The White City
We left Playa at around 1PM (I had to work and my wife had her English class), after some shrimp tacos at Floresta, and decided to go the back route, which is down to Tulum and over to Valladolid via Coba. I had not driven this way, in a while, and was pleased to see that the roads had been improved. It is just as fast as going via Cancun, and about 200 pesos cheaper (tolls). The scenery is much nicer, to boot.
Arriving in Merida, we quickly found our hotel, Dolores Alba, which had been recommended by a friend (Libby from intheroo.com). We had booked over the internet and gotten a room, for the four of us, for 510 pesos a night. The hotel was centrally located, clean and had a nice swimming pool (which would come in handy). It had a nice colonial feel in the lobby, which was decorated in Frida Kahlo prints (not something for the kiddies, really). That woman, while talented, was whacked.
Saturday night, we headed down Paseo Montejo to go to Suburbia and WalMart. We needed to buy some clothes for the kids (white pants and shirts) for Aaron’s kindergarten graduation. After, we headed out for something to eat. Driving down the Prolongacion Montejo, the kids spotted the Colonel and KFC it was. As we don’t have one in Playa, this was a treat. Secret recipe and all. Afterwards, we crossed the street for some Baskin Robbins, and then it was back to the hotel for some shut eye.
Woke up late on Sunday (9AM) and were slow in getting started, but made up for it. It is a family tradition to eat breakfast at Cafeteria POP in Merida, when we are there. It is an American style diner located about two blocks from the cathedral. After scarfing down some hotcakes with bacon, we were off to the zoo.
I am almost ashamed to say that we saw barely one animal, as we were soon caught up in the variety of rides. As it was Father’s Day, the kids were not going to argue with me spending lots of money on them.
First up, riding the horses.
Then, power tubes (going to get one of these if I ever make my way to SCTX’s Toobin Event)
Then, high powered motorcycles
As soon as I got my hog legs back, we headed for the teleferico, which is a chair ride that runs over the park. Kind of like a ski lift. The sign said no one over 70 kilograms allowed. They let me on, so I am guessing I am under. As the guardrail in front of us was so tight against my belly, I was unable to remove the camera to take photos. It was pretty cool, though. Not high enough to instill fear in the kids, but just enough to look around.
Then, off for a popsicle break. Did I mention that Merida is the White City because if you wear any other colors, you will melt like the Wicked Witch. Dumbass me, wore black.
Kids with Mexican hero, CriCri
As we were finishing our treats, the boys noticed an inflatable playground. Off we went. They adapted to it, quickly and soon found a way to catch more air on the way down. They also discovered how to block your brother from making it to the top.
It was time for the jewel of the park, the train. As we toured around the zoo, we actually did catch some animals (although none on film). Merida’s zoo is a Noah style zoo, where there are two of just about everything. Well, except deer. There were hundreds of them.
We bought t-shirts for the boys and decided to head back downtown for the festivities of Merida en Domingo. (Unfortunately, the battery in the camera went dead, at this point.) I love this weekly event. The streets are closed off, vendors set up and a couple of stages have ongoing entertainment like dancing, singing and comedy. The food is varied and there is something for all ages. We met my wife’s friend and her kids and walked around a bit. Then, it was off to the Cafe Habana, where daddy could enjoy some coffee in the AC, while the kids ate ice cream.
Later, we drove back down Paseo Montejo and ate at Checkers (see recurring visits to American fast food joints that don’t exist in Playa). Then, back to the hotel. Tomorrow is the day we have to go to the Consulate.
There are ongoing art exhibits along Paseo de Montejo, and the latest is recycled art. My kids loved this one.
And, this was one of my faves.
Woke up early, ate at POP and then headed over to the Consulate. Had to go throught three checkpoints of security and entered to find hundreds of people, waiting. Good thing for us that they were waiting for visas, because I went straight to the window in my most cocky of Americans walk and was helped, immediately. 45 minutes later, after submitting documents and being asked some questions (don’t know if they were official or if the guy hadn’t seen an American in awhile), we were approved and done. Time to head home.
We drove back the way we came, and decided to stop at a little hacienda about 10 kms outside of Valladolid, for lunch. We were the only ones there, and ate outside. I heard some bird noises, so went to investigate. Turns out that the hacienda was host to a little aviary where we saw peacocks and other birds (no idea what they were called, but one looked like a birdpig). I had poc chuc, the kids tacos and my wife some sopa de lima. Off we went, again.
After Tulum, we decided to check out some of the side roads to the beach and found a couple of new spots to hang out at, in the future. We arrived home around 6PM. I checked in at work, and found that my assistant had had her baby. Called and congratulated her, put some clothes in the washer and called it a night.
All in all, a very nice Father’s Day weekend. Can’t wait to go back. Permanently, if I can manage it.
Great pictures Mark and a very nice trip report!! Makes me want to go back and revisit Merida.
Gee whiz, man - smile why don’t you?
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