Valladolid

Today we moved on to the beautiful colonial city of Valladolid in the interior of the Yucatan Peninsula, about an hour and a half by bus west of Tulum. This area has a colorful history. In the mid 1800’s the local Maya Indians revolted in a conflict now known as the War of the Castes. As a result, the enslaving Spaniards were forced from the Yucatan and the region officially became a part of Mexico. Also, exactly 100 years ago this month, a group here in Valladolid created the spark (“la chispa” in Spanish) that started the Mexican Revolution.

The town is colorful and vibrant with wide streets, an inviting, tree shaded zocalo (town square)


and beautiful historical buildings including the San Gervasio church built in the 1700’s.


Our Hotel Zaci is a great value ($35/night with air conditioning) and charming to boot (pink building on left in street scene below, interior courtyard below that).



This afternoon Mike watched the Denmark/Cameroon World Cup match in air conditioned comfort (recovering from all that fishing) while I explored with camera in hand, arranged for transportation for tomorrow, and visited a local museum (see bowl with human teeth below).


Dinner out tonight and the ruins of Chichen Itza tomorrow - HAPPY TRAILS!