I LOVE Comedians with Guitars......You didn't tell me that part...

[Wicket's Mom]

I had forgotten about the iguanas, lizards creep me out, especially rather large one! The ruins are pretty cool, the red spots on the wall look like hand prints.

 

[jenseib]

Ceasar told us about the Mayan roads and about the culture and a bit about his own culture too.

He was an excellent guide.

He talked about the Mayan Calendar and compared it with the Aztecs. Now this was back in Sept, so we were all still waiting on the ending of the Mayan calendar at that point. Ceasar said his belief was that we would just have a new beginning. And being that we all are still alive, I am thinking he was probably right!

We then had a few minutes to take pictures and Brook and I took pictures of each other.

And on we went.

This tree was kind of creepy as every so often you would see an iguana poke his head out.

We learned what some of these areas were and represented, and I have to admit I no longer remember much of it.

 

[jenseib]

I had forgotten about the iguanas, lizards creep me out, especially rather large one! The ruins are pretty cool, the red spots on the wall look like hand prints.

They were all over the place and kind of ugly. But it was neat to see them.
I am guessing that was vandalism for years before. They said that some areas were shut off now, because people would leve garbage there, etc. I think also many years went by before they started preserving these areas.

 

[mom2rtk]

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LOVE these last 2 shots! I especially love the framing on the last ones. And I'm also loving the lizard shots.

How much camera gear did you carry along with you on the tour?

 

[mom2rtk]

All your lizard pics made me think of this one posted just recently on the DIS photography forum. Thought you might like the composition:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/8388637224/

We went on a fishing excursion in Sanibel once and there was an iguana in the bay sratching at the side of our boat. I didn't think much about it, but the tour guide kept saying how unusual they were there. Back at the dock, they seemed very unhappy that it had been there.

 

[jenseib]

LOVE these last 2 shots! I especially love the framing on the last ones. And I'm also loving the lizard shots.

How much camera gear did you carry along with you on the tour?

I think I brought just two lenses with me.

All your lizard pics made me think of this one posted just recently on the DIS photography forum. Thought you might like the composition:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/8388637224/

We went on a fishing excursion in Sanibel once and there was an iguana in the bay sratching at the side of our boat. I didn't think much about it, but the tour guide kept saying how unusual they were there. Back at the dock, they seemed very unhappy that it had been there.

I saw that picture in the DCL picture thread. That guy takes great stuff.

Thats kind of creepy.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Before today, I had not realised that there are Mayan ruins in Cozumel. Somebody whose pre-trip report I am following has booked the same excursion for their upcoming cruise. This looked really interesting.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Before today, I had not realised that there are Mayan ruins in Cozumel. Somebody whose pre-trip report I am following has booked the same excursion for their upcoming cruise. This looked really interesting.

Corinna

You know, I had not realized it either. Since it is an island, I guess i just thought there wasn't any. I guess I was wrong and so glad we went there. At first when Brook and Carolyn mentioned it I was worried we would have to ferry over to the main land.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Now that's an excursion that I know we would enjoy. Like you, those type of things are so cool to me. Many years ago, we went to Mesa Verde in Colorado and toured the ruins there. It was so neat!

 

[HappyThoughtsTina]

You know, I had not realized it either. Since it is an island, I guess i just thought there wasn't any. I guess I was wrong and so glad we went there. At first when Brook and Carolyn mentioned it I was worried we would have to ferry over to the main land.

Hi jenseib... I'm new to the boards and Absolutely love this trip report!! I wil be going on my first Disney cruise ( 6 cruises on others) on this same itinerary on 1/28 and you have showed so much!!
~Thanks and look forward to reading some more~!
Tina

 

[brookelizabeth]

Finally catching up! I sent you a PM on Facebook - that was Bonnie from the Biggest Loser! Totally was her!!!! Crazy!

I loved this excursion too, I wish I had taken notes, I remember some of the things, but not all of it. Caesar rocked.

 

[jenseib]

Now that's an excursion that I know we would enjoy. Like you, those type of things are so cool to me. Many years ago, we went to Mesa Verde in Colorado and toured the ruins there. It was so neat!

It was really neat. I would've loved to have stayed longer and looked around more on my own, but I probably would've gotten lost.

Hi jenseib... I'm new to the boards and Absolutely love this trip report!! I wil be going on my first Disney cruise ( 6 cruises on others) on this same itinerary on 1/28 and you have showed so much!!
~Thanks and look forward to reading some more~!
Tina

Thanks you so much, and welcome!
We had such a good time on this trip. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Finally catching up! I sent you a PM on Facebook - that was Bonnie from the Biggest Loser! Totally was her!!!! Crazy!

I loved this excursion too, I wish I had taken notes, I remember some of the things, but not all of it. Caesar rocked.

I swear it was her too. Her voice was dead on. I didn't take notes after the first 2 days, so I am going by memory and hoping pictures trigger more.

 

[rndmr2]

That sounds nice too. Is it that Chankobeeb park...Or whatever it is called. LOL

Yeah that's it, I think it was Chankanaab. It was really nice there. They do a Dolphin encounter there, I really wish we had done that but at least we could see them from off to the side. We did a similar one on Costa Maya but it wasn't as nice.

Awesome pics of the ruins, it looks so cool there but those iguanas would have creeped me out too.

 

[Beth D]

HMMM....... Starting to pay more attention to shore excursions! Can you guess what we booked? Gotta get a new ticker next!

Looks like a wonderful time! We did a ruins tour in Cancun. DH climbed a pyramid, I waved to him from the bottom! Much of the age of the stones looks the same as there.

 

[jenseib]

Yeah that's it, I think it was Chankanaab. It was really nice there. They do a Dolphin encounter there, I really wish we had done that but at least we could see them from off to the side. We did a similar one on Costa Maya but it wasn't as nice.

Awesome pics of the ruins, it looks so cool there but those iguanas would have creeped me out too.

I have about a few people going there and it looks really nice.
I was Ok with the iguanas, as long as they didn't touch me!

HMMM....... Starting to pay more attention to shore excursions! Can you guess what we booked? Gotta get a new ticker next!

Looks like a wonderful time! We did a ruins tour in Cancun. DH climbed a pyramid, I waved to him from the bottom! Much of the age of the stones looks the same as there.

How exciting. when do you go? I am ready to cruise again. It's too darn cold here.

 

[vleeth]

Very cool!

I think I'd like to see ruins one day. But I think Hope would be bored.

 

[jenseib]

Very cool!

I think I'd like to see ruins one day. But I think Hope would be bored.

You're probably right. I bet Claire wouldn't find it too fun either.

 

[jenseib]

It just amazes me how old this place is, and yet it still stands, ever after the forces of nature.

I don’t remember why, but we did talk about this flower. It totally escapes me why now though.

Then he handed it to me and said I could keep it.

Once we went back up front though I just set it down. I surely didn’t want to get in trouble for taking plant life off the grounds and I am pretty sure I probably couldn’t take it back on the ship nor take it off when I got home.

We then got to wander just a bit on our own, basically working our way back to the front center.

One thing they had mentioned in the booklet about booking this excursion was bug spray. We didn’t bring any, nor bought any in the local stores onsite there. I did notice towards the end that I was getting bitten though. So you should probably get some if you take a tour like this.

I used the bathroom and browsed a couple of the shops. I think I got Claire a little doll in one and then headed back to the bus. They were offering water and coke as we came back, I think I had some coke, but I can’t remember for sure. Anyways, I have heard Mexican coke is different and if I had some, I don’t remember a different taste.

Soon we were loaded up and on our way.

As we drove towards the tequila factory, Caesar talked some more. Then all of a sudden the hum of the AC stopped. What! It was hot out! We were on a brand new bus too. Caesar said they would call in for a replacement bus once we got to the factory. Thanks goodness !


Soon we arrived and this is the sign that greeted us. I thought it was so funny.

Thank GOODNESS they have a free “peepee” station!

 

[jenseib]

The driveway to the Tequila factory was kind of long, but scenic.

We parked behind the building and all got out.

This was our tequila tour guide. And see the lady in the green shirt. She’s the one I swore was Bonnie from the Biggest Loser.

I believe this is the agave, which is the fruit that makes tequila.

One thing we learned was that tequila can only be tequila if it is from a certain area, like champagne in France. So I don’t remember all the rules, but they did not officially grow the Agave here to use to make it, and I can’t even remember for sure if they were allowed to make it here either or just sell it. Honestly, our guy was kind of hard to understand, so I was only picking up pieces of what he said.

Looks like something fun was going on here.

We then headed inside.

We each were to pick up a couple of little cups for the tasting.

I was trying to take pictures too, but our dude said to wait till it was over and keep moving on for now.

I am not really a fan of tequila, so I was worried how much of this I would like. The first couple were the basics and pretty gross.

But then he pulled out some flavored ones and some of those were pretty darn good.

After the official tastings, we were allowed to go and taste others, but I had had enough. I don’t drink a whole lot in my “older” age, so I didn’t want to be falling down after a few too many tequilas.

I went around and took a few pictures instead.

I did use the free “peepee” station as well. And just because it was free, doesn’t mean it was the nicest. It wasn’t too bad actually, but it could use a little loving care.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I would some of the flavored tequilas, the regular ones nada!

Mexican Coke is my favorite, it tastes like Coke did years ago before it was made with corn fructose.