Todd's Cancun Vacation

Carol Freshley December 18, 2017

Rick sent this along with the photographs. "Just returned from an 8-day visit to Cancun, Mexico. We stayed at the all-inclusive Barcelo Maya Resort, which is about 1 ½ hours south of Cancun. Took a one day trip to Cozumel by ferry where we visited the Chankanaab Park for some snorkeling in amazingly clear waters then down to Punta Sur lighthouse on the southern coast. The most amazing part of the trip was the visit to the Tulum Archeological ruins of the Mayan Indians."

This was the view from their hotel room.  Why was I not invited?  Magical! — This was the view from their hotel room. Why was I not invited? Magical!

Whoa!  Drips, water droplets, stopped action . . . this is the dolphin show at the resort.  I went back and checked the metadata.  He took this at 1/1000. — Whoa! Drips, water droplets, stopped action . . . this is the dolphin show at the resort. I went back and checked the metadata. He took this at 1/1000.

This is the Chankanaab Resort Park in Cozumel.

View from top of Punta Sur Lighthouse in Cozumel

"The walled city of Tulum was one of the last to be built by the Mayans, and its archaeological sites are incredibly well preserved. The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) tall cliffs along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya around the 6th century and was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries. During the peak it’s population was around 1600 occupants. The Tulum site was formally known by the name Zama, meaning City of Dawn, because it faces the sunrise. Tulum is also the Yucatan Mayan word for fence, wall or trench. The walls surrounding the site allowed the Tulum fort to be defended against invasions. Tulum had access to both land and sea trade routes, making it an important trade hub, especially for obsidian (volcanic glass)."

Christmas lights at Barcelo Maya Palace Resort

Wow! What a vacation. Now I want to go. Thanks so very much for sharing.

Quarai

Carol Freshley September 10, 2014

Quarai is one of three Salinas Pueblo Missions run by the National Park Service. They are located in the Estancia Basin, between desert mountain ranges. What made Quarai special to me was the presence of a ranger, Mario Medina. He was excited to share information, lots of information. Quarai was our first stop and at first glance it appeared that a large stone structure, the mission, was the only thing on the site. But, "Oh no!" as Mario explained. Most of the site has not been excavated. The National Park Service has done extensive research using very advanced imaging technology to show the extent of the settlement.

Mario can show you the maps that indicate where the remaining settlement structures are located.

Mario told us to look out for the owls that hang out in the cottonwood trees and the mission ledges. He knows his site and appreciates the extraordinary history that took place here. Personally, I found the history of the pueblos where the Salinas Missions were built to be a sad story, a disturbing account of how invading forces and culture led to misery and ultimately would cost the Indians living on the Estanica Valley their way of life. Thank you Mario.

Ah!  Owls must be napping! — Ah! Owls must be napping!

As we walked around, getting lost at times in the maze of walls, we could appreciate the small size of rooms, their interconnectedness and the sense that, hundreds of years ago, other footsteps walked on the same ground, the same paths, we were walking!

As we walked back to our car, I looked back at the Mission. The small hill was much more than a mound of dirt. Now, the site is quiet, peaceful and very green. I imagined the activity and lifestyle in 1540, just before the arrivals of the Spaniards.

Up next is Abo, another of the Salinas Missions. Thanks for joining us.

Tuzigoot

Carol Freshley May 3, 2014

The name of this national monument site comes from the Apache and it means 'crooked water'. Built between 1000 and 1400, it sits atop a hill overlooking the Verde Valley. We stopped there after visiting Dead Horse Ranch State Park. The Visitor Center is full of helpful displays and stories of the people that lived at the site and includes the story of how the site was excavated and preserved.

We did not even get in the door of the Visitor Center before Tom had started taking photos of a lovely and colorful flower . . . with his fisheye lens!

And that is exactly what we did!!