Weekend Road Trip

I love three day weekends.  

Over the summer I had Mondays off every week.  While that was pretty great, there's something about those long weekends that only come around sporadically that makes a person appreciate them even more. 

On a recent three day weekend in October, Ryan and I took a mini road trip from Portland to Seattle and back down to the Oregon coast.      

What?  You don't fish while waiting for the ferry?

 

 

Bacalar, Kohunlich & Cenote Azul

The week before we headed home, Ryan and I took another road trip through Mexico.  

This time we joined Ryan's mom and stepdad on a journey south.  
We took the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, then rented a car and made our way to Bacalar, stopping for lunch at a local market.
 

Later that afternoon we landed in quiant and quiet Bacalar.

The small town is rich with the history of Mayans, Spanish conquistadores and the real pirates of the Caribbean.
 
We spent one night on the lake at this adorable guesthouse in the "palapa room," with its thatched roof and cozy interior.  The view outside was pure paradise.

There wasn't much to do in Bacalar besides explore San Felipe Fort, walk the streets of the little town, and enjoy the naturally beautiful scenery.  That was fine with us.

 
 

We took advantage of as many local delicacies as possible.  Chilaquilles and huevos motuleños with fresh tamarind juice for breakfast; pastor tacos and queso fundido with Sol for dinner.

 

 

The next day we hit the road and stopped to visit the ruins of Kohunlich.

Later we stopped for a drink and swim at the massive Cenote Azul.  
{Micheladas=our new favorite drink!}
 

It was a whirlwind trip, but couldn't have been better.  

We really hope to explore more of Mexico when we have the chance.  
What a beautiful place.

Mexican Road Trip Part V: Ek Balam & Coba

.: Coba :.

Like Chichen Itza, Coba comprises a group of ruins where Mayans once lived.  The area is extremely spread out, requiring miles of walking through the shady jungle.  

Alternative transport is also an option. 

 

 

 

Outside the gates of Coba, a modern Mayan woman sold us pumpkin seeds and was kind enough to pose for a picture.

 

*  *  *  *  *

.: Ek Balam :.

The ruins of Ek Balam underwent excavation in the 1990s.  Work is still being done to the area where multiple buildings remain uncovered.  The ruins were small, but housed beautiful reconstructed carvings.

 

Read about Mayan civilization here.