2014, Day 258 - Minion

I make little friends wherever I go and this little guy I met in Mexico while exploring the ruins at Coba.  When we arrived it had been unseasonably rainy and the area surrounding the archeological site were flooded but most of the land immediately surrounding the structures was on high enough ground not to be affected.  There were hundreds of little frogs, thousands of tadpoles, and a lot of baby lizards.  This is one and he was kind enough to strike a pose.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 640 ISO

2014, Day 3 - Basking

When we went to Tulum we arrived just as the site opened.  Fortunately my travel companions share my aversion to crowds so as we walked through the ruins the iguanas were largely undisturbed.  They watched us carefully and I suspect that some people must be throwing stones because they're quite shy.  As more people arrived most retreated to more secluded areas but I caught this guy before he beat his retreat.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
200mm, f4, 1/250 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 364 - Camo fail

I love animals of all sorts but when I travel I find that I get rather obsessed with insects and reptiles.  It seems a shame that we are not awash with lizard in the Pacific Northwest and with all the spiders and abundant insect life here it seems ideally suited for them but alas it is not to be.  So I have to get my fix when I travel to the tropics and Mexico, especially the Yucatan, is just alive with lizards.  We saw monsters six feet long and tiny babies only a couple inches long.  They were everywhere and some even posed for us, this guy we found in the ruins at Coba and he was quite content to sit while we took turns taking his picture.  What a handsome little devil!

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/40 sec @ 400 ISO

2013, Day 325 - Sanctuary

One of my favorite things about travel is the new and exciting wildlife and most of my favorites are the small guys.  Lizards and frogs almost always make an appearance, spiders, moths, butterflies, and other insects are almost always present, sometimes there are monkeys and a plethora of birds.  Right now I am missing the birds as most of our are gone or laying low given the cold weather.  Sadly, we rarely have much in the way of lizards to see around here and Mexico had an abundance.  Little anoles were everywhere, geckos haunted jungle but were much better at hiding as most in that area are ambush predators, we found a number of immature and a couple mature basilisks, and of course there were a lot of iguanas.  It is rather exciting to find them perched in plain sight hoping that their camouflage will keep them safe.  This anole was hiding the flowers of a small palm tree and didn't see the need to hide because he was protected by a number of small branches, his own little fort.

Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/400 sec @ 100 ISO

2013, Day 321 - Hiding

These sleep-in mornings just aren't working.  I tried my best but I popped up at seven thirty and was ready for action but there wasn't much of a plan.  Evi headed out early to do a little adventuring on her own so Francene and I were sitting here trying to decide what to do.  We had some administrative work to do because we're going to be leaving soon so we have to make sure that everyone gets what they're owed.  I put on my spectacles and my clear green visor and set to work with our pile of receipts.  In short order things were sorted, costs divided, and a sheet outlining who is owed what was completed.  This is where being uptight about details comes in handy.

With our morning chores done Francene and I decided to head into town to wander around.  We're on the far outskirts of Playa del Carmen so we decided instead of taking a cab we would go local and hop on the collectivo, a large van that goes up and down the coastal highway.  While we were waiting on the side of the highway a cab stopped and we tried to wave him on but he rolled down the window and offered us a really cheap fare into town so we accepted.  He was rocking out to dance music the whole time and conversation was difficult but the price was right, the air conditioning was cold, and it was comfortable.

Since we had not yet walked the main tourist streets we headed out.  It is a walking street that is lined with all manner of shops selling things you can find three times on every block; essentially cheap crap that people buy to give their friends and family.  I've long since stopped buying gifts for people because if they don't share your experiences it isn't as meaningful.  Instead I try to include the people I care about by blogging and sharing photos so that maybe they can get a little glimpse of what it is like to be fortunate enough to travel to these great places.  Still, there are a few people that deserve acknowledgment for favors while I've been gone so when we found a tiny shop tucked away with the most amazing detailed art from all over Mexico we knew it was the place we had been looking for.  After a month of traveling and resisting the urge to buy thing we're free to make those purchased and in the end the women running the shop spent twenty minutes wrapping and packing our purchases.

By now it was early afternoon so we took a cab across town to pick up form laundry we had dropped off.  I can't remember the last time I was this happy to see clean underwear.  The last three days of hand washing has been no fun at all.  So we blessed the woman at the laundromat and set off for an excellent seafood place a few blocks away.  With the heat and our hunger it seemed to take forever but we made it and had a delightful lunch.  I had fish with a bunch of little sides and tortillas so quickly turned into fish taco again while Francene got fish stuffed with an assortment of seafood.  We devoured our food with great enthusiasm but still had enough left to be worth taking back to the hotel for this evening.

Right as we were walking out a cab driver was picking up his order of seafood casserole to go so he gave us a ride back to the hotel.  The sun was still beating down on us so we dropped off our leftovers in the kitchen and headed down to the pool.  Because we have had such stormy weather and today was beautiful and sunny most people were out so the pool was relatively unpopulated which suited us just fine.  So we spent a couple bobbing in the pool chatting about nothing in particular and reliving our adventures of the last month.  As it grew later the clouds became colorful so I left Francene at the pool to return to our room to retrieve my camera.

When I got back Francene joined me in a walk down to the beach to watch the sun set.  We took pictures until it got too dark to be worthwhile and the tide started coming in.  Happy with our productive day we wandered slowly back to our room and enjoyed a little snack before looking at the fruits of our sunset photo shoot.

Tomorrow is the last day of our trip and Wednesday we head home so we are faced with a conundrum.  Do we try to squeeze in one last day of adventure or take our time and get ready for the trip home.  I suspect we will decide in the morning.  Below is a picture, one of many, of the anoles native to this region.  These little guys and their larger iguana cousins can be found all over the place and do a wonderful job at pest control.  Unfortunately they are not big on eating mosquitos.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS
100mm, f4, 1/250 sec @ 1000 ISO

2013, Day 317 - Recruiting

This morning we woke up early to rendezvous with our new guide Rosalia.  Although we woke up with plenty of time she was on time and we were late but it wasn't our fault.  The grounds of this hotel are huge and they have little shuttles to run you all over the place however the management is composed of jerks.  Rosalia is a licensed guide but they won't let her on to the property because we didn't book our activities through the hotel.  Fine, that is a cheap and obvious ploy to get us to use their  services so they can make more money off us but we can live with that.  So we asked them to take us to the entrance, they refused.  If we are using a service not booked through them then we have to walk to the entrance and it is raining.  They said it was all in the name of security.  Seriously?  She is a licensed guide and we're already on the property; they almost caused a security incident by refusing a series of simple requests.

So we walked in the rain and met with Rosalia.  She explained that this piece of fascist manufactured paradise is infamous for that practice.  Nevertheless we thwarted their nefarious plan and set off with Rosalia to visit Coba, the ruins of a sprawling Mayan community that covered some eighty square kilometers.  On the way she explained that the wet season started early this year and has been exceptionally prolonged.  When we arrived the parking lot was flooded and apparently has been for some time.  Not inches of water, it was many feet deep and totally unusable so we had to park on higher ground and do a little walking.

As we entered the site we saw little frogs everywhere.  All the standing water has allow for the frog population to boom and as we walked little waves of frogs would jump out of our way.  The lake that is the parking lot is filled with tadpoles and I expect soon ruins will be overrun.  As we explored I started recruiting frog soldiers to overthrow the management at our hotel.  Once inside we rented bicycles so as to cover ground more quickly and off we rode.

The gravel paths are well maintained and the breeze from riding was quite refreshing.  We biked a couple kilometers to the far side of the area open to the public and when we stopped I began sweating immediately.  Our first stop was at the Nohoch Mul pyramid.  It is one of the few Mayan pyramids that you can climb in the Yucatan and we made the ascent, one hundred and twenty steep slippery steps.  The view from the top was quite nice and it proved that Rosalia was telling us, the landscape is completely flat and the trees are relatively short because there is only a thin layer of soil covering the rocky earth beneath.

Next we made our way to what people tend to call the observatory, a large rounded mound of stone construction.  Rosalia said that it was really more of a marker to let travels on the ancient stone road know that they were approaching the pyramid that we just left.  Given the protracted periods of rain the Mayans build stone roads that were raised so that seasonal flooding wouldn't impede travel.  In some places these roads are nine foot high causeways.

We then moved on to a ball court.  It was much smaller than those we saw in Xochicalco but it had the same general layout.  There is a central aisle and angled ramps at the top of which was a stone ring on either side.  The contests held were not for entertainment purposes but rather were rituals with religious significance and the current thought it that it might play some role in a fertility rite.  We also found a large group of caterpillars munching on tree bark that I thought I would used as my air force once their metamorphosis is complete.  I also found a small basilisk eating a spider that would make a good general and more frogs to use as navy seals.

Our final stop as at the church, another smaller pyramid near the entrance to the archeological zone.  It was much like the larger Nohoch Mul pyramid but on a smaller scale.  By this time there were more tourists arriving and we moved a little more quickly through the press to see what we could and move on.  I recruited another larger basilisk to be a general in my army and we made our way out to where we parked so we could find some lunch.

Our meal was rather simple but tasty affair at a cocina economica, an economical kitchen, with a relatively limited menu.  Francene and I shared a number of appetizers and all were delicious but there might have been a little too much cheese for my tastes.  I guess I will have some odd dreams tonight.

Once we had eaten our fill it was back into the car and off to Punta Laguna nature reserve.  Here we had a Mayan guide who walked us through the jungle in the hopes of finding some monkeys.  I was looking forward to this because I need an admiral for my army and a monkey would be an ideal candidate.  Within five minutes he stopped two and I quickly recruited them into my army.  Holy war will be coming to the Grand Mayan Hotel!

Unfortunately it started raining pretty heavily so we took shelter as a wooden tower overlooking the lake.  We all climbed to the top and waiting out the worst of the weather.  It was a very pleasant way to spend fifteen minutes and we were soon making our way to a cenote.  The opening was a small crack in the earth with barely enough room to squeeze through as we were lowered in a harness on a winch.  Once through the aperture it opened up significantly and we were able to swim in the clean refreshing water.  It was quite dark and we could see bats flitting past us but I think we all found it relaxing and refreshing.  After a quick conference with the bats the agreed to anchor the moths in my air force.

By this time my army to overthrow the hotel management was quite large and satisfied with my progress we ascended the rope ladder one by one until we emerged from our little refuge.  It was well into the afternoon so we all changed into dry clothes and got back into the car to the drive back to Playa del Carmen.  On the was we decided to ask Rosalia for a restaurant recommendation explaining that if she dropped us off we would take a cab back to the hotel.  After some thought she had a place in mind and after the relatively an hour and a half she was leaving us at a local seafood place.  I had a filet of fish a la Mexicana and Francene and Evi split a seafood casserole.  My fish was amazing, cooked perfectly and well spiced.  It was probably may favorite meal in Mexico and we've already talked about going back for another excellent meal in the coming days.

Stuffed, we were able to hail a cab in the rain and came back to the room at our bastard hotel.  With our early start we've all looked at our pictures from today, showered, and a getting ready for a good night's sleep.

Below is a picture of one of my new basilisk generals having a Shelob-snack.

Canon 1D X, Canon 100/f2.8L IS

100mm, f4, 1/160 sec @ 640 ISO

2013, Day 43 - Dragon

I found this monster lazing in a bush outside the tower room that I was sharing with Francene and Araceli in Kampot.  The downside to the location was how far from town it was but the upside was the proximity to nature.  Butterflies danced on the breeze, chickens wandered freely, dogs dozed in the share, fish jumped in the river, and lizards hid in plain sight.  At first I didn't notice him but as I moved close to the bush to investigate the flowers I caught a little motion out of the corner of my eye.  He allowed me to approach slowly and I managed a few good pictures before he beat a hasty retreat.

Canon 1D X, Canon 70-200/f2.8L IS Mark II
70mm, f4, 1/320 sec @ 800 ISO

2010, Day 361 - Back to Bangkok, Day One

Another day of travel, this time from Koh Lanta back to Bangkok just briefly before leaving to return home for New Years. We were once again picked up at our hotel by a man in a van. These men, it must be noted, are completely insane. The speed limit is whatever their vehicles are capable of with their foot pressed all the way to the floor, they make a third lane on top of the center divide and they brake only when absolutely necessary. With that kind of man at the wheel we made what we were told is a two and a half to three hour trip in two hours flat and that is stopping five times to pick up additional people.

The driver was so fast that we couldn't even check our bags when we got to the airport. Having only had breakfast and not expecting to arrive in Bangkok until six o'clock or later we decided to take our bags and locate food. Unfortunately the only food available at Krabi International Airport is made by Thai Airways in their kitchen used to prepare meals for their flights. Oh well, I guess we're eating airplane food...


The industrial grade scaffolding used at the airport for washing windows.

When we arrived in Bangkok we gathered our bags and headed to the train station at the lowest level of the airport. It was, after all, rush hour so we decided to get as far from the airport as possible. We weren't the only people with this thought and the train was completely packed, there was literally no place to move and the only way to get past was to crowd surf.

Finally we reached the stop on the line closest to our hotel and after two cabbies declined to take us we found one that would. The reason for not wanting a fare you ask? Bangkok traffic which was pretty much a parking lot. Almost an hour later (we could have walked fast and would have if we weren't burdened with luggage) we arrive at our hotel. After getting settled we went out in search of food and found the place recommended by the woman at reception.


The restaurant where we ate dinner.


Yes, my army continues to grow, this is my scout who is keeping me safe.


Somebody's dinner.


Ohh, I want THAT one!


You could even have mantis shrimp. My only regret is that I couldn't save them, they would make great snipers in my army.

It was a nice traditional Thai dinner and, completely stuffed, we walked back to our hotel. I stayed up long enough to take a couple pictures of the city from the rooftop pool and then showered and went to bed. Tomorrow we're being picked up by our guide early in the morning and will have one last day of adventuring before we leave.


Bangkok at night.

2010, Day 355 - Phuket, Day One

Sadly, we left Chiang Mai today but we were able to see one last thing before we left, Wat Doi Suthep. Possibly the most important temple in Chiang Mai, it is said by residents of the city that you cannot claim to have visited unless you've seem this mountainside temple.

It was about a forty-five minute drive to the temple up winding mountain roads. At times it was very slow going because even with all the twists and turns the road was quite steep. Upon arrive our hostess walked us in to pay our admission and there she encouraged us to spend the 20 baht (about sixty-five cents) to take the tram up the rest of the mountain while assuring us that we were more than welcome to take the stairs back down after we had finished.


Wat Doi Suthep.



The pagoda at Wat Doi Suthep.


What I am really rather excited about is that each temple in Thailand is associated with an animal from the Thai astrological calendar and Doi Suthep is associated with my animal, the goat. So, with that background, after finishing our tour of the temple we were left waiting for our hostess who brought us and had promised to take us on to the airport afterwards. She had come to pray properly, not just gawk, so I volunteered to walk back through the temple to make sure she didn't sneak out when we weren't looking. In short order I espied her praying at one of the shrines so I kept walking, taking in the ambiance, and then noticed there was a monk by one of the Buddhas.

I didn't have any good pictures of monks so I thought I might take one of him so I doffed by shoes and entered the temple. Not wanting to be conspicuous I took a seat with about eight other people who were praying and took a couple pictures. The devout then turned from the Buddha towards them monk who proceeded to bless all of us. Out of respect I stopped taking pictures and only resumed when the gathering began to disperse and when I got the picture I made a donation to the temple and went to rejoin Brad and Manuel.


The monk who blessed me at the temple dedicated to my astrological sign.


The temple is filled with bells, there are little bells lacing the roofline.


And bells big enough for small children to live in.




Like all Buddhist temples in Thailand there were dogs...


And cats...


Even ants made an appearance...

Shortly after rejoining Brad and Manuel prayers were completed and we returned to the car to be spirited off to the airport. What seemed like moments later we were in the air, making our way south to Phuket.

We arrived about two hours later and quickly found transportation to our hotel. I say hotel but it really is a self-contained resort. There are simple rooms like ours and there are fancy rooms and then there are villas on the property. With multiple pools and beach frontage there is no lack of places to relax. The only downside is that we are a little far removed from all the activities of Phuket but the point right now is to relax so I think this will be ideal.


The building in which our room is located. All that sand is raked flat multiple times per day to keep the place looking pristine.


One of the smaller villas.


And one of the multiple bars, this is the one nearest the beach.


A view of the lobby from our room after the sun set.


Sunset on the beach.

Once we got settled we decided to have dinner at one of the small outdoor places just down the road. The food was unremarkable but there were special guests. We had a small underfed looking dog lurking nearby. While I didn't want to cause trouble by encouraging him to beg he was so pathetic I threw him some of my fish. We also had tons of geckos running around above us and then more when we returned to our rooms. I am going to try to make them all my minions...


Loads of delicious little geckos that have gathered near the light to eat the insects that are attracted.


Our sad little canine friend.


Tomorrow I have nothing planned while Brad and Manuel go off to try their hand at scuba diving. I enjoy diving, I'm even certified, but the weather doesn't look conducive to pleasant dive conditions so I have bowed out.