Some Further Thoughts on Costa Maya

First of all, Costa Maya was better than we had expected. But it is an artificial situation. This is all brand new and fabricated. It's been called the "Disneyland of Mexico." Not that there are rides, or anything. But it is what the tourist would expect Mexico to be.

In the long run, this is good for the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico in general. It is helping their economy and it has already brought electricity to an area that had none. But it is also bringing cultural changes. Out in the countryside, where the indigenous Mayans live, the effect is ironic: Mayans living in traditional houses made of sticks and leaves have satellite dishes attached. They could never have done this prior to the government running the electricity to the coast.

The beach here (right in Costa Maya) is non-existent. There is a nice pool. But the beach is supposed to be better down the road in the fishing village of Majahual. There are, reportedly, some excellent bar/restaurants there.

One of the top things to do there is to connect with one of the tours going to the Mayan ruins of Chacchoben. We can really recommend the tour given by David and Ivan (two local Mayans). Our tour was conducted by Katarina, who was fabulous. We came away with a deep understanding of both the ancient and the present Mayan culture.

Grandeur of the Seas: Sea Days

Literally, a sea day is a day on board ship when you are not in port. What is it like?

The Captain's voice comes on the PA system and he tells you that the ocean beneath you is a mile deep. Or more.

You have a great desire for a deck chair, a pair of sun glasses, and a 32 ounce Foster's.

You sit at an an outside table near the Windjammer Cafe, sipping coffee, listening to the steel drum band playing near the pool, writing your thoughts down in a notebook.

You order afternoon room service (free) and romance ensues.

Introduction to Our Western Caribbean Cruise

The above video is of the embarkation of our ship, the Grandeur of the Seas. In the coming days, I will have posts describing and critiquing this cruise.

We left the port of New Orleans on March 3, 2007. This was a Western Caribbean cruise with stops on Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. The cruise line was Royal Caribbean.

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Travels of the heart, mind, and spirit.
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