Saturday, March 14, 2009

Do you dare to join the latest fashion trends of the Biosphere Reserve?


In order to learn more about the tours EcoColors is offering, I was sent another time from the office straight into the “wild” with only one mission: “Do as the tourists do” easy-peasy, nothing more natural to me -as a Tourism Management student- than that;)
The journey started in one of the comfortable EcoColors vans, the guide Claudio took us-a group of 11 multi-cultural explorers, 8 US Americans and a Canadian couple together with and myself as the German representative. Someone came to the conclusion that the Americans were the leading nation on this explorer vehicle, but was then reminded by the guide that there were about 110 Million Mexicans around. Besides all this, our focus of attention throughout the whole day was on Cindy and her belly: she was in her 6th month pregnant and everyone was making sure that she and the baby were safe and comfortable during the entire time.
On the way to Sian Ka’an along the highway, however, besides the crazy local drivers, we met too many obviously American tourists driving scared and stiff sitting behind the steering wheel in their cars. As eventually we got into traffic, we had the idea to hiss the American flag in order to make our compatriots give way to us…
However, once we got to the Biosphere Reserve, two boats were waiting to take us across the lagoon to the archaeological sights. It was very exciting to listen to our guide’s stories and get to know all the secrets of the Mayas. The ruins were still in a very good condition and I figured out that my size-as I am quite small for a German- would have been perfectly fitted into this time as those temples had just the perfect height for me standing.
After having put on the life jackets the other way around with our legs first, we accidentally happened to create a very funny and entertaining act on the footbridge, turning into our catwalk: A new trend was born; “The Sian Ka’an diaper-look”. Another group of visitors passed us in their boat on the way to the channels and couldn’t stop laughing, while taking pictures of us, apparently being the biggest attraction of the whole Reserve. It was hilarious! “Better than going to the movies”, we were told. We should have charged them some extra money or asked for tips…
Anyways, this very funny and sexy outfit was worn on purpose, as we later got to find out, when it turned out to be a very helpful mean to float through the channels. As Cindy mentioned that the baby wanted to know for how long we would be going, Alex said that we were eventually floating on our way to Cuba, and gave the advice to forget about any patriotism and set up the finest Canadian accent in order not to be identified as US citizens. Everyone had problems to flood and find buoyancy…It was so adventurous and nice to be so close to nature! After 900 meters (only!!! We all had the feeling it took ages) the boat was waiting at the very end of the channel and I wondered how would I get out of this now? “Like this” a voice said and I found myself dumped into the water. So eventually, I got to experience where the name of “Sian Ka’an” meaning “where the sky is born” comes from: while half way under water with only my eyes being over the surface, the same way a crocodile sneaks through the waters, I realized that I really could not tell any difference between the sky and the water, it had the same colour! There did not seem to have been any more horizons!
Later on at our hike through the jungle we found the so called “Tourist tree”: because if you put it in the sun, it turns red and peels off, like the skin of the tourists. Furthermore, we got to see huge leaves of the “Palapa-palm” used for the construction of roofs and orchids in the trees, very small and hidden, but so beautiful.
After very nice refreshment with the most exotic fruit in this beautiful scenery surrounded by tropical forest and the amazing lagoon, we went for a swim to the “Cristal” Cenote, where everyone got the chance to snorkel in the fresh water. Alex told us that the Mayas used to go swimming in those magic water holes in order to clean their spirits.
The highlight of Tulum was the best dinner ever: very spicy, very Mexican in a very cosy atmosphere to end this perfect day.
Conclusion of this awesome day out: I wanna float to Cuba again;)

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comment :) Enjoy the discounts Buy online www.ecotravelmexico.com the best tours such as Whale Shark, Sian Ka'an, Adventure, Nature, Cultural, Educational and more..