Bus Pass Wanderers

An open-ended adventure by Pete Read more

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Trip start
December 30, 2018
Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Setting out
December 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Well we are about to start! First stop the exotic TravelLodge at Gatwick! Had a great Christmas with the girls but it is time to head off!
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
A day of firsts!
January 1, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We arrived in Cancun about 5pm local on the 31st which meant 10pm 'our' time after a 10 hour flight. Needless to say we were pretty spaced out by about 8pm so didn't make it to midnight! Wandered around from the hotel to a small park with lots of food stalls that we would have loved to sample if we hadn't been well fed on the plane so some churros was all we managed! We did wash it done with beer and wine mind you! Later we went to a bar and had a few more drinks and a small plate of spicy wings. Packed it in at 10ish and slept soundly till morning.
After a good breakfast we headed to the Zona Hotels to find the archeological museum. An eclectic mix of Mayan artefacts and our first 'site' complete with small pyramid. After finding a much needed ATM we set off for Chitchen Itza. The drive was a bit boring as the road is very straight, flat and between high trees the whole way! It was fast though! On arrival at our hotel we set off for our first Cenote. A small quiet one in a village just West of C. I. Settling down now in the hotels garden with a beer and a glass of wine. Can't be bad!Read more
TravelerI know understand how everyone else felt reading our blog...very jealous!
1/3/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Piles of old rock!
January 2, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
We made an early start into Chichen Itza to beat the tour groups. Hired a guide for an hour and then wandered around the site for a couple more. It was getting very busy by then so we walked back to the hotel, freshened up and checked out.
We drove to the lovely town of Izamal which is dominated by an impressive monastery but also has a Mayan pyramid you can climb!
After grabbing a late lunch in the town square we headed for Merida, our home for the next three nights.Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
More old rocks plus chocolate!
January 3, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Getting out of Merida was easier as we sort of understood the one way systems by now (and we had google maps to help!) so we were soon cruising at 90+ down the Mex281 highway to the 2nd most important Mayan site after C I. , Uxmal.
In many ways a more pleasurabltrtexperience than C I. As their were fewer people and the site is far more open allowing you to wander everywhere (also no hawkers lining every path as in C. I. ).
We then continued South a few clicks to another very small site, Kabah. Interesting as it is run as a cooperative by the local Mayan villagers albeit an official Mexican site. After a lunch of a couple of local baked biscuits we headed back to Merida but took in the chocolate museum on the way ( well why not!). We thought this would be a bit of a tourist trap and take 10 to 15 mins. at the most but it turned out to be very interesting AND they gave you a hot chocolate drink as well. Combine this with a mini rescue zoo with spider monkeys and leopards and you get an hour and a half visit!
Therefore we were quite late back to our hotel but after showering we hit the town for another good evening out (see Merida Madness)Read more
TravelerWe went down many a one-way system - not always in the right direction!!
1/5/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Merida madness
January 4, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
When we arrived here Wednesday afternoon we found our very central hotel tucked into the corner of a pedestrian square! Anyway the Bellboy (70+!) rushed out to unpack the car and then jumped in to direct me to a car park a block away. The hotel is a bit of an oasis in the middle of this bustling, crowded city but there is plenty going on in the evenings so the city has grown on us.
First night here we watched the free sound and light show about the history of the town and last night caught the end of a big band concert after a meal outside with live music as well. This evening we caught the end of an organ recital in the cathedral and hope to find more music around the streets when we go out.
We certainly did! Ended up in an old market converted to a food/drink/music space that was VERY popular with locals and a few tourists like ourselves. Met two couples from opposite ends of the scale - a middle class American couple about our age and then a Columbian/Mexican couple about 40 years younger than us. Both very good company and very incite full re the current politics etc.
So to sum up, Merida is a burgeoning city with a vibrant night life and we have enjoyed our three days here.Read more
TravelerOh wow Uxmal looked amazing and glad you liked Merida - I’ve just remembered the food ‘cochinita pibil’ is from there - slow roasted pork absolutely delicious try it if you can! Jx
1/5/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Shades of Cyprus
January 4, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Today we headed due West to the Coast (gulf of Mexico). After a little bit of route finding difficulty ( Google sometimes gets it wrong!) we arrived in Celestun, a laid back resort famous for sea food and flamingos! Hence the Shades of Cyprus title to this footprint!
We took the obligatory boat trip into the biosphere reserve and saw an amazing number of flamingos as well as many other birds. We were lucky to have a bit of a bird expert as our skipper as he spotted many tiny species that we would have missed without his help.
Next to the beach area and lunch. Stuffed fillet of fish, delicious! Next a swim in the Gulf then back to Merida and our last evening in this vibrant city ( see Merida Madness!)Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Some more 'misses'
January 5, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
A couple more missed photos! A bit of a glitch with this app?
TravelerIn the IT industry we have a good acronym for Problem Between Keyboard And Chair.... ;)
1/7/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Whoops, missing photies
January 5, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
No flamingo pic on Shades of Cyprus so I'll try again!
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Villadolid, you pronounce it!
January 5, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
An easy day today! After a leisurely breakfast we packed and headed out of town back in the direction on Chichen Itza. Driving here is so easy with very little traffic except in Merida and generally good roads. The only worry are topes, these are vicious little speed bumps that protect every town and village from vehicles doing more than 10 kph and if you miss one the results are quite dramatic!
We stopped for coffee in C. I. and then found our hotel in Valladolid We wandered around the centre and then checked out the town's cenote. It looked very inviting so we grabbed our swimmers and forked out the 30 pesos (1.25€) for a dip.
To Chris's delight we found a tea shop just on 4pm before taking a break back in our room.
We treated ourselves to dinner in the hotel as they specialised in Yucatun cooking and then went out for a nightcap of hot Mayan chocolate!Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
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Contrasts!
January 6, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
First of all Happy Birthday Jo! We had good WiFi this morning so managed to speak and see her on her birthday. Isn't FaceTime wonderful!?
We stayed in Valladolid for the morning visiting an incredible house owned by an elderly American couple who have been collecting Mexican artefacts for 60+ years! Tours are free but you are invited to put $5 each into the charity box and give the guide a small tip. A wonderful place called Casa de los Venados, well worth staying the morning for.
We then headed East towards the coast but stopped at Coba which are Mayan ruins set deep in the jungle. The site is a bit chaotic but the main attraction is the highest Mayan pyramid in N. Mexico AND you can climb it! Which of course we did and several people clapped us when we got down! A bit embarrassing really!
We were hot and sweaty after that so stopped at another cenote for a dip before hitting the coast. What a difference! Crowds of people in cars, on bikes or walking. A narrow beachfront road with cars parked wherever. It took us an hour to travel the 8ks to our hotel! But we are here in a really hip joint (well it's called the Hip Hotel) in a cabina just off the beach with loud music playing and a hammock on the balcony - as I say - what a contrast!Read more
Christine McNeill You deserved more than a round of applause!
1/8/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Wheels away
January 7, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Our last day with wheels started with a swim in the Caribbean. Warm but very seaweedy! Then breakfast with a view. Our next stop was Tulum Mayan site which is a coastal site so much more open than the jungle one yesterday. It was odd (but very nice!) to stroll round ancient ruins in the company of bikini clad young ladies!
We pushed on to Playa del Carman, checked in to our hotel and then returned the car. As we strolled back it started raining and forced us to seek shelter in a bar where Chris tried her first daiquiri. We ate out at a pizza place as it was just across the road.
No photos of that interesting stuff - just the ruins!Read more
TravelerLooks lovely glad your enjoying yourselves, we actually managed to get the Find Penquins app sorted.
1/8/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
A lazy day in the sun
January 8, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Our 1st 'day off' of the trip! We sauntered round this busy resort and then spent a couple of hours on the beach swimming and reading.
Jo had told us about a restaurant she and Phil had liked when they were here about 4 years ago so we tracked it down and had probably the best meal of the trip so far. Ceviche for staters then a fish stuffed pita and finally a plate of delicious tempura prawns. A bit pricey but well worth it!
It's off to the island of Cosumel tomorrow on the ferry and after just one night there we will be boarding our cruise ship. Watch this space as they say.Read more
TravelerYum I remember those delicious prawns! Jx
1/9/19Reply
TravelerJust read your blog. Glad you are having a good time
1/9/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
One more-5th Ave by night
January 8, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Another missed shot from A Lazy Day...!
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Island life
January 9, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We caught the 10am ferry over to Cozumel with a live band on board! Taxi to the swish hotel that turned out to be all inclusive! After a delicious fish taco lunch we sat on sun beds and read/ dozed before donning the new snorkel masks and going for a snork. We were immediately surrounded by a variety of fish and enjoyed it so much we booked for the snorkel trip in the morning.
We ate in the Italian restaurant that evening and then slept soundly in our 2 bathroom suite!Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
All aboard!
January 10, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We woke to quite a gale blowing and were not surprised nor sorry to find our snorkelling trip cancelled. We therefore lazed about for the morning enjoying the 'free' breakfast and coffee shop goodies. Finally had to check out and take the taxi to the cruise terminal. Had to wait 2 hours to board but we eventually embarked and found our cabin. The ship, Magellan, is old but very nice and will suit us fine for the next 11 days. It is mooed in Cozumel town which seems a busy friendly sort of place. We could have spent longer here and in that all inclusive hotel!Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Sea days
January 11, 2019, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Our first night on the ship, a really nice dinner but we retired early as the ship wasn't sailing till after midnight.
The next day was a sea day. Lots of activities and the compulsory lifeboat drill. An introduction to the Panama Canal (part 1 of 3!) and the Captains reception before the first show of the cruise. We then met our 6 other table companions for a gala dinner of 6 courses. They seem a nice bunch so dinner times won't be dull!
No photos for this footprint but as we are on Roatan island tomorrow (Honduras) I'll make up for it then!!Read more
Christine McNeillWe must see your table companions in due course, please.
1/14/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
The Elephant in the Room
January 13, 2019 in Honduras ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We woke to bright sunshine and a clear blue sea moored to the jetty at Roatan's capital, Coxen Hole. The whole island only has 50,000 inhabitants so C. H. is only a village really but does have an airport that I assumed was only for small aircraft till we noticed an Airbus 320 taxiing for take off! As tourism is 90% of their GDP I suppose it is not surprising.
We hired a taxi for a few hours and saw a few highlights, then went to a beach to snorkel. Excellent stuff! So many species of fish and interesting coral.
I was hoping to get a beer back in C. H. but couldn't bring myself to pay €6 for one - it's less than half that on the boat! So we went back on board and read while looking at this tropical paradise (except for the price of beer!).
The day ended with another excellent show and meal and an elephant in the room!Read more
TravelerThat's not Honduran pricing - that's Cruise Ship In Town pricing!
1/17/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
First glimpses
January 13, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Our first view of Costa Rica! We moored in the eastern town of Puerto Limon and after some delay set off to explore the town. A busy little place if a bit scruffy but it felt very safe and friendly. Really liked the modern cathedral and small peaceful park.Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Sea day 2
January 14, 2019 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
Still steaming towards the East coast of Costa Rica so another lazy day at sea. Plenty to do on board and plenty of food and drink to consume. Can't be bad!
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Sea day 3
January 15, 2019 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
Another busy day on board the Magellan! It started with a bit of exercise for us both and finished with the Rat Pack cabaret. In between many cocktails were drunk ( special event by the pool, £1 a go- you couldn't say no!), some table tennis played, a quiz attempted (2nd again!), lectures attended and shows enjoyed. Have to get off the ship tomorrow - Cartagena, Columbia! Dam it, only one more sea day to go!Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Cartegena, Columbia
January 15, 2019 in Colombia ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
We broke our usual rule here and took one of the ships tours. A bit of a mistake really as we could have got a taxi into the old town and simply wandered through the beautiful streets. However the horse drawn carriage ride was relaxing and saved energy on a hot day, 32+ degrees!
A bit of a tourist trap is the old town with hawkers pestering you all the time but at least they were good natured. Our only purchase was a colourful t-shirt ready for the tropical evening on board that night. Our table did us proud and hopefully you will be able to see some pics in a later footprint. Good Abba show last night followed by the pool party.Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
A man, a plan, a canal, Panama
January 17, 2019 in Panama ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
The city of Colon is not very salubrious to say the least so we were glad we clubbed together with several others and hired a taxi to take us to the AguaClara Panama Canal Visitors Centre. This overlooks the new locks that have been built and showed a short film in English with lots of impressive facts and figures that are instantly forgotten but were interesting at the time!
Out taxi then took us on a tour of parts of Colon. Oh dear, a very sorry place. Everywhere was boarded up or wrapped in razor wire or protected by electric fences. The roads were terrible and the traffic chaotic. Not a place I'd recommend spending time in!
Another evening, another show after another lovely meal and then retiring to our cabin after some classical violin in one of the bars. In case you are wondering - it's a palindrome !Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
The Day!
January 18, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Yes this was the day when the ship transited the Canal. I suppose it was the main reason we booked this cruise and likewise for many of our fellow passengers we have discovered. The day was beautiful, and we stood most of the day watching the whole thing from the upper decks.
The transit takes around 8 hours and is a very slick operation. Trains called 'mules' keep the ship in the centre of each pound (3 on the way up to Gatun Lake and 3 on the way down to Panama City and the Pacific Ocean) but the ships engines actually drive the ship through. A small yacht from Holland was in front of us on the way down. We towered above them of course but they were very friendly and didn't seem at all phased by the huge scale of things.Read more
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Sea day 4 - a dogs life!
January 19, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
You know we really like sea days! All you have to decide is what activities to do and when and what to eat and drink!
We decided to do the morning quiz- 2nd yet again and the a lecture on a camper van journey through Europe, Turkey, Iran, the 'is tans' , Russia and back to UK! 4 months travel and 19000 miles! Interesting!
This was followed by lunch with the 4 Cyprus couples on board! Interesting!!!
Then the next canal presentation. This time on engineering features on canals in UK. Interesting but I knew most of it!
A formal gala dinner followed the usual show and then a late night Beatles session in one of the bars.
The dog was our stewardesses contribution to the day!!Read more
TravelerOoh we’ll be interested to hear more about that campervan journey!!
1/21/19Reply
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Bus Pass Wanderers Pete Moore
Swan song
January 20, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Ok the towel tonight was a swan! This footprint should have been 'Puntoarenas' as we were there all day and a lively beach resort place it is to! I was off the ship before 7.30 enjoying being able to run on a promenade and sandy beach instead of the machines on board. There were already plenty of people in the sea and families gathering for a Sunday on the beach.
We wandered through the small town, looked at the cathedral and then headed for the beach ourselves for a swim. Boy was it crowded by then! The sea was lovely and we found a couple of seats in one of the many noisy beach bars. The locals were really partying and the atmosphere was great. I found my first decent sized beer of the trip, a 750ml bottle - that's more like it!- and after several of those and another swim staggered back to the ship for a very late lunch.
We had an enjoyable evening with our table and finished off at the pool party on deck with free cocktails. Then back to the cabin to find the swan!!Read more
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