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UPDATE#14
05/02 PART B thru 05/03
Howdy
Everybody, The adventures
of 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and thru 05/02/2010 PART 1 have been published on the
website. We continue with the
latest edition. UPDATE
2010 #14 05/02/10 PART
2 thru 05/03/2010 At last update,
we were traveling on a Yucatan adventure in Mexico.
Welcome back to our continuing adventure around the PUUC Region, located
in the western State of Yucatan, Mexico…
We pick with PART 2 in this update edition. 05/02/10 PART2
SUNDAY LABNA, LOLTUN, UXMAL,
to TICUL
LABNA
Our day’s activities continue from the archaeological site
at LABNA. Depicted below is the
Principal Palace.
From the Labna archaeological site, we drove further south to visit the
Cave of Loltun. GRUTAS
de LOLTUN
This cave system is one of the most extensive in all Mexico. Inside the
Caves of Loltún, there has been evidence found that confirms ancient human
occupation, including such as recovered bones of mammoth, bison, cats, and horse
remains. On the walls you can observe natural formations and paintings, hand
painted, using a technique to representations negative human face images that
are painted on the walls, sculptural representations, representations of animals
and various geometric shapes. A
variety of ancient tools have also been recovered from the underground caves. Evidence
indicates that the prehispanic Maya used the cave as shelter and extracted clay
to make tools. It is generally believed that occupation in Loltún goes back
more than 10,000 years.
All visitors are required to be included in a group tour.
The guide gives the oral presentation in Spanish only.
Exploration of this cave, like most others, requires a lot of walking,
climbing, and squeezing through small passages.
Judy Law and Fred Reed at the Grutas de Loltun (Loltun Caves)…
After leaving the caves, we drove to the village of Ticul in search of
accommodations for the night.
The area is typically represented in structures made of its famed red
clay. This central fountain
features “dos manos” (two hands) reaching upward.
Having found an inexpensive place to stay, the Hotel San Antonio, we
drove back to the archaeological site at UXMAL for the light and sound show
presentation. UXMAL at
NIGHT; A light and sound show.
A sizeable crowd of visitors assembled at provided chairs on one side of
the Nunnery Quadrangle. The Temple
of the Magician illuminated with continuously changing colored lights.
Music, as well as a recorded explanation in Spanish, emitted from a
loudspeaker system.
The temples of the Nunnery complex were likewise illuminated.
Laser effects highlighted the outline of the frieze.
The serpent representations were clearly evident.
The 20-mile drive back to our hotel in Ticul was very dark and via
remote, well-paved back roads. The
downtown area was hopping with people attending a concert and festival sponsored
by one of the local political candidates. Throughout
Mexico, it is commonplace for politicians to hold these type of events. 05/03/2010
MONDAY TICUL to MERIDA
The Hotel San Antonio in central Ticul…
Across the street and in the center of town, we visited the park and the
historic church. The Iglesia de San Antonio de Padua is of Franciscan origins
and dates from the late 16th Century.
Our journey continued back to the Yucatan Capitol City of Merida. MERIDA
We had made reservations for the Hotel Aragon using Hotels.com.
Upon arrival, we were advised that, although they did have our
reservations, they did not have availability for our stay.
They informed us that they would relocate us to one of their sister
properties. A first, we were
skeptical and wondered what would be in store for us.
Having followed the given directions, we looked over the Hotel Casa
Lucia.
WOW!!! What a
tremendous surprise and obvious upgrade for us.
The boutique hotel was absolutely gorgeous.
Our prepaid, guaranteed rate stayed valid and we were delighted.
Our room was quietly situated at the end of the second level.
Huge smiles overtook our faces when we saw the obvious luxury of the
accommodations.
Our balcony view overlooked the pretty pool area and courtyard grounds…
The large shower area was wonderful…
The decorative lobby reached into the café and on out to the main street
entryway….
Only a short walk from our hotel, numerous historical colonial buildings
surround the PLAZA GRANDE (central park) in the city center.
A lovely statue commemorating motherhood…
An old colonial building has been restored and serves an upscale
restaurant, La Bella Epoca. On many
evenings, the street is closed off and the restaurant seats customers in outdoor
café style.
LA PLAZA GRANDE (central park)…
El Palacio Municipal (city hall)…
As viewed across the Plaza Grande, one of Mexico’s oldest churches, the
Catedral de San Ildefonso... Built
on the former site of a Mayan temple, the Jesuit construction began in 1561 and
continued until 1598. For four
decades, hundreds of Mayan laborers and artisans endeavored to build the new
cathedral using many of the stones and materials derived from their ancestor’s
former temple.
Known as the Casa de Montejo, and currently housing a bank, this building
dates from 1549.
The former Archbishop’s Palace currently houses a museum, the Museo de
Arte Contemporaneo de Yucatan.
The Catedral de San Ildefonso…
In a passageway near the center, these huge bronze statues are part of
the contemporary arts display.
In the courtyard area of the Hotel Casa Lucia, the decorative fountains
and landscaping is relaxingly wonderful.
The Paseo de Montejo was constructed to mimic characteristics of the
famous boulevards of France’s Champs Elysees and Mexico City’s Paseo de la
Reforma. At one end, a large
monument is situated on a glorietta (traffic circle).
It is across town from our hotel, so we had to take the car.
The paseo is lined with magnificent colonial buildings of 19th
Century design.
In the evening, a typically Yucatan tradition of folkloric dance graced
the portals of the Palacio Municipal.
The traditional garb of the Meridianos is stunningly elegant and
beautifully designed for the Yucatan heat.
Intricate embroidery designs decorate the womens’ festive and
celebratory dress.
I just can’t resist the beauty of these lovely gals…
Within the central park grounds, these artists create their works of art
using masking templates and spray paint.
Our Yucatan adventures will continue in the next update publication…
CONTINUING
UPDATES ARE IN PROGRESS…
WATCH
FOR THEM, COMING SOON… POST SCRIPT:
We sincerely hope that you will review the previous years of compilations
to give context to the current editions. Please
let us know if you have any special suggestions and thoughts.
REMEMBER: The website
is now fully active and you can visit it at any time.
You can also review any of the previous logs from the years 2006, 2007,
2008, and 2009 to learn more about the crew and their many adventures. Enjoy. ATTENTION:
SPECIAL NOTE:
You may contact us via email anytime. Thanks
for allowing us to share our life and adventures with you. Lotsa
Luv, Fred
Reed and Judy Law AMARSE MT40 "AMARSE"
is pronounced "AM-ARE-SAY".
Our website is: www.amarse.net
. CONTINUING
UPDATES ARE IN PROGRESS…
WATCH FOR THEM, COMING SOON…
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Fred H. Reed |
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