This is the type of place I imagined when I first heard of a western Caribbean cruise. When I found out that there was this side trip we could make, the decision was made. When I found out they will hold the ship for you if you book this 7 1/2 hour tour thru Disney, there was no more to say, I was all over it. The last 15 minutes went quickly as we wolfed down lunch. Everybody on the whole bus was smart enough to eat something as the next food was hours away. The bus stops and everybody files off, looks around, and ... we are in a parking lot dealing with pushy vendors and video camera permits. You can take all the stills you want, but they hit you for 3 bucks if using a video camera. Our Mexican guide warned us about this and eagerly offered to purchase them for everybody. He said it would be faster to purchase them all at once AND he wouldn't wait in line to get them. I think he was getting a kickback (when in Rome?). I didn't bring the video, using this as one of the reasons
. Step fast, avoid the marketplace, and hop on the tractor pulled tram, SRO! It was free for us, others paid a buck or 2 or walked the dusty path for the 7 or 8 minutes it took to get to the walled city. 300 had lived within the walls, 10K in the surrounding area. As expected of any fort, entry ways were few and single file.
Our guide earned his tip by doing 2 things I saw no other guide doing. There were several groups being led around. First were the photos he kept taking out of his bag and showing around. "This is what we think it looked like 1500 years ago with plaster and paint", "What they wore", photos from the most recent archeological dig (that he was a part of?). Anything needed to help explain a point, he had an illustration for. The best part by far though was his ability to find shade. It was around noon when we started the guided tour and it went for about 90-100 minutes. Someone said it was 93 out there and I don't doubt it. Whenever and whereever possible, the group would stand in the shade to hear him talk. We would huddle under the only tree within 100 feet as he would explain and point, usually ending with "we will be walking by there next, please ask questions". We ended the tour on the cliff at the sea. We had been slowly climbing this hill for the past hour! A georgeous view of the caribbean and the 2nd largest natural barrier reef in the world opened up. By looking carefully, you can see the opening in the reef that encircles the bay making it a natural lagoon. Talk about finding the perfect spot! There is a small beach at the base of the cliff and a sturdy looking set of wooden steps that take you down. After a second application of sunscreen the boys were given 30 minutes to swim. I spent the time climbing the southern wall and taking pics from there.
By 2:10 we are back through the hole in the wall after taking a ton of pics. It is a different hole than we came in thru, but right near the tram that is pulling up. Hop on, ride, hop off where the 'pole dancers' are. Five guys in costumes jumping around as one plays a flute and small drum. Up the 40 foot pole go 4 of them. They start spinning around while sitting on a flimsy square, and one of them takes over the music. This allows the 5th guy to pass the hat. DW puts two bucks in and the guy stops to talk to her. Only she don't look too happy. I go over after hat man moved on and asked about their exchange. It seems that he was taking a collection for his God, and God wanted a 5 dollar minimum tip
. DW told him words to the effect "He'd be a 2 dollar God today or else be a poor one" I was again so proud of her. Hat man was done and scampered up the pole and picked up the music. The 4 corner guys stop and now spin the other way, lean back, ... and are airborne! Securely tied to a thick rope, these guys start slowly decending. They had been carefully wrapping the ropes around the top of the pole while hat man did his thing.
Show's over, time to go find Pepsi and check out the flea market.
. They were also offering water, but DW found Pepsi. With my pepsi & nicotine levels fortified, I felt good and was ready to see some ruins.
. Back on the tender and off we go.
, I know that there are lots of you lunkers out there that may have questions. Speak up, post, and be recognized. I'd love to know if my style is good enough to write guide books or travel stories. Lord knows I'd love another free cruise or some other fabulous vacation. Come on everybody, you too can be a critic, give it a try 
Real life getting in the way, not you too
You guys are doing an awesome job with tr. I absolutely love your dress
Your family looks great dressed in their finest. How great is it that your birthday fell on formal night. Love the pictures. It's great to hear about the excursions we never went on. I, too, love sea days. They are so much more relaxing. This trip was really like sea days all the time because I only ventured off once to shop alone. Heaven
) and head out to get a good seat. Castaway Club member John knew EXACTLY where to sit to watch the fireworks and had staked out a couple of tables. I'm sure I wasn't much fun as I gulped a few shots of Tequila (Hey, maybe this'll help!) during the hour long dance party. I tried not to be a stick in the mud during Kareoke, but between the un-ease, late hour, and walking around Mexico, I was shot. It's pillow time. I never did make it over to the buffet table, but still managed to have a pretty darn good time.
Loving the report HyperMommy and KC and we're all missing you! 
Hope things get better for you.
