Mexico Cross Over 2014 - Depart Playa del Carmen to Havana Cuba | Saturday, Feb 22 - 0km

Possibility to continue your trip individually or (optional) transfer to the airport. - Trip Notes 

After farewelling Slavica I thought it would be wise to go online and pay all bills due as I have no idea when I’ll get internet in Havana.I checked out at 12 noon and walked around a bit. I could not resist having panuchos for lunch at Sandra’s.

After lunch, I returned to the hotel and sat around for an hour waiting for the airport shuttle which turned out to be private driver who had been looking for Holiday Inn rather than Holiday & Adventure… It was a fast drive to the airport and, after I bought my Cuban visitor’s card, I checked in without a problem and met a group from America including Alexandra Spring who is a very interesting entomologist from Baltimore.

It was only a 45 minute flight to Havana and, despite what I had read about having to produce proof of insurance and hotel reservations, I was waved through immigration and customs without having to produce anything other than my passport and visitor’s card.

As I exited I was approached by young man eager to help. He showed me where to change money up one level and then offered me a ride in his private taxi for 20CUC. His taxi turned out to a beat up old car (not one that you see in the photos). He picked up another local just outside the airport and sped into town. 

I checked in at the Hotel Caribbean which is a bit of a dump. After a quick walk around the block and ascertaining there was no internet I retired to bed.

CUBA TRIP BLOG TO FOLLOW - STAY TUNED!!

Mexico Cross Over 2014 - Tulúm - Playa del Carmen | Friday, Feb 21 - 10km

In the morning, you will visit the archaeological zone of Tulum, which is situated at the beautiful Caribbean coast. Afterwards, transfer to Playa del Carmen. Accommodation at the Playa del Carmen Hotel by H-n-A. - Trip Notes

It was with some sadness that we readied for the last ride of the Tour, a short 10km in high humidity to the Ruins of Tulum. Having had Yucatan virtually to ourselves until now, it was quite uncomfortable to be with hordes of tourists, although I managed to mostly exclude them from the pics.

 

 

 

 

 

And there endeth the last official part of the Tour. As Luis was fond of asking, "any questions, comments, doubts, complaints?" I was equally fond of responding "all of the above.."

We walked back to the van, passing through "entertainment alley" and vanned for the last time to our hotel in Playa del Carmen where we were greeted by Jennifer from Sprachcaffe. Luis checked us in and then he and Isaac Abraham checked out, leaving Slavica and me to fend for ourselves!

 

 

I showered and then took a look around town before heading back to the hotel to catch up on blogs and emails. Slavica and I then headed out around 6pm for a walk around town and our last Mexican dinner. Tonight's dish was on the menu as tacos with sirloin and cheese but actually came as tortillas.

 

 

 

So that's a wrap on the official tour. Tomorrow is a transit day from Mexico to Cuba but I'll post something from Havana, assuming the internet works! Mexico Cross Over has been great fun and extremely interesting with a little cycling thrown in for good measure. Stay tuned for a month in Cuba!

Mexico Cross Over 2014 - Tulúm - Sian Ka’an - Tulúm | Thursday, Feb 20 - 34km

From Tulúm you will be cycling to the biosphere reserve of Sian Ka’an. From a 15 meter high outlook, you will enjoy a magnificent view over the nature protection reserve. During a canoe trip through the reserve you will be able to observe many domestic animals. Accommodation at Hotel OM in Tulum. - Trip Notes

After a short stroll to the beach and continental breakfast at the Hotel Om, we cycled about 34km to the biosphere reserve of Sian Ka’an. We upgraded from kayaking to a speed boat which we shared with three women from England.

 

Between our captain/guide Pastor and Luis at the prow, we were given the lowdown of the area which comprises two fresh water lagoons connected by a Mayan made canal. We spotted only a few bird species and very lttle else other than reeds. Along the canal we crossed paths with Ben, Dalia's boyfriend, who was taking a tour group back.

We disembarked at a little island between the two lagoons which was the Mayan commercial checkpoint for trade at the time and, after a look around, the gang changed their life vests to diaper position for a current assisted float down a canal while I walked on the path to meet them for the walk back to the boat and return to the dock.

 

                                                          

Luis and Abraham surprised us with a picnic lunch which we devoured at the dock before vanning back to Tulum for a shower, rest and walk down the road outside the hotel for a look see.

 

For our last group dinner, Luis took us to the "original" Don Cafeto Restaurante where we were treated to live music through the meal. Although tempted to try the authentic Mexican chicken soup - it wouldn't hurt - I opted for fajitas de pollo with a limonada. Tin tin ki!

 

On the walk back to the van I convinced the boys to try on some Lucha Libre wrestling masks, Luis as  El Santo (The Saint) and Abraham as El Pajaso Assassino (The Clown Assassin). Hilarious end to the night.