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Tully Mars · 08-30-2009, 09:42 AM

I started out last week in search of tiny fish near a tiny island off the coast of Cuba. The State Dept and US Consul in Merida managed to nix those plans. Had this happened in July I could have called the Consul, Karen, and likely resolved the issue. Karen and her husband, BJ, accepted a new assignment in DC and I no longer have a connection to resolve such issues. Anyway with bags packed plus someone watching my house and dogs I decided a road trip was in order.

My first stop was a small island in the Gulf of Mexico...

Nice clean beaches with soft sand and calm waters... plus a friendly dog-

Decent little family run hotel with rooms around $35-$40 a night-

Interesting fixtures in the bathroom, sink and shower both made out of seashells-

After a couple days soaking up the sun and fishing, you catch it they grill it and help you eat it. I headed to Campeche. Campeche is an old Spanish city founded in 1547. It has many features similar to most Mexican towns in this area- clean, peaceful and laid back.

There's always a central square/park-

Several (five in this case) old churches-

But this city is unique in that it was originally completely walled in and protected by two hill top forts on either end of town.

The entrance to the forts are intentionally curved to keep invaders from ramming the gates-

Then there's the draw bridges-

The roofs are lined with canons-

Capt. Henry Morgan wasn't told about these fortifications when he decided to sack the city. Apparently it didn't go well for him. There's a display showing the axe they used to behead a few of his men, guess he made out better then other.

Locals tell me he left his gun behind as he fled inland-

And his crossbow-

The fort on the east end of town has items post Hispanic and the west contains Mayan artifacts-

After a couple nights in Campeche I headed south eventually ending up in Guatemala. After one night I turned north and headed home. Along the way I stopped at several ruin sites-

I have several other photos of sites I visited but there fairly blurry as I was running from mosquitoes roughly the size of small planes. I tried bug spray but that only seemed to attract them and or make them angry. I swear upon returning to my truck at one site I caught a few of them picking up my truck and moving it several feet.

So that was my week. I didn't end up in Cuba and never used any of the dive gear I packed but I'd call the week a success none the less.

08-30-2009, 09:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tully Mars Living in a Warmer Insanity Super Moderator Location: Yucatan, Mexico	An Excellent Adventure I started out last week in search of tiny fish near a tiny island off the coast of Cuba. The State Dept and US Consul in Merida managed to nix those plans. Had this happened in July I could have called the Consul, Karen, and likely resolved the issue. Karen and her husband, BJ, accepted a new assignment in DC and I no longer have a connection to resolve such issues. Anyway with bags packed plus someone watching my house and dogs I decided a road trip was in order. My first stop was a small island in the Gulf of Mexico... Nice clean beaches with soft sand and calm waters... plus a friendly dog- Decent little family run hotel with rooms around $35-$40 a night- Interesting fixtures in the bathroom, sink and shower both made out of seashells- After a couple days soaking up the sun and fishing, you catch it they grill it and help you eat it. I headed to Campeche. Campeche is an old Spanish city founded in 1547. It has many features similar to most Mexican towns in this area- clean, peaceful and laid back. There's always a central square/park- Several (five in this case) old churches- But this city is unique in that it was originally completely walled in and protected by two hill top forts on either end of town. The entrance to the forts are intentionally curved to keep invaders from ramming the gates- Then there's the draw bridges- The roofs are lined with canons- Capt. Henry Morgan wasn't told about these fortifications when he decided to sack the city. Apparently it didn't go well for him. There's a display showing the axe they used to behead a few of his men, guess he made out better then other. Locals tell me he left his gun behind as he fled inland- And his crossbow- The fort on the east end of town has items post Hispanic and the west contains Mayan artifacts- After a couple nights in Campeche I headed south eventually ending up in Guatemala. After one night I turned north and headed home. Along the way I stopped at several ruin sites- I have several other photos of sites I visited but there fairly blurry as I was running from mosquitoes roughly the size of small planes. I tried bug spray but that only seemed to attract them and or make them angry. I swear upon returning to my truck at one site I caught a few of them picking up my truck and moving it several feet. So that was my week. I didn't end up in Cuba and never used any of the dive gear I packed but I'd call the week a success none the less. __________________ I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo Vice President Starkizzer Fan Club Last edited by Tully Mars; 08-30-2009 at 09:45 AM..