Today was the first of my day trips I had scheduled. Overnight I had developed a sore throat and cold surprisingly in 30 degree weather. Our new offices were blowing cold air on me from the overhead vents for a few days while they figured out the right settings after enough people complained. The plane was also blowing cold air during the four hour flight.For breakfast the hotel had buffet omelette and potato dishes to help energize me. My pickup time for my tour...

Having checked into my hotel I now wanted to arrange all the day trips they provided. Their sister hotel by Chichen Itza runs trips to Ek Balam another ruin further to the north east. Originally I planned to check out during the Chichen Itza tour, stay over at their Chichen Itza hotel, do the Ek Balam tour next day, then arrange for transport back to Merida.This was too complicated to explain by email and best to do in person. When she called their other hotel to...

In all my travels across Europe, Asia, or the Middle East I have never explored the Americas south of New York City or Chicago. Part of my reluctance to Central and South America were food and language issues.Having exhausted much of Europe and Asia and looking for a low budget option I decided to pay interest to the Americas. Lately I've been watching shows about a lot of the Maya civilizations so wanted to explore options to see the ruins.Most package vacations...

Today I was leaving Quebec after my extended weekend break. My flight was at 2.40pm so I was hoping to leave the place I was staying by noon after sleeping in and late breakfast.I'd booked thru Airbnb and when I checked the calendar for this week nobody was staying after me for two days so no rush to leave. Then I got a text from the owner that someone had booked, the cleaner was coming at 11am and could I be out.I went back to the poutine place for one last heav...

Final stop today on my last day was to the Observatoire de la Capitale. This is the top floor of an office building downtown so isn't much to look at from the outside.Entrance was $12 but I got 20% off discount from my admission to the Musee de la Civilisation.You take an elevator to the 31st floor which is the top, the lower floors are all offices so it could make a stop for people travelling between floors.Despite the bland exterior it was a nice view when you ...