Enjoy a fairly incomprehensible, but still beautiful, tour
of the canals of Copenhagen with us! We saw a lot of fascinating sites from the
water, including the Little Mermaid (inspired by the Hans Christan Andersen
story), the Royal Library of Copenhagen, the Royal Playhouse, the Copenhagen
Opera House, the Naval Base, a castle, the Nicholas Tower, and more. Watch out
for the low bridges so you don't get decapitated!
It was a pleasant way to spend a sunny fall afternoon.
Just out of 10 days of COVID isolation in a Helsinki hotel
room, we missed our first scheduled night in Paris. But we rallied and made it
for the last couple of days. We were never so happy to get on a plane!
(Masked.)
Not yet restored to normal energy, we couldn’t go inside
anywhere in Paris, so we spent a day or two slow-bopping around the glorious
city, taking lots of breaks to rest and people-watch. We spent the first morning
walking around with our former exchange student (and Spanish daughter) Laia and
her cousin Anna. After they left, we had no agenda, which gave us the
opportunity to discover new parks and search for the Love Lock that Lisa had attached
on a stairway near Pont Neuf in 2018. (Don’t worry, haters, it was NOT on the
bridge but on a sanctioned chain, and she did not throw the key in the Seine!)
It was long gone, as the Parisians cut them off regularly, but we found a new
place to lock our love.
We also walked around on the Isle de la City, saw the
roofless Notre Dame Cathedral (covered with scaffolding and dwarfed by a
gargantuan crane), strolled along and even dipped our toes in the Seine,
sauntered through the courtyard of the Louvre, ate lunch in a sidewalk café, and
visited the booksellers’ kiosks along the Left Bank. When our feet got tired,
we caught another Seine River cruise and saw the city’s main attraction, the
Eiffel Tower! The 1-hour sightseeing tour on Vedettes du Pont Neuf cost 15 euros
each, about $17.
We ended the day with a scrumptious dinner in the Latin
Quarter.
A glorious full moon competed with the sparkling Eiffel
Tower and the sounds of Offenbach’s “Can Can” as we enjoyed a romantic dinner
cruise up and down the River Seine on a Bateau Mouche. What a breathtaking
experience! Do yourself a favor and splurge on this when you visit Paris.
Bateau Mouche literally translates as “fly boat” (so named because
the boats were originally manufactured in boatyards situated in the Mouche area
of Lyon), and these boats have been plying the river showing visitors the best
views of Paris since 1949, carrying 2.5 million passengers a year on a tour of
Paris from what the company calls “Paris’s best avenue of them all: the Seine.”
We reserved in advance, a wise decision, chose an evening
dinner tour, and selected the Prestige Dinner menu,
which cost us 105 euros each and now costs 115 euros, or about $123. This
included a four-course meal, a bottle of wine, and a glass of champagne, as well
as live entertainment. If we’d chosen the Excellence Menu for 40 euros more
apiece, we would have had window seats and fancier food; instead we were in the
middle of the interior dining room, with a great view of the piano and violin
duet playing standards. The boat was surrounded by windows, though, and a short
trip to the outdoor upper level afforded excellent views. Next time, I believe
I will splurge on the window seats.
Thinking of popping the question? You can choose the “Get a
Yes in Paris - Marriage Proposal” package starting at 340 euros per person,
which includes a chauffeur to the boat, a special table for 2 in the bow,
offers a variety of quality champagnes to choose from. Who wouldn’t say yes to
a proposal with Moet and Chandon on a bateau mouche in Paris?
Several competing companies provide essentially the same tour, including brunch, lunch, and simple sightseeing
tours.
Enjoy photos of our Seine River Tour from aboard a Bateau Mouche at messysuitcase.com!
Bob spent a day exploring Helsinki, first from aboard a Hop
On Hop Off bus, then on foot. He encountered the Helsinki Train Station, Senate
Square, HOHO, a traditional spa, the Champs Elysee of Helsinki, the waterfront,
a cathedral built by Russia, and more.
He found lunch in a fascinating waterfront market with an
amazing array of uniquely Scandinavian offerings (reindeer meat, anyone?),
wandered around a port taking in the glorious wooden sailing ships, sauna/swim pools where
people dip into the ice-cold water, the Sky Wheel, the Love
Locks bridges, and more!
Fresh off COVID quarantine, Lisa tucked Bob (who just tested
positive himself) into a hotel bed in Helsinki and went out and about exploring
the city on foot. Still congested but no longer contagious, she stayed mostly outdoors
and away from people as she walked through the streets, discovering a famous
library, striking sculptures, a distinctive church, and the Helsinki Opera
House.
Helsinki is made up of lakes, islands and the Baltic Sea.
Its outdoor-oriented culture meant she had to watch out for many runners, bike
riders and people on scooters.
Over the course of a day, she strolled across the soccer
field at Helsinki Olympic Stadium, then visited the Sibelius Monument, a welded
steel tribute to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius resembles organ pipes, which is
one of Helsinki's most well-known tourist attractions. She enjoyed a cinnamon
roll at the famous Café Regatta, a traditional red cottage cafe that has
brought a part of Finnish countryside to the middle of Helsinki. Its cafe is
famous for fresh cinnamon buns, blueberry pie and other delicacies.
And she visited the unusual Rock Church, or Temppeliaukio
Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church built into a rock. An organist was
preparing for a concert and the organ music was mesmerizing.
Enjoy more photos on the Messy Suitcase website! And watch
for Bob’s tour of Helsinki next.
Bob managed to grab a spot on a Royal Line Sightseeing boat
tour of Helsinki on the very last day of its tourist season. The sky was clear
blue, and the crisp early-fall weather was perfect for spending an hour and a
half on the Baltic Sea Harbor of this European capital.
With a sun deck above, a bar/restaurant below, and harbor
maps laminated to the tables, the boat cruise was an excellent way to get a
feel for the city of Helsinki from the viewpoint of its harbor. Highlights
included the fortresses that once guarded Helsinki, a church with a lighthouse
on top, the Helsinki Zoo, and the jetty where families come to wash their rugs.
Seriously!
The tour cost 26 euros, 22 euros for 65 and up, with larger
discounts for children and babies. Audio tours were available in a variety of
languages.
Here is how Royal Line describes the tour:
During the 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise, the main historical
sights of Helsinki are visited. The large sun decks of sightseeing ships
offer the best views of the city from the sea. Behind the memorable
cruise, you will hear interesting stories about the history of Finland,
wonderful landscapes from the ship's sun deck and the ships' professional crew.
The cruises start from the famous Kauppatori, and along the way you will
admire, among other things, the beautiful Merisatama, Eira, Kaivopuisto,
Kruununhaa beach and the wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site Suomenlinna in
its entirety.
During the cruise, you can enjoy the most amazing island scenery on the outer
deck of the ship and the atmosphere of the summer terrace with the best sea
view. All ships have a café-bar that serves snacks and refreshing
refreshments.
As our Tour of Scandinavia began winding to a close, we took
an overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea from Stockholm, Sweden, to Helsinki,
Finland. We explored the mini cruise ship as we made our way through the
Swedish Archipelago, which encompasses 30,000 islands, at sunset. We arrived in
Helsinki on an overcast Friday morning. Enjoy the views in the video and more
photos on our blog, messysuitcase.com.
ITINERARY
This is what the TourRadar itinerary listed for the day:
Miércoles,
28 De Septiembre De 2022
STOCKHOLM, FERRY
Stockholm
(boarding) - Scenery: Very beautiful landscapes from the boat leaving Stockholm. Notes:Tonight we embark on a night cruise; Carry your documentation
(will be required when boarding) and prepare hand luggage (luggage will remain
in the coach). Do not forget warm clothing to enjoy on the deck of the boat. In
Finland, the currency used is the euro, if you do not have Swedish Crowns,
there are convinient exchange offices on the ship. Free day in the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals. We
recommend walking around the historic center and the island of museums.
17.00hrs.- Transfer to the port of Stockholm. We embark on the modern
ferryof the Silja Lines company. Restaurants, bars, nightclub, casino,
shops, ample rooms ... cruise conditions. Our ship leaves at 19.30 hrs
(estimated time at the time of writing this itinerary). The landscapes you can see at the exit of Stockholm are of great beauty (lots of islands). We recommend to enjoy on the deck. Do not forget your camera ! Night on board, double cabins.
Scenery: Very beautiful landscapes from the boat leaving Stockholm.
Notes: Tonight we embark on a night cruise; Carry your documentation
(will be required when boarding) and prepare hand luggage (luggage will remain
in the coach). Do not forget warm clothing to enjoy on the deck of the boat. In
Finland, the currency used is the euro, if you do not have Swedish Crowns,
there are convinient exchange offices on the ship.
The Vasa, a Viking warship, makes the Titanic seem like a
success story. It took but a gust of
wind to tip and sink the impressive ship, just 20 minutes into its maiden
outing, in full view of excited – then horrified – crowds. The Vasa was simply
too tall and narrow to be seaworthy. Then it remained submerged in the harbor
in Stockholm for 330 years. We learned the whole story of why it was designed
as it was, what caused it to sink, and how it was finally raised, in the
fascinating Vasa Museum.
Here’s how its website describes the catastrophe:
“What started with church services and a festive atmosphere
ended in a watery grave. It was the 10th of August 1628, when Vasa, the most
powerful warship in the Baltic, foundered in Stockholm Harbour before the eyes
of a large audience, scant minutes after setting sail for the first time.”
Read the rest of the story of how a puff of wind sank a
mighty Vasa. You’ll also find info about how the ship was
salvaged in the 1950s.
ITINERARY
This is what the TourRadar itinerary listed for the day:
Day 7. Martes, 27 De Septiembre De 2022
STOCKHOLM
Sightseeing tour of this gorgeous capital city built on 13
interconnected islands. Water is everywhere. We will visit Gamla Stand or the
"City between the Bridges", Stockholm’s Old Town full of life where
many of the monumental buildings are located such as the Nobel Museum, located
next to Stortorget main square, which pays tribute to the winners of the Nobel
Prizes, the Cathedral or the Royal Palace. When possible we can have a nice
view from the Fjällgatan viewpoint.
Free time. We advise taking a walk through the City Centre
and seeing the museum island. In the afternoon, we offer visitors an optional
visit to the Town Hall and the Royal Ship Vasa.
We spent a couple of days exploring Stockholm, on foot, by
guided tour bus, and even from on board a hop on, hop off boat. The picturesque
Swedish capital by the Baltic Sea is comprised of 14 islands, with an expanse of
water, ornate bridges, and boats to add to its beauty.
We did a lot of walking
on our own, exploring the Parliament, an old fort, the end of the Changing of
the Guards, and then climbed on a bus for a very informative tour in English. Our
tour guide took us for a stroll around the lovely old city, where Bob was
fascinated watching the way they repair cobblestone streets. Join us as we experience
the smallest sculpture in Stockholm, the Nobel Museum, the Wooden Horse Museum
(because the wooden horse is one of Sweden’s national
symbols), the King’s Garden, and Stockholm City Hall where the Nobel Prize
Banquet is held each year.
We stayed in a hotel right beside the Avicii Arena, formerly
called the Globe because it is The world's largest spherical building, and
the breakfast room overlooked the interior of the arena. On Day 2 in Stockholm,
we took a boat tour, visited the Vasa Museum, which houses a 17th-century ship that sunk on its maiden voyage and was raised from the bottom of
the bay 300 years later.
Finally, we found a truly royal place to put our Love
Lock!
ITINERARY
This is what the TourRadar itinerary listed for the days:
Day
6. Martes, 27 De Septiembre De 2022
STOCKHOLM
Sightseeing
tour of this gorgeous capital city built
on 13 interconnected islands. Water is everywhere. We will visit Gamla Stand or
the "City between the Bridges", Stockholm’s Old Town full of life
where many of the monumental buildings are located such as the Nobel Museum,
located next to Stortorget main square, which pays tribute to the winners of
the Nobel Prizes, the Cathedral or the Royal Palace. When possible we can have
a nice view from the Fjällgatan viewpoint.
Free time. We advise taking a walk through the centre and seeing the museum
island. In the afternoon, we offer visitors an optional visit to the Town Hall
and the Royal Ship Vasa.
We started the day with a rainy tour of Oslo, Norway, which
is nestled gracefully on a harbor at the end of a 110-km-long fjord. We walked
through a glorious sculpture park, Frognerparken Vigelandsparken, (Vigeland
Sculpture Park) with its captivating sculptures and monuments and its amazing
flowers in bloom in late September. We’ll share photos of the many sculptures
in our blog at messysuitcase.com.
Back on the bus toward Stockholm, we had a couple of hours
to stretch our legs in the Swedish town of Orebro and saw a lovely 14th-century
palace, Orebro Castle. No time to go in, though! We took an hour to wander the
scenic streets, and then hustled back onto the bus to head to Stockholm for
dinner and bed.
The whirlwind day gave us a taste for future exploration in
Oslo and Orebro.
ITINERARY
This is what the TourRadar itinerary listed for the day:
Day 5. Lunes, 26 De Septiembre De 2022
OSLO, OREBRO, ESTOCOLMO
Total distance: 530 km.
Scenery: Impressive scenery, with mountains, forests and
lakes.
Free time to stroll around Oslo before continuing our journey. 11:30 h. - Oslo- Departure. We travel to Sweden with its impressive
lakes, dense forests. 13.00 hrs.- After the border crossing, we stopped at a service area for
lunch. 17.00 hrs- Orebro- Arrival to this Swedish town next to a beautiful lake
with a castle and charming historic center. Time for stroll. 18.00 hrs.- Orebro. Departure. 20.30 hrs.- Arrival in STOCKHOLM in the evening.
We started the day by visiting the spectacular
100-meter-high Trollafossen Waterfall, which means Waterfall of the Trolls.
Then our group was treated to an unforgettable boat cruise through the narrow
Sogner Fjord, where we found ourselves surrounded by jaw-dropping cliffsides
rising from the blue water on both sides, with crystalline waterfalls snaking
down the faces from distant peaks.
After the boat cruise, we visited the positively Seussian
Borgund Stave Church, possibly the best preserved and most distinctive
Norwegian stave of the 13th century, featuring lavishly carved portals,
crosses, and carvings of dragons' heads on the roofs.
Note Lisa’s new scarf and Bob’s jacket, both purchased in
Norway.
Day 4. Domingo, 25 De Septiembre De 2022
BERGEN , OSLO
Total distance: 510 km.
Scenery: Spectacular scenery. Impressive views of
mountains and fjords and landscapes permanently covered in snow.
Note: Have warm clothes at hand to enjoy the snow and the short stretch by
ferry between the fjords. The schedules of the cruise can be modified;
according to that the schedule of the rest of the day may also undergo changes.
07.45hr. - Bergen –Departure-. We set out amidst beautiful scenery and
enter the fjords region.
09.45hrs- Waterfall of Tvindefoss. Short stop to admire this beautiful
waterfall 100m of height also call Trollafossen or waterfall of the Trolls. Its
waters have the reputation not only of rejuvenating but also of increasing the
sexual potency.
10.15hrs- Departure to Sogner Fjord, the largest Norwegian fjord and
often considered the most beautiful one. We continue our journey through
impressive landscapes and come to Gudvangen.
10:30 h. – Gudvangen. We visit this tiny city and then take a boat
cruise on the fiord (departure scheduled for 12.00 h.). The cruise lasts for
just over 2 hours and takes us near impressive cliffs. We recommend having
lunch on board.
At about 14.10 h. we land in Flam, and then continue our journey
surrounded by woods, lakes, isolated mountains with peaks covered in snow all
the year round and glaciers.
After passing through the 24.5km Aurland tunnel, considered one of the longest
in the world and using innovative techniques to rest the eyes and avoid the
monotony of the drivers, we will arrive to the Borgund wood church, possibly
the best preserved Norwegian temple of the 13th century, where we will make a
brief stop to admire and take a photo (entrance included).
19:30 h. - Oslo –Arrival-. Free time in this pleasant Norwegian city
next to the fjord that bears its name and surrounded by mountains. We can visit
its port, streets and the works of art of the Frognerparken.
Another incredible breakfast kicked
off the third day of our Tour of Scandinavia before we headed out on the bus
through Norway, with breathtaking views of fjords and sea landscapes. After a
stop at a statue called Three Swords in a Storm, built to remember the Vikings
who forged so much of European history, it was off on another ferry ride, with
the Norwegian Alps all around us. Next, we rode a bus through the world’s
deepest tunnel. Finally, we took another short ferry ride to the port city of
Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The only drawback was the man who
kept coughing behind us on the bus. We were masked but most people were not.
Bergen was indescribable.
Surrounded by seven mountains and with a historic harbor on a breathtaking
fjord, Bergen offers scenic Bryggen Wharf as a walking history lesson as you
pass by colorful wooden houses that are centuries old. You can enjoy mountain
hikes, city walks, shopping (Bob found a winter coat), water activities,
culture, and even a funicular up Mount Flouyen, which offers a spectacular
mountaintop vista.
For lunch, we were faced with a
choice: reindeer sausage or a moose burger? Bergen demands more time for
exploration. Enjoy!
Day 3.
Sábado, 24 De Septiembre De 2022
STAVANGER, BERGEN Total distance:
170 km
Scenery: Beautiful fjord and sea landscapes. Many
bridges that will make you feel you are travelling between the “sea and the
land”. Deep tunnels. Two sections travelling by boat. Notes: Wear warm clothing during the boat crossings. There may
sometimes be queues to board the boats, and we may arrive at Bergen later than
planned.
07:30 h. - Stavanger –On leaving the city, we will stop at the
"Swords in Rock" monument, where we will remember the Vikings before
continuing on along the coast and soon come to Mortavika where we take a boat
and cross Skunden fjord, which takes just over half an hour.
Arrival at Aarsvagen where we continue to travel through amazing scenery
dominated by the sea. We then pass through the deepest tunnel in the world,
below the sea.
At approximately 11.30 h. we arrive at Sandvikvag where we make a boat
crossing lasting 45 minutes surrounded by spectacular fjords.
13:30 h. Bergen –Arrival-. We ascend on the funicular railway to Mount
Flouyen (price of trip included) where there are fantastic views of the city
and its fjords. Then visitors have a free afternoon in Bergen, to enjoy its
lively atmosphere.
After an awesome buffet breakfast at our hotel, our bus
took us to the first ferry of our tour. It was mostly a travel day with tiny
pockets of exploration. We crossed the Baltic Sea to Norway, and got our first
view of the magnificent fjords.
ITINERARY
This
is what the TourRadar itinerary listed for the day:
Day 2. Viernes, 23 De Septiembre De 2022 - AARHUS, FERRY, KRISTIANSAND, STAVANGER Total distance:
420 km
Scenery: Attractive woodlands and mountains in Norway;
first view of fjords. Notes: The times of the ferries between Denmark and Norway often vary
and so the times during this part of the circuit will depend on those changes.
We recommend you wear warm clothing for the boat crossing. In Norway, the
currency is the Norwegian Krone. We suggest your change your currency on the
ferry.
08:00 h - Aarhus –Departure-. We set out for the northern part of
Denmark, amidst attractive scenery.
10:30 h - Hirsthals. We take a tour of this city and port before
embarking on the modern ferry to cross the North Sea to Norway-. Normally our
boat sails at 12.15 h. The crossing takes about three hours. We advise you to
change your currency on the boat and have lunch.
15:30 h. - Kristiansand – We land and then continue our journey-.
17:00 h. - Flekkefjord –A town on a fjord, with wooden houses and
tiny restaurants. Time to explore.
17:45 h. - Flekkfjord –Departure-. The scenery is even more
attractive.
19:45 h. - Stavanger –Arrival-. Free time to explore this
beautiful lively city next to the sea.
... orOur First Experience
Being Led Around by the Nose
During our extensive travels, we’ve always been completely
in charge of own travel itinerary, a process that involves extensive planning
and research, and can be frankly exhausting. For our first big trip post-COVID,
we decided to give ourselves a break from logistics and try an organized tour. We
looked over the endless options, our budget in mind, and chose Scandinavia, a
region neither of us had ever visited. So in September 2022 we embarked on a three-week
clockwise tour around Scandinavia, from Copenhagen to Helsinki, that incorporated
buses, ferries, and fjords. All we had to do was pack, then hand our luggage to
the bus driver.
We booked this tour through Tour Radar, which offers a huge
selection of multi-day travel experiences for all budgets. Their tour operators
take care of everything from logistics to meals to experiences to friendly
guides. The operator of our Scandinavian tour was Europamundo. We’ll do a whole
blog later about the tour experience. It was a bit of a whirlwind, so don’t
expect a lot of details in these videos!
Our tour of Scandinavia kicked off with a walking tour of
Copenhagen, followed by a bus ride to Odense, hometown of writer Hans Christian
Andersen.
Join us as we visit the famous Little Mermaid statue in
Copenhagen (the book was written by Andersen, author of many beloved fairy
tales), the Denmark Royal Palace, the romantic Copenhagen Town Hall, Andersen’s
childhood home, and the Odense Cathedral. We ended the first day with a cozy
outdoor dinner beside a scenic canal in the vibrant city of Aarhus, one of the
oldest cities in Denmark.
Speaking of Andersen, you can do a whole vacation that
centers around this beloved author, who in addition to The Little Mermaid wrote
The Ugly Duckling, The Snow Queen, and many others. (Link below.)
ITINERARY
This is what the TourRadar itinerary listed for the day:
Day 1.
Jueves, 22 De Septiembre De 2022
COPENHAGUE , ODENSE, AARHUS Distance: 315 km Scenery: Pleasant hills in southern Denmark.
At 08:00 h. we start out on a comprehensive tour of the Danish
capital; the largest of the Scandinavian cities is a city of contrasts: its
popular “Tivoli”; Christianborg Palace; the terraces of Nyhavn, and the
mermaid… The visit ends at about 10:30 h. 11:30 h.- Copenhagen –Departure-. We will travel to the Jutland
Peninsula, passing through pretty landscapes with hills and crossing the 20
km long bridge that connect Jutland to the island on which Copenhagen
stands. 14.00 h.- Odense- Arrival. Free time to explore and have lunch in
this pleasent city where you can visit its gothic cathedral and the house
of Andersen. 16.00 h.- Odense. Departure. 18.15 h.- Aarhus –Arrival-. Free time. We recommend a visit to this
pretty city, the Danish city with the second highest population.
A daylong stroll around this pleasant
city offered up some delightful discoveries, as we visited the Royal Copenhagen
China store (it’s beautiful and expensive) and did some watch shopping. Our
jaws dropped at the incredible bicycle culture – I wish they saved this much
gas by using their legs in American cities!
The National Museum of Denmark was
stunning. In the Kongens Have Garden, we found the Punch and Judy Marionette
Theater and a statue of Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen’s most famous
resident. And, of course, the obligatory European Castle!
We launched our first big trip (sort of) post-pandemic with a three-week tour of Scandinavia in fall 2023. We delighted in flying again; even the airport lounge was a novelty after lockdown.
We arrived a couple of days before the tour started to enjoy some time in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Danes rank among the world's happiest people, and in Copenhagen, it was easy to see why. The lively city combines royal history, modern architecture and loads of culture with a mouthwatering restaurant scene. And bikes! So many bikes!
It was a little chilly in September, so far north. We were still wearing masks and not eating indoors for fear of getting COVID, so we did a lot of exploring on foot outdoors on our first day. We sought out outdoor dining experiences and were happily rewarded when we discovered a district of canal-side restaurants with warming fires, blankets, and Irish coffee - such a cozy way to enjoy a meal. But the best part of Day 1 was the disco taxi back to the hotel!
Lucha Libre is a peculiarly Mexican, over-the-top form
of wrestling that recalls the WWF in the United States. Only it’s even weirder,
with lycra-clad luchadores wearing colorful masks to hide their identity,
raucous crowds, and a macho-man atmosphere.
The name literally means “free wrestling,” and the sport has
been around since the late 1800s.
We went to see a show in Cancun while we were visiting. It
wasn’t as loud or crowded as the ones we attended in 2019 in Guadalajara, but
it was still fun. To really understand Lucha Libre, you might want to see the
2006 sports comedy film Nacho Libre, starring Jack Black as a would-be Mexican wrestling
star. It was filmed in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Walking around downtown Cancun, Mexico, we came upon a ballfield
on which a group of men and boys with painted bodies and leather loincloths
were playing a very odd game of ball. They hit a heavy rubber ball by bumping
it with their hips.
We learned from a knowledgeable spectator that the game was
Ulama, a descendant of a 3,500-year-old pre-Colombian game
called Ullamaliztli that was popular among the Maya and the Aztec people.
Today, Ulama is only practiced in four small towns of the state of Sinaloa in
Mexico. But it’s making a comeback!
Messy Suitcase is on the road again! We're headed to Puerto Vallarta via Boston and Denver. We saw a sunrise in Boston and the distant snowcapped peaks in Denver. Watch for future videos! #travelblogger #messysuitcase #mexico #travelblog
On our trip to the Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza, Mexico, we took a side trip to a deep Mexican cenote (pronounced She-NOH-tay) called X-Cajum (I have no idea how to pronounce that).
A cenote is a natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock at the ceiling of a cave, that exposes groundwater. For Mexico’s Mayan culture, cenotes were a symbol of duality, since they represented life and death. They were also a water source.
For travelers today, they are a unique swimming experience, providing astounding views, lovely snorkeling, and a great way to cool off.
We visited Cenote X-Cajum, which is very near Chichen Itza and is often bundled as part of the tour to the Mayan ruins.
The archaeological site Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most visited locations in Mexico, so of course we climbed aboard a bus during our Cancún visit and headed there for a day.
Rich in history and the center of pilgrimage for the ancient Maya civilization for over 1,000 years, this pyramid must be seen to be believed. Chichen Itza was classified as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and in 1988 was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lisa actually climbed up the steep steps to the top when she visited in the late 80s, but tourists are no longer allowed to get that close. Good thing, too. It’s steep!
On the way back to Cancun, we enjoyed a short visit to the magical city of Valladolid (pronounced Vah-YAH-Doh-Leed), which had a lively town plaza featuring Mayan dance, sport, and music, as well as a beautiful cathedral, and earsplitting birds!
No trip to Mexico's Yucatan
Peninsula is complete without a boat ride over to Isla Mujeres, aka the Isle of
Women (pronounced ISS-lah Moo-HAIR-es).
Just a seven-mile boat ride east of the mainland across
breathtaking turquoise sea, Isla Mujeres is known for its lovely beaches,
world-class fishing, and spectacular coral reefs. There is also a lighthouse,
the remains of a Mayan temple, and a sanctuary for sea turtles. We spent a day
exploring the funky little village, and encountered a parade, snorkeled through
schools of colorful fish on a tour with the marvelous Squalo Adventures, and discovered
the MUSA, a fascinating underwater art museum.
We also had the worst pina coladas ever. (But everything else, we
can recommend!)
We had a last-minute opportunity to visit Cancun, Mexico.
Join us for a quick overview of this popular tourist zone! And watch for future
videos of the adventures we had there.
We traveled deep into the lush mountains of Puerto Rico to Toro
Verde to take on the Monster, the longest zipline in America!
Come fly through the air with us on seven exciting ziplines,
then get vertical and fly headfirst up to 95 miles an hour on the Monster (8,300
feet) and the Beast (4,745 feet)! Leave your fear of flying behind and
join the birds at 380 meters above the ground.
Toro Verde also offers other activities, including bicycling
on a zipline and several climbing walls, and several restaurants with awesome
views of the mountains and the screaming zipliners.. Advance tickets are
required.
We tried to go inside a Hurricane Hunter airplane! Alas, the
rest of western Puerto Rico did, too.
NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
and the U.S. Air Force Reserve hosted a series of events this spring in
preparation for hurricane season in Mexico and the Caribbean, to help people
prepare for upcoming storms. They brought their big Hurricane Hunter plane to
Aguadilla, about an hour from our Cabo Rojo home, and we headed north excited
by the prospect of seeing the inside of the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J
“Hurricane Hunter” aircraft and learning how scientists collect data about
hurricanes.
What we got was something completely different, a street
fair atmosphere of rescue workers, local communities, and emergency
preparedness info -- and a 1/2-mile long line to get inside the Hurricane
Hunter aircraft. The National Hurricane Center held the event so that hurricane
specialists could educate residents of vulnerable communities and discuss
hurricane preparedness, resilience, and how they can become “weather-ready.”
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through
November. The areas covered include the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the
Caribbean Sea.
Here is some valuable information from the NOAA website:
“During hurricanes, military air crews fly state-of-the-art
WC-130J aircraft directly into the core of the storm to gather critical data
for forecasting a hurricane’s intensity and landfall. The data are sent in real
time via satellite from the aircraft directly to the NHC for analysis and use
by hurricane forecasters.
“During the 2022 hurricane season, the 53rd Weather
Reconnaissance Squadron flew 109 missions into 13 named storms in the Atlantic
and east Pacific basins, including Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in the Atlantic
and Hurricanes Agatha, Kay, Orlene, and Roslyn in the east Pacific.
“The NOAA Hurricane Hunters, stationed at the Aircraft
Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida, also fly missions into tropical
cyclones to gather data to support storm forecasts and research. Their Lockheed
WP-3D Orion and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft are piloted by NOAA Commissioned
Corps officers and crewed by NOAA meteorologists, technicians, and
researchers.”
El Capitolio, the capitol building of Puerto Rico, greets you as
you drive into Old San Juan. It’s a century-old neoclassical structure with a
commanding dome situated on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Bob
decided it was time to take a tour inside!
For Puerto Ricans, El Capitolio de Puerto Rico stands as a
powerful symbol of self-government. This video is packed with history, info,
and photos, as well as a tour of the many fascinating monuments near the
capitol building.
