Amusing anecdotes from our guide ensue on route to our destination, as do the miles and miles of these mega-resort complexes, each attempting to create a grander grandeur than their neighbour. Arriving at our destination, the remains of a Mayan village (circa 1200AD), our reticence to join organised travel programs is realised - 100's of coaches, with stereotypical tourists with tropical shirts, sandals with socks, and bumbags supporting not only their wallets but also ample bellies, queuing for everything. We stand out from the pack for a few reasons, but primarily in this instance as we are the only people amongst the 1000's who are equipped with diving gear. It's no coincidence that the Mayans chose this site to settle back in the day - the beach is stunning, and we sense prime snorkeling adventure and beach time, with a dash of history!!
My travel companion and I are not known for our abundant patience (especially dealing with, let's say, less sensible people...), so after managing to stifle our rising blood pressure at moving at the speed of the lowest denominator, once inside the gates we shed the impedance of the tour group and proceed to determine our own history of Tulum - 'that must have been the 7-11'... Ultimately though, as is still the case in society today, the perimeter walls were built to keep the less fortunate out - similar to the task a bouncer performs at a hot club - but in Mayan times they were marginally more heavy-handed. Continuing the relevant analogy, the beach would have been the VIP area where the Mayan cool-kids would have gravitated, so likes bees to honey, we're there!
Day 2 of our hard-earned package tours sees us now yawn at the same tour guide anecdotes as we haul cross country to our destination, Chitzen Itza. Despite being located in central Yucatan, we still manage a swim on route in the most impressive 100% organic waterpark I've encountered - swimming in a limestone cave in pure, crystal clear fresh water. With only 300 of our fellow tour bus guests!! We cram as much diving, jumping, and water play antics in our allocated 15 minute stop as is humanly possible. Next up, a loaded buffet lunch of 'authentic' local dishes tames our hunger, whilst we're entertained by 'authentic' local dancers. In regards to my former point about Mexico selling it's soul for tourist dollars, I'm sure the 'authentic' Mayan people didn't end up so diminutive in height just so that they could work as waiters and dance simultaneously with trays of drinks on top of their heads... But evolution is a curious beast, and it is a rather handy trait. We were most obliged to tip them well. If you are only going to scam one Mayan ruin tour, it would have to be Chitzen Itza. This vast location is a far greater and more impressive set of Mayan ruins, and not just as it features the birthplace of basketball (oh, and other minor revelations such as the basis for the modern day calendar... Yawn). Many brave warriors literally played their heads off, as the winning team would often end the game by being decapitated - I'm glad that rule never made it the modern game. This was quite a handy tool used by the King to scare the life out of the population and lead them to general subordination. The pyramids and assorted regal ruins make for a stunning setting, despite the 1000's of vendors selling 'authentic' t-shirts and souvenirs. Sam and I are so inspired by the greatness of the location, that we dance under the sprinklers and create our own 'authentic' Mayan film clips, and novelty optical illusion photography around the site. We know how to combine history with mad-capped hilarity anywhere! …D
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