There and back again…

Today was a long journey and not much more to say than that.

Palenque is the first of our stops in the rain forest. Welcome to the Jungle!

The hotel complex at Maya Bela was a really pleasant. Laid out as a series of huts. There is a camping area but unfortunately on this trip we won’t be doing any camping. However the room had air conditioning so not complaining too much. In the evening we had a meal at the restaurant, but even though there were two good bands playing (including one with a dead ringer for Captain Jack Sparrow) but the most memorable event of the night, at least for some of us were the cocktails and tequila. Others were not fortunate to remember!

Start of the trek!

We met the rest of the trek (Tobias and Jonas from Denmark and Sarah, Susan, Helen from UK) during breakfast and then it was time to pack the van. Most of us. This is the first trek I’ve done with such a high proportion of Brits.

I found out that originally this trek (Ruta Maya) originally went through Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. Due to a change in the government laws concerning commercial vehicles crossing into Guatemala, this trek has been modified to stay in southern Mexico only. Ironically this is why this trip appealed to me so much as I want to spend some time traveling around some of these other central American countries after I get back from language school in Havana.

First port of call on our journey was a Cenote at X’Canche. Cenotes are formed by water dissolving caverns in the rock (limestone). Over time large sub terrain caves can form. These are “cave” cenotes. Eventually the roof collapses an creates an “open” cenote. Cenotes were a very important form of fresh water for the Mayan culture. They also were important from a religious viewpoint and believed to be a gateway to the spirits. This cenote is one that you can swim in, though it’s a good idea not to use sun cream as this washes of in the water and can pollute the water source.

The cenote was a great fun and after it was good to swim for a bit and of course use the rope swing. Quick bike ride back to the van and we were back on our way to Chichén Itzá .

Chichén Itzá (meaning Sacred Gateway) is an amazing place and its difficult to believe that this was constructed without the invention of the wheel. The most impressive building is El Castillo (Pryamid to the god Kukulcán) Kukulcán is the “feathered snake” and was the god of life for th mayan people. On the equinox the sun casts a snake shadow on the pyramid.

Chichén Itzá was reclaimed by the jungle after the fall of the Mayan civilization and it makes you wonder what else is out there, lost from history. There are several smaller platforms and structures which are all significant in terms of religious and astrological events. The principle ball court is particularly interesting. As someone designing stadia its interesting to see other examples of sports and how they form an important part of civilizations. The true nature of the game played in the ball court has been lost, but it believe that it was played with a ball about 20cm diameter made form rubber and that players could use their knees, hips and elbows. Scoring was through the stone hoops high on the sides of the ball court.

The weather walking around Chichén Itzá was very hot and humid and it was good to get back into the van to the relative comfort of the air conditioning.

After Chichén Itzá it was a relatively short drive to Merida to the Hotel Colonial. The only problem with the room was that the air-conditioning was very noisy. However the trade off between the noise of the compressors was welcome for a cool room.

In the evening we went for a short walk around Merida. This was one of the first towns established by the Spanish invaders in this part of Mexico. Originally led by Fransico de Montejo he was originally defeated by the Mayans near X’Canche and it took a further 25 years before his nephew returned to defeat the Mayans. Upon establishing Merida the Spanish destroyed the pyramids but incorporated the stones of the pyramids into the building of the cathedral. Thereby subsuming the scared sites of the Mayans into the Cathedrals and aiding the conversion to Catholicism.

Managed to get up for a run this morning. Amazing really but after a year of neglect and injury I really need to get fit, if for nothing else then for Macchu Picchu. Other than that bit of a lazy day really. Completely repacked my rucsac and sorted photos and things. Then managed a skype call back home. Its great to actually be sat in a hotel in Cancun and speaking and seeing family on the other side of the world.

To start this round the world trip I’m doing a tour with Trek America. This trek (Ruta Maya) is from Cancun around southern mexico. I’ve done Trek America before (Rocky Mountain High in 2000 and Canadian Parks West in 2005) and have always enjoyed them. A few people were arriving later that day, but five of us plus the tour leader (Huan Carlos) met for a chat. Linda (Perth, Australia), Nicola and Siobhan (UK) and Isabelle (French but living in London).

After a quick briefing we went to a restaurant close to the hotel. There was a local Mexican band playing and a short guy balancing three or four full glasses on his head for entertainment. After that we had a walk into town where there was a local festival. It seemed to have finished when we got there, at least there was no music. There wre two clowns entertaining a small crowd. The crowd seemed to find them funny, but not speaking any Spanish I’m afraid all jokes were lost on me. I really need to sort that out and hopefully will pick up some Spanish before getting to the language school in Havana.

Moving onto a bar I thought it would be a good idea to try a Maragritas cocktail. After all when in Mexcio… What an awful drink! I’m told it is an acquired taste, but I can safely say this will not be a drink I will be acquiring a taste for.

Hi all,

Well its finally happened. I’m doing what I said I would do over two years ago. I’m taking some time out and travelling around the world.

I’m actually sat in the atrium of a Hotel in Cancun temperature is probably around 23°C and its not raining. Which for a boy from Wigan is no small thing at the end of March.

OK so I say that I’ve been talking about this for two years but that doesn’t mean I’ve actually been planning this for two years. In actual fact I started planning this a few times and something always seemed to get in the way. Firstly I put the whole thing back for a year because of some great projects with work (yes I’m one of those lucky people who actually enjoys their work). Then I partially ruptured my achilles tendons in May 2008 - I was out running along the canal path in Altrincham and both tendons went at the same time. Its been a long recovery back from that but thanks to various physiotherapist
(Chris Nancollas at the Bridgeman Centre and Ashley at Cheshire Physio) and a podiarist (Steven Lyons at UKPodiatry) I’m back to fitness. Well I actually have a long way to go to full fitness, but the achilles are fine and the fitness will come in time.

So before I go any further I have to thank the company I work for for allowing me to take this year out. I work for a great firm called Arup. This firm is full of amazingly talented engineers (and architects) who are behind some of the worlds most interesting and complex in the built environment. I work for a group called ArupSport and we design stadia projects around the world. Since joining 11 years ago I’ve worked on City of Manchester, New Anfield (before the americans took over), Shakhtar FC and Beijing Olympic stadium. We’re currently working on an amazing project in the middle east but I can’t say anything about this just yet. So a big hello and thankyou to the guys and girls in Manchester, Liverpool and London.