Cozumel, Mexico & Myan Ruins

We docked at Cozumel, Mexico at 11:00am and we don't depart until 11:30pm tonight.

After a leisurely breakfast at the Pinnacle Grill we got ready for our 8 hour tour today. This is a tour that I have been wanting to take for a while. I actually enjoy history and like reading about our ancient civilization's.  I kow some think I'm crazy but it does take all kinds, right.

We did the Tulum Mayan Ruins and Beach Break.  After we were docked we walked down the pier to the waiting ferry which transported us to the Mexican mainland to Playa del Carmen. Our ferry ride was approximately 3/4 of an hour then we waited for about 20 minutes, thankfully under a canopy, for all to assemble and then we walked for about 10 minutes to our waiting "air conditioned" coach. That air conditioning sure felt good. .

We had a great Mayan guide who gave us a history of the Mayan's and the ruins on our way. The trip went very quickly even though it was about an hour's ride there. The walled city of Tulum, which is the only Mayan  city built right on the Caribbean Sea; all the other's are built inland. When we arrived at Tulum we were at the "comercial" site and we had to walk about 12 minutes to the actual ruins, Our guide gave us a bathroom break first and took us into a large store which didn't mind us using their facilities, it was a long line after our ferry and coach ride. Then off to the ruins. Actually since there was a lot of walking at the ruins we were able to have a wagon ride to the entrance; which I opted for as it was a very hot and humid day and my breathing isn't that good at the best of times.

Our guide was actually too good and really into all the history; but we only had so much time to view 60 restored temples and some of the mysterious hieroglyphic writings which are still visable. So, I wandered away by myself to check everything out then a few minutes later I noyiced Nicole was doing the same thing, next along came Sue. I believe our guide lost about half of us, which was sad, but about a half an hour later I noticed that the remainder of our group were still in the same spot. At least he had them under a tree and not out in the direct sun.

I'm afraid I took way too many photos but I wanted to remember it all. I'll only bore you with a few of them here. Then I'll write about our Beach break.

After we finished our tour and had a little time to shop for souvenirs we boarded our coach agai for about a 20 minute ride to a "Beach Club" where our very late lunch was waiting for us.

A buffett was all set up so we picked up our silver ware and plate and it was dished up for us. We were also given a soda drink or water to go along with it. It was a very nice open air (sides) building with a high roof and was not hot inside at all. Of course we were at the beach after all and some very black clouds were rolling in. However, after eating we were able to go swimming or just relax on the beach chairs.

The waves were really rolling in and the sand was very fine and the water wuold take the sand right from under your feet as it went back out. We decided to just relax on the lounger's and watch others try and swim in those rolling waves. There were also a few guy's that were para sailing and they kept getting dunked but would get right back up and try again. Nicole opted to take a walk down the beach to see just what else was around there.. After about ann hour we boarded the coach for our return trip back to Playa del Carmen and the ferry.

We arrived back at the Nieuw Amsterdam about 7:45pm and then had a rush to get cleaned up for dinner at 8:30pm at the Pinnacle Grill. A great relaxing end to our long day exploring which I am glad we did. But when we saw our ship all lit up and welcoming us back "home" it was good to be back.