Travel Blog

BP’s latest and possibly last-ditch attempt to stop the flow of oil from Gulf of Mexico well ran into another snag Wednesday, even as the expanding slick of crude oil from the spill drifted closer to previously untouched beaches in three more U.S. states.

Raw Video: Flying Over the Gulf Oil Spill Site

Shark Adventure Cancun Mexico

I was in Mexico City from January 9 – 16 2009. Mexico City may not be considered the “Adventure Capital” of the world but Trek Escapes offers many trips that begin or end in Mexico City such as:

Peregrine Adventures: PSML Mexico in Depth

Explore Worldwide: MX Indian Mexico

Tucan Travel : DMA Sombrero

Imaginative Traveller: Mexico to Antigua

Trek Escapes also offers special airfares with Mexicana Airlines to many places in Mexico, Central, and South America. For just a few extra dollars stop in Mexico City to or from Buenos Aries, Guatemala City, Havana, San Jose, and other destinations. Mexicana flies directly from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Mexico City is certainly a destination on its own, but if definitely worth a 4 to 5 day stay.

Here are some of the things not to miss:

Markets - Local markets or ‘mercados’ are in every neighbourhood.

I visited the Mixcoac, Xochimilco, and Coyoacan Markets.

The markets were full of colour, sounds, music, and life. I also visited a special artesian market and picked myself a ‘Tree of Life’ with a Mexican Day of the Dead theme. Day of the Dead is November 2. Mexicans are one of the few countries in the world that celebrate this day, in which people go to the cemeteries to offer tribute to their departed ones. But this is not a sad celebration, on the contrary, people give family and friend’s candy treats in the shape of skulls and bones made of sugar and chocolate.

I also bought some candles in the markets and a Virgin of Guadalupe box. I also went to an unusual market called The Sonora Market. Sonora has two themes. One is for party decorations for kids and adult parties but 10 steps inside you will find quickly find out the other theme is magic. All kinds of amulets, plants, and relics can be found. No photos are allowed at the Sonora market. It was a bit eerie.

Culture:

A highlight of my week was the Ballet Folkloric Dance. The dance is presently held on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Museum of Anthropology. The Ballet is full of great upbeat Mariachi music (typical of Guadalajara) Marimba music (the music from Veracruz), and other traditional music forms from Mexico. The show has fantastic sets, bright costumes and the best local dancing show ever. The show does not miss one beat or have any missteps. Typical Mexican themes are presented throughout the evening. I bought the DVD to take home.

Outside the Anthropology Museum at Chapultepec Park we lucked in to a special local show of men flying, playing a flute, while spinning upside down from a pole at least 40 meters up. They are called Voladores de Papantla.

I visited the famous house of Frida Karlo in the historic counter culture district of Coyoacan and the Dolores del Olmedo museum in the Xochimilco district near the famous Aztec waterways and flower district. I also visited a Modern art museum at the Ciudad Universitaria. This is one of the world’s largest universities. (Tuition here is about $ 10.00 per year but to get in you have to have VERY high marks from school). The University has been declared a UNESCO heritage site famous for its great architecture and campus reserves.

The Basilica de Guadalupe. The Basilica de Guadalupe is considered one of the holiest places in all Americas. December 12 is the annual day of celebration in all of Mexico for the Virgin. The Basilica of Guadalupe is not just another Catholic church, but the central place of worship for Mexico’s patron saint and the home of the image responsible for uniting pre-Hispanic Indian mysticism with Catholic beliefs. It is virtually impossible to understand Mexico and its culture without appreciating the national devotion for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The blue-mantled Virgin of Guadalupe is the most revered image in the country, and you will see her countenance wherever you travel.

The Basilica occupies the site where, on December 9, 1531, a poor Indian named Juan Diego saw a vision of a beautiful lady in a blue mantle. The local bishop, Zumarraga, was reluctant to confirm that Juan Diego had indeed seen the Virgin Mary, so he asked the peasant for evidence. Juan Diego saw the vision a second time, on December 12, and when he asked her for proof, she instructed him to collect the roses that began blooming in the rocky soil at his feet. He gathered the flowers in his cloak and returned to the bishop. When he unfurled his cloak, the flowers dropped to the ground and the image of the Virgin was miraculously emblazoned on the rough-hewn cloth. The bishop immediately ordered the building of a church on the spot, and upon its completion, the cloth with the Virgin’s image was hung in a place of honor, framed in gold.

Discover:

I took a day trip outside of Mexico City called Valle de Bravo.

On the way you drive through forests and around mountains. We drove through the famous pine forest wintering habitat of the Monarch Butterfly. Valle de Bravo is a small market and adventure sport town running up the hills next to a pleasant lake. The area is peaceful, sporty, and quaint all at the same time. There are a lot of other places near to Mexico City for excursions such as Taxco, Tepoztlan, Puebla, and Cuernavaca.

Food:

The Mexican food we get in Canada is nothing like the food you can find in Mexico. From the local vendors try:

Tacos Al Pastor
Enchiladas Suizas
Pozole
Quesadillas
Chilaquiles
Arrachera
We ate out in the Condesa district. It was 10:30 PM on a weeknight and the cafes and restaurants were all full and lively. Dinner for 5 with wine and dessert and tip came to $ 150.00.

Getting around by Microbuses, the Subway, and Metrobuses are easy and safe although busy at all times of the day. Be prepared to be able to buy CD’s, Kleenex, gum, pencils and other miscellaneous items while on the Subway.

I advise the official Airporter taxi from the airport to the city. You pre pay a flat amount –usually 250 - 275 pesos and hop in an official mustard and white taxi and it is easy, fast, and safe.

Have local currency available as you arrive. This is the equivalent of about $ 25.00 to $ 27.00.

On a special note in 2010 Mexico will celebrate its 200th year of Independence. I will make sure I go back to help celebrate and you should too. Make sure you book your trip South with a special stop in Mexico City with me.

Please contact me for all your Adventure Travel needs and consider flying Mexicana on your next trip to Mexico or points south.

by Philip Beck

Interactive Islabalnca Elite Expeditions
This company specializes in Fishing but they also offer a Snorkel and Fishing Tour.
Address: Avenue Bonampark, Smza. 68, Mza. 8, Lote 6, Local 4, Cancun, Cancun, Quintana Roo, C.P. 77526, Mexico
Tel: +52 (998) 843-0055 or 843-0056
Toll Free in USA: 1-866-496-4863
Toll Free in Canada: 1-866-922-3491
Web: www.tarponcancun.com
e-mail: reservations@tarponcancun.com
Cost: US$350/2 People/6 Hours for Spinning Fishing Tour; Fly-fishing starts at US$375/Person/7 Hours up to US$1,700/2 People/a 4 Day Trip; Deep Sea Fishing starts at US$450/6 People max./4 Hours up to US$749/8 Hours/6 People max.; US$450/2 People/6 Hours for Snorkel and Fishing Tour

More information on Cancun Activities

Kantun-Chi Eco Park
This is an Eco Park offering a Snorkelling Tour and a Swimming in the Cenotes/Caves (called grutas) Tour.
Ecopark Address: Highway 307, Cancun-Tulum, Km. 266.5 , Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico; located accross the higway from the Barcelo Maya Hotel
Corporate Address: 20th Avenue, between 4th Street and 6th Street North, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico; at Hotel Hul-Ku
Tel/Fax: +52 (984) 873-0021
Web: www.kantunchi.com
e-mail: info@kantunchi.com
Cost: Park Entrance is US$23/Person and US$13/Child

More information on Cancun Activities

Croco Cun Zoo
This is an interactive Ecological Crocodile Farm and Native Animals Zoo.
Address: Highway 307, Cancun-Chetumal, Km. 31, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tel/Fax: +52 (998) 850-3719
Web: www.crococunzoo.com
e-mail: visita@crococunzoo.com
Cost: Park Entrance is US$19/Person and US$12/Child

More information on Cancun Activities

Aviario Xaman Ha Eco Park
Xaman Ha meaning ‘North water’ is a Natural Park consisting of 200 animals and 45 different species.
Address: Paseo Xaman-Ha s/n., Mza. 13, Lote 1, Fracc. Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tel/Fax: +52 (984) 873-0330
Web: www.aviarioxamanha.com
e-mail: info@aviarioxamanha.coml
Cost: Small Fee at Park Entrance

More information on Cancun Activities

Aquarium Cancun
This is an Interactive Aquarium allowing people to interact with Dolphins and Sharks.
Address: La Isla Shopping Village, Boulevard Kukulcan, Km. 12.5, Hotel Zone, Cancun, Quintana Roo, C.P. 77500, Mexico
Tel: +52 (998) 883-0411
Toll Free in Mexico: 1-800- 012-0856
Web: www.interactivedolphins.com or
e-mail: sales@aquariumcancun.com.mx
Cost: US$65/Person to US $135/Person for the Dolphin Encounters and US$65/Person up to US $120/Three People for ‘Feed a Shark’

More information on Cancun Activities

Yaaj-Ximbal
This Natural Park has Caves and Cenotes (natural sinkholes). You will see formations of stalactites and stalagmites, built 5 million years ago by water and calcium carbonate.
Park Address: Highway 307, Chetumal-Puerto Juarez, Km. 240, Locales 1 y 2 Mod, B Xel-Ha, Quintana Roo, C.P. 77780, Mexico
Corporate Address: Plaza Mexico, Avenue Tulum, No. 200-312, Cancun, Quintana Roo, C.P. 77500, Mexico
Tel: +52 (998) 892-7580
Fax: +52 (998) 892-7532
Web: www.yaajximbal.com.mx
e-mail: info@yaajximbal.com
Cost: Not Available at this time

More information on Cancun Activities

Kantun-Chi Eco Park
This is an Eco Park offering a Snorkelling Tour and a Swimming in the Cenotes/Caves (called grutas) Tour.
Ecopark Address: Highway 307, Cancun-Tulum, Km. 266.5 , Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico; located accross the higway from the Barcelo Maya Hotel
Corporate Address: 20th Avenue, between 4th Street and 6th Street North, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico; at Hotel Hul-Ku
Tel/Fax: +52 (984) 873-0021
Web: www.kantunchi.com
e-mail: info@kantunchi.com
Cost: Park Entrance is US$23/Person and US$13/Child

More information on Cancun Activities