Beach Finds Xpu-Ha Mexico

Xpu-Ha Beach is a local beach and resort area 21 miles south of Playa Del Carmen Mexico. The area is remote away from the City noise and busy tourists spots as well close to Ancient Mayan coastal City of Tulum. Cenote Manati, one of the largest natural water cenotes is located at the north end of the Bay making the sleepy coastal town a favorite of serious divers. 

Beaches in the Mexican Rivera allow for foot traffic, so getting out of the resort to walk down the beach will fill an afternoon with local wonders, different shopping areas and access to more activities. You can rent jets skis, water sporting equipment, take a sunset sailboat ride or go parasailing. Divers can expect to get a discount on diving excursions booked through local dive shops on

the beach rather than book through the resort. Local merchants set up shopping areas and stroll up and down the beach offering hats, cigars and souvenirs to tourists lounging  at each resort. These merchants work on a system of negotiation with no set prices. Ask several vendors their price before buying an item. Having both local currency and US currency helps. 

Xpu-Ha is somewhat undeveloped, so an afternoon walk for me turned into a geological adventure. I stumbled upon a beach of fossilized coral. The Yucatan Peninsula, the exposed portion of the larger Yucatan Platforms is mostly limestone and believed to have been formed 65 million years ago when an asteroid hit somewhere in the Caribbean basement. The shock-waves of this impact are believed to have created the famous 'Ring of Cenotes'.

Recently archaeologists connected two of the largest cave systems on the Peninsula, the Sac Actun and Dos Ojos networks. In these caves, they discovered Mayan relics, an elaborate shrine to the God of War and Commerce and the remains of a giant sloths. In the treasure trove of artifacts, divers found ceramics, human remains, wall hangings and animal remains enabling archaeologists to date pieces of the cave all the way back to the Pliestocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) 

Fossilized coral is easy to find in patches on remote, untouched parts of the beach. There are so many types of coral frozen in time in the rocks, blue coral, brain coral and pillar coral. Fan coral and brain coral are scattered all over the beach. Some of these specimens are not dead, they can be thrown back in to reattach to the reef. Most Countries have rules about taking rocks, shells and coral from beaches. Most tourist take home a small amount of shells and coral from Mexico with no issue. Check with customs in the arriving Country to be sure they allow these items back in to the Country. You may need to claim them on the customs form. 

If you can't take a favorite beach find home, be sure to get a picture of the item. These photos can be made into home decor or end up in a scrap book later keeping the memory of finding the treasure without the hassle of taking it home. Beaches Playa Del Carmen south have lots of little shells to find, so take a couple of zip lock backs for transport. Also, rinse anything you take home with you thoroughly and be sure there are no live creatures living in the shells you find. 

Look for My reviews of Tulum and Playa Del Carmen All Inclusive Resorts posting soon! 

Happy Treasure Hunting, Beach Bums!

Hanging with the Howler Monkeys, Travel Belize

The Community Baboon Sanctuary located in the Bermudian Landing in rural Belize was established in 1985 by Dr. Robert Horwich, an American primatologist working with local landowners and conservation groups to designate jungle for the purpose of conservation. 12 landowners in Bermudian Landing established a cooperative agreement to preserve the jungle for the howler monkey, many species of birds and fauna. The sanctuary spans 30 miles along the river basin and is home to thousands of howler monkeys, known to the locals as baboons. 

Community Baboon Sanctuary

Found in South American rain forests in Belize, Brazil, Paraguay, Eastern Bolivia and Northern Argentina, howler monkeys are the loudest of any land animal. Each has an enlarged hyoid bone, allowing for the noises they make which is fundamental to communication. Every day at dusk and dawn, group male monkeys call out to other males in area who then call back. This call allows all of the Monkeys to figure out where to gather food that day based on where each monkey tribe is feeding and where each group settles for the night. When two tribes cross paths in the trees, conflict arises between the lead monkeys in the form of howling, leaping and fighting. These fights are infrequent, but vicious and can result in severe injury. 

When I arrived in Belize, I had the great pleasure of hiring Daniellia's Shuttle Service who recommended stopping at the site on the way to the hotel. It was an absolute pleasure as this was my first up close experience interacting with these magnificent creatures. I arrived mid afternoon and was given a private tour with a guide. With the guide, I took a short hike down a jungle path. It wasn't long before we could hear rustling in the trees above us and the first monkeys appeared. The guide called to them and signaled he had banana treats for them to enjoy. 

Howler Monkeys are herbivores eating a diet mainly comprised of leaves and tree vines, flowers and tropical fruit found in the trees. The guide told me the bananas are like candy to the monkeys, not being a part of their normal diet. The Father Monkey was completely in control of his clan at all times. The Babies would not come down to eat the banana until given permission by their Father with a nod of the head and hand gesture. As the young monkeys climbed down to enjoy the tasty treat being offered by the guide, the Father remained above with a watchful eye. 

We didn't see any female monkeys out and about. Howler monkeys are one of the few primates whose females have a blonde coat, so they would have stood out. 

There is a place on site to buy souvenirs, a visitors center and museum. I picked up a couple of hand carved bowls and a magnet of a howler monkey carved out of wood. The museum had lots of information on the history of the monkey as well as plants and birds who call the sanctuary home. I loved seeing how every plant, insect and animal have a specific role to play in the jungle. The vines live symbiotically with the trees, the insects fertilize and aerate the soil and so on. The jungle is an amazing place. 

Bring a sturdy pair of shoes for this trip and bug spray. It is the jungle after all. If you are staying at a local hotel or planning a trip, Danielia's Shuttle Service is available for excursions as well as rides to and from the airport. Danielia's drivers are well informed about the area, their vehicles are clean and air conditioned. Danielia also offers transportation to other attractions in the area including Mayan Ruins and Cave Tours. Look for more posts on Traveling Belize in the future. 

Happy Travels! 

Surviving Airports, Pieces of a Traveler's Playlist

Airports are stressful places. To the average traveler, Airports can seem chaotic, overwhelming and confining. Experienced travelers feel the same way. One thing I do to improve the quality of my airport experience is listen to music. I have many songs on my Airport Play List. Here are 6 of my favorites.

1. On the Way Cesare Mix Kilo Kush - Ipanema Beach House 

DJ Cesare enjoyed a successful career as a soccer player before beginning his music career with the release of first EP Ipanema Beach House Remixes, released by French record label Kitsune in 2015. The album features several collaborations with well known artists from around the Globe offering a Latin touch to World Music. On the Way is the first track on the album, a collaboration with Kilo Kish of Los Angeles. Kilo Kish or Lakisha Robinson takes a cross medium approach to her career having dabbled in song writing, fashion design, conceptual art design and music production. Her first full length LP, Reflections in Real Time was released in 2016 under her own label. 

This is one of My favorite Airport Play list songs offering, mellow, methodical beats and introspective messaging. Sensual and welcoming, Kilo Kush's vocals speak of someone traveling to meet someone else. There are internal obstacles as the traveler realizes the journey itself is part of the conflict leading to a sort of indifference to the journey itself. I love this song in airports because whether I travel to a place or to meet people. I am on my way. Travel creates a sort of internal conflict between anticipation and concern forcing us to truly appreciate the 'now'. You will be in limbo until you arrive. Worrying about the destination is a waste of energy. May as well appreciate the time spent in route. 

Cesare on SoundCloud
Cesare on Spotify
Cesare on Facebook
Cesare on Twitter: @cesaremusic

Kilo Kish Website
Kilo Kish on Facebook
Kilo Kish on Twitter: @kilokish
Kilo Kish on Instagram: @kilokish

Don't You know Gramatik - SB #2

Gramatix, or Denis Jasarevic, is a Slovenian music producer now currently based in New York. His first album dropped in 2008 and remained on the top 100 chill out charts for 6 months, with 8 more albums to follow in subsequent years. Don't You Know appears on the album Street Bangerz Volume II released in 2009. This instrumental piece  is one of the best airport play list songs. The mellow funk beat somehow calms my nerves and makes me feel like I am in the flow, the jet stream of travelers experiencing the same limbo, existing between here and there. The head bopping beat is not so slow I fall asleep waiting for a flight and not too fast to allow anxiety to become overwhelming. It's just right. 

Gramatik Website
Gramatik on Facebook
Gramatik on Twitter: @gramatik
Gramatik on Instagram: @gramatik_lowtemp

Drift Away Pretty Lights 

Pretty Lights or Derek Vincent Smith is an American Electronic Music Producer who took over the music festival scene in 2004 as the opening act for STS9, The Disco Biscuits and Widespread Panic to name a few. 4 studio albums, several singles later and live albums later, Pretty Lights continues to break the mold of live electronic music. Using digital sampling, Pretty Lights combines elements of electronic music with hip hop and soul from manipulated samples and organic beats to create Electro Hip Hop Soul at its finest. Drift Away can be found on the studio album Glowing in the Darkest Night released in 2010 under the Pretty Lights Label. 

This instrumental is extremely visual to me. I can imagine the beats moving through the airport with me creating an organic connection between soul and physical circumstance. It's almost as if I have an out of body experience, floating above myself watching the comings and goings from far away. The music takes my mind out of the hustle and bustle of transportation into internal spaces where I contemplate perpetual energy, rhythmic movement and organized chaos. It's the perfect state of mind for traveling. 

Pretty Lights Website
Pretty Lights on Soundcloud

Pretty Lights on Facebook

Music Sounds Better with You Neil Frances 

Music Sounds Better with You was originally produced by Stardust, a French House Band working under the Roule Label. Released in 1998, the song samples the song Fate by American singer Chaka Khan and was listed as number 11 in the 100 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time by UK's MixMag Magazine. The original version is an incredible dance song and resides in several of my dance, workout and walking play lists, but is a little too fast to make it to the airport play list. However, in 2017 Neil Frances remixed the song with a slower, more chill beat making this song a new favorite for travel. 

Up and coming duo Neil Frances, based in Los Angeles, California began their careers as pop songwriters in early 2016 before hitting the studio to record their own LP. They have been releasing singles from the album throughout 2017. Listed as Dance, Electronic, Indie and Pop, Neil Frances converges their past experiences into a comfortable methodical beat perfect for a transient experience. The repetitive beat is perfect for navigating the airport. This song reminds me not to over think anything happening during transport. The mellow trip hop/indie beat justs keeps pumping along, consistent with everything else happening in an airport. We are all just chugging along.

Neil Frances Website
Neil Frances on Facebook
Neil Frances on Soundcloud
Neil Frances on Twitter: @Neil_Frances
Neil Frances on Instagram: @neilfrances

6 Degrees Audiofly featuring Fiora 

Audiofly, DJs Anothony Middleton and Luca Saporito began working together in 2002 in the United Kingdom and has released one studio album, several LP's and singles in the deep house genre of electronic music. They are currently based in Barcelona. Fiora Cutler is an Australian singer songwriter, composer and record producer based in Berlin. 6 Degrees was released as a single in 2011. 

This song reminds me how interconnected everything is and where I see myself in the grand scheme of things. I'm reminded every person has a place and purpose, which instills patience when things don't go according to plan. There is a reason for everything. Even delays have their purpose. The underlying ambient beat moves in sync with the flow of airport traffic, while sound bites mixed in periodically remind me of landing and taking off.

Audiofly on Facebook
Audiofly on Soundcloud
Audiofly on Instagram: @weareaudiofly

Fiora Website
Fiora on Facebook
Fiora on Twitter: @fioramusic
Fiora on Instagram: @fioramusic

Breathe Telepopmusik

Telepopmusik is French Electronic Trio, Fabrice Dumont, Stephan Haeri and Christophe Hetier.  Breathe was released as a single in 2002, peaking at #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Party List. It was later included on the album Genetic World. Angela McClusky, a scottish singer-songwriter  based in California performs the lyrics. 

If we could hear our brains working, this song would be what mine sounds like. The silky melody and beat timing represent the symbiotic relationship between thought and movement. The lyrics remind me today is just another day like any other day even though I am traveling. Just breathe is a fantastic reminder to sick back into the experience and enjoy it for exactly what it is... another day. 

Telepopmusik on Facebook
Telepopmusik on Soundcloud
Telepopmusik on Twitter: @telepopmusiktm
Telepopmusik on Instagram: @telepopmusiktm

Angela McCluskey Website

Angela McCluskey on Facebook

Angela McCluskey on Twitter: @angelamccluskey

It's a lot of fun to make playlists before travel. I encourage everyone to take time to explore music for any situation, not just travel. Look for more posts containing travel playlist ideas in the near future. Happy Travels! 

Visit Chichen Itza, Ollamaliztli, The Ballgame

Central to Society in Northern Maya Lowlands, Chichen Itza is the largest Maya Metropolitan City and considered to have had the most diverse culture. Serving as a political, economical and cultural center, ruling parties established the water port city, Isla Cerritos for importing obsidian from Central Mexico and Gold from Central America. In it's prime, the City held jurisdiction over Maya civilization from Central Yucatan to the North coast, extending down the east and west coasts of the Peninsula and is considered the reason for the decline of Coba as a central trading city. 

El Castillo, Main Step Pyramid

Built in the Terminal Classic Period, Chichen Itza enjoyed prosperity in North Maya from the late Classic (c AD 600 - 900) through the Terminal Classic (c. AD 800 - 900) and into the early portion of the Postclassic period (c. AD 900 - 1200). In addition to El Castillo, the main step pyramid, Chichen Itza houses Cenote Segrado, a place of pilgrimage and site of sacrifices during drought, several temples, a wall of skull carvings representing those sacrificed and a steam bath. 

Chichen Itza houses the largest Ball Court found to date. It is believed the Ballgame, or ollamaliztli, was associated with human sacrifice rituals. The game is seen as a battle between life and death, courts considered portals to the underworld. Further archaeological discoveries show the ballgame may have had multiple purposes. For instance, Women may have competed with each other in fertility rituals. Children were taught the game at a young age and competed locally and regionally for rank. Ball courts are present in most Mayan Cities, however, they are much smaller and appear to have been used for local rituals, training and player selection. Later, teams would travel to play in Chichen Itza during regional competition. The ballgame was played by most mesoamerican societies including the later Aztec Civilization. 

Mayan Ballgame Hoop

At rare times, game was played by royalty. Winning meant rain for the season and bountiful crops. Losing meant the people would experience terrible wrath from the Snake Gods.  There are many examples where Ruling members used the ballgame to defuse and resolve conflict wagering everything from gold to maize corn, even territory on the outcomes. The Maya believed whether playing for Life or for Sacrifice, doing so made them an active participant in the cosmic order of the Universe. Everything about Maya belief is an extension of the cultural interpretation of individual relationships with the afterlife. Everything about collective Mayan expression revolves around ritual and ceremony as a way to control part of the outcome. 

Maya Ballplayer

The game was played by two opposing teams of two to four people. Each team is confined to half of the court with the object being to volley a 9 lb solid rubber ball back and forth using only their hips until one team fails to return it. The mason courts were long open spaces with steeply inclined sides and a stone circle hoop installed in the top center of each side. Players would use their hips to propel the ball through the stone circle for point advantage, though no one is sure of the actual point systems or official rules observed by the ancient Maya. It is noted the game itself was extremely difficult and caused players severe bruising among other common injury. It is hard to imagine the game being played by so few players on such a large field as Chichen Itza. Running up steep inclines, volleying a dense heavy ball without the use of their hands is an impressive feat. It is believed the winners of ritual ballgames were the ones to be sacrificed. Modern society can only marvel at the idea of competing for death where the prize is the players demise. Mayan society considered sacrificing their lives to the God the ultimate honor, martyring themselves for the benefit of the whole of their communities. 

Chichen Itza is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site and a must see when traveling to the Yucatan Peninsula. Tours can be arranged through any hotel, resort or through designated tour companies in local townships. The drive from the Rivera Maya is approximately three hours one way. Lunch is provided at the archaeological site, but plan for a long day. Staying onsite at Hacienda Chichen Resort and Maya Spa allows for more immersive Chichen Itza experience as guests enjoy planetarium shows,  night astrology activities and private tours of the area. 

Hacienda Chichen Resort and Maya Spa

Look for more posts on visiting Chichen Itza and other Mayan sites from The Grand Adventure of the Blond Brunette in the near future. Email BlondeBrunetteAdventure@gmail.com for tips and advise on planning a trip to The Yucatan Peninsula.

6 Reasons I Travel and Why You Should, Too

"Not all who Wander are lost." JRR Tolkien 

Travel is imperative to expanding one's perspective.  Leaving comfort zones to sleep in unfamiliar places,  eat foods foreign to our tastes and know how others live does more than make us resilient and adaptable. It makes us whole.  These are the moments we choose to replay in our minds after the vacation is over.  Adventures bring us closer together or as traveling individuals,  allow our souls to breathe.  There are so many profound reasons to travel. Here are My top 6. 

1. To meet new people

"Find life experiences and swallow them whole. Travel. Meet many People. Go down some dead ends and explore dark alleys.  Try everything.  Exhaust yourself in the glorious pursuit of life."   -Lawrence K. Fish 

Everyone You meet has a story. Hearing other people's stories brings us closer as a human race.  People really do want the same things,  good health, comfort and a space to grow as an individual.  Everyone goes through similar life cycles, some have children,  some adults have grown children and now care for elderly parents, others are great grandparents.  Getting out of familiar places and sharing stories allows each of us to feel closer to those who live in far away places and know our similarities.  

2. To be more resilient 

"Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends,  your daily routines,  your refrigerator full of food,  your closet full of clothes - with all this taken away,  you are forced into direct experience.  Such direct experience inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience.  That's not always comfortable,  but it is invigorating."  -Michael Crichton

Travel can be uncomfortable,  yes. Any trip out of Your comfort zone is scary.  Some refuse to travel for fear of the unknown, but discomfort can be a beautiful thing.  Through travel, we learn to expect the unexpected in delightful ways.  Getting sidetracked and stuck may seem dreadful in the day to day grindstone,  but when traveling,  time feels different.  Experiencing the unexpected teaches us faith that we are always where we need to be and so we learn to adapt.  It's vacation,  after all! Where do You need to be in such a hurry? 

3. To Learn Tolerance and Achieve Understanding

"It's important that we share our experiences with other people.  Your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else.  When you tell your story,  you give yourself and give other people permission to acknowledge their own story."  -Iyanla Vanzant 

Every single human being in the World has basic needs,  shelter,  water,  food.  Traveling allows us to learn how others mitigate these needs.  In the jungle,  people often get their food from the fruit bearing trees and do not understand grocery stores.  On the beach,  the food comes from the sea and is present in every meal.  Immersing Yourself in other cultures expands your perspective in immersive and multidimensional ways.  

4. Adventure

"Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures."  -Lovelle Drachman

Hike, Swim in the Ocean, Climb a Mountain, Sail a Ship! Who doesn't love adventure? Through exploration We conquer our fears, set goals and achieve them, raise our heart rates in a good way and let genuine smiles radiate from the inside out. The feeling anything can be achieved comes back wth us to daily life after the trip.  Those who adventure,  take more risks and reap the benefits in their day to day lives.  Those who don't feel stagnated and marginalized. 

5. To Feel More Human

"The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience every day things as if for the first time."  -Bill Bryson 

Traveling puts us in situations where We understand the Human Experience.  We appreciate the journey more and are able to have gratitude for what's really important in life.  Experiencing many cultures allows You to be more comfortable with Yourself. The World feels less chaotic knowing everyone in it has the same passions,  desires and billions of ways to express them.  Bringing home pieces of culture keeps a sense of wonder about a place long after You are gone.   

6. To Get in Touch with the Divine 

"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the World." -Mary Anne Radmacher

Travel creates a spiritual restlessness.  It's the feeling inciting us to rise early to see the sunrise in a far away place and go to bed late to watch the same night sky as the locals.  These private moments of gratitude have bring us closer to our divine spiritual divine.   

"Your heart is the size of an Ocean. Go find Yourself in its hidden depths." Rumi

It's easier than you think to plan a trip.  Start a Bucket list and make a plan.  I'll be posting an entire series on ways to plan tangible trips You can take soon.  Stay tuned! 

The Grand Adventures of the Blonde Brunette is a collection of my travels published with the intent to help others enjoy traveling comfortably, creating lifelong memories out of enriching cultural experiences.  The World is My Playground.