Date: 06/01/2013 à 08/01/2013

Path: Take the Carretera Mexico 180, passando por Valladolid.

The Northern Yucatan - Merida and Chichen Itza

Found in northern Yucatán, a people who proudly preserve their traditions. Guardam a rich heritage of the Mayan civilization and also customs brought by the Spaniards. Conhecer a região é como experimentar um pouco do passado e dessa mistura cultural.

In another of our wanderings on "vacation" on the Yucatan Peninsula, we start from our HQ in Cancun toward the capital and largest city of the state of Yucatán: Merida. Founded em 1542 on the ruins of the Mayan city of T'ho, Today the city has about 800 mil habitantes e é uma das mais culturais de todo México.

The bank Valentine, Merida

The journey of about 310 km was entitled to some interesting stops along the way. The first was in the city of Valladolid, where we made a lunch. The city is very inviting for a stroll, with an air of cozy streets in front colonial architecture. We resist the temptation and continued our journey, since we wanted to get to the next stop on time. This was Chichen Itza, uma das mais famosas e bem preservadas ruínas da civilização maia em toda península.

Pracinha quiet, common in the colonial cities of the Yucatán

As was to be expected, arrived late in the ruins, so we enter in your last hour of operation (from 16 hours) Entries without paying. We ended up having to appeal to a lightning visit, buscando os principais pontos de interesse dentro do sitio arqueológico.

A Pirâmide de Kulkucan, em Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá functioned as political and economic center of the Mayan civilization, offering several buildings in a city of architectural design that impresses with its complexity. Estrturas like pyramid Kukulkán, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners are in great condition after all this time. It is estimated that Chichén Itzá was founded around the year 435 and 455 a.C.

Sumptuous and impressive

We lost some very important points that we would like to know how the Juego de Pelota and Cenote, mas o que pudemos ver ainda que rápido foi impressionante.

Well preserved ruins

We follow with Tanajura to our final destination, Merida. Again, got a lot of hotel to spend our nights in tents. Este esquema tem funcionado muito bem nesses últimos dias de México.

The style of colonial Merida

Do not need much time in the city to identify the triple jewel of his crown: architecture, food and music. All this in historical and cultural context extremely rich. Mérida was for a time the center of Spanish power in colonial times, que se sobrepôs à resistência maia depois de anos de conflito.

Monument in honor of the Mayan

A visit to the Palacio Municipal, na Plaza Grande, is an invitation to dive into the city's history and Mexico, through huge murals painted throughout the building. In the same square is located the Casa Montejo, antiga moradia da família ligada à fundação da cidade.

All very colorful in the city center

One of several churches colonial Merida

The historic center is full of beautiful buildings around its cobbled streets. A arquitetura colonial muito bem preservada é um convite a uma caminhada sem compromisso pela cidade.

Beside the Colonial Palace, Modern art is inspired by the indigenous traditions

Churches spread throughout the city

Within the Colonial Palace, murals represent landmarks of Mexican and hisória yucateca

Legends also part of the murals

On the way, several restaurants highlight the unique culinary culture yucateca. How could it be, the kitchen features a mix of European and Mayan flavors, Corn being a crucial ingredient. We tried a variety of dishes (chicken pibil, POC Chuco and other) La Chaya Maya restaurant not, a delight!

Experience the flavors of the cuisine Ločan

Variety of igredientes and Seasonings

To complete the cultural experience, music! Mérida is proud to present their customs and traditions to visitors. Throughout the year, typical dance performances are done free on Plaza Grande. We had the opportunity to enjoy one. Spanish Dances, indigenous people and their garments. Nada melhor para representar o espírito da cidade.

Presentation of typical dance in the square

Outdoor culture and grace

The return of Mérida was the end of our "vacation" of Expedition. Nossa Last visit was left at the airport in Cancun, and then 20 dias no Yucatán, Expedition made its way. Although we made a quick stop (again) the beautiful Laguna Bacalar south of the peninsula, before continuing on the road. The end of "holiday" was also the end of our passage through Mexico and amazing dear. The two months we spent in the country were not even close enough to do everything we wanted. A simpatia, a cultura, a nature, Mexican food ford stop longing. But the expedition has to continue. Hit the road! Destination: Central America!

For more pictures of the northern Yucatan, click here!

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Date: 05/01/2013 e 08/01/2013

Path: Leaving the north of Tulum 109, for 10 minutes, we come to the Great cenotes. For 3 Cenotes, we left Merida toward Valladolid, na detour YUC 18 até Cuzamá.

The Blue Mystic cenotes

When we think the blue Caribbean on the beautiful beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula already impressed, find another singular beauty, Typical of the region: os cenotes. Poços de água azul cristalina submergem em meio à natureza cercada de mistérios e encantam a todos com suas cores vivas à luz do sol.

Important elements of Mexican culture, the cenotes have represented the main source of fresh water for the Mayans and today are exploited as tourist activity. Surrounded by stories about his training, This natural phenomenon is present in more than 7.000 pontos espalhados pela Península do Yucatán.

Top view of a cenote, in Cuzama

A cenote can be fully opened, as a lake, or nearly completely closed, like a cave. The water found inside can be sweet, salt, ou ambas. Regardless of its structural characteristics, they all seem to share a mystical beauty to the sunshine, compondo uma paisagem daquelas de tirar o fôlego.

The green and blue of Great cenotes

Legends tell that the regional cenotes emerged from the meteor, for thousands of years. However, the most prominent theories, treat us like depressions consist of porous limestone. Nevertheless, carry the name of the sacred title, originating in the Mayan language word "ts'onot”. Some believe in its medicinal power, mysticism indígena do curative source, ou mesmo que eles sejam portais para comunicação com os deuses.

Great spot to snorkel in Gran Cenote

Throughout Mexico, tourists can find cenotes, especially in cities with archaeological sites. Although publicly available, normally, are in private places, being required to pay an entrance fee, around U.S. $ 10. We cenotes, is usually possible to do activities like snorkeling or diving. Os mais preguiçosos podem simplesmente curtir o visual e se banhar nas águas cristalinas.

Andre prepares for diving

We had the opportunity to visit some of them during our "vacation" in the Yucatan. The first thing you KNOW it was the Great cenotes, located in the vicinity of Tulum. Amid the green forest, wells leads to the interior of the water filled caverns. Certified divers, As our friend Andrew, may descend into groundwater and wander between the outputs of the Gran Cenote. Há ótimos pontos para simplesmente dar um mergulho sem compromisso e curtir a natureza.

Galera happy amid nature

The cave divers and

We also pass by 3 Cenotes of Cuzamá, city ​​located about 45 minutes from Merida. In the same ride, visit to the cenotes Chelentun ("Leaving stones"), Chansinic’che ("Tree with ants") and Bolonchoojol ("Nine drops of water"). Upon arriving in the village, hired a guide to take us through woods. Shipping was curious: donkeys pulling a cart that rode on rails. The same track is used to go back and, so if we found another group in the opposite direction, alguém tem que ceder e puxar a carroça para fora dos trilhos.

The donkey took us all to the cenote

Someone has to give

First class

The tour lasted almost the whole afternoon and it was quite interesting. The cart leads to the entrance of cenotes, where there is wood stairs giving access to the caves. Holes in the surface allow entry of sunlight, giving color to the spectacle. A blue illuminated inexplicable surge of water. Não é à toa que há todo um misticismo em torno desses fenômenos.

Nanda down the wooden ladder to the natural well

Beauty mysterious cenote in Cuzama

Light beam and the blue water mystic

Will not failed to meet the other thousands of cenotes throughout the region. Even as some of the famous Ik-Kil, nas ruins of Chichen Itza (arrived late!), or Dos Ojos, Also near Tulum (which passed straight!), will have to stay for the next visit, que não poderíamos deixar de fazer depois de conhecer esta impressionante beleza natural.

Nature in the Grand cenotes

For more photos of cenotes, click here!

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Date: 28/12/2012 to 30/12/2012 and 03/01/2013 à 05/01/2013

Path: We follow the Carretera 307, que segue a costa pelas praias da Riviera Maya.

Riviera Maya – To Lovers Beach

We do not need to know much to know that the Maya chose where to live well. No wonder that today, his former backyard privileged became inexhaustible source for luxury tourism in Mexico. And gave up a fancy name for the region: Riviera Maya. The relentless beauty of the coast is really lovely, for those who can afford the luxury or not. É um lugar imperdível aos amantes das praias.

Paradise View of the ruins of Tulum

Historically known as the corridor that runs from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, Today the call Riviera Maya comprises a strip of approximately 130 km of coastline between the towns of Puerto Morelos and Punta Allen, do not sul da Yucatan Peninsula. A região é famosa internacionalmente pelos seus resorts de luxo e inúmeras opções de restaurantes elegantes.

Camping aa pair of front beach, EM Tulum

Guys relaxing on the beach, Playa del Carmen em

It's easy to understand why the area eyes shines when it comes to tourism. The beaches of white sand and blue water which in itself would be paradise, are backed up by a very generous nature, both the interior of the continent to the sea. The entire coast of the Riviera Maya is accompanied by Barrier Reef System Mesoamerican, the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, which makes her not only beautiful underwater world, as full of animal life. Moreover, a região é repleta de cenotes e próxima a diversas ruínas da civilização maia.

Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Pela Carretera Federal 307, down the coast from Cancun. The first stop was the charming Playa del Carmen. The beach is full of bars on your surroundings and not difficult to find a lounge chair to enjoy a delicious diazinho beach. As no other Riviera Maya gives, prices are for gringo and somewhat salty in the busiest parts of the city. We are to find a coconut most expensive we found there, where a bar charged 90 weights (about R $ 15) por um único coquinho verde gelado.

Many tourists in the ruins

Amid the alleys of downtown, there are some options for cheap hotels and restaurants. We find an Argentine who had a great food at a price most just, o The grill Manolo. Sleeping saving, send good ol 'chat of carretera ", para convencer os gerentes de um hotel à beira da estrada nos deixar dormir no estacionamento em nossas barracas com a Tanajura.

Charming streets, Playa del Carmen em

A spin by "Quinta Avenida" of Playa del Carmen is also delicious. As our trip is over rootz, we just walk in and a sorvetinho (that was expensive!). But for those who like, there are several designer shops and restaurants that looked very good. The nightlife in the region seemed quite busy and also was chic. After the mad revelers in Cancun, preferimos deixar essas passarem.

A border of Playa del Carmen

We follow with Tanajura further south in a cozy stop in Akumal beach. Here's the deal dip! The sea is full of turtles and do not need to hire any tour package to dive and find the animals with their own gear. We spent an afternoon at the beach sexy, acompanhando as tartarugas e diversos peixes que encontrávamos no mar.

Nothing like walking on the beach without commitment

Further south of the Riviera Maya is the beach like that over this entire path, Tulum. It is not only the most photogenic Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula all that is done the city. Tulum has a long stretch of beach, delicious for those who like to enjoy the beach a good, à vista do mar azul do Caribe e longe de uma infraestrutura urbana.

Panoramic view of the ruins

Belo backyard of the Maya

Detail of the ruins

Ruins of Tulum

We camped in the area of ​​Fisherman's Beach, no Camping Santa Fe. The structure of hoteizinhos and campsites nearby was quite simple, but do not need much more to enjoy the place. Electrical energy is the basis of generators on the beach, then time or another light was not available or no water had been pumped into the water tank. But okay, the beauty and tranquility of the place compensates, and very!

Tanajura version camping in Christmas

We liked the place so much that one of the comings and goings of Cancun, escaped there for a few more days. The truth is that we could spend days and days enjoying the beaches of the Riviera Maya quietly, but the journey continues! There was still plenty to explore in the Yucatan Peninsula! We went to the North, atrás de Mérida e das famosas ruínas de Chichén Itzá.

Late afternoon in Tulum

For more photos of the beaches of the Riviera Maya, click here!

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Date: 25/12/2012 to 27/12/2012

Path: Tomamos um ferry em Punta Sam direto à ilha.

O Bem and Isla Mujeres em or Bad

Think on that beach of crystal blue water and white sand, full of coconut trees and networks to relax. Beaches all those we see in travel magazines. Well, muitas delas devem be em Isla Mujeres. Facing the beautiful and peaceful landscape, had a mix of emotions. On the one hand, the place relaxing and the company of a good friend, second, the first experience of banditry and neglect throughout expedition. O Bem e o Mal deram as caras durante nossa estadia por lá.

When the Spaniards arrived on the island in the middle of the sixteenth century, had no doubt in naming it Isla Mujeres. The place was sacred cults of the region Ix Chel, goddess of fertility in pre-Columbian times, and their images were scattered everywhere. Today, the island is the refuge of those who want to escape the hype of Cancun to enjoy a quiet beach, ou arriscar um mergulho em suas redondezas.

The wonderful sea water in Isla Mujeres

Located north of Cancun, access to the island is extremely easy, having three different starting points: 1) Punta Sam, option farthest from the Hotel Zone, custa cerca de $6 dollars per person roundtrip, and the journey takes around 45 minutes; dali SAEM os ferries that take cars to the island; 2) Puerto Juarez, offering speedboats on a trip around 15 minutes at a cost of $15 dollars and 3) vessels leaving the Hotel Zone, outputs with more frequent. In general, the ferries out at intervals of 30 the 45 minutos.

The ferry waiting for us in Cancun

Enjoying the journey with Cassia

Isla Mujeres is very small and cozy. Shipping is done basically walking, or golf carts that roam the streets, e também estão disponíveis para locação.

Golf carts rule the streets

Still had fun with Spanish

The Tanajura was waiting for us on land, but we had the pleasure of the company of our dear friend on this trip Cassia. She fit in your holiday a visit to Shipping and spent a few days with us in Mexico. Fun Days, to put a lot of talk in this day and kill the longing. Ganhamos uma vida nova com ela ao nosso lado.

As Models

Enjoying the beach

With the presence of Cassia, Well accompanied us on our arrival to Isla Mujeres. Until Mal decided to welcome, logo on our arrival at the Hostel Poc In. They lost our reservation and Hostel was almost sold out. Ok, these things happen, but it was the disregard with which we were treated that bothered us. After much waiting, able to accommodate us in separate rooms (and sets it apart, each ended up in different room!).

The hostel had a beautiful yard, overlooking the beach. Ali spent a very pleasant evening-based chat and laughter. At noite, ate a nice fish on a variety of dining options that Isla Mujeres offers on its main avenue. There also find Julia, outra visita que alegrou nossa estadia na ilha.

Sunset, Quintal do not hostel

A racquetball for exercise

Dinner fun with Julia and Cassia

Next day, Well we went to the beach while curtíamos, relaxing to view paradise, crystal clear blue water. This gives charme é or Isla Mujeres, in our opinion. Enjoy the quiet beach, sem compromisso.

S nothing like the shade of a coconut tree and a beach to relax

This is what blue sea!

And so the next day. Hottest beach, and more tasty fish. In the Yucatan Peninsula usually temper the fish à Maya, with a mixture of local condiments. The grilled fish is all red with spice and is a delight! On the island were also the Marquesita (especie of biju recheado), o doce que viciou toda a expedição.

Almoço to the Mexican

O Peixe delicious à la Maya

In another queue for Marquesita

All was well, until we had a surprise return to the hostel. The computer's Gabriel disappeared inside the room. We look to all corners, but the computer really was not there. Perhaps inadvertently, do not use the lockers available in hostel (Nor even because we had padlocks) and our backpacks were exposed inside the room. More poorly thought this kind of thing after many passages by hostels worldwide with no experience of the type. We learned the hard way. Realmente não dá para confiar nunca.

Apart from the stress of the case record in local police (extremely solicitous, by sinal), passed a bad time with the neglect of Hostel Poc In light of the situation. Shortly were concerned. Unlike speech, acted as if it were something extremely trivial (e really was, as the police would discover later). On our side, entanto not, was not. Especially for the poor Gabriel, it not only lost its instrument of communication and work, as well as some of the records of travel, numerous photos and files. Police arrived to bring a suspect to recognize and treat the case with careful attention to where we saw, but unfortunately nothing computer. To further history melancolizar, take a shower those, When we returned to the ferry que nos levaria de volta para Cancun.

Unfortunately it's so, Good and evil are always together, yet we often forget that bad things sometimes happen. But after so many good experiences, we could not let a bad spell our ruin. The theft and neglect of Hostel Poc In our case overshadowed the beautiful beaches of Isla Mujeres, and certainly skewed our view of the island. Happily, Cassia had a baby beside us to brighten the spirits. Thanks, Cass!

To check out more photos of Isla Mujeres, click here!

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Date: 22/12/2012 to 11/01/2013 (between comings and goings)

Path: We took the Carretera Federal 307 direto até Cancun.

House em Cancun and as we saw in the VIP CocoBongo

Among comings and goings, Cancun was our base while on vacation in the Yucatan Peninsula. It was where we received our dear visitors and prepare to explore the surroundings. Tourist too much for our purposes, curiously the city eventually became somehow a house for us. It's funny to think how the concept of home is distorted during a long trip like ours. When we got back to somewhere we already know minimally, where we know where to sleep or eat, some familiarity arises. But the fact is that in Cancun, have fun. We celebrate Christmas and New Year with friends, e curtimos a melhor festa de toda a Expedição.

Aaahhh…holidays!

Who's ever heard of Cancun? Those who do not personally know the city, 've probably heard stories of an acquaintance who was or even learned something on television. Cancun is a weird city made for tourism. Another Gringolandia mexicana, com amazing festas, hotéis luxuosos e praias de água azul.

The beach resorts

We were on "vacation" of Expedition (empty post), then Cancun would not be bad to relax a bit and fall into the binge. Especially with the scheduled visit friends for the holidays year-end. For us it was very important to have the company of a friend as special as the Cassia Christmas away from our families. And we were pleased to receive the Giulli and Julia, we met during the trip, na virada do ano.

Cassia animating another sunny afternoon

Visit ilustre direto from Alemanha

Our stay in the city can be summarized comings and goings at the airport, much talk, fun and relaxation on the beach. To not think we left totally Expedition, not surrender to luxury hotels. We got a campsite a few kilometers economic city, na praia The ward, onde passamos todas nossas noites na cidade.

Manha no Meko Camping El Loko

Christmas in Cancun was a curious experience. We give up to make a supper among ourselves by lack of infrastructure, then appealed to the Hotel Zone restaurants to not pass the date blank. As we left for the last time, most plausible places were already overcrowded reserve. That's when we stopped at Carlos'n'Charlies. Located amidst the major bars and discos in town, it could not be a zone. Loud music and Mexican gringos cheering revelers were “charm” of our Christmas. The food in the end even that surprised! There was roast turkey from Grandma, but it was not bad either!

Natal inusitado

In mexicana

After supper / ballad, caímos to gandaia. Who knows The Mask, that green guy character, Famous cartoon and film, already know the place that you can not let go in Cancun: o CocoBongo! A já expectation was high, e conseguiu be overcome, Loin! The CocoBongo is far from conventional ones festivals. It's a spectacle, packed performances. From covers musicians like Queen, Madonna ou Michael Jackson; the representation of classic films, as Batman, Spiderman or The Gladiator. The presentations are extremely professional, full of acrobatics and interactions with the public. Various performances fill overnight, while the ballad rolls during breaks loose. It was amazing!

It’s showtime!

Freddie Mercury once a vida!

We liked so much that we could not choose another place for our New Year's Eve. Unlike Brazil, there is a big fireworks party or on the street during New Year. The only option for those who want to celebrate in Cancun is to get a party in one of the fancy hotels of the Hotel Zone or from ballads to the city. We then went again to CocoBongo. The presentations were virtually the same, yet, enjoyed as if for the first time. Although we did not know, mas esta também não seria a última.

Happy New Year!!

We were on the avenue with Tanajura, driving us toward Mérida, when a Masserati those blue chic well rested on our side and you drove that kept watch each corner of the car. It was a strange scene for us. To tell the truth, was always the Tanajura pop. In every way, our partner has drawn the attention of local. Some look to the tent tires identifying the adhesives, outros já vem puxando papo para entender o que um carro de São Paulo está fazendo ali.

A few days before, the parking lot of McDonald's, where we left the Tanajura to enjoy the beach in the Hotel Zone, a Mexican family very friendly approached us to see the car. They were extremely excited about the story and gave us a warm welcome. We love to chat about “road” and we were delighted with the encouraging words we received! Moreover, not Mexico, people have received us with great hospitality and friendliness! Vez ou outra a Tanajura chama a atenção pelas ruas e desconhecidos vem conhecer nossa história.

Welcome Family Mexican

With the lord of Masserati was not different. After a nod, he asked "You come driving from Sao Paulo same?"It took another, was the beginning of a conversation through the traffic. “Carro bom hein!”, added. And laughed when he heard our answer: "It's really good, we trocar?”.

Conversation will, conversation comes, impatient honking of cars that were insured in traffic behind us, and a Maserati Dispara, leaving Tanajura on nostalgia. To our surprise, after two traffic lights, Mr. Maserati slows down and teams on our side again: "May God bless you!”, said. Curious, decided to ask where was the nice man. He looked at us with some surprise, as if we had made a very obvious question. After understand why: "I'm right here! Sou Robert Noble, gift do Cocobongo!”. Linger to digest the information - will be that you were taking a people eat? He followed: "Quer know, write down my number and talk to my assistant. I'll get a nice table for you, whenever they want!"He did not have to speak twice. Incredulous, write down the phone number that you spelled one by one. After this sentence, ele se despediu e arrancou mais uma vez com a Maserati.

Late afternoon in Cancun

Little did he know that we had already gone twice on his property and that, by sinal, worship. CocoBongo ventured to say that the ballad was more interesting than we already. We called the number and was not legend, the phone was the same Roberto Noble. For most it was the third time we went to the same party in the last fortnight, we were happy with that. Not only because it's free, but there really like. We set a date for when we returned from Merida. And everything worked out. Walked in graça, Beverage cups and a privileged place in the cabin to enjoy the show. Coisas que só acontecem durante a Expedição.

VIP Reception in CocoBongo

We did not do much more than enjoy the beach and parties in Cancun, after all we were holidays. Actually another part of our routine these days was eating a Marquesita…aaaaah what a treat! The Marquesita is simply a mass crunchy, as a biju in Brazil, recheada of nutella (and for the strongest cheese! Moreover, Mexico down, seems that cheese goes with anything, fresh or salt!). Os nossos dias geralmente terminavam em uma volta na praça no centro da cidade para uma marquesita ou em algum bar da Zona Hoteleira para um mojito.

Relaxing walk on the beach

More beach with Giulli

Marquesita – The Temptation!

A praça, though not in the most pop city, was always full at night, mainly Mexicans. Several local food stalls and outdoor performances gave life to the place. Nos seus entornos estão também os hostels para quem não quer pagar o preço dos resorts.

Mexican Clown intertem the crowd

Gabriel enjoys playing in tent

Classic Mexican foosball tables

Lunch on the square

Cancun was an interesting passage of our trip, and provided great memories and good stories to tell. The presence of friends, sure, fez toda a diferença durante as “férias” da Expedição.

And more beach…

For more pictures of Cancun, click here!

The post House em Cancun and as we saw in the VIP CocoBongo appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 22/12/2012 à 11/01/2012

Path: We crossed the Riviera Maya up and down, and also stretch from Cancun to Merida region. We left to return to Bakalar Bakalar over 20 dias depois.

I do Yucatan Peninsula: The Holiday Expedition

After crossing almost the entire territory of Mexico, reached its most glorious: do Yucatan Peninsula. A place where beauty paradisiacal beaches and cenotes mix to impressive archaeological ruins of Mayan civilization, as well as the glamor of luxury hotels and endless parties. Foi no Yucatán, that somehow, took a vacation Expedition. Curtimos the quiet place, with friends, won during cerca de dias. There was no shortage of stories to tell.

Relaxando Ao Por-do-Sol Isla Mujeres

Since entering Mexico not, counted the days to our arrival in Yucatan Peninsula, the extreme southeastern. Although generally not very close to being very touristy regions, we wanted to check for ourselves this region so beautiful, Highly fashionable and known by Brazilians. Moreover, that was where we would find friends who decided to pay us a visit at the end of the year. Estava tudo programado há meses e a ansiedade era grande.

Too bad that did not last long, Cass saudades!

The Yucatan Peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico and compreende states of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo, and the last one is one of the jewels of the Mexican tourism. In it is located no less than the very famous Cancun, and other beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya, extending over a range of about 130 km desde a cidade de Puerto Morelos até a paradisíaca Tulum.

The blue of the Caribbean beaches of the Riviera Maya

Cancun was the place chosen to be our headquarters in the region. It was the easiest place that people could fly to wherever they were to visit us. Depois da saga ate Bakalar (empty link), stretch right to the city, in order to establish our base and begin to enjoy our holidays with friends. We were immensely happy to have company for Christmas, quando a saudade da família e dos amigos bate mais forte.

We arrived in Cancun on exactly 22 December and would leave only the day away 11 January. As our HQ, was there and we went out there we returned on shorter trips to other parts of the peninsula. We found a camping away as much as the hype, but it had a price infinitely cheaper options that best located hostels, and without comparing it with the hotels glamorous Zona Hoteleira. O Camping was El Meco Loko, near the beach Meco stations and ferry departing for Isla Mujeres. Some days there and we felt at home already, so much so that often the young who charged us at the entrance, now let us to pay days after returning. E as idas e vindas foram várias.

Morning on camping El Meco Loko

The road to the campground to the airport and still know by heart, so many were the times that we. In 20 days, some went to the airport 6 times, two for each visit would. Our first visit was awaited and super to the Cassia, longtime friend from college and a great supporter of our project. It was with that she spent the night of Christmas, nothing on a traditional dinner, watered the many memories and laughs; and other memorable days, that were not enough to kill the longing. After, we were pleased to receive two friends who met along the journey: to Giulli, one of our dear host in Salt Lake City and Julia, German we met during our stay in the Amazon jungle. Estas foram nossas companheiras para a festa de Ano Novo e outros dos dias das nossas férias.

The models that accompanied us in Cancun

Directly from Germany

Our routine always changes when we have company. Seems that give us extra energy, a willingness to share all the joy that the trip has provided us. Also strange is that taste of home, people we know and we like. Nesse sentido, is that these days in the Yucatan Peninsula vacation seemed like the Expedition. All in good company!

New Year in CocoBongo

The Yucatan Peninsula has the ability to attract an interesting variety of tourists. Since most revelers, hungry ballad and days at the beach tanning, even the most interested in the remaining remnants of the Mayan culture or colonial. Também há aqueles que apenas querem curtir a riqueza natural espalhada em todos os cantos.

Our vacation ended up being a mixture of moments. Now we were just enjoying the beautiful nature of the crystal blue water beaches or even the cenotes; either caíamos in the gandaia and render parties, that are a trademark of the region. Ainda tivemos tempo para conhecer mais ruínas da civilização maia e também o clima aconchegante de Mérida.

Praia em Isla Mujeres

Charming little square in Merida

It was difficult to choose a script, since the options on the Yucatan Peninsula are numerous. We had no option but to leave some things to the next opportunity. In the end, points of interest that were part of our visitation list: Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, Merida, Chichen Itza, Gran Cenote, 3 Cenotes, Bakalar.

Given this diversity, condensamos the five reasons why we strongly recommend a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula:

1) The Beaches: Not only in Cancun Caribbean blue water that makes eyes shine. Na chamada Riviera Maya, There is a sequence of amazing beaches, in a range 130 km along the coast. Cities can even be a bit too elegant and full of gringos, with its chic hotels and charming bars, but this does not detract from the natural beauty of its beaches. Among elas, that was more like that of Tulum, onde ainda se pode encontrar um lugar tranquilo e preservado para relaxar diante do cenário paradisíaco.

Visual paradise in Tulum

2) Os Cenotes: Formations very characteristics of the Yucatan Peninsula, the cenotes are deep wells resulting from the collapse of limestone, permitting the submersion of groundwater. Not found, are pools of crystalline water, generally surrounded by caves, and emanating a blue unexplainable in words to meet with the sun. During holidays, passed the Gran Cenote, near Tulum and also by 3 cenotes, located in the region of Merida. There are many others scattered across the peninsula, igualmente ou até mais impressionantes.

The mesmerizing blue of the Grand cenotes

3) The Mayan Ruins: As in much of Mexico, the remnants of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. The region was home to the Mayan and Olmec, and some of its ancient cities still have survived. Chichen Itza is one of the best known and best preserved, encompassing an impressive complex of pyramids and other buildings. Em Tulum, as ruínas à beira-mar proporcionam uma vista esplendorosa.

Pyramid Kukulcán, em Chichén Itzá

4) A Yucatecan Culture: with a rich mix of Mayan heritage with Spanish customs, the state of Yucatán preserve their traditions very well. The city of Merida, for example, is a great place to enjoy the exotic cuisine yucateca, but also appreciate their customs, architecture and music.

Presentation of dances, Merida

5) The Nightlife: For anyone who is looking for those parties that pass the limits of dawn, options abound in Yucatán. Those in Cancun already have that mindset of fun in head and animates it most parties. It was there that enjoyed one of the most diverse and lively ballads of travel: o CocoBongo. Playa del Carmen is also a center for bars and clubs more elegant and full of glamor. In Isla Mujeres can also find an interesting shake. Ultimately, for baladeiros of carteirinha, a região é um paraíso.

CocoBongo, the ballad in Cancun

Ultimately, as you can imagine, spent those twenty-something days “holidays” a good. More details of our comings and goings, tales and encounters in the Yucatan Peninsula during our “holidays” seen in upcoming posts! Wait!

The post The Holiday Expedition appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 20/12/2012 à 21/12/2012

Path: After a night at Blue Waters and come face to face with the Zapatistas in Palenque, we changed plans and headed for Mexico 186 sense Villahermosa, skirting the border with Guatemala, até a cidade de Bakalar.

End of the World with the Zapatistas

We did the math, adapted the screenplay and everything was sent to spend the end of the world in full swing mystical Mayan city of Palenque. Just forget to tell our friends Zapatistas, que aproveitaram a atenção mundial à região naquela data para aprontar para cima dos nossos planos.

Was giving 20 December 2012, Tanajura when we climbed in and set off towards Palenque. As we left a little late of San Juan Chamula, the night already fell while we were still a few dozen miles from our destination. We opted for caution, and risked spending the night at Blue Waters, Palenque to a neighboring town and that would break a beautiful waterfall of crystal blue water. If the world did not end in the early hours of the following day, conseguiríamos chegar a Palenque justamente no último dia do calendário maia.

We pay close 30 weights (approximately R $ 4.5) per person to access the park. The inside, There is a good small hotels and camping sites. We prepare our tents and still had time to quickly look the beautiful water color waterfall before night fall, just forget to take pictures (profudamente would repent it later!). Jantamos um peixe e contamos os minutos para dormir.

How would the waterfall of Blue Water, if it did not rain at the end of the world (aladecuervo.deviantart.com photo)

We were anxious, after all, 's not every day that we can spend the end of time exactly where this whole end of the world began. During our path, read about it. We found that in the end, is all a matter of interpretation. Many people find that going on the road to Palenque, were happy with the time, since it was not the end of the world what they expected, but the start of a new era, from the order of another cycle. That's exactly what some experts limos Mayan culture. O tal do 21 December 2012 would end (approximate) the Mayan calendar, but the principle is nothing in the scriptures and records left by ancient indigenous gives a clue End Times. Ultimately, end if something, we were in the right place, e não poderíamos deixar de conferir.

It was almost midnight, when the end of the world seemed to be starting. A very strong rain fell on our tents. A temporal accompanied by wind, that ensopou the tent and went to push água into it. The rain lasted all night until morning and ruined our hopes of seeing the waterfall under the light of day. There was still time for the world to end, then packed up their bags and headed off to see what was going on in Palenque 21 de dezembro.

A few miles down the road and find a jam. Everything was stopped! At first, think everyone had our idea of ​​going to Palenque exactly on this day. But then we realized that the traffic was not moving even. 'Maybe, uum has been accident”, think. Pulled up at a site and wondered what was happening. We, then, informed that our friends Zapatistas had closed the road in a protest against the government. Access to Palenque was completely blocked that road! Logo today!

The chaos on the road interdicted

As mentioned in the last post, the Zapatista movement emerged in 1910, when Emiliano Zapata joined a revolutionary army that would fight against the Government Porfinista (of former president Porfirio Diaz), that was in power for more than 20 years old. Today, or Zapatista Army of National Liberation (or EZLN) is a leftist revolutionary group, formed mainly by indigenous people living in rural Chiapas. From 1994, The group has declared war to the Mexican State, although most of their actions have been non-violent. The Zapatistas have the support of most of the inhabitants of the autonomous state of Chiapas, onde a maioria dos habitantes é de origem indígena.

Poster Zapatista, luta por ‘tierra y libertad’

Several hours passed before we found Stefan, a traveler who had known Mexican camping in Blue Water. He was on the counter-flow, giving up waiting for something to happen that way. He also wanted to go to Palenque, but after standing hours, reviewed plans and decided to stretch straight to the Yucatan peninsula. Refletimos sobre o assunto e decidimos acompanhá-lo.

And the world did not end

We drove the rest of the day, passing through villages that have never heard of and bizarre ways, before we reached the city Bakalar, near the border of Guatemala around midnight. We were exhausted and did not pitch the tents soon appeared in front of a hostel, in the same street. We spend a lot by the end of the world, but not over our. After much rain and the way Zapatistas, Survived. We woke up the next day in the beautiful Laguna de Bakalar, de onde seguiríamos viagem para Cancun.

The group of Stefan, who redeemed us in Palenque

A Laguna de Bakalar (pictures of panoramio.com)

The post End of the World with the Zapatistas appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 19/12/2012 à 20/12/2012

Path: Take Mexico 190, Tehuantepec sense, até a saída de San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Cultural Explosion in Chiapas

Chiapas is perhaps one of the most interesting of Mexico, culturally speaking. With much of the population of Indian origin, certain customs and traditions of the Maya not only survived the influences of the white man, como convivem com elas como se fossem desde sempre uma única. With political unrest since the colonial era, Chiapas is an autonomous state, surviving without government funds, but with greater political freedom, with the majority of its population is openly supportive of the EZLN, Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

It was late afternoon when we reached the cultural capital of the state of Chiapas: San Cristobal de las Casas. Founded em 1528, served as the official capital of the state of 1824 the 1892 and today is still considered its historical and touristic capital. The city was an important center of struggle for indigenous rights, trademark in its name. While San Cristóbal is a reference to the holy, Las Casas é um tribute ao bispo Bartolomeu de Las Casas, staunch protector of indigenous rights in the region, durante o período de dominação espanhola.

Typical urban setting of Chiapas

San Cristobal de las Casas in good condition keeps many of its colonial buildings and is a great choice for a quieter ride. It was exactly what we did. Its historic center has cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. There are charming restaurants and hotels to spare. The city has all the infrastructure ready to receive tourists on duty. Simply wander the streets and squares peatonais (streets without access to vehicles, with many restaurants and shops open door with tables on the street) sem compromisso é a melhor pedida da cidade.

Charme of San Cristobal de las Casas

Interestingly, walking the cobblestone streets, mental confusion comes to mind when looking at the sites and its aspect roaming the Indian city full of churches worked well, buildings and plazas of colonial style. They seem not belonging to the local. Tudo muito europeu em um lugar repleto de descendentes de indígenas.

The next day, decided to make a visit to the nearby town of San Juan Chamula. This is a curious little town of 50 thousand inhabitants, com sangue maia nas veias. The Tzotzil (linguagem indígena) is still an official language of the city, sendo que dificilmente alguém não a conhece por ali. San Juan Chamula has power only in Mexico, so that no police or military force from outside is allowed outside the city. Eles tem sua própria força policial.

The quaint church in San Juan Chamula

Catholicism in Chamula is a mixture of Mayan customs of pre-Columbian, Spanish Catholic traditions and innovations resulting from diverse mixture of the two. Result is a great local attraction: the Church of San Juan. Located right in the city center, esta é uma das igrejas mais diferentes que vimos em toda a viagem até aqui, se não a mais exótica.

Main square of the small town

Church in the detail

There are no seats in the church, once the floor is completely covered by branches of pine tree. The candles occupy much of the floor and spread a pleasant smell to the place. Chamula families kneel on the floor of the church in their fervent prayers. Fences candles and bottles of Coca, drink sodas in offering and sing in a dialect of archaic Tzotzil. Nas walls, images of saints carved in wood and many mirrors to ward off evil. Um altar principal ocupa o fundo da igreja com uma imagem de Jesus cruxificado.

Curiosity by Tanajura

Pose shy for photo

Mal chegamos, and several groups of children approached the car, selling local artesanato

Unfortunately, the image of the church from the inside will stay only in words, since it is strictly forbidden to draw pictures inside. Moreover, photography in the city is very difficult. Os pais escondem seus filhos ou eles mesmos se afastam assim que identificam uma câmera. At least, uma foto do lado de fora da igreja nós conseguimos.

A shame not to shoot inside the church

In surrounding the center, women working in local crafts and making costumes and blankets. In shops, several items are related to the Zapatista Movement, as Canetas, paintings and postcards with the figure of Subcomandante Marcos, the main leader of the Movement. Percebemos como os Zapatistas são realmente adorados em Chiapas.

Several craft shops nearby

The Zapatista movement emerged in 1910, when Emiliano Zapata joined a revolutionary army that would fight against the Government Porfinista (of former president Porfirio Diaz), that was in power for more than 20 years old. Today, or Zapatista Army of National Liberation (or EZLN) is a leftist revolutionary group, formed mainly by indigenous people living in rural Chiapas. We had a certain impediment to this group, mas essa é uma história que vai ficar para o próximo post.

For more photos of Chiapas, click here!

The post Chiapas: A Cultural Explosion appeared first on 4x1.

Date: 17/12/2012 à 18/12/2012

Path: Almost always followed by Mexico 160 desde Cidade do México até Oaxaca.

We left the city of Mexico and continue to southeast peel Mexican Sierra Madre where he reached the state of Oaxaca. Situated in the middle of the central valleys that state, and bearing the same name, is the city of Oaxaca de Juárez (or simply known as Oaxaca). Despite the well-preserved architectural structure dating back to the period of Spanish domination, Oaxaca retains many traditions, costumes e, in particular, a culinary peculiar, remnants of its strong heritage of pre-Columbian civilizations that occupied the region for more than 2.000 anos.

As montanhas da Sierra Madre Mexicana nos acompanhavam boa parte do caminho até o estado de Oaxaca.

It was almost late afternoon when we reached the center of Oaxaca. We walked through its historic streets and enjoy the late afternoon sitting on the stools Plaza Alameda de León, Appends Constiuición Square, or Zócalo. The Zocalo is the pleasure center of Oaxaca and there, e na Alameda de León, is the meeting point of the Oaxacan, getting crowded even during the weekdays: parents and children, students who have just left college, elderly, hawkers… Even a Congressman (little rascal) took advantage of the calm weather and family end of the year, to promote their image by distributing free popcorn (regardless of where the money came from to pay for the popcorn, the act is, no minimum, strange). But the queue for the popcorn, é clear, was huge! And although the square not maintain almost anything its colonial style (when he had no pavements or sidewalks) ela foi e muito bem na remodeled Alameda de León, is to discover majestosa Oaxaca Cathedral - Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The church that stands there today started construction in 1702 after being destroyed on two previous occasions by two earthquakes. The church has one of the nicest interiors of all Catholic churches we visited! With an interior in a beautiful neoclassical, what is most striking is the altar with the image of Our Lady of Assumption in bronze, encomendada na Itália.

Notice the huge queue in broad daylight from week to get the free popcorn Trickster Congressman, Zócalo not (praça central) de Oaxaca.

A facade da bela Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, close to the Zocalo of Oaxaca, Oaxaca – Mexico

The beautiful interior of the Cathedral Oaxacan!

That night we would still have our first contact with Oaxacan cuisine. After consulting our guide book (o Ralf) and observe the movement of restaurants, not decided to go to La Terraza restaurant will eat famous Tlayuda! The tlayuda tortilla itself is a pretty big, a bit more solid (without getting to be crunch) and tastier than traditional. It comes stuffed with black beans, lettuce, guacamole, Porco linguiça, typical base sauce of green peppers and red or a hearty steak!

Andrew, Gabriel, Leonardo and Bruno Comem to Tlayuda, no restaurant La Terraza. Gustavo ate a Tamal – dish based on corn that comes wrapped in a banana leaf (em Oaxaca, Oaxaca – Mexico)

The next day was the highlight of our visit to Oaxaca! Intense and culture, can visit the huge and ancient tree of Tule, a imponente ruína de Monte Albán e deliciar algumas das tradicionais iguarias oaxaquenhas.

Early in the morning we set off for a stroll around the charming centrinho Santa Maria del Tule, onde fica located Tule Tree (Tule tree). Known as Ahuehuete in nahuatl (the predominant language in the Aztec empire that eventually gave name to many things in Mexico), tree 2.000 years is considered one of the largest trees in the world!!! But although many tourists imagine seeing a tall tree (as, for example, the Sequoias in North America) if the tree Tule, is not its height of 42m which impresses. Or title ela recebe, indeed, consists largely due to its total volume. After all, Have your huge amount of trunk diameter and 14m in circumference 58m (which equates to just over 30 people hugging the tree!).

Notice the size and volume of the tree compared to the church and the town hall next to tree. Santa Maria del Tule, Oaxaca – Mexico

Or imenso Tule tree trunk – one of the largest trees in the world! (em Santa Maria del Tule, Oaxaca – Mexico)

We went from there to the archaeological site of Monte Alban, the ancient capital of the Zapotec. Socio political and economic center of the Zapotec by more than 1.000 years old! The Zapatecas were not fools, constructed their most important city on the 1,940 m of altitude is 400 meters above the central valley of Oaxaca! Had, thereby, an amazing and privileged view of the whole valley which gave them a great defensive advantage!

Panoramic photo of the archaeological site of Monte Alban – Oaxaca, Mexico

A view privilegiada dos Zapotecas, top of Monte Alban

With the very dry climate (especially in the winter months - Nov. to Mar.) and very hot during the day, the site is large, plan (was flattened by the Zapotecs) and impressed by the incredible level of conservation of several buildings in this city that once had 35.000 inhabitants teve e seu trough between 500 a.C. and 800 d.C.

The Expedition in hot, dry climate of the magnificent archaeological site of Monte Alban!

The main square and surrounding buildings. Notice the floor flattened the ancient Zapotec capital!

The site has a main square from where two corridors: one for north and one for south. Are arranged around several buildings where, probably, ficavam a elite Zapoteca, ceremonial and sacred buildings. But what most caught our attention was the huge field Ball game (ballgame), one of the most traditional sports played in several Mesoamerican civilizations since 1400 a.C. The exact rules of 'ball games' are unknown but, in general, the goal was to keep the ball in play. In its most classic versions, players should hit the ball using your hips, shoulders, knees or elbows and more interesting is that many of these games had ritual significance. What it means? The losers could be dead in offerings to the gods! (Now, imagine if our football was so, hein?! Hahahaha)

Or stage Ballgame no Monte Alban, one of the greatest of all mesomerica! Gabriel is a spectator and angled walls on the sidelines (although they seem bleachers), serve to help keep the ball in play!

Several signs like carved figures on buildings, some ceramic pieces and other architectural decorations, reveal that the site probably was influenced by contact between its inhabitants and Olmec civilizations and Teotihuacan. Many of the remains were removed from the site and placed in a museum annex, where more details can be found in life Zapoteca, the excavations and studies done on site over the last few years. A curiosity about the site is that it is believed that only 20% its area has been excavated so far! Truly amazing!

The figure of a man supposedly in some dance or ritual – em Monte Albán, Oaxaca – Mexico

Parts of figures in rituals, made by Zapotecs and found the site of Monte Alban, colocadas no museu anexo ao sítio.

We left hungry after all that walking and our last stop in Oaxaca would be in the traditional Mercado Benito Juarez Market, where we ate delicious sanduíche oaxaquenho and experience the traditional grasshoppers! Name chapuline not to sound very strange to many Brazilians, is not even? Anyone know where remember? For those who remembered, that's right: Mexican TV character who spent the decade of the SBT 90: or Chapolin Colorado! Grasshoppers are a type of grasshopper reddish and we never noticed those little antennas and elongated tails that the hero was actually Chapolin to represent that he was a grasshopper! hahahaha… The grasshoppers Oaxaca are fried and seasoned with salt and lemon. It tastes like a cone shrimp fritinha (but without the delicious shrimp meat inside, é clear! ) and the salt and lemon give an extra saborzinho. Who here would risk?! Well, The market also has several clothing and characteristic of the region. We left Dali and continue to Market 20 November, conhecido as food market, to enjoy the much talked Oaxacan chocolate. Mas na verdade não gostamos tanto quanto as outras iguarias.

Juices accompany the tasty sandwich Benito Juarez Market in Oaxaca – Oaxaca, Oaxaca – México.

Small chapulines the hands of Bruno, André and Gustavo – market Juarez – Oaxaca, Oaxaca – Mexico

Gabriel about to devour another Chapuline! (em Oaxaca, Oaxaca – Mexico)

Clothes typical Oaxaquenhas in the Benito Juarez market – Oaxaca, Oaxaca – Mexico

The traditional Mexican sauce known as' Mole’ (based on many different peppers and chillies) exposed to market 20 November – Oaxaca, Oaxaca – Mexico

Due to the proximity of Oaxaca archaeological site of Monte Alban, e A Cidade de Santa Maria del Tule, in just two days exploring the region and could "taste" some of their traditions. Unfortunately our time is short and we needed to follow the Southeast. Traditions, stories, culinary, archeological sites… an entire cultural wealth of other pre-Columbian peoples that still remains alive for Mexican lands were waiting. We needed to leave and the next stops would be nothing more, nothing less, independent of the state of Chiapas mystical Yucatan peninsula! Até breve!

Nanda and Bruno came out of the site of Monte Albán…

To check out more photos from this experience, click here!

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I often sympathize more carpenters, shoemakers, etc., that whole stupid boss supposedly civilized, talkers, llamados gente culta. (Frida Kahlo)

Panel representing the troubled period of Mexican independence

No Saturday, 15 December, woke up and spent the morning updating our site and working on the photos and the content we post here. As we are exploring different places semper, and hardly stopped, occasionally we take a morning or sometimes even a whole day to get working exclusively on the material we post. At lunchtime, then we start with the Licia and her boyfriend Gabriel for lunch at Coyoacan region, in a local market with several grocery stores where food eaten several quesadillas, todas muito saborosas.

Market where they sold tacos

After, strolled around the area and went to the Blue House, What is the Frida Kahlo museum, famous Mexican painter who lived in the first half of the last century. He was born in this house, the painter lived and died and consequently where she lived with her husband, o também pintor Diego Rivera.

At home, transformed into a museum in the year 1958, contains works of the painter and, The most interesting, personal belongings and furniture of the era in which she lived there, besides tell his remarkable life story and suffered. Known works are present, as the frame Viva la Vida. Frida Kahlo was born in 6 July 1907, daughter of a German father and Mexican mother, and has since lived in this house. To 5 year-old contracted polio, illness which left Frida several sequels, mainly motor, in your legs, and led her to perform various surgeries. Although the sequelae, her father encouraged her to play sports, such as football and boxing, to cheer her, but over time his movement was becoming increasingly limited and his departure was inevitable sports. Since then Frida became a child alone, theme reflected in many paintings by the artist in his adulthood. To 18 years old, in 1925, coming home from school, I was on the bus suffered a serious accident and Frida was brutally injured. Suffered 3 spinal injuries, several fractured ribs, Clavicula and quadril, his right leg was broken in 11 parts and a handrail pierced his lower abdomen, fact that in the years following the cripple to have children. It was, then, novamente submetida a várias cirurgias.

Since then Frida Kahlo began to get more involved with the world of painting. His paintings were mostly forms of the artist release their feelings about their suffering and their lives. He painted many self-portraits and many works that are represented by other characters, sometimes reflecting their loneliness in childhood, sometimes her sufferings in adulthood, as the growing inability of locomotion or the inability to have children, also a consequence of the accident in his youth. After starting to paint more actively, Frida penetrated environments political discussion and intellectual Mexico, where she met her husband and fellow artist Diego Rivera. She Diego and stayed together until the end of his life, except for a short period they were divorced. His work was recognized in life, unlike other artists, and m races this she lived for some years in the United States. Already close to his death, had a leg amputated partially because of an infection of gangrene, which further increased his physical and mental suffering. Frida died in 13 July 1954, na Cidade do México.

Garden House Frida Kahlo

We left the museum already late afternoon and we went for a beer in a bar with Licia and Gabriel. We experience a traditional Mexican cerveja michelada, which is not one brand or type of beer, but a way of preparation: when he asks the waiter for a beer michelada him behind the glass with a little lemon squeezed, Tabasco, black pepper and in some cases also Tabasco pepper. Although it may seem a little strange, mainly by peppers, like! At least some of us, hahaha! We spent the night at the bar, drinking some beers, petiscanso, goofing off and also participated in a game of Heineken, they won 2 bottles of Heineken's new film themes 007, until we get back to the apartment to sleep from Licia, it was still a day in Mexican capital!

Gabriel, Licia, Andre and Bruno no bar

No Sunday, 16 December, once again went out to walk around town. We walk peels Reform, avenue in the city center where only pedestrians are allowed. Then, rumamos the Castillo Chapultepec, which today houses the National Museum of History. On the way to the museum, through the park in front of the Castillo, had a large circle of people watching the show of a clown. Imagine our surprise when the clown, which had a microphone, decided to call the people to participate in the show. With so many people around, foi na direto people and, we 5, called well Fernandes (Leonardo), perhaps the shyest of us all! He was sheepishly time, but had no way to refuse and went to the center of the wheel to meet the clown, he was joking and Brazilians playing with balloons. Were 5 minutes of good laughs, at least for the 4 most of us the hundred and some Mexicans who were watching. Mas acho que o Nandes curtiu também.

Fernandes and the Clown

Candy sold in the park

Arriving at the museum, we saw that history there treated mainly concerns the period from the Mexican independence, that we will now. The war for independence lasted from 1810 the 1821 (More details about the beginning of this movement you see in the post about the city of Guanajuato, by clicking here).

Part C Castillo Chapultepec

After independence, officially got em 1821 with the war of independence, the Mexican political scene was marked by instability. In 1848 Mexico lost many of their lands (almost half the territory when there exists independence) to the United States. Political instability increasing, Fruit the briga between liberals and conservatives, meant that if he started a war for power, that of Durou 1857 the 1861. At the end of the war, Liberals win and Benito Juárez, liberal, becomes President of Mexico. We conservatives, clearly dissatisfied, França to be unem (interested in exploiting the country's mines) and, with the help of the French army, takes power in 1864 and Maximilian of Austria plans, nephew of Empress Leopoldina, entronado-o imperador do México.

Museum room with frame Maximiliano

However, Maximiliano advocated a monarchy aided by a democratically elected Congress and this caused him to lose the support of conservatives, they did not want a Congress elected by the people, while liberals remained against him, because they were against a monarchy. Without many friends, in 1967 Maximilian was captured and executed by forces loyal to Benito Juarez, re-establishing the republic, drafting a new constitution that confiscated the lands of the Church (nearly half the country) e estabelecendo outras medidas que separavam a Igreja do Estado.

Benito Juárez was president until 1876, when, again, Conservatives stepped in. With the support of conservative group, Porfirio Diaz, Juárez general, if he comes president, Juárez accused of excessive centralization of power in his hands and he, who sought re-election, intended to stay in power too long. Irony of fate or trickery Porphyry (this obviously most likely) is that he stayed in power for 35 years old, of 1876 the 1911, supported by fraudulent reelections. His rule was marked by the development of Mexican infrastructure and industry growth, based on low-wage workers, fato which led to an increase in social problems. Conservative, considerava que o desenvolvimento só seria conseguido aos moldes europeus e via o povo indígena do México como um obstáculo ao crescimento do país.

View from the second floor of the Castle

In another election in which Porphyry wanted to win reelection, Francisco Maduro, an intellectual from a wealthy family that was against Porphyry, gained popular support and was about to win the election, when the president ordered his arrest and was re-elected almost unanimously in another fraud. The people, who was standing Maduro, declined more esa fraud and starts the Mexican Revolution. With the defeat of the revolutionary forces by the federal army, Porfírio renuncia ao cargo de presidente e assume Madero.

The terrace Castillo Chapultepec

However, The revolutionary forces have not entered into an effective agreement on who would assume power, to be formed by different groups ideal, War and the Mexican Revolution has extended for more than twenty years, being virtually a civil war, with many changes of rulers in this period. The country was only achieve political stability around 1930 e segue assim até os dias de hoje.

The Castillo de Chapultepec has a beautiful garden on its top and a wide view of the valley Mexican. The castle, that was Colegio military and Astronomical Observatory, served as the residence for several presidents. Each illustrious president modified it as wanted: Maximiliano illustrate how brands and Porfirio thought in developing the country – the greatest neatness brought by Maximiliano through an exquisite bathroom for him and his wife represented the development of public services such as potable water pipelines, Paving the streets with cobblestone and gas lighting. Já na was Porfírio, a reception room sumptuous, for meeting with diplomats, marks the strengthening of foreign affairs and international capital increase in the country. The Castillo turned museum em 1939, a mando do presidente Lazaro Cardenas.

Dining Room Castillo Chapultepec

With so much history to observe, just leaving Castillo Chapultepec already late afternoon and we ran to the Museum of Anthropology, would close in an hour. Arriving at the museum, since the first surprise: it is huge and has an amazing architecture. Shaped rectangle, is hollow at its center, where one finds a central mast that holds the roof leaked this part. Anyway, it is easier to see the photo:

Museum of Anthropology

Access to the rooms of the museum, which are separated by the different peoples who occupied regions of Mexico, this is made from hollow core. We entered the room for the Mayan people, and then came our second surprise: o museu é muito bem montado e riquíssimo em informações.

Unfortunately, our time was already running out and we had a few minutes to contemplate the museum. We left with the feeling that we still had a lot to learn in that place, but had to leave for next time. Já era noite e também hora de jantar com nossos anfitriões Licia e Gabriel.

We indicated by a taqueria they, very good, where we prove several Mexican delicacies, as quesadillas, tacos al pastor and crust, among other dishes. Finishing dinner, taste the best three milk cake we ate on the entire trip. After a day of learning, great museums and a tasty dinner, returned for the last time at the apartment of Licia to sleep. The next morning, leave Mexico City, leaving for Oaxaca. Many thanks Licia and Gabriel for receiving and patience with us these 3 days spent in the Mexican capital or, for local, simply D.F.!

We were having dinner with Gabriel and Licia

For more photos of this amazing passage through Mexico City, click here!

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Date: 13/12/2012 à 17/12/2012

The 08 November 1519 The meeting took place between Hernán Cortés and Moctezuma II. Almost two years later, the 13 August 1521, Tenochtotlan definitely fell into the hands of the Spanish and Cuauhtémoc was captured. As aptly put it Jaime Torres Bodet, such an event "was not victory nor defeat, was the painful birth of the mestizo town that is Mexico today ". (Templo Mayor Museum)

Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City

We left Teotihuacan Thursday, 31 December, rumo Mexico City. Besides we have already heard that the traffic in the city is chaotic, then it would be best to get there as late as possible, also told us that the city cops love foreign cars stop and charge fees, since the traffic laws of the city are quite restrictive and somewhat complex. De fate, prohibits the movement of cars with license plates from outside Mexico City during peak hours, but how many foreigners do not know or do not quite understand how this rule works, some police officers take advantage of this situation. Anyway, As we were driving through the night, would be more difficult to be identified as foreign. As we expected, we were not stopped by anyone and took an hour and a half to travel the 50km that separated us from our destination, due to the traffic that was in the city, although the time. A Lícia, André girlfriend, and her boyfriend Gabriel received us in his apartment, where we slept by 4 noites em que ficamos na capital Mexicana.

Before continuing, tell you a little history of the city. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, by the fourteenth century, existed in the local capital of the Aztec empire, city ​​that was called Tenochtitlan. At the time, the area was a lake with several islands and a main, was located where the main Aztec temple city, today called the Templo Mayor. The islands were interconnected with each other and the mainland by bridges and counted also developed a system of dikes. The Aztec city has become one of the largest cities in the world in this period, with more than 250 thousand inhabitants. In 1519 Spaniards arrive. Led by ambitious conqueror Hernan Cortes, who dreamed of the riches of numerous legends present in Tenochtitlán, Spaniards entered the capital and were greeted amiably by Aztec leader Moctezuma II, because this still was not sure who the visitors: poderiam ser enviados dos deuses ou pessoas comuns.

Model as it was the Aztec capital

After a few months, European invaders began the attack on the town. With the help of strategies provided by local tribes who were unhappy with the taxes levied by Moctezuma II and relying on firearms, the conquest of the territory was rapid and lasted only two years. The city was destroyed by the Spaniards, literally leaving no stone unturned. In its place, Cortez decided to found the capital of New Spain, and began construction of the new city on top of the old. Com o passar do tempo o lago que existia na região foi secando até sumir por completo.

Gustavo taking pictures of the ruins

Unfortunately, extreme aggressiveness of the European invaders in the past makes today is not nearly nothing of the ancient Aztec capital and powerful, apenas pequenas e destruídas ruínas do que antes foi um dos maiores impérios de toda a América.

Do Temple Ruins

Well, arrived on Thursday, 13 December, dined with the Lycian at the mall that is close to his apartment and went to sleep because, the next morning, Tana had a marked revision in Nissan. As programmed, spent the morning of 14 December with Tana at the dealership and after it is released, took her back to the building and left the Lycian subway to visit the historical center of the city, which also was located, there 600 years old, a capital asteca Tenochtitlán.

Mexico City subway

As soon as we arrived we were already looking for a place for lunch, because we had not taken breakfast that day and we were starving. Following our guide Lonely Planet, fall at a restaurant on the second floor of a house, que tinha potencial para ser bom e caseiro.

Street of the historic center

However, the menu in Spanish and English have already signaled that the site was affiliated to Gringolandia. Said and done: the food came on a wooden board, which was wrapped in a plastic bag to not make it dirty (horrible craze among some Mexican restaurants), and although it is not bad, faltava flavor and personalidade. Unfortunately most restaurants guide appointed by U.S. suffer from this same malady: what was once a local environment with good food, ends up becoming standardized today something to please the gringos. Over time we learned to better filter these options and just use the guide to find restaurants of the region, ourselves looking for the best option instead of going straight to the restaurant indicated by Lonely Planet. Aí sim encontramos as verdadeiras jóias da culinária local.

Changes in the city center

After lunch we went for a walk around the city center, crowded with people walking to and fro and also some political demonstrations in front of government buildings. As the city is also the political center of the country, There is a mix of people shopping, people coming and going of people expressing their jobs and, all in the same space, which leaves the central region quite busy every day of the week. Walking through the center, near the Templo Mayor Museum, saw a street full of vendors on the floor, all shouting wildly to call customers, with products supported on cloths extended. The curious thing was that trade, apparently irregular, se montava na calçada ao lado de grupos de policiais que aparentemente faziam vista grossa para a questão.

Well, like any other portrait in the city, We were shooting the moment and, when least expected, comes a man asking to see the photo we had taken. We were not understanding anything, how well this guy wanted to see our photos? But in a few seconds longer grasp the message: man carried a radio communication and was apparently exchanging messages with someone who passed orders. What he wanted was for us deletássemos the pictures we took of merchants irregular, but did not want to tell us because he wanted that. We deduce that what happens is that the photos show, not be our intention, irregular trading on the sidewalk and the police in the background, two realities that should not coexist. Now, at the behest of the man who works, is left to the reader to conclude. Anyway, fingimos that shutdown tínhamos posts and we, seeing that there were at least more 2 people who were approaching tourists asking to erase the photos. Below is a picture that we take:

Camels and pedestrian

We continued walking and knowing the center, Indians crossed themselves where tourists and locals with their herbs. We also went by the beautiful post office building in the city, todo recuperado e conservado.

Gringo se benzendo

Building postal

Finally, we went to the museum of the Temple Mayor, which includes the ruins of the temple (as previously dito, the temple was almost destroyed in the Spanish invasion) and a museum that has several objects and information from the creation of the current Mexico City. Inclusive, the phrase that opens the post is written in one of these panels in the museum. The ride over the ruins of what was once a great temple is somewhat frustrating, to see how barbaric culture was annihilated by Spanish invasion. And to make matters worse, the new city built by the Spaniards was made using stones left over from the destruction. In other words, não sobrou nada.

What's left of the Temple Mayor

As was or Temple

In the following centuries the Spanish occupation, works in the city also ignored the historical importance of the Aztec ruins and did not bother to keep it. It is seen by the work on the pipelines that were installed in city water: ele corta a ruína ao meio.

Aqueduct cutting ruins

The tour of the ruins of the Templo Mayor disregard this evidence that the ancient rulers had with the region's past. Anyway, The museum focuses many parts of Aztec culture very seriously and explains the history of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan and the Spanish invasion, that we post early. Vale muito a pena a visita.

Central hall of the Museum of the Templo Mayor

Funerary urn

Mask asteca

We left the museum in the evening and spent the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City, giant, com seu altar adornado a ouro.

Altar from Catedral Metropolitana

We walked around town and took a walk along the Alameda Central, park where we met several couples enjoying the late afternoon, before taking the subway back to the area where the apartment was the Licia, em que estávamos ficando.

Late afternoon in Mexico City

Lovebirds in Central Alameda

We had dinner crepes in the same shopping the previous day and went to the apartment to shower and sleep, depois do longo dia.

The post about our journey through Mexico City continues in the next reporting!

To see more photos of this post, click here!

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Date: 12/12/2012 à 13/12/2012

Path: We took Highway sense Querétaro, e saímos na altura de San Juan de Teotihuacan.

A little more 40 km northeast of Mexico City, are the ruins of one of the most stunning cities in America pre-Columbian: a poderosa Teotihuacan (or the City of the Gods, that dialeto Nahuatl). Their structural complexity, exalted by giant pyramids scattered among the wide boulevards and residential complexes, é ponto de passagem obrigatório de qualquer turista que passe pela Cidade do México.

A Majestosa Teotihuacan

Established around the years 100 AC-250DC, Teotihuacan arose as a new religious center in Mesoamerica. But, Evidence shows that the city ended up developing a strong commercial center of the season, extending their influence to several neighboring peoples. At the height of their civilization, in the mid-fifth century, certify that the city may have reached the 150 thousand inhabitants (or but!), spread over 30 square kilometers of land. It was one of the greatest cities in the world in this period, e a maior da Mesoamérica.

View from the Pyramid of the Sun

Although many similarities, Teotihuacan was not an Aztec or Mayan city, even Olmec or Toltec. The truth is that the ethnic origin of this people is still a mystery, probably a mixture of older people still, but its complexity makes it a cultural civilization itself, the teotihuacanos (nome this, given later by the Aztecs).

The Walk of the Dead, monitored by the Pyramid of the Moon

We started our visit at the gate 1, where we are walking after leaving Tanajura parked in Teotihuacan Trailer Park, place where we spend the night. Moreover, o local é ótimo e a hospitalidade da simpática senhora são de tirar o chapéu.

Great tips and conversation at Teotihuacan Trailer Park

Traces of the passage of other fellow travelers by location

Coming Teotihuacan, the city really impresses. Loin, Pyramid of the Sun appears pompous, like he was a few meters away. Entering through the gate 1, we ran into the Palace of Quetzalcoatl, one of the most luxurious buildings (if not the most) and one of the city's most important. It may have been the residence of a remarkable and influential character. It is extensively decorated with well-preserved murals, sobretudo no que toca à cor vermelha que era a cor preferida desta civilização.

Or Palace of Quetzalcoatl

Detail of the columns of the Palace

Right beside it, is a major city buildings, to Pirâmide da Lua, the second highest of all the archaeological site. Any symmetric, at Piramide dá to acesso longa Avenue of the Dead, uma short Teotihuacan long avenue of Ponta to Ponta. Built superimposed on another construction that year's date 200 DC, says that the Pyramid of the Moon is dedicated to sacrifices to the goddess of water. If you can climb halfway to the top, where you have a privileged view of the whole city, incluindo a majestosa Pirâmide do Sol.

View from Pirâmide da Lua

The figure of a jaguar, constantly present in the paintings of civilization

This is the masterpiece of the city. With its 70 meters high and 225 lateral base meter, the Pyramid of the Sun is astonishingly large. A complexidade da construção feita a milhares de anos atrás, without any of the tools that facilitate our work today make us stop to think how this was possible. The construction was made in impressive 150 years old, a partir do ano 0.

The Pyramid of the Sun

70 meters of stones and mystery

Stop to rest, after several steps of ascent

Seguindo ao sul da Calzada de los Muertos, The Citadel and is também or belo gives the Feathered Serpent Temple, or the Quetzacoatl Temple. Built between the years of 150 and 250 d.C., Citadel was the new political center, cultural and economic city of Teotihuacán, and had the capacity to house approximately 100 mil pessoas.

The snakes the Quetzacoatl Temple

Part of the temple survived while

Since it is believed that the temple was in its heyday

The visit was also entitled to a museum in output, where we could observe some objects taken from the ruins and learn more about the history of Teotihuacan. We prefer to make every visit to the archaeological site without a guide to save, mas há diversos deles disponíveis nas entradas da cidade.

Objects found in the region

Head of the Feathered Serpent

A full day tour is the least we can book to get to know this wonderful archaeological site. Outside the high season (July and August), we had some problems with queues and the ruins were there practically for us. A visita foi impressionante e nos instigou a conhecer mais sobre esses povos misteriosos que ocuparam nossa América há milhares de anos atrás.

Heritage of UNESCO

To check out more pictures of Teotihuacan, click here!

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