Mexico

[Prawn_86]

The United Mexican States, commonly known as Mexico, is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the North Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. The United Mexican States are a federation comprising thirty-one states and a federal district, the capital Mexico City, whose metropolitan area is one of the world's most populous.

[darley]

I know a lot of college students (like myself) head to Mexico on spring break. I have never gone for break, but I stopped in Cozumel, Mexico, on a cruise ship stop a few years ago.

I had a lot of fun there, but we didn't get to stay that long so I didn't get to experience everything. We just hung out around and ate some really great food. I'm sure there are plenty of sights to see, I just didn't have the time.

[kennas]

Cozumel is sort of Mehico, but sort of the US too, like Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

Mexico is my favourite country in the world, after Australia of course.

Considering starting a travel company there in a year or two once I'm finished up in Peru.

If you're considering going I recommend this route:

Mexico City (visit Teotihuacan)
Oaxaca (Mont Alban)
San Christobal de Las Casas (awesome colonial town)
Palenque (best Mayan ruins)
Merida (boring to me, but has some nightlife)
Chichen Itza (wonder of the world)
Playa del Carmen (visit Isla Mujeres and Cozumel - awesome diving)
Telum (before it's run over by yanks)

[Prawn_86]

What is it about Mexico that you like so much Kennas?

[kennas]

Great value
History
Weather
Diving
Tequila
Mexicans

Hmmm, I've been to a few more spectacular countries but I have some great memories of being in Mehico.
That is may be why it's so great to me.

[goutham]

what are your views on mexico about tourism?

[kennas]

Pretty good infrastructure, particularly the Carribean Coast and some of the important Mayan sites. The words Acapulco, Cancun, Chitzen Itza, should all be familiar. Good Tequila too...

[Prawn_86]

A 10,000kg bread has been readied for the traditional Magi party that sees thousands of Mexican families coming together to celebrate with food and gifts for children.


http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24873784-5014090,00.html

them crazy Mexicans....

[EcoTours]

Mexico is a blast! I've stayed in Cancun a couple of times and really enjoyed the weather, beaches, locals (I hate tourist), beer.....and then my memory starts to fade. Even though most of it is a tourist trap, the prices are very fair, crime is very low, the police don't bother you and everyone is laid back.

Downtown Cancun is a fun way to get a feel for the culture, the flea markets are the best entertainment in the world. Mexican vendors love to haggle and chase you down with a better price. They have a special charm that is hard to describe.

On our last visit, a street vendor pulled a fast one when I tried to buy two beers and two waters--he ended up with almost $30 USD---it took me a few minutes to figure out what happened and all I could do was laugh. I was going to go back and pat him on the back and shake his hand but I figured he would end up with more of my money.

A word of caution, the police and Army (?) people in downtown Cancun are a little uptight in my opinion. I was confronted and yelled at for walking into what I thought was a tourist attraction with an open beer. Come to find out it was the Governor's house or office building (once again beer and bad memory).

[kennas]

Whoohoo!

All booked and ready to tequila!

Spending the whole time on the Caribbean coast, but may also be dropping into Chitzen Itza, Merida, Tikal, and probably Caye Caulker in Belize.

We're doing some research for our travel company, meeting with some lawyers, accountants, and generally checking on cost of living, rents etc, to factor in to our budget.

Our company is probably going to be called Spotted Drum Adventures and will have a logo like the one below. This is my rough mock up, it needs to go to a pro for refinement.

If you don't know, a Spotted Drum is a fish. The one in the logo is a juvenile - when they are older they change - heck, I'll add a photo of an adult for good measure. Anyway, it's our favourite fish, only swims in the Caribbean, and is a little hard to find. The adult one looks big in the photo, but they only grow to about 15cm.

:)

[Prawn_86]

Sweet as Kennas. Your a lucky man :)

Be sure to update us with all the happenings in Mexico

[kennas]

Yes, will do!! :)

Will post photos in here during our time in Mexico and maybe blog it, in my blog.

Amazing opportunity, possibly at the bottom of the market!!

Whoohoo!! :)

I am hoping a 40 foot boat comes up for sale late this year at distressed rates, which we'll be turning in to an office.

Can you magine running a travel company off a yacht in the Caribbean?

Yihaaaaaa!!!! :)

[Prawn_86]

So whats the plans now K with the whole swine flu thing? Still going or have you delayed for a few weeks?

[kennas]

Going to delay for 2 weeks at this stage.

It hasn't spread to Yukatan by the look but best be cautious, just in case. Airlines are allowing people to alter tickets for free at this stage.

[Prawn_86]

Going to delay for 2 weeks at this stage.

It hasn't spread to Yukatan by the look but best be cautious, just in case. Airlines are allowing people to alter tickets for free at this stage.


Probably the prudent thing to do. That sounds very unlike any airline... Actually helping the customer!

[kennas]

First case of the flu confirmed in Peru and I read in the local paper (in Spanish so I might be wrong) that flights in and out of Mexico have been cancelled, so looks like I'm staying here for the moment. :(

[kennas]

First 3 days in Mexico have been outstanding.

Awesome weather, white powdery beaches, blue, blue, blue water, warm water, friendly people, cold beer, and take your pick of Tequilas.

On Isla Mujeres at the moment, north of Cozumel and Cancun. It's the third island from the top of the Yukatan Peninsula really after Holbox and Contoy. It's a fairly well populated island but doesn't have the high rises of Cancun.

It's faily cheap to live here. Probably half price Australia, if you live like a Gringo. Probably 1/6 the price if you live more locally, at cheaper hotels and eat locally and don't drink too much.

Could easily live here. Just trade during the evening and sit in the water during the day. But, Rach needs something to do as well. Maybe Spotted Drum Adventures could set up here? Hmmmm

More info and photos on my blog.

[Prawn_86]

Looks nice Kennas. Hows the reaction to the swine flu over there? Had an impact on tourism?

[chrissylewis03]

First 3 days in Mexico have been outstanding.

Awesome weather, white powdery beaches, blue, blue, blue water, warm water, friendly people, cold beer, and take your pick of Tequilas.

On Isla Mujeres at the moment, north of Cozumel and Cancun. It's the third island from the top of the Yukatan Peninsula really after Holbox and Contoy. It's a fairly well populated island but doesn't have the high rises of Cancun.

It's faily cheap to live here. Probably half price Australia, if you live like a Gringo. Probably 1/6 the price if you live more locally, at cheaper hotels and eat locally and don't drink too much.

Could easily live here. Just trade during the evening and sit in the water during the day. But, Rach needs something to do as well. Maybe Spotted Drum Adventures could set up here? Hmmmm

More info and photos on my blog.

love the swings at the bar, fantastic... yet probably dangerous for someone as clumsy as me!

looks great kennas, stay there so we can come and visit!!!

[Prawn_86]

Where you at now Kennas?

[kennas]

Hey Prawn,

Now in Playa del Carmen after a couple of days on Cozumel just off the coast. It's been an awesome holiday so far. Enjoying the break, but also been in touch with the market so I haven't been too stressed.

Now back at Playa Palms a very small condo/resort complex on the beach in Playa which we have stayed at a few times now. It's about $120 US for a room here, but well worth it in my opinion. The studio apartments are owned by individuals and managed by a property management group. So, there's no restaurant, or rooms service etc. Just the room, with a small pool and on the beach. Pretty rare for central Playa. We arrived back here this afternoon and are staying for 5 nights before heading off somewhere else. Probably Isla Holbox to the far north.

Life sucks! :)

[Prawn_86]

Sounds tough Kennas.

In other Mexican news:

MEXICO has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign dubbed Mexico's Alive to kickstart the tourism sector after swine flu scared away many visitors by killing 80 in the nation

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25539376-5014090,00.html

[chrissylewis03]

kennas... damn you...

it's pretty sad that the swine flu scared off heaps of tourists because it sounds like such a great place to go. I would definately still go there if i got the chance though. I'd say theres about as much chance getting the swine flu in Melbourne at the moment!

keep the posts coming kennas, they're making me jealous but still a good read!

[Girona Airport]

i have heard a lot about mexico specially its beaches may be some time i will be able to go there to find out ;p

[kennas]

i have heard a lot about mexico specially its beaches may be some time i will be able to go there to find out ;pBeaches on the Caribbean coast beat Australian beaches I am afraid to say.