Being the completionist that I am, Mexico has been on the top of my “To Travel” list ever since I visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, India last summer. Realizing I had visited four of the “New Seven Wonders of the World“, I made it a goal of mine to visit the remaining three (Chichen Itza in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and Petra in Jordan) by the time I reach age 35. Being 29, that gave me a little less than six years, and with Chichen Itza being the lowest hanging fruit (both the closest to Vancouver and the cheapest to fly to), Mexico became the obvious next travel destination.
Eight months after I made my 7 Wonders goal, I flew to Mexico with my girlfriend, Luda, to experience the much-hyped sacred Maya city of Chichen Itza. The many mysteries surrounding it make it intriguing and I’m very happy to have checked it off, but I left the Mayan complex certain many places are more wondrous and more worthy of a spot on this prestigous list. Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Old City of Jerusalem are two examples that immmediately come to mind. Chichen Itza felt too much like a park, was crowded (so get there early!), and just didn’t feel as immersive as other Wonders. Also, the fact there are other equally good Maya ruins in nearby cities that are much less crowded (e.g., Uxmal) also takes away from the wonder of this one.
As I reflect on this trip a month later, I realize Chichen Itza wouldn’t have even made a Top 5 highlight of this 11 day trip in the Yucatan Peninsula. Time and time again, the saying “it’s the journey, not the destination” has proven true in my life and this trip was no exception. While it lacked many of the “adventure travel” hallmarks of my previous trips — such as staying in unique hostels, full day activities with intense exercise, deep cultural immersion, remote locations, navigating uncertainty and personal challenges, and moments of personal growth — I don’t view this trip as any less remarkable.
Above all, what made this journey special was having a fun and open-minded journey mate beside me in Luda, a refreshing change from my usual mode of solo travel. It’s funny: before this trip, a close friend said to me, “it will be interesting to see how you and Luda travel. I don’t think the way you travel is compatible with how most girls like to travel“. He was either referring to my (1) frugal habits, and specifically how I may opt for more no frills accommodations, or (2) what he sees as an uncompromising attitude. Regardless of the truth of any of the above statements – which for the record I find highly debatable – I’m happy to report that there was alignment! There may be some people that can’t think of anyone more “economical” than me, but Luda is the one! Everytime she purchases something, it’s almost as if there’s a violent physical reaction happening inside of her. Jokes aside, Luda’s hardiness and flexibility are admirable and made us compatible travel partners. Apart from a lavious accommodation in our last four nights on Isla Holbox, we stuck more or less to our food and accommodation budget (e.g., $60 total on hotels each night) and we were perfectly content.
Our 11-day trip had two distinct parts. The first 7 days was spent in “travel mode“, where we rented a car and stayed in 5 different hotels over 7 nights. Flying in and out of Merida, we explored Merida, Progreso, Chichen Itza, and Rio Lagartos, along with various spontaneous stops along the way. The Yucatan region is notable for its abundance of cenotes, with over 10,000 believed to exist in this area alone. So if you’re visiting, experiencing at least a couple of these natural sinkholes is an absolute must. Cenote Yokdzonot and Cenote Suytun were my favourites of the four we visited. Another highlight was our time in Rio Lagartos, a town in an area known for picturesque pink lagoons and boat tours where you can see flamingos. I will also always remember and laugh at Luda saying we were observing “deep poverty” while walking the streets of Rio Lagartos. It wasn’t close to it! As for driving, the roads are safe and well-maintained there so I don’t think it is something you should be concerned with.
The last 4 days we spent in “vacation mode” on Isla Holbox (pronounced Hol-bosh), which is a short ferry ride from the tiny town of Chiquila. When deciding how to spend the end of our trip, we considered three islands: Isla Holbox, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel. In the end, we followed my sister’s recommendation and went to Holbox, which is apparently the quietest and most “bohemian” of the three. After a busy start, we were happy to slow down, relax at our beautiful accommodation (Villa Los Mangles Boutique Hotel), enjoy long walks on the beach, and watch the sunset every night.
Overall, this trip was everything I had hoped for: a much-desired break from my articling experience at a Canadian law firm, an adventure in a foreign country filled with lots of sun alongside Luda, and one closer to completing my 7 Wonders goal. This blog entry deviates from my usual reflective style, but I hope that in sharing a little about my trip and these photos, you find inspiration for your future trips. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment or question below. Cheers!
Wonders & Sights from the Yucatan
