I am surprised that no one says that they would want to see Chichen Itza. Is this because there are other World Wonders that you want to see more or because you have already seen the ruins?
We spent nearly 2 weeks traveling around Mexico back in January and one of our stops was Chichen Itza. The ruins were fantastic even though you can not climb them anymore.
In front of the El Castillo (the castle), the famous landmark in Chichen Itza. We were there very early before any tour groups arrived. It was pretty much us and the local dogs, which are every where!
The ruins at Tulum. These are some of the most visited ruins because cruise ships make stops in Playa del Carman and sends out excursions. They were very crowded for this reason, but look at how gorgeous it is! The Caribbean is so blue and Tulum had our favorite beaches.
Here we are on top of one of the ruins at Ek Balam. From here you are able to see off in the distance (great distance) three other ruins, Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba. The Ek Balam ruins has only recently started to be excavated and has the possibility to be larger then the ruins at Chichen Itza. It is very out of the way and can only get there by a taxi from the larger cities. We were in Valladolid when we made our trek out to it. We had a great tour guide. Livy is asleep, poor thing had to get used to sleeping whenever she could. Who says you can't travel with a child?
At the main square in Merida. Livy was so excited to see the birds in the mornings. We would stop by a local bakery each morning and head to the square with the locals. It also saved us a lot of money going this route instead of eating at the hotels. We also never travel with tour groups, but travel with public transportation. Yep, we caught buses to go on to the next city. I love traveling this way because you get to interact with the locals, see a different way of life, and save a TON of money.
Livy and I, our last day at the beach in Cancun.
This looks incredible, very jealous. And very heartened to see that you can travel with a little child - Livy seems to be angelic and loving the trip! I always worry about all the things I have to get done before I have a child (hopefully) so it's good to think I don't actually have to rush and get it all done in one go! x Marianne
ReplyDeleteMarianne,
ReplyDeleteYes you can travel with kids. It takes more planning, money, and you have to take extra stuff but it is worth it!
We are planning a trip to Peru and Venezuela for December and we are taking Livy with us.
I missed what won.
ReplyDeleteI didn't vote for Chichen Itza because I'd already been. Fabulous!
The statue of Christ in Rio is a jawdropper too.
Actually, I voted for the only place I haven't been. Of course, that was all BC, I'd need to win the lottery to do all that globetrotting now I have childcare and school fees. Maybe one day .........
I love the pictures Nicol..especially the one of you and Livy in cnacun! THe beach and ocean looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great trip! What gorgeous beaches and a beautiful family. I agree with you about public transportation... we tend to do what the locals do too. Tour groups are tough... most people are generally less adventureous about food and sight-seeing than we are!
ReplyDeleteWe take Love Bug everywhere- she even sleeps in the backpack carrier- have you tried one yet? In fact, she held up better than my husband and I last year when we were in the process of moving from France to Italy. We spent four months in the States- spent two months with my Mom and two months travelling to 8 different places!
I voted for the Wall of China, because I really want to see it, and I'd love to travel to China anyway.
WOW! Gorgeous!!! I want to go too!!! I've traveled a good deal with our kids, but always to visit our family or friends. Never sight seeing. I don't think I'd really like to do that after spending all that money.
ReplyDeleteI didn't vote for Chichen Itza because I'd already been there. And we went when you could climb up, so I'm proud to say my butt has been on every single one of those stairs. (I climbed up, but I was a total chicken about it!) We also went to the inner pyramid. It was worth it but hard to climb because the stairs were so slippery from being humid and limestone all in one. Tulum was awesome, it was probably my favorite because it was so beautiful. There is something about the bright blue water and pale sand in Mexico that was great. Your family pictures are great, it looks like you had a good time. I wouldn't worry about traveling with Mason now because he's old enough we wouldn't even need much extra stuff. Probably just his clothes and a leash because he's more adventurous than both us put together!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics!!
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