Mexican Mayan Adventure

I am so stinking excited for this weekend.  We are taking the kids on a road trip all over the Mexican States of Quintana Roo and Yucatan.  As if me driving in Mexico isn't scary enough, I've turned it into an adventurous expedition Indiana Jones style for the kids.  Hopefully Ken will get Netflix up and running here so we can show the kids the Temple of Doom tonight to truly prepare them!  We watched the Road to El Dorado last night to prep the girls:)

Here are the kids reading through the treasure map.  They are pretty excited and kind of scared. The boys want us to take them shopping for a dagger and machete before we go and the girls are freaking out about all the pink on their swimsuits!

And here is Darin hiding beneath pillows because of the blood-red water he is going to have to swim in:)

This is what the letter I made up for the kids said:

Pack your swimsuit and fedora and get set for an expedition of Epic-Awesome-ness!  Follow this treacherous path to the City of Gold.  But, SMILE and HAVE FUN!  Don't be a Damsel in Distress!  There won't be any tour guides here.  It's us on the road for 4 days, hoping for 6 fun and memorable experiences! 

The rays will sparkle from the sky above to the ground below.  Set sail to where the beginning and ending of two worlds collide.  The baby fishes and Tortugas will be your guide. 1st Stop- Snorkeling in Akumal.  We will take a boat ride to where a freshwater cenote collides with the salt water ocean.  Because of the protected and unique environment it is said to have plenty of schools of baby tropical fish.  We will also snorkel off the shore of the bay to where sea turtles and rays feed!

There are sacred caves to explore with depths so deep.  Swing on a jungle vine for a thrill, don’t let the bats give you a cold-blooded chill! 2nd Stop- Swimming in Gran Cenote in Tulum.  This cenote is supposedly open and has caverns to swim through.  There should be a shallow sandy area for the girls and bats in the caves to explore.  And you can't go to a cenote without cliff jumping.  

Soft sand beneath your feet will be where you sleep, if you can barter for a pillow to keep. We want to stay the night in Tulum in a Cabana on the beach.  We have no reservations and plan to walk up and down the hotel area asking for availability at the different "eco-hotels".  "Eco" as in no air conditioner, no electricity, and possibly no doors or floors.  I am super excited about it, when you think about it as camping it sounds luxurious.  If you think of it as a hotel not so much.  

Arise early and grab YOUR wheels.  The steps to heaven are high above.   Be warned of the danger that lies below!  Your fate will depend, on just one little strand. 3rd Stop- Coba Archaeological Site.  Coba is situated in the jungle and is only half excavated.  We've heard it is the most Indiana Jones-ish out of all the Mayan ruins in the area.  It also boast the tallest pyramid and they let you climb the steps to the top with only a rope going up the middle to hang on.  We plan on renting bikes at the front gate and getting a guide at the door.

If you survive through this stage cool waters, soft beds, and warm cookies will be your reward.  You will be so happy that you may even dance in the street without your sword! We are staying at the Doubletree Hotel in Merida. I've wanted to go to Merida since Grace told us about it last summer.  We are getting two rooms in a Colonial Mansion that has been turned into a chic hotel for 10,000 points per night.  Seriously, so cheap when redeeming points and it looks like a great place to stay to explore the city.  Weekend nights there are free concerts in the park and lots of people watching and good food.  

Rest your weary eyes as you cross through the jungle.  Your resolve will be tested soon enough as you pass by crocodiles.  Don’t worry the jaguars will not hunt you unless you wear pink!  The water is not quite blood-red but it is close, you must take a dip (especially if you are Darin!).  We will clean you up in a white, frothy bath of mud.  It feels as soft as suds. 4th Stop-We are taking a day trip to Rio Lagartos.  This a lagoon inside a natural preserve.  We plan to drive to the city and find someone to take us on a boat tour past the hungry crocodiles, to see thousands of pink flamingoes!  This is their summer nesting ground.  Other fun things we want to do in the area is swim in the pink seawater (It is so briny and buoyant  and take a "Mayan Mud bath", it's supposedly white clay.

A quiet interlude, (and more cookies:) Then you are off again to pound the ground.  Sneak by the Spanish Conquistadors that abound.  5th Stop- We will stay the night in Merida again and then spend the next day sightseeing the old Colonial Buildings.  We've heard Merida is a great strolling city and we plan on just walking around and popping into museums or some of the old mansions as we feel like.

The City of Gold is at your adventures end!  We love you and this time that we’ll spend! 6th Stop- Izamal, Mexico!  It's a small city in the Yucatan and is considered "magical".  That means it has historical significance.  The entire town is painted egg-yolk yellow.  The colonial buildings, the convent, the market, everything!  Can't wait to see what the kids think of it.  There is also a big convent built on top of a Mayan ruin.  Pretty cool!