Return to Huajuapan: Cerro de las Minas

It's been 2 years since our first visit to the charming and friendly town of Huajuapan.
http://alackofcleardirection.blogspot.com/2009/09/journey-to-huajuapan-de-leon.html
http://alackofcleardirection.blogspot.com/2009/10/back-on-road-to-crucecita-bathroom.html
This year UTM hosted another teachers conference and this trip we had enough extra time to visit the ruins.



Obviously this is not a big tourist destination but it is definitely worth the trip.








I suspect that very few tourists ever go there. Locals use the place for picnics. Everything is kept very clean. Young lovers climb the hill for privacy and inspiration.





If you really don't care for historical ruins, the site has fantastic panoramic views of the town below.






























These colleagues of mine are just as relaxed as they look, possibly even more so.

Tulum. Brought to you by....

Everyone takes the same pictures at all the major vacation destinations like Tulum. These are mine.




Check out this vandalized banner outside the entrance for a big corporate whore house in Playa del Carmen. Either somebody felt morally affronted by the sleazery or a local competitor wanted to lower the profile.

There were giant "Welcome to Tulum" signs with bigger than life pictures of Dos Equis beer and none of the ruins. How does a brewery fit in here? Anybody?


I don't get quite as excited about ruins as some people. I like beaches and my favorite thing about the ruins of Tulum is that they come with a nice sandy cove.



Here's the beach on the west side of the ruins, about 3 km long, way better than the one by Hotel Papaya Playa.


The cabanas were more upscale and in much better shape. Guess what? They were all cheaper too at 200 pesos instead of 300. Ignore that guy at the bus station and ask the taxi driver to take you to Diamante or Azul Kim or grab a tourist map and pick a place at a random. You'll probably do better than I did.