and light show
It is quite different site form the ones in Guatemala and Honduras
but the one constitant is they rebuild every 52 years or just add
a new layer
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Diving Cenote Mexico
After a one day drive across Belize I arrive in Mexico , funny to say
but I am happy and feel safer here than I have been for some time ,
expecting to be searched by the Mexica customs it was a pleasent
supprise to just pass with no real check , my first stop is Tulum
and a dive in a Cenote ( warm freash water in a cave like setting)
the Mayan seen these as a way to the under wourld and a sourse of water
but they are lime stone caves that have been created thousands of years ago
the dive shop said that it was not a cave dive (only in Mexico) but the warm
fresh water provides some what a change form salt water and a chance to
experance an enviroement I would not normaly dive in
but I am happy and feel safer here than I have been for some time ,
expecting to be searched by the Mexica customs it was a pleasent
supprise to just pass with no real check , my first stop is Tulum
and a dive in a Cenote ( warm freash water in a cave like setting)
the Mayan seen these as a way to the under wourld and a sourse of water
but they are lime stone caves that have been created thousands of years ago
the dive shop said that it was not a cave dive (only in Mexico) but the warm
fresh water provides some what a change form salt water and a chance to
experance an enviroement I would not normaly dive in
