Mexico- Riviera Maya

Hola From Riviera Maya

So Rick and I decided we needed to escape the Michigan Winters and fled to the lovely Riviera Maya- it is on the Yucatan Peninsula, just about 30 minutes south of Cancun. It was even better that the pictures! We had the most fabulous time- lazing in the sun, sipping drinks by the pool, and seeing ancient Mayan ruins.

We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya- an all inclusive, adult only resort. When they say 'all-inclusive' they really mean it- they had 8 different restaurants, about 7 bars, and 24/7 room service- all included! The staff and service was just phenomenal - we felt like kings. Here are pictures of the pool - where we spent a lot of time- with swim up bars.

The gorgeous beach- felt like I was in a Corona commercial- haha! The water was so warm and just the most beautiful creamy-blue color. We got to take a catamaran out on the water and sail the coast- it was just fantastic!

Hotel Lobby- que impressivo!

And of course- nightly entertainment- each night something new. This was the Fire Show- they did a better job than the people we saw in Hawaii even! It was great!

Ok- now what else did we do than sit and sip drinks? Well, here you go- Mayan Ruins! First stop- Tulum. An ancient holy city, right on the coast. Just breath-taking.

We took a tour through the temple- then got to go down and spend time on the beach. How picturesque!

You see that water color? Creamy-blue is the best way to describe it- so pretty. We think it is because the massive amounts of coral here.

Next stop- Ik'kil- a cenote (or massive sink hole/ underground lake) we got to go cliff-diving and swimming in. It was unreal with the waterfalls and vines all flowing in to this deep blue underground lake. It is about 300 down, and then we got to dive in from about 25 feet. Very fun!

Highlight of the trip! Chichen Itza! Probably the most recognizable Mayan ruins- a HUGE complex with this famous temple in the middle. It was amazing to walk through these ruins and see how huge they are and think of how old they are too!

The reliefs and carvings were still very intact

Our Mayan friends, whom we bartered for at least 30 minutes with, selling souveniers.

Some more reliefs

Some of you may remember the snake god Quetzalcoatl- well he is all over this place- when the Spanish first discovered these ruins, they were terrified because of all the snakes everywhere!

This is the most important snake relief, at the bottom of the steps of the main temple. It symbolizes the god descending from the sky- which we actually got to see happen (just wait for it!)

In a marketplace, and next to an observatory. Mayans were sooo smart- they knew the 365 day calendar, and even knew how far it was to the moon! Really into math.

Alright- here is the god descending! Don't see it? Well- let me explain. On the Equinox and Soltice (which we happened to be there for) the sun hits the Equator directly- this temple is built so that when that happens, the shadows form along the edge to show the snake's body coming down the pyramid. Do you see the snake head at the bottom left? Then his body flowing up the side? Only happens 4 times a year- and there we ALOT of people there to see it. It was pretty amazing these people could do that.

Well, another sunset on another wonderful vacation!