The Neighborhood Fruit Man, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

This is one of the many things that makes Mexico such a pleasure to experience.  Today, we were attracted outside our house by a loud voice coming from a pick-up-truck-mounted-loudspeaker blaring out in rapid Spanish the name of the fresh fruits he carried for sale: "naranja, piña, papaya, mango..." and others I couldn't quite understand in his rapid-fire speech. He was driving along slowly and his two young sons were in the covered back with boxes of fruit for sale.

We bought some avocados and mangos for about 50 cents each and a whole pineapple for about $2.00.  They were fresh, ripe, delicious, and available right outside our door.  I don't know when he comes around again but I hope it's soon.

Cobá Ruins, Cobá, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

So this is it, after climbing 120 steps, I'm standing calmly atop this ancient pyramid structure, Nohoc Mul, built by the Mayans more than a thousand years ago at Cobá  on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.  The foreboding storm clouds gather - some say the end of times might be near but, alas, I think not. I do see some people wearing an odd choice of clothing for the climb up a 42-meter high pyramid - long dresses, sandals, lots of people in plastic flip-flops you normally wear at the beach. 

Since time hasn't stopped, I guess I'll just get on about my business and finish this blog post.

We arrived early morning before the crowds and buses and at one point, I was the only human on top of the pyramid. But it got busier with each passing hour.  It was great to have a mostly overcast sky - it kept the heat at bay for our entire visit. (Click on the panorama above for full screen view).  

Some folks marked the end of the Mayan calendar cycle event with arms outstretched to the sky......

...and some captured the event by camera, not sure if posterity would exist to ever view it.....

...and some captured the moment in the bloom of love.......

...and some, with the humor of a dated t-shirt - December 21, 2012.

Some joined hands and prayed together in an unknown tongue.....

... some wore robes......

....and this native Mayan bowed his head in private prayer.  It was a good day for all - end of times or not.

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So, how do you get there? The access to Nohoc Mul is via a well-traveled path a few kilometers away from the parking lot/entrance area.

Bicycles are available to rent for those who want one.

And pedi-cabs can be hired for the injured, infirm, old, tired, or just plain lazy.

But most just walk. Here's the approach to the pyramid Nohoc Mul. It is one of the very few remaining where humans are still allowed to walk up to the top of it.

The human ants climbing upward.

The obligatory family portrait. (Notice the sensible footwear - alert - old man in socks).

It's a steep climb - many young folks charge up non-stop.

But others stop to rest.

And some lend a helping hand.

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Meanwhile, elsewhere on the property, there are thousands of other ruins, very few of which have been excavated.  This is a Mayan ball court.......(click on this panorama to view full width)

....and a dead end corridor with a tree taking root above.....

.......and a walk-through corridor.....

...and always, some modern day body art  against the background of time-worn steps....

...and a young Mayan child in traditional body art and attire. 

Cobá is a wonderful place to visit. Imagine a thriving population thousands of years ago, carving out a life from this sparse soil in the hot and humid climate and then building these great structures with brawn and brain.

But alas..........  

.... the sinister looking tour buses have arrived to disgorge their human cargo so it is time to find a bathroom and then depart...

....and hopefully, there would be bathrooms with toilet seats as this shop proudly offers. 

I'm glad the world didn't end today - all things considered, it's most often a wonderful place to be.

Walking the Town, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Today, in the northern hemisphere, it is the end of spring, the beginning of winter, and the end of the Mayan Calendar cycle. We're heading off this morning to celebrate at either the Mayan ruin site of Tulúm or Cobá. 

If the world ends today, this will be my last blog post. 

But yesterday, here's what I saw of interest........... 

Our fourth morning in Puerto Morelos began like all the others so far: warm, breezy, and a beautiful sunrise over the ocean.  This view is next door at one of the public beach access points. 

We are staying a few blocks north of this main plaza pictured above. 

The malecón just off the downtown plaza.

Fishing and/or tourist boats waiting for fish and/or people.

And lots of pelicans also looking and diving for fish.

By midday, many of the boats are at anchor near downtown.

This hotel corridor enjoys a nice location and view of the sea - too bad the hotel rooms were not impressive.

And lastly, here's something I don't think I've ever seen available on a Massachusetts beach - massages!

This panorama may be viewed full screen by clicking on the image. It was taken from the end of the town pier looking back toward town.  (It's the same image below the masthead but you folks who view in email don't get to see it otherwise).

Out and About, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

I have decided that a most accurate and powerful indicator of whether I will like a particular part of the planet is whether avocados and papayas are both freshly, easily, widely, and inexpensively available at the local markets. This place wins on all counts! 

Here's my neighbor's cupola again under different morning light.

The town of Puerto Morelos is a narrow three street wide town along the coast line. Just to the west of it is an area of jungle and mangrove swamps. A few kilometers south of town is the Jardin Botanico - Dr. Alfredo Barrera  Marin. The garden includes the last patch of conserved forest between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.  Among the three kilometers of trails is an observation tower at the top of the canopy - this is  the view.

It is a bit sketchy climbing up the tower and not for the faint of heart, nor for those expecting sturdy engineered steel construction approved by OSHA.

The beginning of the trail system starts with a moss covered limestone bedrock - a primary geological feature of the peninsula.

This cactus garden was among the many exhibits.

And this somewhat annoyed fellow seemed put upon that humans were on his walking trail.

By the way, here's how we're getting around for the first two weeks.  Yes, this is a real car and not a plastic toy - although it sure does look like a toy. It's a Dodge/Hyundai/Hertz something or other and the least expensive I could find.  Even though it's the first 5-speed manual transmission I've driven in probably 20 years, I've only stalled it out once so far. It's like riding a bike - you never forget but you might get rusty. I'm lucky there are not any hills around here to park. (Photo courtesy: Amy's iPhone).

Warm, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Anywhere I can sit out on my patio in a t-shirt and shorts and wait for the sunrise is the right temperature/climate for me!

An early morning swim on the first day in town.  Water temperature average this time of year is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. And yes, I sometimes swim with sunglasses and a hat on my head.  I'm at that age when I can do what I darn well please regardless of the dork factor. (Photo courtesy: Amy Davies.  iPhone with Snapseed processing).

Our next door neighbor has this odd cupola on his house.  It looks quite nice in the late afternoon light before a few thunderstorms rolled in with a warm, drenching rainfall.

This panorama is at sunset at the north end of town.  Storm clouds are building and heading this direction. Click on it to view in full size.

Getting Started, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Lunch in Puerto Morelos at restaurante Pangea.  (The water view looks like a painting - it's not - it's straight out of my point and shoot camera with the HDR function turned on).  

Tacos Vegetarianos - red and green and yellow peppers, carrots, onions tomatoes, avocados, sprouts, salsa, and even some sliced cactus - don't recall ever having sliced cactus before. Muy delicioso.

So this town will be home for the next month.  Amy, using her tireless analysis skills, searched high and low on the internet for many, many hours before we decided on this place  (see link) which she found through Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO). Because we're staying for a month, Amy was able to get us a manageable reduced rate.  We have used VRBO on other occasions both within the United States and in Europe and it has worked out well each time. You find a property you like and deal with the owner through email and/or phone until a deal is struck.  Then you pay the owner directly.  Personal check, PayPal,or credit card depending upon the owner requirement.  Yes, there is a leap of faith required but, we have had good experiences each and every time and never been burned in any way. Frankly, the whole process is another miracle of the internet age.  It opens up a whole new world of travel accommodation possibility that is easy and efficient. And no, I am not affiliated with VRBO.  It's just the company that we have used.  There are others out there also that offer the same service.

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Now I get to write blog posts about somewhere other than Massachusetts!!

The town of  Puerto Morelos is a small beach community about 25 miles south of Cancun, Mexico. We arrived  here after flying non-stop from Boston International Airport in Massachusetts, USA,  to Cancun International Airport in Quintana Roo, Mexico, thence via ground transportation.

This stretch of beautiful Caribbean coast on the Yucatan peninsula is called the Mayan Riviera and offers a mix of  busy party towns, small quiet villages, and luxurious resorts and developments.  During the Northern Hemisphere's winter, many North Americans seek escape from the wintry weather and cold by visiting this part of Mexico.  Normal daily temperature range is about 60-84 degrees Fahrenheit.

I'll be spending the next month in this small community south of Cancun. My intent will be to publish a blog post every couple days or so depending on whether internet connections are reliably available (and the heat, humidity, and sun don't make me too lazy).

This panoramic photo of "downtown" Puerto Morelos is also published below my blog masthead but, if you read this on email only you might not get the full width effect. You can click on it for the bigger size.