Our first stop was Chichen Itza which was the highlight of the day. This was a later Mayan site with a mix of temples and residences, set over a large area and the largest pelote court discovered. Our guide was a bit slow and kept stopping to talk so I moved off on some occasions, fearful that we weren't going to get around. There were masses of stalls selling wares which seems to detract from the dignity of the place but they are descendents of the Mayas and it is how they make their living. We saw them carrying their wares on carts and on their backs from the local village.
There were some great carvings and decorations but also areas where renovation had taken place.
From here we drove to Play a del Carmen, our last stop in Mexico. Our hotel is near the seafront and main shopping street. It was quickly apparent that there are a lot of tourist shops, and the beach front has a lot of hotels. Possibly more commercial than I anticipated but we were told that this vibrant commercialism is the new Mexico and gives a lot of people a livelihood and home.
Julie and I had a great lunch in a recommended restaurant called 100% natural, then went on a walk with our guide.
Later Julie and I had an ice cream and walked along the beach.
We saw a local show in the public square and returned avoiding approaches of all the local shopkeepers.
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