MEXICO
Visited | 10.14.2009
Mexico is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the North Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. The United Mexican States are a federation comprising thirty-one states and a federal district, the capital Mexico City, whose metropolitan area is one of the world's most populous.
Covering almost 2 million square kilometres, Mexico is the fifth-largest country in the Americas by total area and the 14th largest independent nation in the world. With an estimated population of 109 million, it is the 11th most populous country and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.
CHIHUAHUA
Visited | 2006 [Wedding]/2007/2008
In Liliana's home town, we take a leisurely walk through the downtown core and enter the Government Palace admiring the 19th century architecture before crossing the street to the Spanish Baroque style Chihuahua Cathedral. The next day we take a tour of Las Grutas de Nombre de Dios, a huge system of caves with spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites that nature has been forming of millions of years. We end the night with a coffee and appetizers at Mandala, an informal restaurant-cafe high on a hill overlooking the city. See Photos
TULUM
Visited | 2006 [Honeymoon]
We arrive at Cancun airport and take the shuttle directly to the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum Hotel. We settle in and enjoy a nice dinner as the wind from the Caribbean enters through the open window. The next day we rent a car and venture to the archaeological wonder of Chichen Itza. On our final day we relax on a secluded section of the beach and enjoy what the all-inclusive resort has to offer. At night we attend the cultural entertainment show at the Hacienda Dona Isabel, a beautiful building that recreates a 16th century Mexican hacienda. See Photos
CHICHEN ITZA
Visited | 2006 [Honeymoon]
Driving our rental car into Yucatan state and passing through little towns along the way, we enter the archaeological site of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We gaze upon the Pyramid of Kukulcan also known as "El Castillo" (The Castle) and ponder at the architectural marvel that would produce the natural phenomenon "of light and shadow". We enter Juego del Pelota (Ball Court), where legends say that the winning Capitan would present his own head to the losing Capitan, who then decapitates him. We spend the rest of the day passing from one site to another and imagining a day in the life of a Mayan at Chichen Itza. See Photos
A QUOTE TO REMEMBER
St. Augustine | "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."
