Welcome to our 15th, and final, Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
The last two weeks were pretty quiet, but here’s a few of the more memorable pix!
Our last visit to FACES… Monique’s daughter and friend took the mic!Our friendly neighbourhood Iguana paid a visit!A quiet dinner at Elio al Mare restaurant at sunset!Chicxulub was preparing for their Easter Fair… 25 Foozball tables all in a row!The overpass from nowhere to nowhere…… is nearing completion!We celebrated the 1st Day of Spring with Mat and Terri at SOMA in Merida!We enjoyed visiting with Panchita’s granddaughter Vally…… and newest grandson Carlos!Our last morning at the beach gave us…… a beautiful sunrise!A fond farewell to Fatima, Mayra, Alex and Panchita! Proximo Ano!
After leaving the beach house, we spent two nights a the Luz en Yucatan in Merida before flying home!
The view from our El Mozo room!One last visit to Sta Lucia Park!Lunch at Apoala restaurant…… Elaine had a shrimp dish!One last visit to the Plaza Grande with the Cathedral in the background!We had a great dinner at La Tratto in Sta Lucia Park.
We said our goodbyes to our winter home, but were eager to return home to family and friends once again!
Sunrise at the Merida airport!And a welcome home from Ontario weather two days later!
That’s all for the Winter of 2015! We hope you’ve enjoyed the blogs!
Welcome to our 14th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
For Val and George’s last day before heading for home, we went for another hacienda tour!
Our destination was Hacienda Temozon Sur, which is located south of Merida, about 8 Km off of the road to Uxmal.
With a rich history dating back into the 1600’s this hacienda was many things including a cattle farm, a henequen plantation and most recently a restored luxury hotel.
At the gates of Temozon Sur!The chapel of the hacienda.Beautiful bougainvillea!Some of the luxury rooms!Having a wonderful breakfast on the veranda!A view through the main house!A view of the pool area and more rooms!The front veranda!The view from the front veranda!The side courtyard!Hello, up there!Heading to the gardens!Beautiful flowering shrubs everywhere!The pool areaLooking back to the main house!The front of the hacienda with running fountains.
After leaving Temozon Sur, we took a different route, through the small town of Abala.
Abala town square!The churchA typical side street!
On our way back home, we stopped at Hacienda Ochil, as Val & George hadn’t visited it before!
Exploring the beautiful amphitheatre.We were told that it isn’t in frequent use now… only for special events.Val & George exploringThe sibs… just missing Roger!The smokestack is still standing!A visit wouldn’t be complete without one shot of an iguana!
That’s all for today!
The next blog will likely be completed once we’re back home!
Welcome to our 13th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
This short blog post highlights the “When You Were 21!” party that Boom and Peg hosted at their beach house!
A few notable pics before the party!
Sharon gets her hair cut by Gaby! She ought not stick her tongue out at her favourite brother-in-law!… and so does Rick!George & Val ‘trip the light fantastic’ at FACES!Rick enjoying the pool!
And now for the party… the theme is “When You Were 21!”… so most folks dressed the part and all provided their three favourite songs from that year!
Peace and Love!Sharon, the nurse, was great with child…… as was Pam!Heavy Metal lover Boomer started off the evening with a great poem!At lot of tie dye and great hair!A cast of … tens!It was an eventful night… happy Dad, Raymondo, with Pam, who delivered a… coconut!An evening of wild dancing… Boomer with Sharon…… and in a quiet moment… Boomer with Elaine!
What a great night… kudos to Boomer and Peg for hosting a fabulous party!
That’s all for today!
The next blog, will be a total surprise… to both you and me! 🙂
Welcome to our 12th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
With our friends, Mat and Terri, we were able to get the eight of us from the beach over to Celestún to see the flamingos!
Heading out in 2 boats… Rick and Sharon with us and…… Mat and Terri with Dave and Deb!We had a great tour guide!A bit windblown, but enjoying the ride!Some cormorants enjoying the sun…… finally amongst the thousands of flamingos!We were able to catch some…… in flight…… and some just taking off!Mat taking a picture of me taking a picture of Mat taking a picture of me…… and just some more great flamingo pics!
… plus a couple of Giant White Pelicans!On our way back, we cruised around the nesting island….… with some large pelicans too!Was able to catch a couple of Ibis in flight…… and while fishing!
We were able to encourage tour guide to make a dramatic entry into the mangroves!
After our exciting entrance, we made a short tour through the mangroves and stopped at the cenote for a walkabout!
One of many large termite mounds!It’s another world in the mangroves!There was another boat just ahead of us!Back into the sunlight and heading to the cenote!Mat had been through the cenote before, so he awaited our return!A beautiful bottom filled cenote…… that many take time for a dip in…… or just watch the fishies!Group shot at the cenote!A bit of sister time on the way back!Almost to the bridge and the end of our Flamingo Tour!
After the tour, we parked in downtown Celestún and went for some lunch at the beach!
La Palapa!Had a great lunch!Deb enjoying “Deb Hot” weather and toes in the sand!Rick and Sharon in front of the restaurant!
The next day, we had a few folks over to say goodbyes to Dave and Deb!
Chocolate Monkeys or was it Dirty Mothers… for all!
And no stay would be complete without a massage at the beach!
Helena and Maria with Deb and Dave!
Dave and Deb headed home on Tuesday, Feb 24th!
Goodbyes at the Merida Airport!
That’s all for today!
The next blog, will be about the “When you were 21” party hosted by Peg & Boomer!
Welcome to our 11th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
This blog posting will finish the few things that haven’t made it into any of our blogs yet!
Dave and Deb Richie, from Sarnia, joined us for 10 days this winter…
Coming through Gate A after their flight from Houston… Deb with her homework under her arm!In front of the Dos Equis sign!
We had a wonderful dinner out to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the SOMA Restaurnte in Merida. Last year, we had frequented SOMA in Chelem for Egg’s Benny brunch, but over the summer they had moved into Merida.
Pre-dinner drinks with George & Val…… and Mat & Terri!A fabulous dinner crowned with a delicious Valentine’s dessert!
A good time was had by all at the beach!
Eggs Benny, prepared by Chef Giorgio and his lovely assistant Valeria!Elaine made a fabulous stuffed meatloaf!Enjoying the sandbar at low tide.Having a great dinner at Elio al Mare in Progreso!Our next door neighbour, Ray, awaits a strong SE wind to sent him to Houston!Fabulous sunsets!
At the Artisan Market in Progreso!On the Malecon in Progreso!
This year again, Dave and Gerri Witmer hosted the Uaymitun International Invitational Bocci Ball Tournament!
Colleen, with eager teammates!Davey showing his short-game skills!Deb going for the gusto on a long ball!Jim showing that the US folks ‘got game’ too!Elaine being cheered on!The winners: Jim, Dave, Sharon, Terry, Pam & Dave singing O’ Canada!Gerri handing out the gifts to the winning team!
Near the end of Dave & Deb’s visit, Elaine’s sister Sharon and husband Rick arrived from Conestogo Lake for their 2 week stay!
The requisite Gate A pic…… and the Dos Equis pic!
That’s all for today!
The next blog, will be about our day in Celestun! No kidding… it really will be!
Welcome to our 10th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
This blog posting will cover a few things that haven’t made it into any of our blogs yet! We’ve had several visits into Progreso… this one was on Cruise Ship day!
At the Progreso Artisan Market…… you could buy a Mayan mask…… or Mango Margaritas on the beach at the Malecon…!
… and then enjoy the beach!
Peggy and Boomer hosted their annual Super Bowl Party again this year! A good time was had by all and the game was actually very interesting!
There was time for visiting…… having great food served up by Anna…… and even time to watch the game… intently!
After all our trips, including walks, along the road that passes by our beach house, this was the first time I’d seen this…
The chapel of the old Hacienda Uaymitun!
One hot day during a visit to Chicxulub, I had a special local delicacy…
Elote Helado… Corn Ice Cream!
And during an excursion, us manly men enjoyed a great lunch at…
Comida China in Progreso
Major construction is occurring at the junction of the road from Merida to Progreso and the beach road between Yucalpeten and Telcac Puerto (our road).
An overpass from nowhere to nowhere!
We had a great trip into Merida to visit the new Maya Museum!
At the monument near the entrance to the museum.Getting ready to head in!
Merida has a new performance venue!
Ringo Starr and his band headline on March 8th!
We had some very low tides that left the sandbars in front of the house exposed…
… allowing one of the valedors to scoop up a bunch of large clams!
There’s a new place to have a light lunch or just a few drinks and it’s only a few minutes from our house! Margarita’s just opened this year and Elaine and I went with George and Val…
The road into Margaritas makes one wonder where it leads!It has three bungalows for rent and …… and great views of the Gulf!A great snack of Cheese Empenadas and, of course, margaritas!
Panchita’s eldest son and wife, Carlos and Lis, came by with little Valeria for a visit!
Carlos, Valeria and LisWhat a sweet heart!
Rod and Berri hosted our first Murder Mystery of the season called “The Last Call” which takes place in a bar!
Sean Wells and Joy DarbyJack Henry & Mara LandersChloe Nelson & Alec BlaneyAmber Welby & Dennis ChaseJoy & ChloeAmber & AlecMara, Jack & Sean
The murderer was a surprise to us all… so much for our sleuthing skills!
Welcome to our 9th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
Shortly after breakfast, we packed up our overnight bags and made the walk down to the Zona Arqueológica de Uxmal.
Uxmal is the most representative of the architecture of the Puuc Region settlement as their facades are decorated with masks of Chac, the rain god, fretwork panels with hieroglyphics and high crests.
Among the most representative buildings are the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle and the Casa de las Palomas.Furthermore, due to its majesty, diversity and state of preservation of monuments, visitors can learn about the many aspects of the prehispanic culture from the Maya Late Classic period from 600-900 AD.
The path into the site with tantalizing glimpses of the pyramids.Pyramid of the Magician as you enter the site!another view!The ceremonial entrance to the Pyramid of the Magician!A closeup of the entrance to the main chamber.Detail of images of……Chaac the Rain God!A glimpse of the Ball Court.Some images from the Nunnery Quadrangle.Major symbolic imagery adorn the Quadrangle.The snake…… and a Fleur-de-Lis!I counldn’t resist capturing this shot with the clouds and the Chaac noses!Our Mayan guide, Jorge!The royal “throne” room, if you catch my drift!At the Ball Court.An excavation of one of the many cisterns.The House of the Doves… another view!Just one of the many unexcavated mounds!Steps up to the Governor’s Palace with the Magician’s Temple in the background.Main entrance to the Governor’s Palace.Some great pictures taken by…… our guide Jorge!A remarkable view!House of the Turtles.Some more images…… of Chaac at the Governor’s Palace.No visit to Uxmal…… would be complete without…… cameos by the Stars!Glad to have been to Uxmal!Had a great lunch across the road at The Lodge at Uxmal.Meet the Band!We had a great waiter!No visit is complete without…… a stop at the Chocolate Museum!In the lobby.Had a great cup of Uxmal Hot Chocolate!
So ends our overnight trip to 3 haciendas and the ruins at Z. A. Uxmal!
That’s all for today!
The next blog, will likely be a potpourri of images and stories that haven’t made it into a blog so far!
Welcome to our 8th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
After lunch we continued our journey south to Uxmal… arriving at Hacienda Uxmal around 3PM.
Located in the woodlands of Yucatan’s Puuc County, Hacienda Uxmal, a modern hotel, lays amongst the grounds of a much older hacienda. It has attracted world leaders and European royalty ever since the hotel’s inauguration 50 years ago.
Past guests include Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Great Britain, the Shah of Iran, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco, King Umberto II of Italy, Henry Kissinger, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India… and us!
Hacienda UxmalThe grand entrance to Hacienda Uxmal.The hall at the main entrance houses pictures of illustrious guests!Our room… Number 202…… has a wonderful veranda…… and a view to the pool!
The first priority, after checking in, was to hit the pool!
Lots of pool chairs available, until the bus tour arrived!Janine, proving it’s better in the Yucatan!A view of our room from the pool!The clouds were beginning to gather.
Before dinner, which another whole story that won’t be told here, we took a walk down the road to the Uxmal site, just to check it out!
Happy tenants of Hacienda Uxmal!At the entrance to Z.A. Uxmal!Beautiful ambiance by the pool at night!
A few words about dining here … “Don’t let the waiters get you mixed up with Bus Tour folks and make you eat Bus Tour Buffet food!” ‘Nuf said!!!
That’s all for today!
The next blog, if I can edit down from almost 80 pictures, will highlight our visit to the ruins at Z.A. Uxmal!
Welcome to our 7th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
Continuing on our trip to visit Uxmal, we stopped for lunch at Hacienda San Pedro Ochil!
San Pedro Ochil is one of the seven former estates in the town of Abalá, “Place plums” region whose chronology goes back to pre-Hispanic times, as evidenced by numerous archaeological remains that are still preserved in the area.
Like most haciendas of Yucatán, San Pedro Ochil was built in the seventeenth century and was first cattle ranch, then corn before becoming henequenera when agave cultivation was consolidated at the beginning of the century.
We didn’t know what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by both the hacienda itself, the great meal and a surprise! After parking, we were led on foot past some building that housed artisans…
One of the artisan shops.
… and along a small gauge train track that had been once used for moving the agave leaves in for processing. If you ask, they’ll let you hop onto the small train and take you through the gates to the restaurant.
The train tracks coming through one of the many arches.Heading down the parade of palms to the restaurant.Having a great Yucatecan style lunch!
After lunch, we walked around the grounds which had many pretty courtyards.
A courtyard fountain.Beautiful archways with my beautiful Babe!
Then we passed through another archway and were dumbfounded!!!
An enormous amphitheatre that was totally unexpected…… with a performing stage in the entrance to a cenote.Beautiful lighting just enhanced the aquamarine waters.What a delightful place!The incredible tree just completed the vision!“Friends, Romans, Countrymen; lend me your ears”!
Once we tore ourselves away, we toured the rest of the grounds!
The architecture is amazing everywhere you look!The henequene machine room.Elaine’s new friend!Looks to me like an Ent sat down for a rest!Back down the parade of palms to the parking lot.
What a wonderful place to spend a quiet lunch and be amazed!
That’s all for today!
The next blog will highlight our visit to Hacienda Uxmal where we spent the night!
Welcome to our 6th Blog from our Uaymitun 2015 winter!
Cheers from Uaymitun, MX!
-doug and elaine
This is the first of 3 blogs about Haciendas that we’ve visited on our way to spend an overnight and visit Z.A. Uxmal. We stopped at Hacienda Yaxcopoil on our way south of Merida.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil (YASH-coh-poh-EEL) dates back to the 17th century. The name Yaxcopoil means “the place of the green alamo trees” in the Yucatec Maya language, one of which still stands in front of the hacienda. The Hacienda represents the history of three great periods in the Yucatán Peninsula: the pre-Columbian period (there are ruins nearby), the Spanish colonial period, and the boom years of henequen cultivation during the late 19th and early 20th century.
The moorish style of entrance gate is unique in this area.The path under the Alamo tree leads to the entrance.The main living areas all are aligned across the front of the building.A glimpse of the henequen processing buildings.A view from the terrace back through the main house.The style of the structure is wonderful.The archways separate the main courtyard from the veranda areas.Colourful tiles everywhere!Flora…… and fauna abound.The central courtyardA great place to take a break!This tree is in the horse paddock and the horses keep the vines trimmed.Another al fresco dining area.What a terrific tree shading the town square.One of the main equipment areas… note the tiled floor!The workers buildingThe smoke stack is still standing!Another equipment room.We really enjoyed revisiting this hacienda…… with Doug and Janine.What a great place to visit!
That’s all for today!
The next blog will highlight our visit to Hacienda Ochil for lunch!
The last two weeks were pretty quiet, but here’s a few of the more memorable pix!
