It's a creekmore world » Kids

Tinkerhell’s Best and Worst of Mexico, Numero Quattro

Trisha — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:40:16 +0000

Best Beach [EVER]: Tulum: Perfect, powdery sand; clear, turquoise water; just-right waves for body surfing; totally empty — these are the perfect beach cliches. And, even with explosive development, Tulum still delivers. We could even hear the waves breaking at night through the open window. Paradise.

Disneyland o Mexico? Award: Tie Xcaret and Tulum Ruins. WTF is going on in the “Riviera Maya?” Twenty years of rapid development I suppose. The beach south of the Tulum ruins, a deserted paradise 20 years ago, is now wall-to-wall with 80 small hotels. That’s EIGHTY hotels in the space of about five miles. Luckily Tulum forces each and every one of those to generate their own electricity, so the development is low-rise and the beach still feels like your very own. But the ruins north to Cancun… ZOMG. We counted at least four major amusement attractions including Xcaret, Xel-ha, Hidden Worlds and Xplore. The Tulum Zona Archaeologica has been lanscaped, roped off and cleaned up to attract the tourist swarms from the nearby hotels. Good for you, Mexico, it does look gorgeous. Just REALLY different from the dusty, deserted, beachside paradise I remember from the 1990s.

Tinkerhell’s Best and Worst of Mexico, Numero Tres

Trisha — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:11:35 +0000

Best Cenote for Thiefs: Ik Kil. Ik Kil’s proximity to Chichen Itza makes it a favorite stop for the massive tour bus trade. Which means pickpockets. Duh, rent the lockers, noobs.

Most Scared the Bejeezus Out of Lily: Skycycle at Hidden Worlds. When they introduced this contraption at the orientation, my first thought was, “gimmick!” But turns out cycling through the canopy is a fantasticly fun and exciting way to tour the jungle. Of course that’s what Lily thought after Emma powered off alone on her cycle into the sky, so David let her go. Then, hanging from the cable in the middle of the jungle, I hear, “Daddy, I think I’m getting scared.” The courage on that kid is impressive. She kept pedaling through the tears and panic to the end of the line, no rescue necessary.

Tinkerhell’s Best and Worst of Mexico, Numero Dos

Trisha — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:33:16 +0000

Most Unexpected Non-Ripoff: Los Tres Cenotes. This was one of those extreme unknowns. It seemed cool from the few reports we’d read: a horse-drawn cart on tracks takes you to three different cenotes. After waiting about 90 minutes for our personal rail-cart driver and loading into the rickety contraption, still, no one asked for payment. Three hours later, the sun was setting, the “Ricos” had torn it up at all three swimming holes and we still had no idea how much this thing would cost. I had visions of being shaken down for hundreds of dollars at the drop-off point. But no. Our driver stopped, let us off and looked about to walk away. ?! David practically chased him down and offered 400 pesos, about $30. He smiled and walked away. Wow. Just, wow.

Best “Holy Crap, Are You Seriously Considering That?” Moment: Alkun Ha Cenote. As we made our uncertain way to Los Tres Cenotes, we happened first upon a sign reading “Cenote” with an arrow pointing left. Hmmm… A little kid with a red flag waved our car into a parking spot under a tree next to a hut. A few women were sitting around amidst a roaming turkey flock. There was a small, dark hole with a rusty iron ladder sticking out. We looked down and could not see the bottom. David decided to descend anyway, through the dark, down a 60-foot, bowed ladder. Of course, unexpected awesomeness ensued.

Tinkerhell’s Best and Worst of Mexico Numero Uno

Trisha — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:18:07 +0000

I am not like David — I sleep on vacation. I do, however, have lots of opinions.

Most Unexpected Hazard: Speed Bumps. Holy Jeebus, Mexico, what is this about? Speed bumps in town I get. But in the middle of a highway with a 110 km/hr speed limit? Tope is the Spanish word printed on the signs, but often, all you see are the upsidedown boobs. And then… screetching, skidding, badonkadonk, you-know-you-damaged-the-rental, heart all aflutter. Crap. I have no idea how we escaped with no (ok, very little) damage. The trusty Nissan Tilda was our friend.

Most Unexpected Fail: Internet Connectivity. Huh? The “Riviera Maya” is practically a giant beach mall, yet the internet runs at 2400 baud. Not a big deal unless you’re Creekmore World and have visions of posting kid reporter videos from the jungle. That’s not as crazy as it may sound. David was able to get a mobile facebook connection in the Sahara Desert. In some ways, the Yucatan felt more remote than we’ve ever been with the kids.

The 2009 family trip to the Middle East

David — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:45:35 +0000

Our Middle East posts are done! We still have about 60 percent of the video to compile and edit — it’s beginning to look like that may never get done.

They look great! Thanks to Trish for photographing, editing and producing these.