The Mayan Ruins of Tulum

The Mayan ruins of Tulum are situated on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The site was once a port for the city of Coba, being the entry point for land and sea tradings. The port was most active between the 13th and 15th centuries, and it's demise was most likely caused by the Old World diseases brought in by the Spanish settlers.

What really sets this site apart from other ruin sites I have seen in Mexico (Coba, Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan) is it's setting. The site is relatively small, my mom and I walked around the whole site in 1.5 hours or less, but the view are spectacular. I could picture the ships coming in with copper, feathers, textiles, and salt. 

We took the colectivo there and a taxi back. The colectivo is a shared public transportation option, ie this van. It cost 3 U.S. dollars to go to the Tulum ruins site, and significantly more to take a taxi back!

Colectivo

Templo Dios del Viento - Gods of Wind Temple

Templo Dios del Viento - Gods of Wind Temple

This beach is protected for sea turtles to lay their eggs!

Pyramid El Castillo - The Castle

Pyramid El Castillo - The Castle, the iguana

Pyramid El Castillo - The Castle

Loving these palm tree vibes.

The Great Palace in the background.

Temple of the Frescos

Caribbean Sea - Xpu-Ha - Tulum - Mexico

Us gals.

This March, my mom was kind enough to take us on a trip to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea in Mexico for 5 nights and 6 days. We stayed at Catalonia Royal Tulum, an adults-only all inclusive resort in Xpu-Ha (Shpoo-ha), close to Tulum. With life taking a turn for the new and unknown, this trip came at a good time to pause and reflect in a relatively quiet place.

Blue on blue on blue. It was very windy by the water,

so we moved to the pool.

My take on all-inclusive resorts is that they are great for people like my hard-workin', bread-winnin' mother who is tired and achy all over. Sitting on the beach in a warm place and being taken care of is perfect when she feels that way. Of course I was the annoying daughter who was frustrated that we weren't eating authentic Mexican cuisine and were isolated from reality. But at the end of the day, there is a time and place for all vacations: adventure or leisure, there are many options. I should not complain - I got a lot of vitamin D, swam in the warm waters, used the gym, and got enough sleep on a regular basis. I also read the very depressing The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (her daughter's name was Quintana Roo, we were staying in the Mexican State Quintana Roo) and would recommend it to anyone going through loss.

Also, I was so incredibly lucky because my very good friend Frank and his very lovely girlfriend Morgan were staying in Tulum around the same time! Through the power of technology/wifi/email and colectivo I was able to meet them for dinner on my first night! And through the power of serendipity, my mom and I ran into them on a beach on their last day. Oh happy day!!

Anyway here are some photos of the gorgeous beach and surroundings that I was able to inundate myself with that week.

Friends!

Dinner at la Zebra

Boating after dinner.

Mama <3

Abandoned, destroyed hotel. We filmed a HORROR short film here, I will upload it soon.

My beautiful mom's birthday dinner on the beach!

Abandoned.

Tobago (of Trinidad and Tobago)

And now for the photos...

Pigeon Point

Kite surfers at Pigeon Point. For Kelly!

Pigeon Point

My mom is a cutie beauty at Pigeon Point.

Check that water!!!

Pigeon Point

Seriously...sunscreen....you'd think by 26 I would have learned. 

Crab and dumplings. A local dish that TWO friends raved about and demanded I go to Store Bay to try it...but I have to say after the meaty crabs in Cambodia, there really is no comparison. The sauce was very good though!

My mom trying to eat crab and dumplings at Store Bay is
one of the funniest/messiest things I have ever seen this class lady do!

Store Bay

My mom and I did a one day car tour around the island of Tobago. One day was enough to superficially see around the whole island, but not enough to swim anywhere, to hike in the rain forest, to try out different things, to meet people.

The Caribbean sea was rough and tough the last few days of our trip.

Golf. Green.

Abandoned water mill and restaurant. Looked like a movie set out of Jurassic Park.

Cashews live here.

Tobago has a "mystery tomb" due to the unclear, mysterious engraving on this, a slave's, tomb. It says "She was a Mother without knowing it and a Wife without letting her Husband know it, except by her kind indulgences to him."

Oh magical trees....

Beautiful bays all around.

Englishman's Bay

I told the Caribbean was ROUGH! (Parlatuvier Bay)

Parlatuvier Bay

Quick drive through the Rainforest. So green!!

Tyrrell's Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Tyrrell's Bay and the Atlantic Ocean

Tyrrell's Bay

Tyrrell's Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from up top.

Walking to Argyle Falls

Argyle Falls

Argyle Falls

Bamboo!

Argyle Falls - most refreshing dip of the holiday!

You can see very faintly the ferry that goes from Tobago to Trinidad.

This is my "I am cool" shot.

....'til next time!