Pez Maya, Punta Allen, Valladolid and Chichén Itzá

[Last updated: 24-Jul-2022]

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Sunday, 26-Mar-2017

One of the early risers (Daniella) had made some cinnamon bread - while Sophie had made some pancakes - for breakfast! Thanks girls!

This was another 'no-action' day, so I continued studying the coral types. The pleasure I have of being in a paradise, in this part of the world is overshaddowed by the difficulty I have in learning all the names of the corals. Having said that, my knowledge is getting better; albeit very slowly!

By about 17:00, the sand flies amd mosquitos were becoming very annoying! So it was time to have a shower and spray oneself with repellant; not that it did much good!

Before retiring to the hut early (19:00) to avoid being bitten even more, I informed Charlie that I won't be diving tomorrow as my chest was still painful when I tried equalising.

Monday, 27-Mar-2017

This morning's duty was Kitchen (including preparing lunch), followed by the usual refilling of the Tinaco and a full kitchen clean. After all that excitement(!), I attempted Coral Test 2, with Hector, which I thought I did better than Coral Test 1! [That is obvious, as I only got three correct answers in the first test!] Hector was also my servant for the day, so he started by washing up my breakfast bowl and utensils.

While doing the test, and as there was no-one else around, I became the radio operator! However, someone came into the office, rather annoyed that I wasn't in the kitchen! What is more important: the safety of the divers or helping in the kitchen? [No-one can't be in two places at once!] That person departed saying that some pans had been left for me to clean! There are always two sides to every story! I wish some people would look at, and think about, situations before speaking!

Because there were three dive sessions this morning, Wave 3 didn't get back until just after 13:00; so lunch was later than planned.

After having lunch and clearing up, I had some clothes to wash, followed by filling air tanks with Martina. I was reminded about my kitchen duties at 16:00! As it turned out, the compressing finished just before 17:00, so after cooling down some, I joined the team in the kitchen. Onions, garlic and peppers were cooked, as part of the pasta sauce.

I was able to go and have a quick shower before dinner was served. It was lovely to remove the sweat and get into clean clothes! Depending upon how I feel tomorrow, will determine whether I join Namate and perhaps Jack (who were going to see a doctor), or go diving.

Some time after dinner, Charlie asked me if I would give a presentation on the Compressor Log spreadsheet tomorrow. "Of course. I'd be more than happy to". He later asked if I could creatre a similar spreadsheet for the compressor maintenance/servicing records that he keeps. "Yes, I'll give it a try".

Tuesday, 28-Mar-2017

For this morning's duty, Liz asked me to clean the toilets. Doing so certainly illustrates how some people live!

After breakfast (08:00), I decided to go with Namate and Jack in a taxi, to the Red Cross clinic in Tulum, to see a doctor, arriving an hour later; the fare was 500 MXP (£20.83).

When I mentioned having a pain in my left chest, the doctor listened to my heart and took my pulse. [Because of the language difference (I knew no Spanish and he knew little English), I think he thought my pain was heart-related and not muscle-related.] Anyway, all was OK and he agreed that my pain was muscular and prescribed five days of pain killers (Dicloxacilina). For that consultation, the charge was 120 MXP (£5.00). The three of us then walked into the centre of Tulum to obtain our respective medicines. We first visited the HSBC bank (for cash), and then to a supermarket (where I treated myself to a small packet of oatmeal biscuits). Namate knew of a place that sold smoothies; so off we set. I had a 1 litre Banana and Strawberry Smoothie, costing 60 MXP (£2.50)). Partially refreshed, we walked to a fruit market, and then back to the smoothie seller, where I had a 1 litre Papaya and Oats Smoothie, but it wasn't as nice as the first one!

Time to return to Pez Maya and after bartering with a taxi driver, we managed to get a lift back for 400 MXP (£16.67). Great, we thought. But we didn't plan for the very slow drive back. Back at the base (at 13:10), he asked us for 450 MXP (£18.76). Because of the slow journey back, he didn't get the extra 50 MXP, and left very disgruntled!

When we walked back to the buildings, we were asked (by a couple of anxious staff members) if the taxi was still there (thinking that the taxi driver brought us into the base). But as we left him at the road barrier and walked the few hundred metres into the base, he had gone. At the time, we didn't know what the panic was for, but it later transpired that John had been caught that morning with drugs, and the taxi was to take him permanently off-site; i.e., his time at Pez Maya had come to a premature end! Well, he knew the rules and decided to go against them!

Although three lunch plates had been set aside for us, I wasn't particularly hungry, being full of smoothies! That afternoon, I took it easy, having a couple of sleeping moments as the time passed! I later tried paying my Just Giving contribution, but it crashed towards the end of the transaction. Fortunately, that transaction didn't get debited from my account.

Dinner was pasta. I wasn't required to do my presentation (on the Compressor Log file). Instead, Charlie thought it would be better to do it next week, after the intake of new volunteers. We both thought that it made better sense. Due to my chest pain, I decided not to dive tomorrow. I'll see how I feel on Thursday.

Wednesday, 29-Mar-2017

This morning's duty was Grounds, which involves clearing excess sand that had been blown in during the night. I started off by going down to the compressor area to rake the sand (there were many sand flies around the compressors!), then the path leading from the volleyball area towards the huts; where I met Namate raking in the opposite direction.

Time for breakfast, after which, a few of us, including Hector, made an 08:00 departure for the community of Punta Allen; an hour further south along the dirt track. GVI Pez Maya had a regular (weekly?) visit to the community, and particularly the two schools, where volunteers mingle with the children, helping them to learn English.

What a sleepy and relaxed community it is! We left our vehicle outside Lucy's restaurant and walked to the infants' (kindergarden) school (Jardin de Niños los Arrecifez). The children knew Hector from his frequent visits, and it was quite a sight seeing them come and greet him (and us), at the gate. In their classroom, we at the front and introduced ourselves (in English). After I had said "My name is Martin", one 'bright spark' called me Ricky Martin! We all laughed! It was very amusing!

After the children had drawn their favourite fish, we all congregated outside the classroom for a group photo (Photo MX-043).

Having finished at the infants school, we walked around the corner to the Escuela Primaria (Primary School; the crest, of which, is shown on the back of the childrens' T-shirts; see Photo MX-044. I was emotionally effected when I sat down next to one of the children. She was eating her meal in a way that was different to everybody else. When I secretly asked why, I was informed that she (Estrella (which means Star in English)) was blind!

After getting over that 'shock', the next thing I noticed was how the other children treated her; as if she was one of them - sighted! Also, and amzaingly, she could get around the school, knowing where she was, as if she had sight! She was an amazing and inspirational little girl!

Last year (2016), the volunteers made a collection and bought her a Braille computer. At the time of writing this (May-2017), I understand that it was still being built/prepared for her in Playa del Carmen. I wanted to do something for her, but I didn't know what. I also wanted to revisit the school before I left Mexico. I didn't think I would be the type of person to help and teach young children of a far away, foreign country, but the actions of Estrella did (and showed me) something that I didn't know I had! Perhaps because my late father lost his sight when I was young!


Photo MX-043

Photo MX-044

It was back to Lucy's Restaurant for lunch. To accompany my meal, I had a 1 litre melon drink! Absolutely thirst-quenching! Then we made our way to the more senior students' school (at GPS N19° 47' 51.50", W87° 28' 34.00"), where we played Hangman, in English. Then Hector gave the students a scenario (in Spanish): How the local environment could be affected by an outside company expanding operations. The students were divided into three groups: the Punta Allen community, a hotel and an NGO. After explaining the scenario and given them time to think about it, they were asked to act it. I was surprised at how enthusiastic they were!

On our way back to Pez Maya, we stopped for a break (of about 20 minutes) at a beach. Waves were breaking over the reef, but, as can be seen in Photo MX-045, the water at the shore was quite calm. All-in-all, it was a most enjoyable day out!

After we had arrived back at base, we learned that Anaik had collected several bags of plastic rubbish from along the side of the road, south of the base. The result can be seen in Photo MX-046! A passer-by stopped to help and gave his e-mail address to Anaik (who in turn, passed it on to Pez Maya staff), for future help. I do not know if anything was later arranged! It would have been a great shame if nothing was done!


Photo MX-045

Photo MX-046

Thursday, 30-Mar-2017

This morning's duty was Boats, so with Namate, the two of us made sure that the contents of the emergency boxes were correct and complete, before taking them down to the boats. The other members of the team attended to the fuel tanks, and water for rincing diving equipment.

Breakfast was followed by Boat Push and the filling of the Tinaco. We were then divided into four teams to totally clean the site, in preparation for the new volunteers. I was deployed into the kitchen; cleaning everything (the walls, the work surfaces, etc.).

Wave 1 divers were all ready to set off when Pete announced that there would not be any diving today, due to the strength of the wind and the height of the waves! There were a lot of disappointed volunteers, including me! It was planned that I would practice Lionfish hunting - with plastic bottles. Instead, I stayed in the shade as much as possible, trying to keep cool. Body Surfing and Beach Volleyball matches were 'Plan B'.

The evening's party theme was Togas, for which a number of the volunteers used their bed sheets; very ingenious! I couldn't imagine wrapping my sleeping bag around me to the same effect! A BBQ dinner was served at 22:00.

Friday, 31-Mar-2017

As it was a changeover weekend (volunteers leaving and new volunteers arriving), there was a hut inspection by a couple of members of staff. It was about 10:00 by the time that process had finished, and time to throw some clothes into our weekend bags and wait for the two taxis; one for Tulum and one for Playa del Carmen.

It was also time to say "Goodbye" to those volunteers leaving; for some, it was a very tearful time! [I'm not the only one that doesn't like "Goodbyes"!]

Romain and I had decided to go and visit Chichén Itzá this weekend. Once we had got to Tulum, we went to the bus station, bought our tickets (fare 126 MXP (£5.25)) and travelled on the next bus to Valladolid (also known as the Sultaness of the East).

On our approach to the town, I wasn't overly impressed with the area or the buildings. However, once we had got off the bus and, with the help of Roman's copy of the Lonely Planets (LP) guide, found our way to the centre of town, my impression changed remarkedly!

We had agreed to use Valladolid as our weekend base, and to travel out and back to Chichén Itzá tomorrow. Therefore, our first action was to find somewhere to sleep. The LP guide listed hostels in the town, but the two of us wanted something with a bit more comfort and privacy. The LP guide also included the Hotel Maria de la Luz, located in the main square. We could see it from where we stood, and it looked OK from the outside. So we crossed the road, entered the hotel, and ended up booking a room each (with private bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi), for two nights, at 720 MXP (£30.00) per night.

At the centre of the hotel was a very enticing kidney-shaped swimming pool (see Photo MX-047), but as at Cenote Dos Ojos (on 12-Mar-2017), I hadn't packed any swimming clothes. The pool was overlooked by a first-floor balcony (which we were to use later), with the restaurant area between the pool and the hotel's reception area.

Once we had settled in, and had a brief rest, we went to explore the town. And what a town! In the town's centre is the Parque Francisco Canton (with its La Mestiza Fountain in the middle), surrounded by some beautiful-looking buildings. After walking through the park and out at its southern exit (opposite the cathedral), we continued in an anticlockwise direction around the square, admiring the buildings that surround it (some, of which, were painted in pastel colours).


Photo MX-047

Photo MX-048

Photo MX-049

Photo MX-050

I think Romain must have been studying his LP guide, as he informed me that Valladolid has its own well-known cenote (Cenote Zaci). So using his trusty LP guide, we set off to locate it. We eventually found it in Calle 36; between Calles 37 and 39.

After having explored Cenote Zaci, we thought it would be a good idea to check the times of buses to Chichén Itzá tomorrow. So we walked back into the town centre, passing the Parque Francisco Canton, and on to the bus station. To get to Chichén Itzá at a reasonable time (mainly to avoid the crowds, as suggested in the LP guide), we chose to get the 08:30 bus. At the same time (to save having to queue in the morning), we also purchased our tickets.

Next on the agenda was somewhere to eat. Looking at some of the eating places' menus/cartes, our stomachs and mouths suggested we ate at the restaurant in the Hotel El Mesón del Marqués, which we did; and very nice it was too. I'm sure some would disagree, but Wow! This is somewhere one could enjoy a pleasant romantic dinner with that special person in your life! Would I go back? Definitely; see Photo MX-053!

Before going back to the hotel, I wanted to have a close-up view of the illuminated cathedral; which we did. The following four photos show two views of Cenote Zaci, one of the restaurant at the Hotel El Mesón del Marqués, and one of a floodlit cathedral.


Photo MX-051

Photo MX-052

Photo MX-053

Photo MX-054

When we got back to the hotel, we had a couple of beers, which we drank on the balcony, overlooking the floodlit pool. The bed, when I eventually retired, was not the most comfortable!

Saturday, 01-Apr-2017

We arranged to meet at 07:30 for breakfast, before making our way to the bus station, for the 08:30 bus to Chichén Itzá.

We arrived at an empty bus park (outside the Chichén Itzá site) about an hour after leaving Valladolid. The queue was short and we were quickly walking amongst the ruins; and the small traders. They were selling T-shirts, skulls (in all shapes and sizes), items that sounded like certain local wild animals (when blown through, like a whistle), and anything else that tourists might buy!

The following eight photos show some of the buildings at the Chichén Itzá site.


Photo MX-055

Photo MX-056

Photo MX-057

Photo MX-058
 

Photo MX-059

Photo MX-060

Photo MX-061

Photo MX-062

We spent about 3 hours walking around the site. In that time, it was obvious that more and more tourists were arriving! When we got back to the entrance area, we were hungry. So apart from having an ice-cold smoothie, we decided not to pay the exorbitant prices at the eating establishments, and instead, wait until we were back in Valladolid.

I was so glad we had an early start, because the queues to get in had become horrendously long! It is not surprising really, considering the number of buses in a very full bus park! Neither were there many free spaces in the car park! I can now understand why the public is not allowed to climb the ancient monuments. The ruins wouldn't last five minutes!

When we got back to Valladolid, it was souvenir-hunting time! I saw a T-shirt yesterday that I found very amusing (and appropriate). The shop was only a few metres from the hotel, so I had to go and have another look. Sure enough, the humorous effect it had on me was the same, so I bought it! Some of you (particularly in English-speaking countries) may be familiar with the old school childrens' rhyme "One potato, two potato, three potato, four,...". Well the T-shirt reads "One tequila, Two tequila, Three tequila, Floor...!!".

According to the LP guide, the "best restaurant in town" is Restaurant Conato, at number 226, Calle 40 (between Calles 45 and 47). So based on that, we eventually found the unassuming place (from the outside) and went in. It is certainly an interesting place. There are murals of well-known people throughout; for example, Marilyn Monroe and Jimi Hendrix, to name just two. While admiring them, we were introduced to the actual artist!

The food was good, and there was live music. But (and I could be wrong!) I believe the reason for it being labelled the best restaurant in town, probably stems from the backpacker community. Still, I'm pleased we visited it! [Personally, I thought the restaurant at the Hotel El Mesón del Marqués was better!]

Leaving there, we went back to the main square and, walking west along Calle 41, we came across singing from within La Chispa Restaurant and Karaoke Bar. On closer examination (inside), a mirocphone was circulated amongst the customers; some of whom (by the sound of it), had been drinking for a while! The singing wasn't the best! In fact, it was awful!

After a couple of drinks, we left. Even back at the hotel room, I could still hear that awful singing!


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