4 trips within India, 1 move (to Calgary), 3 trips after reaching Canada and 5 day trips to the Rockies – was the tally of trips we had taken so far in 2009. Deciding that it was enough for the year, we planned to stay put at home instead of the customary year-end vacation. Moreover Sharan had exhausted most of his vacation. When we revealed our grand plans of watching snow & cursing the weather, his colleagues quickly made us aware that with the number of Canadian public holidays around X’mas we could easily get a 2 week vacation by just taking a few days off. Thrilled with this news we instantaneously changed our decision and there was no looking back from there.
Consequentially the planning began. We knew we wanted to go a different country, especially one with rich in history, culture and nature. It was easy for us to narrow down to México. We started learning some basic Spanish words and sentences through an online tool. Simultaneously we narrowed down places of interest within México. We borrowed travel books and documentaries from the library. Internet searching was always there. So after some good research and advice from friends, we finalized our itinerary.
In phase 1 (24-28 Dec'09), we covered places in and around México City, the capital of México. We visited the ancient city of Teotihuacan, México City and Aztec's Xochimilco. We got to see the rich Mexican culture through Lucha Libre (original WWE), Mariachi (Mexican musical ensemble), local dance performances (native Indian /Spanish) & Diego Rivera paintings. We joined the Christmas celebrations, partying on the streets, eating lots of street food while looing at the tallest artificial X’mas tree in the world.
Link to the Picasa album: http://picasaweb.google.ca/akshatakaranth/VamosMexicoPhaseIAroundMexicoTenoctitlanMexicoCity#
Link to detailed post: http://akmused.blogspot.com/2010/02/did-you-know-that-this-capital-city-is.html
Link to detailed post: http://akmused.blogspot.com/2010/02/did-you-know-that-this-capital-city-is.html
In phase 2 (28Dec09-1Jan10), we covered places around the Yucatan Peninsula (East México). We visited the ancient Mayan cities of Coba, Tulum, Ek Balam & Chichen Itza. We strolled around Playa Del Carmen, Cancun, Colonial town of Valladorid and the lovely fishing village of Puerto Morelos. We also tried fresh water snorkeling at some spectacular Cenotes.
Link to the Picasa album: http://picasaweb.google.ca/akshatakaranth/VamosMexicoPhase2AroundYucatanPeninsula#
In phase 3 (1-4 Jan'10), we covered places around Isla Cozumel, a lovely island off the Yucatan Peninsula. Isla Cozumel has the 2nd biggest coral reef in the world but parts of it have been destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2006. Unlike phase1 & 2, we just chilled out here except for an exciting scuba diving stint.
Link to the Picasa album:
Some of our best moments were (in no particular order):
Visiting Xochimilco: Artificial islands built over swamps by the ancient Aztecs. A true engineering marvel.
Seeing an active volcano: It came with some folklore, making it quite enchanting.
Marveling works of Mexican artists like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Sebastian – they were simply stunning.
Watching Lucha Libre: Never knew that WWE originated from this sport in México. Though not our favorite sport, it was great watching the locals passionately scream and cheer.
Driving around the Yucatan country-side: The roads were fine in the Yucatan Peninsula. We got to see some beautiful villages and towns like Piste, Puerto Morelos and Valladolid.
Snorkeling in the Cenotes: These limestone sinkholes holding ground water, is truly distinctive to this region. Seeing the limestone rock formations under water and play of light on them through water is indeed remarkable.
Gorging on REAL Méxican food – Totally different from its likes in India and even UK/ Canada (at least places we’ve tried). We couldn’t have enough of Tacos, Tamales, Moles and the spicy salsas.
We tried salsa made with 1 of the world’s spiciest chilies called the Habanera – the salsa was done well, so we could guzzle it down with local beer
I ate a unique dish called Mole Pablano – chicken with chocolate sauce. The sauce was definitely not sweet and easily became 1 of my favorite Méxican dishes.
We sampled Tacos made with blue corn tortillas. I didn’t even know there was blue corn…
We tasted cactus – now that was another new one for us. It is similar to green peppers/capsicum but with more flavor to it.
Trying different variations of Tequila: The anejos, mescals, resposado and blanco
Guzzling down chilled Cerveza (beer) in the warm weather: Montejo, Sol, Pacifico, Dos XX (Dos Equis), Victoria, Bohemia (best) and of course, the over-rated Corona.
Climbing various Mayan Pyramids – The magnificent views of the forests were totally worth the effort. Felt like a movie set – from Raiders of the lost Arc or something similar
Visiting 1 of the 7 wonders of the world – The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza was very intriguing.
Loafing around the Caribbean beaches – The sun, sand and water was just perfect to bum around. We alternated bum time between water, hammocks and photographing.
Scuba diving in the coral reefs of Isla Cozumel – It couldn’t get better than this.
So what started off as a potentially cold and quite year end holiday, ended up being one of the most exhilarating holidays we’ve ever taken. Vamos México!
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