Tag: travel

A Colorful City

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Color!

Green is considered restful.

Yellow reminds everyone of sunshine and happiness!

Blue brings down blood pressure, slows respiration and heart rates.

Red…raises energy levels!

There is lots of the color red used throughout the city of Reykjavik.  Maybe that’s what gives everyone the energy to go out exploring, glacier hiking and climbing!  But, there is a vast use of many other colors as well.

I love walking through Reykjavik.  Everywhere you look, there is something interesting to see…from the harbor and the fishing boats…to the sculpture scattered throughout the town center…to the brightly painted tin buildings…to the interesting graffiti.

There’s so much to discover throughout the country, but before venturing out of the city, take a walk…you never know what you might find.

And…I bet it puts you in a good mood!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

The Golden Circle

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The best part of visiting Iceland during the summer?

IT NEVER GETS DARK!

A seemingly endless summer, with endless days, the ample daylight makes it easy to make the most your of your visit when touring the countryside.

After our all-night flight into Reykjavik, all I wanted to do was get a little sleep before heading out.  Discovering that there were many tours that depart in the late afternoon was the perfect compromise.  Sleep…then tour!

A few years ago, along with my colleagues, I had rented a car and driven the Golden Circle, a popular tourist route in southern Iceland.  Not having charged my camera before leaving, I was forced to limit my picture taking at each of the stops along the way…Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterall and the geothermal area in Haukadalur which contains the geysirs Geysir and Strokkur.  I had to go back!

Leaving the hotel at four o’clock, we headed out to cover 300 kilometers of beauty, with our first stop at Þingvellir National Park, located 40 kilometers northeast of Reykjavik.

Þingvellir National Park is a protected national shrine held in high esteem by Icelanders as it was the site where the national parliament of Iceland, Althing, was established in 930 AD and sessions held until 1798.  In 1930, on the one thousandth anniversary of Althing, the national park was established to protect the area.  It was also designated as a World Heritage Site in 2004.

Very popular with tourists, most stop here for the hiking trails, scuba diving and snorkeling in the Silfra fissures and to see the boundary between the North American and Eurasion tectonic plates. Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland, also lies nearby to the south.

A visitor’s center is located on the premises which gives an interpretation of the history and nature of the national park.  If you are near the campground, there is also an information center which will provide further information.

After taking a brisk walk and admiring the natural landscape and wildflowers, it was time to board the bus and ready ourselves for the next stop…Haukadalur geothermal area.

Ever wonder where the word geyser comes from?  Iceland, of course.  Geysir is an Icelandic word meaning “to gush”.

Haukadalur geothermal area is a valley of hot springs and boiling mud pots that has attracted visitors since the 18th century.  Seeking mineral baths and therapeutic mud, they also enjoyed watching the geysers erupt.  The largest of the two geysers in Haukadalur is appropriately named, Geysir.  Though it has been quiet lately, erupting only sporadically, it’s largest eruption was in 2000 with a height of over 400 feet, the highest known geyser blast of all time.

The smaller of the two, Strokkur, is more reliable in providing a show.  Strokkur erupts about every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours a day.  There are other, smaller geysers throughout the area as well as mineral springs and mud pots worth the walk around the premises.  Since Geysir was quiet during my visit, my attention, however, was always drawn back to Strokkur, with its timely blasts.

If you are traveling on your own through this region and would like to check out the geysers, the area is considered public property and always open for viewing.  A hotel has opened up across the highway and a campground is nearby.  The Geyser Center is adjacent to the hotel with many exhibits and information as well as a restaurant and a souvenir shop.

After an hour, our time watching the amazing Strokkur was up.  It was time to make our last stop, Gullfoss waterfall, only a few kilometers away.

Located in the canyon of the Hvitá river, the beautiful Gullfoss is known as the “Golden Falls” as on sunlit days, the water takes on a golden-brown color and the mists surrounding the falls are filled with dozens of rainbows.  Though I had witnessed this spectacle before, it was not to be on my second visit due to the overcast skies and light drizzle.

Even without the rainbows, the mighty Gullfoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, takes your breath away.  Flowing down a three-step “staircase” it plunges in two stages (36 feet and then 69 feet) into a crevice, 105 feet deep, which is not visible at close range, making it appear as though the river vanishes into the earth.

Walking down the path adjacent to the falls, I made my way to the rocky area at the head.  Though very slippery, it is from here that you can realize the power of this natural marvel as well as get some amazing photographs.  Keep some clean cloths handy to keep your camera lens dry and yes, expect to get a bit wet!

After your soaking at the falls, try the restaurant located in the parking area for some warm beverages!

We were soon motoring on toward Reykjavik and the end of our day.  The nice thing is…it was still daylight and it didn’t appear to be the end of our day!

Had I not been so tired and hungry, I would have taken a walk around town!

Gotta love summer in Iceland!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

The Golden Circle

 

For Athen’s Athletes…

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

It’s time for your morning jog…imagine running on a track rich in history.   A place where ancient athletes once competed…

In Athens, you can!

Most visitors to Athens, make sure to see the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Forum, but many don’t realize that the Panathenaic stadium is actually one of the most significant monuments in Athens and in all of Greece.

Located in the central Athens district of Pangrati, it is here that the Olympic flame sets up its journey to the cities of the Olympic games and is one of my favorite places to visit!

In 330 BC, a simple racecourse was built on the site and became the location of the Great Panathenaea, the religious and athletic festival celebrated every four years to honor the goddess Athena.   With no formal seating, spectators sat on the inclines of the adjacent ravine to view the festivities.

In 144 AD, the stadium was rebuilt by Athenian Roman senator, Herodes Atticus, also responsible for many other structures throughout the country.  Constructed entirely out of marble, it was a place for the masses with 50,000 seats.  By the fourth century, however, the stadium was abandoned when Hellenistic festivals and bloody spectacles were banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I and the structure fell into ruin.

After archaeological excavations uncovered the stadium in 1869, it was readied, once again, for use.  By 1870, interest was shown in a revival of the original Olympic Games and thus the Zappas Olympics was held at the stadium that year and again in 1875.  Refurbishment, approximately 20 years later, prepared the stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and as a venue for four sports for the first modern Olympics in 1896.

During the 20th century, the stadium was once again used as an Olympic venue when Athens hosted the 28th Summer Olympic Games in 2004.  With the motto, “Welcome Home”, this Olympics marked the return of the games to the city where they began.  More importantly, a new medal design was introduced replacing one used since 1928.  Guiseppe Cassioli, had designed a medal with a colossal mistake…a design depicting the Roman Colosseum rather than a Greek venue.  The new design, rightfully, featured the Panathenaic Stadium.

Today, you can visit the stadium, take a seat on the smooth marble seats in the stands or run the well-maintained track.  Not only it is great exercise to take a jog, but make sure to make the steep climb to the top of the stadium for an excellent view of the overall complex and the surrounding areas.

Two interesting Greek statues grace the far part of the track…your audio guide, included in your admission, will tell you about them…but be sure to take a close look.

Also, be certain not to miss the permanent exhibition located at the far left side of the stadium, through the vaulted passage, which contains original Olympic Games posters and torches from 1896 until today.   Each torch is so unique to the host country, it is quite interesting to see them up close.

Lastly, when departing the exhibition and returning to the stadium’s interior, walk slowly through the vaulted passage…think back to the athletes as they breathed deeply, readied their minds and made they way toward their dream.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

Panathenaic Stadium

  • http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/Contact/tabid/93/language/en-US/Default.aspx 
  • Address:  Vasileos Konstantinou Anevue (opposite the statue of Myron Discobolus)  Athens 116 35
  • Hours:  March-October, 0800-1900, November-February, 0800-1700
  • Admission:  Adults, 5.00€, Children under 6, free, Students and over 65 years, 2.50€, persons with disabilities and those accompanying them, free.  Audio guide included.

Brandenburger Tor

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe is the Brandenburger Tor, or Brandenburg Gate.

The first time I ever laid eyes on this magnificent piece of architecture, it confirmed my presence in Berlin.  Yes, I knew I was in Berlin, but standing before it…well, I was really there!

Built between 1788 and 1791 on the orders of the Prussian King, Frederick William II, by Carl Gotthard Langhans, it was the key entry point to the city, marking the start of the road from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg an der Havel, the former capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.

Located in the western part of the city center, the gate stands near the Reichstag building, which houses the German parliament, and is the monumental entry to Unter den Linden, the renowned boulevard of linden trees which leads to the Royal City Palace.  Though most of Berlin was destroyed at the end of the war, the iconic gate survived, albeit with heavy damage.  Though East and West Berlin attempted restoration, once the wall was erected, access to the gate, located in East Berlin was eliminated.

As you stand before the gate, its most notable feature is the Quadriga, the statue which depicts the goddess of victory driving a chariot pulled by four horses.  The statue remained in place for over a decade before Napoleon decided that the statue be dismantled and shipped to Paris.  Remaining in storage until 1814, it was returned to Berlin when Paris was captured by Prussian soldiers following Napoleon’s defeat.  When the statue was remounted atop the gate, one change was made…an iron cross was added to represent Prussia’s military victory over France.   During Berlin’s communist era, the cross was removed, but restored in 1990 during the unification of Germany.  Today, the Quadrica grandly sits atop the gate for all to admire.

Many historical events have also taken place at the Brandenburg Gate.

When Hitler came to power in 1933, he was treated to a torchlight procession through Berlin which passed under the gate en route to the presidential palace.

Thirty years later, in 1963, after the Berlin Wall was erected, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, delivered one of the most famous addresses of his presidency, to a crowd of more than 120,000 gathered near the Brandenburg Gate.  Most people remember this speech for Kennedy’s one phrase, “I am a Berliner” as they do for former President Reagan’s speech, also at the Brandenburg Gate, where he challenged Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall” in 1987.

Today, you can view a commemorative plaque which lies across Eberstrasse, which was unveiled at the 25th anniversary of Reagan’s historic address urging for peace.

 Although there are many landmarks that I have visited throughout Europe… London Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, Roman Coliseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa…I have never been moved by one so much as this, remembering its historical significance.  Counting the bullet holes still remaining in the columns, the feelings that it invokes is indescribable. Though the Brandenburg Gate has undergone restoration over the years, it appears that construction of the subways line beneath the city and the heavy trucks that regularly make deliveries nearby have caused more cracks to appear in this amazing structure.  It is such a shame to think that one day, it might not be here.
Visit while you can…
For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

Memorial To the Murdered Jews of Europe

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The first time I ever walked down Ebertstrasse in Berlin, the sight of 2,711 concrete slabs on a sloping field was a a sight to behold.  Though I wasn’t sure what I was resting my eyes upon, it was mesmerizing!

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial, was designed by Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold and inaugurated on May 10, 2005, sixty years after the end of World War II.

The “stelae” are approximately 7’10” long by 3’1″ wide, vary in height and are arranged in a grid pattern in rows of 54 going north to south and 87 heading east to west at right angles.  The slabs are not marked, instead an underground “Place of Information” holds the  names of approximately three million Jewish Holocaust victims.

 

The memorial was built on a site known for its historical significance…the area housed Hitler’s chancellery building and a few hundred yards away, to the south, his bunker lies beneath a nearby parking lot.  The memorial is also located near Berlin’s foreign embassies and was also an area that the Berlin Wall was situated.

One of the most powerful landmarks in Berlin, it should not be missed.  Walk through the memorial and just remember…

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

Memorial To the Murdered Jews of Europe

  • https://www.stiftung-denkmal.de/startseite.html
  • Address:  https://www.stiftung-denkmal.de/startseite.html
  • Hours:  Daily, 1000-2000
  • How To Get There:  Take the U-Bahn Line 2 or S-Bahn, Lines S1, S2 or S25 and exit at the Potsdamer Platz.  You can also take Bus Lines 100, 200, 347, M41 or M85.

Checkin’ Out Checkpoint Charlie

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

“YOU ARE LEAVING THE AMERICAN SECTOR”…

was the sign (in English, Russian, French and German) that marked the main entry and departure point at the division of East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

From 1947 until 1991, Checkpoint Charlie was one of the best known border crossings.  It allowed diplomats, journalists and non-Germans to enter East Berlin on a one-day pass, but it is also known for another event in October of 1961.  It was here that U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off angrily…an incident that the world feared would lead to World War III.

Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall signified the division between East and West…capitalism and communism…opportunity and repression…until the wall was torn down on November 9, 1989.   It is hard to fathom how much has changed in Berlin and that it was only 28 years ago that Berlin was still a divided city.

Today, Checkpoint Charlie, it is one of the sights that every visitor should see due to its historical significance.  Although the wooden barrack where the visitors to East Berlin were required to pass through for vetting was removed, a US Army guardhouse and a copy of the original border sign stands in its place.  The original white booth that originally stood here, now resides in the Allierten Museum in Berlin-Dahlem.  The location of the wall can be spied in the roadway where cobblestones now mark the site and photographs of an American and a Soviet soldier stand tall.

Two gentlemen in military uniforms stand facing Zimmerstrasse and give tourists an idea of what entering Checkpoint Charlie would have been like.  Don’t expect them to pose for photos, however, one of them holds a flag and conveniently waves it in front of his face when he spies a camera pointed his way.   They will pose with you for a fee of 3€ and the other soldier will stamp your passport with commemorative stamps, for 2€.

While in Berlin, take a few moments to stop by Checkpoint Charlie and try to imagine how many stood here, trying to figure out a way to the other side.  You can also visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum where you will learn about the Berlin Wall and the many daring escape attempts by East Germans.  An unbelieveable experience!

Check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe for more pictures.

 

Checkpoint Charlie

  • http://www.berlin.de/en/

Bear Hunting in Berlin!

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Throughout the city of Berlin…there are no lions or tigers…only bears!  Oh my!

The Buddy Bears are life-size fiberglass sculptures that have become unofficial ambassadors for Germany and symbols of Berlin since 2001.  Designed by Klaus and Eva Herlitz and sculptor Roman Strobl, the bears were created for an artistic event which aimed to bring art to the streets as other events did in many major cities of the world.

Promoting peace, international understanding and tolerance among nations, cultures and religions, the bear’s raised arms offer friendliness, optimism and quite often a positive mood…think of all those cute selfies!

There are four different designs…standing on all four paws, standing on two legs, standing on its head and a sitting position.  After the initial exhibit, many of the bears were sold at auctions which benefited child relief organizations.

Today, the Berlin Buddy Bears can be found on private premises, in front of hotels and embassies as well as in the foyers of various office buildings.

It is always exciting to be out walking and come across these fantastic sculptures!  If you think they are as adorable as I do and want to seek out some amazingly, unique selfies from the German capitol..I dare you, go bear hunting!

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

The Berlin Buddy Bears

 

A Walk in the Jungle

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Having visited San Gervasio archaeological site twice in the past, it was a place about which I could have said, “Been there, done that”.

Not me…

I love ruins and architecture.  So why would I not go back?

The largest and most important archaeological site on Cozumel is a sanctuary to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility and love.  Located in the center of the island in the middle of a lush jungle, populated with iguanas, flowers and foliage,  the site’s name was taken from the agricultural and cattle ranch, San Gervasio, founded by Mr. Gervasio Novelo on September 14, 1858.

The site’s original name is unknown, but its long history dates back to 100 BC and it continued into the late 16th century, with the arrival of  the Spaniards.

For the duration of San Gervasio’s existence, women have made the obligatory pilgrimage to pay tribute to Ixchel, “She Of the Rainbows”, deity of midwifery, fertility and women.

The site’s entrance is well-marked on Transversal Road, but once turning from the main road, the drive is long and narrow and marked with a speed limit that I think the iguanas could outrun.

A decent parking lot is available for those with rentals and a nice, attendant will keep an eye on your car…be sure, he will remember you and be standing nearby for his tip!

When entering the complex and paying your entrance fee of $4.50, you will first encounter a courtyard, with a few souvenir shops.  Since, I only had a rain slicker, we were trying to purchase a small umbrella for my son.  The shops only carried the long, curved handle type, for $10, which would have been impossible to bring home.  One of the shop owners, offered to lend us one, for a tip…actually a good deal for us and a smart move on her part.  How many times has this umbrella paid for itself?

Another tip I learned later was about bug spray…definitely bring your own.  My son is a mosquito magnet and I did not think of picking up some while in town.  The shop vendors were more than willing to sell us a very expensive can, which we did not purchase due to the size and cost.  Later, I learned that we could have asked for a spray down for a tenth of the cost of the can…something we should have definitely done for my son.

It is in this area that you can hire a guide to take you throughout the complex and the price for the both of us was $20, though we opted not to use this service. Restrooms are also located here and I recommend using the facilities before entering the site.

Before entering the actual archaeological site, you encounter another ticket counter.  I don’t understand the logic here…would you seriously pay just to enter the courtyard?  Anyway, here we paid $5 each and received our tickets.

The site is very well laid out, well marked and has sturdy paths to lead you from one area to the next in the front of the complex.

One of the first buildings you encounter is the The Little Hands Structure, so named because of the red colored hand prints that mark the wall.  The temple is comprised of two rooms in which a small temple was built in the interior of one of them.

Another small house-like structure is located nearby, although it is almost certain to have had a ceremonial use.  A small temple is also located in the center of the structure.

As we continued on, we encountered other small structures, but an impressive arch-like structure, which marked the intersection of two ancient roads  or sacbés, caught my eye.  In pre-hispanic days, The Arch Structure, was the entrance or exit of the central part of San Gervasio.  Pilgrims and traders would reach the famous sanctuary of Ixchel to make an offering at the altar that lies in the middle of the vaulted passageway.  It was here that many statues to Ixchel were found and are still being discovered.  One of the statues, a large ceramic image of Ixchel was believed to have delivered oracles spoken by a hidden priestess for pilgrims with questions.

From this point, we chose one of the two roads to either Pozo or Nohoch Nah.  The paved paths ended here and the road was rocky and a bit muddy from the recent rains.

Nohoch Nah, also known as the the Big House Structure, was quite an impressive one.  An altar in the middle of the enclosure, in which offerings were placed can be seen through the grated metal that covers the doorways.  Most archaeological sites prohibit you from standing on or climbing the structures, however, this one allows for climbing the stairs and walking around the formation giving you a distinct understanding of how the Mayans felt when they utilized the structure.

After a long and drizzly walk through the jungle, complete with massive puddles blocking the path, we soon arrived at Murciélagos y Pet Nah.  The Muciélagos and Round House Structures were the most important buildings in the Late Classic period in San Gervasio.  The principal center of the site was located here and it was also here that the Overlord resided.  The Round House was named as such due to the unusual rounded platforms and its altar which is also round. Again, we were able to climb to the top of the rounded platforms giving us a different perspective of Murciélagos.

After another long and muddy walk through the jungle, we soon arrived at the final area of San Gervasio, complete with four distinct structures.  The Palace Structure contained colonnaded halls most of which can still be seen standing on the foundation.   Though you were not prohibited from climbing the other structures, here, signs inform you that it is not allowed.

In this wide, grassy area, another structure, is the Ossuary,  The structure was aptly named after numerous human remains were found inside during exploration of the building.  The temple no longer exists, but originally had masonry walls and a a roof.

Another smaller structure also stands here in this area, Structure 25B, which was also another colonnaded hall with a masonry roof.   Different from other colonnaded halls, it only had three pillars with square bases and three columns with round bases.

Back to the smooth, paved walkways, we made our way toward the front of the complex returning our umbrella along the way.

Though San Gervasio is not quite as large as Chichen Itza or many of the other massive ruin sites in the Riviera Maya and has not had a lot of restoration, the numerous structures that can be viewed at close range amid the beautiful natural setting makes the off-the-beaten trek, worthwhile.

So…grab your sunglasses, umbrella and bug spray and your sense of adventure…head on over to San Gervasio.

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

San Gervasio

  • http://www.inah.gob.mx/es/zonas/101-zona-arqueologica-san-gervasio
  • Address:  Kilómetro 7.5, Carretera Transversal, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
  • Hours:  Monday thru Sunday, 0800-1630
  • Admission:  $9.50
  • How To Get There:  By car, head north on Transversal Road from downtown Cozumel.  The entrance is well-marked.  If you are arriving by cruise ship, many taxis will take you to the ruins and wait for about $70 and return you to San Miguel or the cruise ship’s dock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Vibrant Village

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Mayan ruins dot the landscape throughout Mexico.

On Cozumel, two archaelogical sites are easily accessible to tourists…

San Gervasio is the largest and located in the central part of Cozumel.

The smallest, but oldest, El Cedral, is located near the south coast.

Having never heard of El Cedral, we were anxious to check out this small fertility temple, dating back to 800 AD.  Once functioning as a jail in the 19th century, it is located in a small village and is thought to have been an important ceremonial site.

As we drove through the arched entrance, it was late afternoon and we wondered if our arrival might be too late.  Passing through a gate, we traveled down a long rural road before arriving at the front of the village.

A central plaza spread before us with a large, covered pavilion, lined with brightly covered flags.  A nearby covered structure contained a large number of inscribed benches and there were a few vendor’s storefronts as well as the Hacienda Tequila Museum, which offers tequila tastings.

Not seeing a ruin or signs directing us to one, we turned left and drove around the village.  What a treat!  Brightly colored houses, with festive crosses and art displays greeted us at every corner.

As we made the full circle, back to the front of the village, a kindly villager stopped our car to direct us to the location of the ruin and showed us a parking location.

Festive statues greeted us at the front of the pavilion and after walking through the pavilion, we found the temple located at the far, left end.  Not very impressive and having no ornamentation, the ruin sits next to the highlight of the village, a small stucco church, which is known to be the first church on the island, the Church of El Cedral.

The church, rather small and simple,  is light and airy although its seating does not appear to be very comfortable.  On the altar were three small garments that appeared to be draped over three crucifixes.  I was quite curious about these, but with no one nearby, I was unable to find out more.

Knowing that the large pavilion in the center of town houses a five-day festival, Féria El Cedral, which brings people from all over Mexico at the end of April or early May, to enjoy the festivities, I had no idea that these crosses had anything to do with it.

Once we had walked around the church, we returned to visit one of the the souvenir shops.  Here, I found out more.

Legend has it that 150 years ago, a young man by the name of Casimiro Cárdenas was attacked during the Caste War in the town of Saban.  Though the enemies killed his companions, Cárdenas survived the massacre by hiding under other bodies, while clutching a cross, an event which came to be known as the Miricle of Saban. So strongly that Cárdenas believed that the cross was the reason he survived that he vowed to honor the cross even as he later settled in El Cedral.  Soon after arriving in the town, he and the other immigrants celebrated the first services to honor the holy cross in which after praying, they received the toche (blessing with the cross).  Invitations were also extended to the residents of the main town of Cozumel, a tradition that still continues.

The pavilion is where the traditional and folkloric events are performed and many other events are held in conjunction with the festival…horse racing, rooster fights, rodeo, concerts and bullfighting.  Large quantities of food are prepared and consumed and commemorative merchandise is sold throughout the event.   The Pigs Head dance, in which dancers carry a decorated pig’s head, is one of the culminating events of the festivities.

After the death of Casimiro Cárdenas, his wife continued the festivities and today, his descendants are the keepers of the holy cross of Sabán.  The festival is held between April 23 with prayers commencing at dawn and end on May 3rd with a traditional dance “Cabeza de Cerdo”, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

While making the drive around Cozumel, take a half hour out of your day to visit El Cedral, a town steeped in tradition and history.  Very easy to find, it is located 3 km west of Carretera Costera Sur.  The turnoff is near Km 17, across from the Alberto’s Restaurant sign.  And, if you are on the island during festival season, be sure and visit…and tell us about it!

 

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

El Cedral Village, Church and Archaeological Ruins

  • Hours:  Open daily
  • Admission:  free
  • How to Get There:   Located 3 km west of Carretera Costera Sur.  The turnoff is near Km 17, across from the Alberto’s Restaurant sign.

Cruising Around Cozumel

© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Some arrive in Cozumel by cruise ship.

Some by air.

Some by ferry.

No matter your method of transportation into Cozumel, make sure you’ve arrived by checking out all that the island has to offer!

My family and I have been to Cozumel many times over the years.  Most times we have arrived by ferry, a couple of times by cruise ship, but this time, my son and I arrived by air.  Honestly, I am a flight attendant and I should know these type of things, but I don’t think I realized that Cozumel had an airport…as I’ve only ever talked to people who have flown into Cancun and gone to Cozumel by ferry.

School had just let out and everyone in my family was busy with work and other obligations except for me and my youngest son.  An adventure was in order! We had no idea where we were going to end up.  We were going to go to the airport, with suitcases filled with clothing for any climate and get on a flight…any flight…and see where we could go.

After miraculously getting seats on an oversold flight to Atlanta, we had to devise a plan.  Grabbing breakfast and a seat at McDonald’s, we opened up my computer and began checking which flights from Atlanta had seats to and from the destination.  Sunny Cozumel was the winner!  (Or so we thought…) A few hours later, we were touching down at the Cozumel International Airport.  We couldn’t wait to lay by the pool and get some much need sun and relaxation.

To our dismay, no beautiful, sunny skies were there to greet us…only gray clouds and wet pavement.  How can this be?  We were arriving at a tropical destination…a resort…don’t they order up beautiful weather for the tourists?  Surely this was just a passing rain shower!

After arriving at our hotel, the El Cozumeleño, we donned our bathing suits and headed out to the pool.  It was raining again.  No good.  Time to pull up to the bar.

It continued to rain…all night…and after a text to my dad, I realized that because I don’t watch the news regularly, I had failed to comprehend that it was hurricane season and a tropical storm was causing havoc in the Gulf of Mexico.  Ugh…

The next morning, with high hopes, I pulled back the curtains in our room, hoping for sun.  Nope.  No sun again.  Those same gray clouds and a light rain greeted us.

Well, we were in Cozumel.  Rain or not, we were going to see what was out there, even if we had to buy umbrellas and rain slickers.  It was time to make the best of it!

After renting a Jeep Patriot (great for driving through floodwaters) we headed out.  Navigating the narrow streets, we drove slowly, through the pouring rain until we reached the main highway that cuts through the middle of the island (Transversal de Cozumel).  The rain had slowed and we were soon arriving at San Gervasio archaeological site.  Thankfully, the rain soon tapered off and we were able to spend some time investigating these interesting ruins.

Heading east again, we soon spotted the end of the road.  Only two ways to go…north or south.  Since we had been warned by our rental company that traveling on the dirt road to the north would void our rental contract, we decided that it was southbound for us!

This part of the island has some amazing beaches and breathtaking scenery and at the turn in the road, a very cool bar and restaurant…Señor Iguanas.  Years ago, I remember coming to this part of the island and there only being some small fisherman’s huts and small shacks that sold tacos and beer.  Although we would have loved to hang out at Señor Iguanas and enjoy the views, the ambiance and the forty mile per hours winds whipping through the establishment, we decided to get some food to go and continue on our way.  After all, we now had a break in the rain.

The waves were quite large and for a while, we stopped to watch a group of surfers ride the massive crests toward shore.  If there had been more of a gentle swell, my son would have considered taking a lesson at one of the many venues along the way that offer private instruction.

As we continued on, we stopped often to admire the spectacular coastline, shop at the many vendors that line the roadway and just enjoy our drive and time being away from the resort.

As we rounded the island’s southernmost tip, we headed west and made our way, past many resorts, to the village of El Cedral which boasts the first church on the island and a Mayan ruin.  I especially enjoyed driving around the town’s back streets…lots of cute homes and artwork line the streets!

With the rain still at bay, we drove through downtown (vowing to make our way here the next day for shopping), past a tall lighthouse and on to a place we had seen on our way to the hotel.

Bam No. 4 Military Base (Base Aérea Militar No. 4) offers some great photo ops with some old military planes displayed out front.  In addition, there is a war memorial, honoring some of the defenders of the nation.

Leaving our car parked in this location, we made the short walk back towards town to a small square located between the roadways.  Here, there is a replica of a Mayan temple with statues depicting ancient Mayans.

As the day was drawing to a close, we made our way back to our hotel and our dinner reservations, ever thankful that we were able to see what Cozumel had to offer even though the weather wasn’t up to par.

Pulling back into the El Cozumelena, with not a moment to spare, we parked our car as the skies opened up again and we made a mad dash inside!  Time to head to the bar…

Cozumel is a lovely destination for anyone who loves islands or is a diver or snorkeler (thousands of dive sites lie just offshore).  There are many delicious food options throughout the city and various types of shopping in the central plaza  and throughout the island.  And…if you run out of things to do in Cozumel, take the ferry (located downtown) right on over to the mainland and Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera.  You will find many other things to do there as well!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

 

San Gervasio Archaeological Zone

Senor Iguanas

  • Address:  At the intersection of Transversal de Cozumel and Quintana Roo C-1

El Cedral

  • Address:  Off of highway Quintana Roo C-1, near Playa Palancar
  • Admission:  free

Bam No. 4

  • Address:  On Avenue Rafael E. Melgar, just past downtown, heading north
  • Admission:  free