Caribbean Sea

A 94-day adventure by Jan und Denise Read more

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Day 25
Monday, January 23, 2023 at 12:31 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Mexico Chiquilá 21.435, -87.33666721°26’6” N 87°20’12” W
A day in the live of a pelican
January 23, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
"Hey!! Don't turn your back on me! I tell you the fish was really thaaaaaat big!!"
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Day 25
Monday, January 23, 2023 at 6:23 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Mexico Parque Francisco Canton 20.69, -88.20166720°41’24” N 88°12’6” W
Valladolid
January 23, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Arriving in the cute town of 'Valladolid'. Somehow weird to say "Hey what a lovely colonial architecture!" If you know that to build these houses Mayan temples and houses got destroyed. And you're in this town just to go and visit the ruins of other mayan temples. Seems paradox.Read more
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Day 26
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 9:22 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 30 m
Mexico El Castillo 20.682852, -88.56871820°40’58” N 88°34’7” W
"The New 7 Wonders of the World"
January 24, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The New 7 Wonders of the World

Colosseum of Rome, Italy ✓
Petra, Jordan ✓
Chinese wall, China ✓
Chichen Itza, Mexico ✓

Machu Picchu, Peru (?)
Taj Mahal, India (?)
Cristo, Brasil (?)

4 out of 7. So 3 more to go! 😜Read more
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Day 27
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Mexico Ek' Balam 20.89, -88.13666720°53’24” N 88°8’12” W
Ek Balam
January 25, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Another former centre of Mayas in Yucatan which is still in the process of reconstruction and excavation.

As 'Ek Balm' isn't crowded by tourists yet it's still possible to climb on top of the 31m high pyramid. At the horizon you can see the pyramids of the cities 'Coba' and 'Chichen itza'.Read more
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Day 28
Thursday, January 26, 2023
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 22 m
Mexico Temple of kabul 20.933332, -89.01999720°55’60” N 89°1’12” W
Yucatán Cities
January 26, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
While there was snow in southern Germany, we also had a so called “cold front” in Mexiko (meaning rain, wind and 24 degrees) 😉 we used this time to explore Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, and Izamal, the yellow city - many hours of public bus travel included.Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 9:36 PM
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Mexico Tulum beach 20.21, -87.4320°12’36” N 87°25’48” W
#IguanaLive
January 28, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Chill in the sun at the beach underneath the Maya pyramids of Tulum!
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Day 32
Monday, January 30, 2023 at 12:19 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Mexico Tulum 20.215, -87.42833320°12’54” N 87°25’42” W
Zona archeologica de Tulum
January 30, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
The most beautiful thing having a few months of for traveling, instead of "just going on holidays" is the extra amount of time. Sundays the entrance to the archeological sights in Tulum is free, so yesterday the ruins were overcrowded. Also it was cloudy most of the time so we decided not to go to the ruins on Sunday but on Monday. And it was really worth it to wait!! 🌴🌞

The afternoon we spend relaxing at the beach and go snorkeling with stingrays and turtles. 🐡🐢Read more
TravelerDiese Bilder sind echt so schön. Mega
2/3/23ReplyTranslate
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Day 33
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 4:44 PM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 24 m
Mexico Mario Villanueva Madrid 18.685, -88.38333318°41’6” N 88°22’60” W
Lagoon of 7 colors
January 31, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Crystal clear, calm and turquoise water with a sandy underground that's how the "Lagoon 7 colors" looks like. Today we arrived in the relaxed town of Bacalar.

Advice of the day: don't throw food in the lagoon and don't go swimming at night. (The reason is in the last picture)Read more
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Day 34
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 3:46 PM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Mexico El Arca 18.59, -88.43518°35’24” N 88°26’6” W
Los Rapidos Bacalar
February 1, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Stromatolites are sedimentary formations build from microorganisms, growing day by day. Only a few of these structures still can be found alive today. We were told only 13 countries in the world still have them.
Between the stromatolites there was a current, so you could float down this little canal with a rescue vest.Read more
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Day 36
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 12:52 PM
Altitude: 8 m
Mexico Punta Majagual 18.715, -87.70833318°42’54” N 87°42’30” W
#NoBadDays
February 3, 2023 in Mexico
'NoBadDays', just bad weather. Today the forecast told us thunderstorm and rain all day long. We decided to go to the beach anyway and enjoy the last hours at the Mexican coastline.

Now we both have a little sunburn and couldn't find one drop of rain all day long 😜Read more
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Day 37
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM
🌧 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Mexico Plutarco Elías Calles 18.490423, -88.29930118°29’26” N 88°17’57” W
¡Hasta luego México!
February 4, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
Hasta luego 'Panuchos' - fried with mashed beans filled tacos topped with chicken, avocado, lettuce and tomatoes. The best ones we had was in the cooking class for 3€ per person offered by our hostel

Hasta luego 'Tacos Al Pastor' - the Mexican answer for shawarma

Hasta luego 'Tacos Cochinita pibil' - the national dish of Yucatan

Hasta luego 'Marquesitats' - Mayan crepes, tasting like an ice cream waffle with sweet or savory topping

Hasta luego 'Guacamole' - I think here is no explanation needed 😉

Hasta luego 'Gorditas' - 'the little fatties' reminded me a lot on my favorite food from Xi'an 'Rou Jia mo'Read more
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Day 37
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 1:42 PM
🌧 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Belize Laguna de San Pedro 17.918333, -87.96166717°55’6” N 87°57’42” W
Ambergis Caye - Belize 🇧🇿
February 4, 2023 in Belize ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
A farewell to one country means a 'HELLO' to another one!!! After a 1.5h bumpy speed boat ride we arrived in San Pedro on Ambergis Caye!
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Day 37
Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Altitude: 10 m
Belize Laguna de San Pedro 17.92, -87.9616717°55’12” N 87°57’42” W
San Pedro
February 4, 2023 in Belize
Today was about getting to know San Pedro. Reggae vibes all around, jerk chicken, colorful painted wooden houses. Everyone calm and relaxed, somehow it's like we would imagine Jamaica to be.

After lunch we booked a snorkel tour for tomorrow. A tour to see sharks, manatees, rays, .... 😂 Well sitting on one of the many decks showed us most of that already.

Stingray, eagle ray, bull shark, ...Read more
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Day 38
Sunday, February 5, 2023
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Caribbean Sea 17.860213, -88.02669217°51’37” N 88°1’36” W
#Unbelizeable
February 5, 2023, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Snorkelling in the world second biggest barrier reef system 🪸🐠
True to the motto of Belizians it was an ‘unbelizeable’ experience. We snorkelled with turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, colourful fishes and saw lots of purple fans.Read more
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Day 39
Monday, February 6, 2023
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Belize Cay Corker 17.74, -88.02517°44’24” N 88°1’30” W
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Caye Caulker, Belize
February 6, 2023 in Belize ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
The last 3 days where all about getting to know the laid-back island Caye Caulker, the wildlife around the belizean barrier reef and the different culinary specialities of the area.

In Mexico we sadly missed the shark whale season, in the Dominican republic we had to wait a few days for the whale watching season, but finally we're at the right place to the right time. It's conch and lobster season right now (as we were told for one more week) so Conch Ceviche and Lobster were on the menu.

Today Jan went for a diving trip to the reef to see reef sharks and hammerhead sharks (one hammerhead was spotted but I just saw him swimming away 😉)Read more
Traveler Das mal ne Wasserfarbe!
2/17/23ReplyTranslate
TravelerAls ich zum Tauchen raus gefahren bin, hab ich zum ersten Mal gemerkt für was das "barrier reef" eigentlich gut ist. auf der See Seite des Riffs 3m hohe Wellen. auf der Landseite des Riffes spiegelglatte Oberfläche. durch das Riff kommt es an der Küste kaum zu Wellen und dadurch auch keine Trübung durch Sedimentaufwirbelungen.
2/18/23ReplyTranslate
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Day 43
Friday, February 10, 2023 at 12:37 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 516 m
Belize Caracol 16.763292, -89.11780116°45’48” N 89°7’4” W
Caracol archeological site
February 10, 2023 in Belize ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We decided to cut our time in Belize short in favor of other destinations along the road. So yesterday we had our last day in Belize and went to 'Caracol'. The biggest archeological excavation side of Belize. Secluded in Nature Reserve this Mayan temple can only be reached by a guided tour or by renting a 4WD. Some of the rental companies even tell you their insurance won't pay if you go there.

On the road we visited to he 'Rio Frio' with his little pools and waterfall's and his giant cave.

Our guide told us the story that Mayans believed the 'Ceiba trees' as shown in picture after the waterfalls are connecting 'heaven and hell'. The roots of the tree extend in the 'underworld' or the entrance to the place of the goods as stalactites. That's why caves with stalactites where holy places.Read more
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Day 44
Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 1:00 AM
🌙 24 °C
Altitude: 302 m
Guatemala Temple II 17.221667, -89.62517°13’18” N 89°37’30” W
Good bye Belize, Hola Guatemala!
February 11, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
Imagine you have been to Mayan temples in 2 different countries. You have been to once that are mass tourism hotspots, some that are just at the beginning of being excavated and at some secluded in the dense jungle. Do you think there will be something new to see in one more temple?

YES! But this time it's wildlife. This afternoon we went for the archeological side of Tikal. Once the biggest Mayan city existing. Sitting on the entrance to one of the largest jungle reserves in the world. And finally we have seen what we were looking for since the southern part of Mexico: TOUCAN!!!

Of course there have also been other parrots, monkeys or other animals.Read more
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Day 44
Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:49 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 331 m
Guatemala Temple IV 17.223333, -89.6317°13’24” N 89°37’48” W
'A new hope' - templo IV Tikal
February 11, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
If you check the Netflix or Amazon prime video platforms you will find hundreds of movies about European history about the Greek legends, the Roman empire, the crusades, medieval times. You can also find a lot of movies about American history. What you can't find is movies about the history of the Mayans.

BUT still you can find some of the archeological sights in movies. Today we visited 'temple IV' of the Tikal area. Used in the original 'star wars' movie to represent the home planet of the rebellion.Read more
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Day 45
Sunday, February 12, 2023
🌬 16 °C
Altitude: 135 m
Guatemala Isla de Flores 16.930016, -89.89132716°55’48” N 89°53’29” W
Isla Flores
February 12, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
Enjoyed a lazy day after intense days in Tikal - and a heavy rainfall that showed a different side of Isla Flores to us with flooded streets etc.
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Day 47
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 5:31 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 1,533 m
Guatemala Parque Central Antigua Guatemala 14.558333, -90.73514°33’30” N 90°44’6” W
Hell and Heaven
February 14, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Some days just feel like hell! Sitting in a small shuttle bus, not even enough room for your feet for 14h is a feeling like being tortured in hell. Seeing the landscape switching from the lush green of tropical rain forest to the brown color of the dry mountains of west Guatemala also add to this feeling.

BUT there's always light 😉 Finally we arrived in the colonial city of 'Antigua'. Surrounded by three vulcanos this city looks like the time stopped a few hundred years ago.Read more
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Day 48
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 5:53 PM
Altitude: 1,549 m
Guatemala Río Panajachel 14.738333, -91.16166714°44’18” N 91°9’42” W
Lake Atitlan, Panajachel
February 15, 2023 in Guatemala
By many he is called the 'most beautiful lake in the world'. This lake was formed by the collapse of a big volcano, but volcanic activities haven't stopped after that collapse so three new volcanos were formed. Today these volcanos (just one of them still active) form the scenic landscape. Sadly most of the day there's no clear view.
But contrasting the red colored sky at sunset the volcanos are a beautiful view.Read more
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Day 49
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Altitude: 2,073 m
Guatemala Chichicastenango 14.943261, -91.11188614°56’36” N 91°6’43” W
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Chichicastenango Market
February 16, 2023 in Guatemala
Chichicastenango is home to one of the oldest outdoor markets in Guatemala.
Once we entered the packed market we found ourselves surrounded by uncountable stalls selling colourful textiles, wooden handcrafts, fruits and food.

A tumultuous symphony of colours and costumes, smoke and smells in which we found our souvenir.

Located in Guatemala’s Western Highlands also the bus ride along mountain roads was a highlight.Read more
Traveler Was das?
2/17/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler hübsch!
2/17/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler Die hier ansässigen Mayas haben einige Bräuche aus ihrer Kultur in ihre Art das Christentum auszuleben übernommen. und haben auch einige alte "Götter" unter die christlichen heiligen geschmuggelt.
2/18/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler ein Brauch sind eben Feuer Opfer. Vor der Kirche waren Feuer aus Räucherholz und in den Dosen waren quasi Räucherstäbchen.
2/18/23ReplyTranslate
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Day 50
Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Altitude: 1,620 m
Guatemala San Juan La Laguna 14.692306, -91.28813514°41’32” N 91°17’17” W
Vibrant colors of central America
February 17, 2023 in Guatemala
Many people in the 'western countries' like the minimalistic approach of 'scandic' chic. Natural materials and neutral colors. (We do so as well 😉). The most common colors of cars are white, black and silver. Most of the houses are colored in '50 shades of white'.

In Central America people love to colors. You don't like the brown color of roasted meat? No problem, add some 'annatto' to color it red. You don't like the yellow and boring color of a American school bus? No problem, turn it into a crazy colored 'chicken bus'. You think a graveyard is depressing and shouldn't consist of boring grave stones in '50 shades of grey'? No problem!Read more
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Day 50
Friday, February 17, 2023 at 12:28 PM
Altitude: 1,549 m
Guatemala San Juan La Laguna 14.696667, -91.28333314°41’48” N 91°16’60” W
San Juan La Laguna
February 17, 2023 in Guatemala
Today we switched the sides of Lake Atitlan from Panajachel we took a boat to the little village of 'San Juan La Laguna'. A city famous for cacao, coffee and textile products. On the boat ride Jan was writing the footprint about vibrant colors, not really knowing what to expect at San Juan.

Well I think the pictures tell the story 😉 a real little authentic gem, BUT everything is closed from 7pm. 😂Read more
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Day 50
Friday, February 17, 2023 at 12:54 PM
Altitude: 1,549 m
Guatemala San Juan La Laguna 14.696667, -91.28333314°41’48” N 91°16’60” W
Casa Maya (authentic homestay)
February 17, 2023 in Guatemala
Today we decided to stay in the guest room of a typical Mayan family. As there was no sign showing where the apartment is we looked a little lost, till a little girl ran to the fence of her home and yelled at us "¿Caaaasaaa mayaaaa?" As soon as her two brothers saw us they also ran to the main door followed by a few barking dogs and some scared chicken.

We also had dinner with the family and Esmeralda showed us how to prepare 'sleeping eggs' and tortilla.Read more
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