Valladolid and Chichen Itzá

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 27 January 2014. Posted in Mexico

After a 3 hours ride on the 2^nd class bus we arrived in Valladolid. At the Hostal Los Frailes we found a nice hostel with a pool and hammocks. Planning a couple of trips from Valladolid we booked in for 5 nights.

By bike we explored the small and cute little town and passed the Parque Francisco and the Cathedral de San Cervasio. We went inside the old Templo de San Bernardino & Convento de Sisal and in the small museum we got some information how they discovered and recovered old wooden weapons in the Convents’ Cenote.

At the Cenote Oxman we jumped and swam around. It was really cool to see the tree roots growing all the way down in the fresh water. You suddenly stand in front of a big hole and down in 18 m you see the fresh water of the Cenote.

Sure we had to try the Tequila in Mexico so we went on a small and free Tour to see how they produce organic Tequila which tastes way better than the industrial Tequila. Hey Nici, you should give it a try!

In the evening we met with Tony and Thomas, two crazy and nice travelers for dinner. Michael had a special sausage from Valladolid and it was so special it teared up his stomach.

Early morning on the 31^st we took a collectivo to the Mayan side Chichen Itzá. At 8:30 am we strolled around the most famous and best restored Maya ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. The area was massive and the buildings impressive.

Unfortunately you can’t go close or up on the ruins so we admired El Castillo, Gran Juego de Pelota (the massive ball court), Plaza de las Mil Columnas, Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) and so many more buildings.

At 11:30 am the crowds hit but luckily we had the south part for ourselves till we left at 1 pm. Chichen Itzá has up to 2 500 visitors a day – especially tour groups from the States, Russia, Germany and the Netherlands.

In the evening Tony and Thomas came over for dinner and we went next door to a nice little restaurant. Unfortunately Michael’s stomach was still cramping so he couldn’t eat a lot and went to bed early. Hopefully he will be up for some more sightseeing soon.

Accommodation: Hostal del Fraile, Calzada de los Frailes St. # 212 C x 48 y 50,
Valladolid (www.hosteldelfraile.com)

Price: double room, shared bathroom, Wifi, incl. breakfast M$ 280

Comment: nicely arranged, with kitchen, swimming pool, pool table and
hammocks – awesome place

Cancún

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 24 January 2014. Posted in Mexico

When we got to Cancun the Cubana office at the airport was already closed. The four of us arrived at their city office but got the information, that they have to write an email (cannot call to Havanna) and wait for a respond since we had non-refundable tickets. The awaited a response soonest on Monday since it was weekend.

So we took a cheap Hostel close to the bus station. The Danish couple wasn’t that lucky since they had already booked accommodation in Tulum, south of Cancun. So they had to come back for their money on Monday. On the way down their bus broke down twice and they had to change it. At the end of the day they arrived at the wrong town and stayed there in a cheap hostel.

We had it easier and even if the city is not the most attractive one we could use the time to update our homepage and get a barring. We had to plan our Mexico trip since we haven’t done that so far.

Cancun is quite Americanized and due to low season a lot of shops and restaurants where closed. After we received our money on Monday (minus Euro 80 for cancellation) we jumped on the bus to Valladolid. From here we plan to do several day trips.

Accommodation: Cancun Allen, Calle Punta Allen # 8, Mz18, SM 24, Lote 39,
Cancun (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Price: double room, own bathroom, AC, TV, Wifi M$ 300

Comment: around the corner to the bus station, in a quiet side street, clean
and nice staff, free coffee in the morning

La Habana

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 19 January 2014. Posted in Cuba

In Havana we got a nice accommodation in Vedado, next to a parque. The first day we walked into Old Havana but since it is a 45 minute walk we decided to take a cab back.

At Habana Vieja we strolled around the different Plazas: Plaza de la Catedral with its beautiful Catedral San Cristóbal, Plaza de Armas with a big book market, Palacio de los Capitanes Generales with the wooden floor and Plaza Vieja with its nice colorful colonial houses.

Unfortunately the Partagas Cigar Fabrique was closed so we walked around the Parque Central with the Capitolio and found the big and famous Farmacía Habanero. From the Bacardi building we got a very nice view over the city and its dimensions.

For sure we explored Vedado and strolled down the Malecón. The massive cemetery Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón with over 800 000 graves is like a city and just beautiful with its white marble tombs and angels. At the Plaza de la Revolución we took the typical Che picture and walked down to the Parque John Lennon where the guard keeps his glasses and brings them over when you take a picture. At the big Hotel Nacional on the Malecón we had our daily Mojito and enjoyed the view.

The next day we went to the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro for the sunset. After the sunset we wanted to see the canon ceremony at 9pm at the close by Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana.

At a hidden Palador we had a nice last dinner. On our Vedado trip we ran into it since they had cheap and strong Mojito. The food and the people where incredible, so when you are in Vedado go for it:

Restaurant: El Portal de Calzada, Calzada No. 710 e/ Paseo y A, Vedado

Than the time came to say goodbye to my family and Cuba. After such a long and fun-trip it was a sad feeling to travel on without them. We had a fantastic time, thank you sooooooo much!

At the airport we had some issues to leave Cuba since we didn’t have a ticket out of Mexico. So no boarding without a return ticket that was the airline policy. Even the Danish couple with a flight ticket back home to Denmark (ticket in 6 months leaving from Costa Rica) couldn’t get on board without a flight ticket.

Let’s buy the ticket and pay Euro 80 for cancellation fee. Didn’t want to swim to Mexico.

Accommodation: Hostal Casahabana (Ramiro y Judith), Calle D No. 555 apto. 3,
1er piso, e/ 23 y 25, Vedado/Habana

Price: Double room, own bathroom $25
Triple room, own bathroom $35

Comment: nice and quiet, need a taxi to go into old Habana

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