How to pack lightly for a long trip

We all know about those massive living specimens inhabiting the state of California.  Some prefer the chilly winds of the Sierra Nevada while others are happier experiencing the foggy mornings next to the Pacific Ocean.  I am referring to sequoias and redwoods.  Sequoias are the largest trees in the world in terms of volume.  Redwoods are the taller trees in the world (reaching heights of 370 feet). But there is another species taking the lead role in terms of widest trunk or largest diameters.  In the small town of Santa Maria del Tule (Oaxaca), a massive Montezuma cypress is famous for having the “stoutest trunk in the world.” The tree at El Tule (locals call the town in this way), is known as an “ahuehuete” or “sabino” in Spanish.  Don’t get confused.  Many people call the tree “Arbol de Tule” or Tule tree.  Tule is an aquatic plant that grew once in the area because it used to be a swamp (that is why the town got the name).  The correct way to call it is “Arbol del Tule” or the t...

Today, we are going to get lost and dream in a heroic city. I am pleased to present you the small city of Valladolid. It is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, you know in Mexico.  It is also knows and the Heroic City or The Sultan of the East.  Her motto is “Cuatro Veces Heroica” or Four Times Heroic. Valladolid is not that well known among visitors to the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo.  Some people visit for a few minutes as part of an all day Chichen Itza tour.  And it is precisely the famous Mayan city that brought me here. See, I really wanted to take my time to explore Chichen Itza. I wasn’t that enthusiastic about taking a day tour from Cancun.  First, the drive is about 2 to 3 hours each way.  Additionally, some of these tours reach the ruins in the afternoon when they are packed with hundreds of tourists.  Looking for options on where to stay close to Chichen Itza, I stumbled upon Valladolid.  After reading some info about the city (and looking at some pictures), I was s...

I arrived in Playa del Carmen expecting to fall in love, but ended up sorely disappointed. After a quiet Christmas in Guanajuato, it felt like mild culture shock to arrive in one of the biggest tourist destinations of the Caribbean coast, full of loud parties, thousands of tourists, and a plethora of English-speaking locals. We decided then that we’d be using Playa del Carmen as our base for exploring the Yucatan. We spent our time climbing the ruins of Coba and Chichen Itza, sunbathing on one of the best beaches in Tulum, swimming with sea turtles in Akumal, and eating our way through Valladolid. The one thing that had been missing from our explorations? An island. Isla Mujeres is found a few miles off the Caribbean coast, accessible via a short ferry ride from Cancun. The island is long and skinny — four miles in length but only 600 metres in width — and is a laid-back former fishing village, full of colourful buildings, surr...

Mexico Travel Guide & Budget Travel Tips Mexico Travel Guide Is it possible to travel Mexico on a budget? Learn how to plan your visit with my Yucatan Mexico travel guide — featuring travel tips, costs, things to do, where to stay, and more. The best of the country! First of all, Mexico is huge. It’s difficult to write a budget travel guide generalizing the entire diverse country. So this guide focuses on the Yucatan Peninsula, as it’s the region I’m most familiar with. I’ll share my favorite Mexican beaches, fun party towns, the best Mayan ruins to explore, where all the good cenotes are, and of course, give you tips on what kind food you need to try! I’ve worked hard putting this free guide together for you. If you find it useful, I would appreciate it if you use the affiliate links provided when you book hotels, rental cars or activities. If you do, I get paid a small commission, at no extra cost to you! Mexico Budget Travel Guide 2019 Mexico...