Today our adventures were all centered around a trip to Mayan ruins, specifically a site called Caracol, which means "snail" in Spanish. Our is called this because of the number of snails found in this area. Yet this was not the name the Mayans called it.
On our way to the ruin site, we stopped off at cave called, "Rio Frio" or "cold river." We walked in and around the cave, leaving about the different types of rock and living organisms that live there.
Next was a 2 hour walk around the Mayan ruins. We walked up 150 feet of stairs to what is still the highest building in the country, the famous Canaan building. The preservation is wonderfully done on these ancient buildings. It is hard to believe they could actually be that old.
The preserved art work was my favorite. The patience, hard work, and care put into the rock carving and the coloring of the carvings is incredible.
After the ruins, we stopped by "Rio on pools" where we swam in a waterfall and in a deep pool in the Macal river.
We had dinner at the lodge and enjoyed red wine, Matt with a cigar, while relaxing on our cabin porch.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Welcome to the jungle
When we got into bed last night, the sheets and blanket were drenched in the moist jungle air.
We slept in until 7:30 am and after a nice breakfast at the lodge, we started on a 2 hour long horse riding trip to vaca falls, on the black rock lodge property. We saw a small tarantula in the stables. The ride was really fun except when Matts horse would not move to go down a hill. After some tug o war to get the horse to move was unsuccessful, our guide switched horses with Matt. This only led to Matt later having problems with getting that horse also to move.
We walked among the rocks towards the falls, when I lost my balance. Luckily only my left foot got wet.
On the way back to the stables, our guide got our horses to canter... I thought I was going to fall off the horse.
Next it rained. And rained. We had lunch at the lodge, and it was still raining. We got together with another couple, skinny and Deb, and the four of us went down the Macal river in tubes, during the down pour. How magical it was to just be saturated with rain and river water and not to care!
We napped and then had dinner at the lodge before heading to bed.
We slept in until 7:30 am and after a nice breakfast at the lodge, we started on a 2 hour long horse riding trip to vaca falls, on the black rock lodge property. We saw a small tarantula in the stables. The ride was really fun except when Matts horse would not move to go down a hill. After some tug o war to get the horse to move was unsuccessful, our guide switched horses with Matt. This only led to Matt later having problems with getting that horse also to move.
We walked among the rocks towards the falls, when I lost my balance. Luckily only my left foot got wet.
On the way back to the stables, our guide got our horses to canter... I thought I was going to fall off the horse.
Next it rained. And rained. We had lunch at the lodge, and it was still raining. We got together with another couple, skinny and Deb, and the four of us went down the Macal river in tubes, during the down pour. How magical it was to just be saturated with rain and river water and not to care!
We napped and then had dinner at the lodge before heading to bed.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Photo Book
Click here to view this photo book larger
The new way to make a photo album: photo books by Shutterfly.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Bangalore, India
My travels have kept me within the continential U.S. the last 9 months. But when I have traveled abroad, I really have gone a long way.
I find myself working from our office in Bangalore, India. It took 26.5 hours and 2 plane rides to get here. Since I traveled on the weekend, my weekend was gone in a flash.
I am staying at the guesthouse owned by the company. My meals are prepared and laundry completed for me. It's a personalized hotel. From what I can tell by my surroundings, it also is for the well off.
The 4km between the guesthouse and the office take around 20-30 minutes to travel by car. Saying the traffic is bad is an understatement. New York and L.A. have nothing on Bangalore.
The scenery along the way includes preciously valued cows, rickochets, lean to homes roofed with tarps and rugs, cement buildings and homes, street vendors selling hot food, sweets, drinks, and household items.
Despite the pollution, the Indian hospitality is openly unique and welcoming. My colleagues have welcomed me and my cultural differences with open arms as I have theirs.
My time here has been mostly filled with work and observing my surroundings, but I am looking forward to a day trip this weekend as well as some typical Indian shopping down on Commercial Street in "downtown" Bangalore.
शांति
peace.
I find myself working from our office in Bangalore, India. It took 26.5 hours and 2 plane rides to get here. Since I traveled on the weekend, my weekend was gone in a flash.
I am staying at the guesthouse owned by the company. My meals are prepared and laundry completed for me. It's a personalized hotel. From what I can tell by my surroundings, it also is for the well off.
The 4km between the guesthouse and the office take around 20-30 minutes to travel by car. Saying the traffic is bad is an understatement. New York and L.A. have nothing on Bangalore.
The scenery along the way includes preciously valued cows, rickochets, lean to homes roofed with tarps and rugs, cement buildings and homes, street vendors selling hot food, sweets, drinks, and household items.
Despite the pollution, the Indian hospitality is openly unique and welcoming. My colleagues have welcomed me and my cultural differences with open arms as I have theirs.
My time here has been mostly filled with work and observing my surroundings, but I am looking forward to a day trip this weekend as well as some typical Indian shopping down on Commercial Street in "downtown" Bangalore.
शांति
peace.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
September 30, 2011 / Final full day
Today is our final full day in Bali with lots of expectations and plans to meet. We headed to Kuta beach for surfing, but didn't catch many waves die to the strong under tow and high tide coming in. We laid on the beach for a bit and tried the surf again but with little success. Now we were tired.
We made sure to grab some last minute souvenirs and of course a massage.
We bounced to a different southern beach for sun bathing to expand our horizons and beach experiences as much as possible.
This beach was much quieter than Kutaand was very laid back. It was set on a rocky reef rather than sand which made those who were surfing that much more impressive. Finally we finished the day with dinner at that beach watching the sunset in a small stilted hut, sipping on beer and cocktails. The beach goers started a sand volleyball game proving for a bit more entertainment.
When we wondered up the steps and off the beach, we were comforted with an interesting situation. No taxis to take us home. We asked the locals for some help but the ended up being rude and stubborn. We waited an hour for a ride to show up just to overpay for our only option back. Even though we overpaid, it was only by a couple dollars to us, but to them it was riches.
We made sure to grab some last minute souvenirs and of course a massage.
We bounced to a different southern beach for sun bathing to expand our horizons and beach experiences as much as possible.
This beach was much quieter than Kutaand was very laid back. It was set on a rocky reef rather than sand which made those who were surfing that much more impressive. Finally we finished the day with dinner at that beach watching the sunset in a small stilted hut, sipping on beer and cocktails. The beach goers started a sand volleyball game proving for a bit more entertainment.
When we wondered up the steps and off the beach, we were comforted with an interesting situation. No taxis to take us home. We asked the locals for some help but the ended up being rude and stubborn. We waited an hour for a ride to show up just to overpay for our only option back. Even though we overpaid, it was only by a couple dollars to us, but to them it was riches.
September 29, 2011 / Volcano Trekking
Today we woke up at 1:30 am. after a two hour drive north, we made our to mountain Batur. A large volcano standing at 1717m high; just over a mile. Along with multiple other groups, we hiked for 2 to 2.5 hours to the top in the dark. On arrival at the top, the sun was rising creating a set Hollywood would strive to recreate such beauty. We enjoyed a Danish and tea before exploring the large volcanic crater.
On the drive back, our crazy driver indirectly created a for car pile up accident. It was quite the experience that I didn't want to experience again.
After a siesta, we went to read and relax at Gegar beach, where a little girl selling things took a break to share singing songs with me. She was adorable and had an infectious laugh. Add the sun was setting, we headed back to the hotel to clean up for a fancy dinner at the local Grand Hyatt hotel restaurant.
Our stroll back gone post dinner was romantic and memorable.
On the drive back, our crazy driver indirectly created a for car pile up accident. It was quite the experience that I didn't want to experience again.
After a siesta, we went to read and relax at Gegar beach, where a little girl selling things took a break to share singing songs with me. She was adorable and had an infectious laugh. Add the sun was setting, we headed back to the hotel to clean up for a fancy dinner at the local Grand Hyatt hotel restaurant.
Our stroll back gone post dinner was romantic and memorable.
September 28, 2011 / Reef Cruise
Today we went on a large pontoon boat over a protected and beautiful reef. Three boat had a water slide, a chance for diving, snorkeling, massages, a semi submersible boat for reef viewing and a hosted trip for a tour of a local village. We snorkeled dispite the very cloudy day and enjoyed ether semi submersible boat. The reef and fish are amazing and hard to believe they are actually real. wee also visited three local village and saw a sari being made, a man climbing a coconut tree, a temporary grave yard for bodies waiting for cremation, and even got to enjoy some fresh coconut milk. We went snorkeling a second time to see even more beautiful and larger fish. We also encountered some unexpected visitors, small quarter to half dollar sized jelly fish. We didn't snorkel for too much longer after being stung by these guys a couple of unwanted times.
On arrival back to the port, the sun came out. We had massages and then dinner near the hotel and then relaxed before bed.
On arrival back to the port, the sun came out. We had massages and then dinner near the hotel and then relaxed before bed.
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