I AM GOING ON A CRUISE TO MEXICO!!! I planned this cruise in October of last year and the time has finally come to depart…almost. I hate these last few days before the trip really gets going as they seem to pass so slow!!!

I have traveled on this ship (the Carnival Line’s Holiday Ship from Mobile, Alabama) and to these locations before, but I am still very excited to visit them again. During our cruise, we will be docking at Cozumel, Mexico and Calica/Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. During our stop to Cozumel, we will be taking an excursion on a SUBMARINE that will show us the Paraiso Reef. I always enjoy snorkeling, but because my grandmother in law is also traveling with us (and she does not snorkel), I really wanted to do some water adventures that she could also enjoy. She has never been able to see under the water before and so I thought this “floating aquarium” would be a divine idea for all of us. Can you imagine how many kinds of fish we will see??? I am very excited about this.

Also on that day, we will be visiting a beach where we can snorkel right off the shore. I am taking my 11 year old neice snorkeling and to the beach for the first time on this trip and so I am hoping to help her understand the value of our underwater life and the need for its preservation through the amazing activity of snorkeling. Being so close to the underwater life is really a magnificent treat.

On the days we visit Playa Del Carmen, we will be taking a visit to the ancient city of Tulum. Tulum is the name given to the city by the spanish conquistadors but it was originally named Zama (meaning sunrise in Mayan) by the Mayans who founded it. Tulum is different than many of the other ruins because it is located right on the shore. All other civilizations were founded inland. It has major significance, however, because it was a major pilgrimage made by women to worship and sacrifice to the fertility goddess. They went there to pray for their unborn children or for children in general. This pilgrimage was made by most women during the hey days of the Mayans.

One interesting fact about this ruined city is that it sits on one of the most magnificent beaches on the Yucatan and offers one of the most breathtaking views one will ever see. Many people compare Tulum to ruins like Chitzen Itza and find that it falls short. However, it cannot be compared in the normal apples to apples kind of way. Both have many unique qualities to offer the tourist. Chitzen Itza is the largest of the Mayan Ruin sites and is the most well preserved offering a true glimpse into the life of the Mayans. When Chitzen Itza was built it became the center of the Mayan Civilization and held one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, population of Mayan People. Until this city was built, the predominant city was Coba. Coba is located quite close to Tulum. Tulum, on the other hand, is viewed as a kind of fortress as it is enclosed by three rocked walls and the ocean. It was known as the walled city and rose to prodominance during the post-classical period (A.D. 1000-1500). The reasons behind its beauty and significance is found in other places than its structures.

I am very excited about the opportunity to view these places, and while cruising is not usually my choice for method of travel, it does give you a good bang for your buck. I will not get to do any fishing on this trip but the travel will be an amazing experience. I am always amazed at the ability of one to visit a place in the world and learn so many new things then re-visit that same place and learn so many new things. I never want to stop learning or traveling.

Happy Travels ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

(Photograph above found at http://www.carnival.com/)