Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Haury Family Mexican Adventure 2012 - Part One
Josh's parents, Jim and Kathy, came to visit Josh and I in Puerto Vallarta after we returned from our Yucatan adventure. We spent our time together sailing Estrella around Bandaras Bay, showing Jim and Kathy our stomping grounds in and around Puerto Vallarta, and visiting the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.
Since Jim and Kathy were staying at the Paradise Village hotel, Josh and I kept Estrella nearby at the Paradise Village Marina. We were docked at the end of the marina and close to where the local crocodiles hunted.
From Jim and Kathy's hotel room at Paradise Village, we had a view of the crocodile water slides. We did try them - and they were as hilarious as they look!
We took Jim and Kathy downtown to see the Puerto Vallarta malecon. The beach was full of beautiful sand sculptures created by local artists.
We went to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens for lunch and exploration of the grounds.
We had hibiscus tea and delicious pizzas at the gardens.
Since Jim and Kathy were staying at the Paradise Village hotel, Josh and I kept Estrella nearby at the Paradise Village Marina. We were docked at the end of the marina and close to where the local crocodiles hunted.
From Jim and Kathy's hotel room at Paradise Village, we had a view of the crocodile water slides. We did try them - and they were as hilarious as they look!
We took Jim and Kathy downtown to see the Puerto Vallarta malecon. The beach was full of beautiful sand sculptures created by local artists.
We went to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens for lunch and exploration of the grounds.
We had hibiscus tea and delicious pizzas at the gardens.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Day 12 - Aviario Xaman-Ha y Cancun
Before we left our hotel in Tulum this morning, we took this photo from our balcony. We spent two days relaxing in the sun and watched the Super Bowl from the palapa restaurant on the left.
We continued our drive north today along the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula and stopped in Playa del Carmen at the Aviario Xaman-Ha. This bird sanctuary houses over 60 tropical bird species. The above photo is of scarlet macaws, a type of large parrot unmistakable for their distinct plumage.
We saw keel-billed toucans in the jungles of Calakmul but were able to much closer here at the bird sanctuary.
I included two photos of the keel-billed toucan - this bird was that spectacular!
Roseate spoonbills, which are known for their odd spatulated bill, were fearless in approaching us. We just happened to be between them and their food.
These amazing pink flamingos were huge in real life. Their legs alone were two feet high and our photos hardly do their vibrant color justice. 
Although native to Central and South America, we do see muscovy ducks like these in Alaska. Errant populations have been recorded in every state in the United States. 
This blue-crowned mealy Amazon parrot seemed content to watch us as much as we watched it. These parrots were extremely quiet compared to the other species we saw today.
Following our stop in Playa del Carmen, we headed north another hour to our hotel in Cancun. This is the view from our room here....
Day 10 - Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar y Tulum
After we left Chetumal, Josh and I began our drive north along the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula. In the town of Bacalar, and on the aptly name Laguna Bacalar, we stopped at the Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar.
The fort was built in the mid-18th century by the Spanish for protection against English pirates and Mayan raiders. This star-shaped fort comes complete with moat, cannons, drawbridge, and a small, wonderful museum.
We had the entire fort to ourselves and in the background above my left shoulder, the Laguna Bacalar is visible. Considered the second largest lake in Mexico, the western side is filled by freshwater springs while the eastern side is open to the Caribbean Sea by a system of man-made canals.
Among the museum's most interesting relics, this 16th century nocturnal, (or night dial), was designed to tell time at night based on the movements of the constellations Ursa Major or Ursa Minor.
The fort was built in the mid-18th century by the Spanish for protection against English pirates and Mayan raiders. This star-shaped fort comes complete with moat, cannons, drawbridge, and a small, wonderful museum.
We had the entire fort to ourselves and in the background above my left shoulder, the Laguna Bacalar is visible. Considered the second largest lake in Mexico, the western side is filled by freshwater springs while the eastern side is open to the Caribbean Sea by a system of man-made canals. 
Among the museum's most interesting relics, this 16th century nocturnal, (or night dial), was designed to tell time at night based on the movements of the constellations Ursa Major or Ursa Minor.
Day 9 - Chetumal y Museo de la Cultura Maya
Following our time at the Calakmul Archaeological Zone and Reserve, we headed east to the border town of Chetumal. Chetumal is on the border of Belize and is home to the lovely Museo de la Cultura Maya.
At the Museo de la Cultura Maya, there was a large exhibit on the different Mayan calendars. The above photo shows how three Mayan calendars intersect. The large red wheel on the right is the 52 year calendar and large orange wheel on the left is the 18 month yearly calender, (18 months at 20 days each for 360 days total, plus a 5-day "mini" month). The small orange wheel on the left has 13 marks and the meaning remains a mystery to us although the number 13 was considered lucky. Different important events, such as crop planting and religious ceremonies, were dependent on when calendars such as these intersected.
The above replica of another type of Mayan calender was on display at the museum. A tablet such as this was used in what is called the Mayan "long count." There are some who believe that the Mayan long count calender will end for good on December 12, 2012. Or that the apocalypse is coming. Or whatever ridiculousness. Really, I think that just because archaeologists haven't found the next tablet in line doesn't mean it isn't hidden somewhere in the vast expanse of jungle we have traversed in the past nine days.
We should also mention that we did add our names to the list of those who will survive the coming apocalypse. Let us know if you'd like your name added.
At the Museo de la Cultura Maya, there was a large exhibit on the different Mayan calendars. The above photo shows how three Mayan calendars intersect. The large red wheel on the right is the 52 year calendar and large orange wheel on the left is the 18 month yearly calender, (18 months at 20 days each for 360 days total, plus a 5-day "mini" month). The small orange wheel on the left has 13 marks and the meaning remains a mystery to us although the number 13 was considered lucky. Different important events, such as crop planting and religious ceremonies, were dependent on when calendars such as these intersected. 
The above replica of another type of Mayan calender was on display at the museum. A tablet such as this was used in what is called the Mayan "long count." There are some who believe that the Mayan long count calender will end for good on December 12, 2012. Or that the apocalypse is coming. Or whatever ridiculousness. Really, I think that just because archaeologists haven't found the next tablet in line doesn't mean it isn't hidden somewhere in the vast expanse of jungle we have traversed in the past nine days.
We should also mention that we did add our names to the list of those who will survive the coming apocalypse. Let us know if you'd like your name added.
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