Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa

A journey from Europe to North America, to the Karibik and all the way to Patagonia! Leggi altro

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Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.7 Akumal
21 ottobre 2018, Messico ⋅ 🌧 30 °C
Every one and then I stay in a hotel, just to have a good bed and some privacy.

I did that with two fellow travellers, with which I stayed in Akumal.
During that stay I met a American couple (~60y) who left the states to live in Mexico. They were catching fish that morning with the boat. And for dinner their fish was on the menu. Because we had such a nice talk they invited me for dinner. That was so nice. Loved it a lot.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreMany thanks to them... that must’ve been yummy!
16/11/18Risposta
3 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.8 Ruins of Tulum
22 ottobre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Not the best ruins, but a nice little trip from Tulum.
Especially for the price of 4€.
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ViaggiatoreBut they are pretty famous!
17/11/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.9 Cenote Jaguar
26 ottobre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
I just love these Cenote. I visited so many. Unfortunately you always have to pay entrance fee. But worth it.

So what is a Cenote? A Cenote is a big “hole” in the ground, that is filled with water. Sometimes fresh, sometimes more like a swamp, when the water is trapped and not moving. They are basically gates to the underground water system, which is why you often have a cave type of structure.
Because they are located “close” to the beach, the water is slightly salty.

It is hard to miss them, since the tourist infrastructure is “great” (depending on whether you like that or not, but it is developed). I wish they were as sophisticated with their waste infrastructure! Really, that is so terrible. How can one be so stupid to litter their environment this much; especially when it is your own country.

Anyway, thanks to Theo, who was traveling to this Cenote with me!Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreThey look incredibly clear! Fascinating! And yes, People should watch out for them!
19/11/18Risposta
3 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.10 Sometimes its just about relaxing
1 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Beach in Tulum is not super nice, but it’s very good to relax.

Very nice and expensive beach restaurants and bars!
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ViaggiatoreBut to relax is always super !
22/11/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreMeckern auf hohem Niveau! Wir haben Minusgrade 😁✌🏼
22/11/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreI am German, I do what I am best at: complaining
22/11/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.11 Another Cenote (Cenote Cristalino)
4 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
Because it’s so nice to go there!
ViaggiatoreIncredible!! That’s so awesome!!
26/11/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.12.1 Can't get enough
13 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Gran Cenote, close to Tulum!

Although too many people, this Cenote is a very good one. Complete, with turtles and cave diving.

Also met some very nice people there.
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ViaggiatoreSeems like a lost paradise!!
26/11/18Risposta
Oh my gosh that is amazing!!!!
27/11/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreYes it is!
28/11/18Risposta
4 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.12.2 Can't get enough
13 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
And under water!
ViaggiatoreYou’re going to turn into a fish soon!!
07/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.13 Coba (Mayan Ruins)
15 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
There are many historical sights on the Yucatan peninsular, especially Mayan Ruins (The peninsular is called Yucatan, but there is also the state of Yucatan! Why? No idea!).

One of the biggest ruin sights is Cuba, located about 30 km north of Tulum. I visited Cuba with a friend from Oregon (US). We went there early in the morning to get footage without too many tourists, which payed out in the end.

Funny fact: you have to pay extra, if you want to film. Only pictures are free. Obviously I had to pay for the action cam but Chris with his professional Canon did not have to pay!!??!? What?Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreIt looks so small from above... a wonder it was found ... incredible what they were already building st that time!
02/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.14 Beaching but no beach volleyball
17 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
I am a little disappointed by the Caribbean that there is no beach volleyball here.

Maybe it’s an South American thing???
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ViaggiatoreThen start it up! 😘😇
04/12/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreAch was, ich dachte Volleyball spielt man nur beim VfL Pfullingen.
04/12/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreThere is definitely more beach volleyball in Aachen than in Mexico and Kuba!
05/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.15.1 Bacalar (Lagoon)
25 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
The water of this beautiful lagoon is slightly salty although it is located quite a bit apart from the coast.

I stayed there three nights and experienced beautiful sunsets and a even greater sunrise.

To the other side of the lagoon, one has to swim 1.2 km and of course the same distance back. So, not a real challenge for a swimmer. So I did it twice and had a lot of fun. Water is warm and sun always out!

And because it is so nice, I make another post.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreSoooo inviting!!!
07/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
6.15.2 Lagoon Sunrise
26 novembre 2018, Messico ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
6:10 AM
ViaggiatoreI can feel the quietness
07/12/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreWould love to be there !
07/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
7.1 Caye Caulker (Belize)
28 novembre 2018, Belize ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
First of all, Belize City is one of the ugliest places I have been to so far. I am glad that I immediately went on to get to Caye Caulker, which is an island located 30 km offshore.

Second, the national language of Belize is English as it has been a British colonies until 1981, where it became fully independent. But people also speak Spanish and Creole, which is a mix between Spanish and English, somehow. Furthermore, people have an sort of Jamaican accent, which makes them even more likeable from my perspective.

More about Caye Caulker in the next post.

Stay tuned!Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreThe clouds on that last picture are impressive!!
09/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
7.2 Bella's Backpacker Hostel
29 novembre 2018, Belize ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Saying at Bella’s Backpacker Hostel was super nice. Totally relaxed and easy going. Easy to meet people and the islands motto “go slow” is taken very seriously.

Walking in the streets “too fast” might cause some local dude to say something like this, with an slightly Jamaican but American accent:

“Ma frend, don’t run so fast, you might get a ticket for speedin.”

Isn’t that hilarious? Like the mentality of the people.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreVery funny.... especially with you always ‚walking‘ so fast 😂! Even the cats are at ease!
10/12/18Risposta
Hahahaha!
11/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
7.3 Snorkelling at the reef
30 novembre 2018, Belize ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
The Barrier Reef of Belize is the second largest in the world. Although there is the same problem as with other reefs, namely bleaching, coral death and over souring, the reef is still rich in fish and other water animals.

Snorkelling was awesome, although it was quite cold that day.

The sharks are not aggressive by the way.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreAnazung nature!
12/12/18Risposta
3 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
7.4 México & Belize Movie
30 novembre 2018, Messico
I finally could manage to upload the movie!

Have fun:

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtpkolEJaK6X_SkfkdYU84PkpwoK
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ViaggiatoreJust watching it.... cool music!!
22/01/19Risposta
ViaggiatoreGreat movie!
24/01/19Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.1.1 Lago Petén Itza
1 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
After the very short and expensive stay in Belize, I stayed a view days at Lago Petén Itza. I was recommended this very nice Hotel/Hostel: Perdido Gringo. I definitely recommend that place. The manager is super nice and also has the support of Lola, who happily welcomes every guest! Of course shee loves to be petted but is also willing to give back as much love as you give her.

This was also my home point for a tour to Tikal!Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreA few days more and Lola wouldn’t have let you leave!
14/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.1.2 Sunrise and sunset on th lake
2 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Sadly, you can’t feel the atmosphere that was there. Really, really REALLY nice!
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ViaggiatoreJust to looking at the picture let’s me feel the calmness..... lovely!
17/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.1.3 Limon everywhere
3 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Guess how much this was?
Hint: it’s 2.5 kg (~5lb)

Really,

It’s very cheap

Very

...

It’s 9.90 Quetzales, about 1.30$ or 1.15€!
Whaaaaat?
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ViaggiatoreWow! But how much did the rest cost🤨???
16/12/18Risposta
ViaggiatoreAlso “cheap”. Not as in Mexico but still...
16/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.2 Tikal
4 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
I could write a lot about Tikal here, but you actually have to experience it yourself and all the information is also in the internet and books.

What I do want to say, is that it is totally worth it. Top 3 of th ruin places I have seen. You can even camp there with your tent or stay at a hotel.

If you are lucky, you can also see monkeys and other animals.

The area is large and you can walk up to 16 km if you do all the trails and walks. This is probably also one of the reasons, why it is not super overcrowded. But don’t go on a Sunday, when the local people can go in for free.Leggi altro
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Wow!
20/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.3 Jungle tour
5 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Also nearby (almost) without ruins, a little park through which you can hike.
Nice little training, because of the humidity and the up and down ... and especially for what was about to come.
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0 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.4 Flores
6 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
The plan was actually to go to Lanquín, which worked out, but I did two more stops. One of them is Flores. And I es super lucky, because I only had to extend one night to be long enough there to visit the Island festival they celebrate each year.

Festival means, that the island basically turns into a big fiesta with lots and lots of street food. Aweeeesoooom! So we had good fun.
We even had a blackout on the island, because of the music, the cookers, the lights and everything I guess.

And look who found her way onto my lap!Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreNow, I see two enjoying each other very much!! Sounds like the whole island was having a great time!!
22/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.5 Making my way to Cobán
6 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
I have not been posting anything about it, but here it is now! Since Cancún I am travelling by motorcycle, which I bought there. Also the driving licence by the way.

The ride so far has been awesome and I like it a lot. Main advantage over travelling by bus, or public transport in general, is that I am super mobile and flexible. I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. With the bus it is also not possible to simply stop in the middle of nowhere and enjoy the scenery. And some rides are just amazingly beautiful. Very nice countryside here in Guatemala.

On the way to Cobán, I also had to cross a river by “ferry”. That was quite fun, as the “ferry” is rather a swimming platform/“body of metal” with an engine and an propeller attached to it. Boarding happens not through a dock but rather through the ramp of the ferry being lowered onto the river coast (see picture).
Then, the big trucks have to be carefully positioned, to not tip the ferry over and that might also be necessary in the middle of the crossing; Which basically means that a truck is manoeuvred back and/or forth to tilt the boat back into balance. Saw it happen right there.
Like in most traffic (jam) situations or waiting lines, you can just drive past all th waiting cars, buggies, trucks if you have a motorcycle. So that’s what I did. Five minutes waiting instead of 60.

Note: If you zoom in on the map, you can see the river and the ferry.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreI‘m glad you told us last weekend.... I would have been shocked 😇 But now I’m fine with it! 😘😘😘
22/12/18Risposta
3 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.6 Mercado Cobán
7 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
There is nothing better than exploring a local market. It’s so cheap and dirty. Meat is being sold right from where it was butchered, and of course without cooling. Don’t buy it!

However, the fruits are very nice and local clothing can be bought everywhere. There is no such thing as H&M or Zalando here, luckily.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreSo interesting to explore those markets... you‘ll always find something somehow special!
24/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.7 The road to Lanquín (ohoh)
8 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
The road to Lanquín was the most beautiful trip I did up until that time. Through the mountains on a sunny day with incredible view.

Except th last 10 Kilometers. What a road. Just a rocky dirt track without any securitisation. Took me almost 45 min to make my way on that 10 km.

But I arrived with no problems.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreGood things are always worth the time!
26/12/18Risposta
2 mi piace
Beyond mojitos, rum and salsa Viaggiatore
8.8 Mountain (& valley) villages
8 dicembre 2018, Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Lanquín is hard to reach, because it is located so remotely. The tourist industry already realised the potential of the little tow, but it is still possible to experience the real rural life of Guatemala there. Especially on the market that takes place every two days (more or less).

Apart from tubing the ice cold river(s) and exploring the city it is also possible to go an a cacao plantation or to hike to Semuc Champey, the natural pools for which the region is famous.

My recommendations Go there before it is completely touristy.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreYou‘re doing everything right! Now is the best time for you!!
26/12/18Risposta
1 mi piace