In late February, we left our home in Sisal with mixed feelings.
Our friendships with other expats in Sisal had deepened over the last 2 months. Plus, we knew we would not be returning to this home again. We had friends who were renting it for 6 months next year.
Imagine a flourishing city in the 7th century - nearly 1400 years ago! Now, imagine what it would look like today.
We had the incredible opportunity to visit Palenque, located in the Chiapa mountains in southern Mexico. Palenque flourished as a Mayan city in the 7th century, then was absorbed into the jungle of cedar, mahogany and sopadilla trees till the 20th century. Since then, it continues to be excavated and restored.
Viewing the coast 300 yards out in the water is a very different feel than walking on the same beach. Both are rather wonderful!
We had the fun opportunity of joining friends for a boat tour along the coast near Sisal, and then we transferred to flat-bottom boats in the lagoons to see more birds and beauty.
Flamingos were a given. But…an alligator?!
And, so much more!
The tour was more than we expected!
Celestun is known for its flamingos. Our neighbors invited us to join them for this bout tour. They have done it several times and never tire of it.
‘Downtown’ cenote (underground swimming hole)!
An international flair.
Fascinating historical convent.
And, beautiful ‘Street of the Friars’, leading to the neighborhood of Sisal (the same name of the town we live in)!
We knew about the cenote. The rest were all surprises in our recent adventure to Valladolid.
Look what we found in Valladolid!
The professional sports teams of Colorado (minus the Nuggets) showed up as Mayan masks in Valladolid!
And, no, that is not Ben sticking out his tongue. It’s just the reflection of his chin through the mask! :)
There are number of designated magical towns in Mexico - two of them are in the Yucatan Peninsul: Izamal and Valladolid.
Izamal is known as The Yellow Town. The Centro area of Izamal is painted yellow - all the colonial buildings, the market, the huge convent - everything!
Flamingos.
Shades of clear green and blue water.
Tour boats and fishing boats.
And, . . . salt ‘mountains’!
It was all a part of our day trip to Rio Lagartos.
Rio Lagartos is a small community that sits at the center of the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
It’s one of the seven wonders of the world! (depending on which Seven Wonders list you read!)
We enjoyed a morning at Chichen Itza - a complex of Mayan Ruins in the center of the Yucatan Peninsula.
This ancient city thrived between 600 AD - 1200 AD.
We returned to Sisal, Mexico in early January - the same place we stayed thru April of last year. We will be here for two months.
And this time we drove from Iowa!
Some thought us crazy. Some cheered us on.