TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Two markets I’ve wanted to visit in El Pueblo de Cancun also known as El Centro Cancun and Downtown Cancun are Markets 23 and 28. Mercado 23 Market 23 is mainly a food market and is a bit rundown yet authentically Mexican. It has its own scruffy charm and very local too which is a major plus as I am always on the lookout for local places. Located across the main bus terminal of Cancun and just a stone’s throw away from my hotel—I’m glad I booked into this hotel as I am quite central to everything, I just couldn’t miss it. It was a pity Market 23 is small and there were not many vendors when I was there. The chicken stalls look so pretty with the bright paint colours. Next foto is another shop selling wicker baskets. Two boys selling food along the pedestrian walk. Hammocks for sale in the middle foto. Foto on the right are herbs and some variations. A little restaurant inside the mercado and foto on the right are corn tortillas said the vendor that I chatted with rather brie...

While waiting for the rest of the gang to arrive at our meeting point, I did a quick survey of the little square in Tulum. You never know I might see something worth buying. Well, what did I see? You cannot get as touristy as this... Indian tribes for you for a few pesoses... And of course Mexico is proud of its booze... Tequila and beer. I have to admit that I love tequila. Give me a few shots please! My souvenir shot with Mr. Corona =) Now, Corona beer is usually served chilled and with a slice of lemon in it. I am not a beer gal, I prefer real alcholic drinks like wine and tequila... or whisky. And this is our Mexican driver leaning on the bar waiting patiently for the rest of the group to turn up. I think he wants a Corona... I could not make up my mind so I did not buy anything. Might be a good thing. Travel Period: January 2010 Destination: Tulum (Quintana Roo), Mexico Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Di...

The ruins in Tulum are said to be the second most visited Mayan ruin and the next best to Chichen Itza in the Yucatan and Quintana Roo regions, while I have seen fotos of the Coba ruins nearby and I know some people swear on Coba as a must place to visit, Tulum is by far enticing and bigger but not nearly half the size of Chichen Itza. On a national scale, Tulum is the third most visited ruin after Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan (in the Valley of Mexico). OK, some facts: Earliest inscription found in the site is said to be around 564 A.D. What make Tulum special are not only its well preserved Pre-Columbian ruins, although quite remarkable --- it is its location! The once gated Mayan community is set adequately on top of vast rock cliffs, 12-meter high facing the inviting Caribbean Sea, and the white sandy beach coves lurking below its precipice gives Tulum that ultimate X factor that every tourist would have a weakness for. On the highway going south to Tulum which is not far fr...

It’s snowed again last weekend and its going to be -9C tonight in Utrecht (-12C up north). Early this month the Netherlands and Europe was plague with a snowstorm, one after the other, snow was 30 centimeters deep and I heard—while I was in Mexico, that Amsterdam Schiphol Airport was shut down because of very bad weather. I hope that’s not going to happen again although I’ll be a hypocrite if I say I don’t love snow. It is lovely to go out when the grounds are covered with snow (and not snowing anymore), so Dutchman and I had a nice walk yesterday in Austerlitz in Utrechtse Heuvelrug forest. The Utrechtse Heuvelrug is H-U-G-E, this wooded area stretches from Zeist all the way down to Rhenen near Wageningen snaking along the path of the River Lek bordering Utrecht and Gelderland provinces. Austerlitz is located near Driebergen, Zeist and Maarn, a place where I would love to relocate if we find the right house there. A sign board from the forest management -- Welkom in Austerlitz! We s...