The Magic of the Maya World

  Join me next February for an adventure to Chiapas, 

The Magic of the Maya World

I have led tours to a glorious old, old part of Mexico in the southern state of Chiapas.  We experienced its ancient Maya monuments and temples, visited with its warm and friendly people and saw firsthand the incredible work these artisans create.  They were such a memorable trips.  One lady friend, who has been on all of my Mexico tours, sent me the nicest note in which she wrote, "I can't thank you enough for planning the 'Grande Adventure' trip to Chiapas.  I can't think of anything I would have changed.  It was one of the best so far!"  I had hired a wonderful driver with a spacious Sprinter van and a very knowledgeable historian who was our guide the entire trip.  I could not have had a better crew.

They were such great trips and so different than my other Mexican tours, that I have decided to lead another tour to Chiapas.  The Magic of the Maya World journey is set for February 20 - 28, 2020.  Below are just some of the highlights of the upcoming trip!

 The first night will be spent at a quaint hotel right in Chiapa de Corzo.  (See my post dated April 20, 2017 to read about the town's square and history)

The next morning we will visit the pristine plaza before heading down the river

where we will visit one of Chiapa's most important natural wonders when we take a boat trip up the Grijalva River.  The river winds through the Canon de Sumidero whose limestone walls reach a kilometer high in some places.  A haven for all kinds of birds and Spider monkeys.  (See my post dated June 28, 2016 on more photos of the Canon)

We'll spend three nights in San Cristobal de Las Casas in a lovely hotel right in the historic center.  San Cristobal de Las Casas was founded in 1528 and is full of historic churches, museums and old architecture.  There is a large artisan market right next to the Santo Domingo church.

Chiapas is known for its textiles: huipiles, rebozas, blankets, purses, table runners... You will find creative pottery from Amantenanga del Valle.  The area is famous for its amber and we will visit one of the best jewelry stores in town.

A visit to the beautiful Ex-Convento de Santo Domingo which is home to the Museo de Los Altos.  There is a phenomenal Maya textile collection located on the second floor.  The main floor showcases Pre-Colombian textiles and carvings, paintings and religious artifacts from the Spanish conquistadors along with displays giving an overview of the diverse indigenous groups in the region.

An example of the colorful architecture in San Cristobal de Las Casas.

Calle de Guadalupe in the historic center of San Cristobal de Las Casas is one of the pedestrian streets, lined with quaint restaurants, galleries and shops.

  
A side trip from San Cristobal de Las Casas will take us north to San Juan Chamula in the Highlands.  One of the most interesting churches with an interior that is like no other in Mexico.  (See my post dated April 28, 2016)

I have specifically planned the itinerary on these dates so we will be in San Juan Chamula during Carnival.  Carnival is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration before the Catholic Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.  Beginning the weekend before Lent, Carnival is celebrated exuberantly with parades, costumes, music and dancing in the streets.

It is an exciting time during Carnival and something one should not miss.

A visit to the colorful Sunday market in the Highland's village of Zinacantan.

The church in Zinacantan was beautifully decorated with flowers grown nearby (a big industry in this area).

Each Chiapas highland village has their own unique attire, hand-woven that is embellished with a cross-stich or embroidery.  The embroidered shawls worn by the women in Zinacantan were just exquisite.  (See my post dated February 26, 2016 for more photos and information about Zinacantan).

As we leave San Cristobal de Las Casas, we will travel through gorgeous countryside on the way to the jungle setting of Palenque.

We will spend the morning in Tonina, one of the best Maya archaeological sites that sees very little visitors.  This ball court is one of the Maya's largest, almost 200 feet long and unique with its sunken construction.

Tonina (Tzetltal Mayan for House of Stone) is believed to be the last major city to succumb to the abrupt collapse that hit the Maya in the 9th century.

The view from the top with the spectacular view of the valley.  After all the climbing, we relaxed over a picnic lunch and an ice cold beer at the site.

Two nights will be spent at the Chan-Kah Resort.  Set in a manicured jungle setting, you will have your own casita while enjoying the huge main pool and the open-air restaurant with a wonderful view.

The Palenque ruins are the crown jewel of the archaeological sites not only in Chiapas but in the entire Maya empire.  

There is a sense of sophistication about Palenque.  (For more information on Palenque, check out my post on my Blog:  August 28, 2017, March 21, 2017 and March 31, 2017).

After touring the ruins, we will visit the fabulous museum where you will see many pieces that are almost perfectly preserved.

Part of the fun getting to the ruins of Yaxchilan is the smooth, the 45-minute boat ride down  the Usumacinta River which divides Mexico and Guatemala.  The scenery is magnificent and you may spot a Howler monkey up in a riverside tree.

Yaxchilan, an ancient city overlooking the Osumacinta River, has a magical feel to it.  The setting was just enchanting, as were the ruins.

Bonampak is a modest archaeological sight in comparison to the other, but it has some of the best Maya murals ever discovered.  The brightly colored frescoes are amazing.  One shows a fierce jungle battle scene where another shows the crowning of a boy king.

I could go on and on about the wonderful adventures in the unique part of Mexico.

If you are interested in joining me, please send me an email with your address and I will send you a detailed itinerary along with pricing.

Saludos,

Robin

robindsg@aol.com

Flowers on the Wall... Colorful Mexico!

Being the start of summer and my love of flowers, I thought I would post a piece on the some of the beautiful planters and plants that adorn the colorful walls in Mexico.  Something my mom just loved too.
Calle Mesones in San Miguel de Allende, across from my favorite bakery, La Petit Four.  I had never seen these pots look so magnificent as they did the day when I I shot this.

What a stunning entry, the wall of potted orchids at La Cathedral Restaurant in Oaxaca City.  I take my groups here every time for comida (lunch).

Talk about lush plants.  This is the interior courtyard of the home and workshop of the Jacobo and Maria Angels family where they carve and intricately paint the Alebrijes (wood figures) in the town of San Martin, located just south of Oaxaca City.

I was intrigued by this four-sided, tiered pot stand that was in a courtyard in Oaxaca City.  What a clever idea.

A rather crude but so attractive, this plant holder is just beautiful against the old stucco wall.

So simple but so inviting!

I simply adore this colorful and spotlessly clean restaurant the I take my group to when down in the Oaxaca countryside.  One of my favorite dishes here is their stuffed Squash blossoms. 

What a clever and colorful way to display the plants.

At our last home in San Miguel de Allende, my mom's pride and joy, these clay pots with the voluptuous succulents in them

and this "Burro Tail" that we were always amazed at.

Canales, down spouts, in San Miguel de Allende.  No longer functioning as a down spout but as a wonderful planter made by nature.

Every time I go up to El Charco, the botanic gardens outside of San Miguel de Allende, I marvel at the colorful Bougainvillea and the flowering hedge at one of the house near El Charco.

Okay, I know these are not flowers but I had to throw this in at the end.  At a restaurant in Oaxaca City.  What a clever idea on what to do with wine and liquor bottles.

Honoring my mother, Lorraine

My mom, Lorraine Rubie Mullen, left this world on the 29th of April.  This past Saturday I had an open house in honor of her and I invited those who had known her well over the last few years in Denver.

My mom loved peonies and she was crazy about the baskets in Mexico.  So I made an arrangement of over 50 peonies in a basket I had recently bought in Oaxaca.

I made over 30 tent cards with photos of her on each side and I wrote the date of the photo and where it had been taken under each photo.  Everyone loved them, especially my dad.  I made my spicy pecans, a Spanish Coco (a flat bread with caramelized onions, piquillo peppers and Manchego cheese) and a spinach and artichoke dip with seasoned pita chips.   My mom was always so proud of me, I could just hear her saying, "That Robin!".

The weather was really strange that day.  It started out cold and gloomy.  Then around 12:30, big snow flakes started to come down and then it turned into rain.  But at 1:15, the sun came out!  My mom wasn't going to have bad weather ruin her celebration.  I also hired a couple who I have used for large parties before to come in and bar tend and serve.  She would have loved that.

The dining table on the back patio with more flowers and photo tent cards.

The kitchen counter had a big arrangement of Sunflowers and Irises.  I bought that gorgeous copper pot on one our adventures together over in Santa Clara de Cobre in the state of Michoacan in Mexico.  She and my dad loved that area and searching out the different artisans in the mountain villages.   The three of us explored that area often, especially when I was on my buying trips for my import sales.

Here are just some of the photos I put on the tent cards.  This was taken in front of the San Francisco church in San Miguel de Allende, 2009.  This is when her cousin, Marje, and Marje's daughter, Jill, from Minneapolis came to visit us at our casa in San Miguel. 

At the Denver Botanic Gardens, touring the Chihuly exhibition, 2014.

An exceptional day north of Colima, Mexico at the Hacienda de San Antonio.  What an exquisite property.  2004.

 Having a picnic up at Barr Lake, just north-east of Denver.  Fall - 2016.

 One of my mom's favorite restaurants in Denver, The Capital Grill.  On their anniversary, June 19, 2013.   

Another anniversary dinner at The Capital Grill, 2015.  This coming June would have been their 71st anniversary!

A typical scene, my parents sitting in the jardin (main square) in front of the Parroquia (the parish church) in San Miguel de Allende.

 At Carter's 60th birthday party - Scottsdale - spring 2010.

Hamming it up.  A friend of mine gave her these "royal slippers" so I had her model them for me while reading Majesty magazine.  She just loved reading about the Royals.

When Carter and my dad would go on their annual Dove and Duck hunting trips down in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico, my mom would come up from Scottsdale for the week and we always had the best time.  One of the highlights was having crab legs (and a lot of butter) for dinner along with a bottle of Spanish Cava.

 We moved to Arizona in 1962 from Minnesota.  The Phoenix Airport back when...

 More Arizona.  I loved that sweater that my mom had on.

Up on a rooftop restaurant that overlooks the Parroquia in San Miguel de Allende - 2012.

My mom was always up for an adventure, upbeat,  always beautifully dressed,  just a real lady.   My parents traveled through out Europe, especially Ireland, and Mexico.  They had custom-built homes that my mom decorated beautifully.  She was so talented and really embraced life.  

She was the best mom, wife, mother-in-law and friend.  

She is sincerely missed. 

Love you Mom!! 

PS:  

A special thanks to those who contributed to making Saturday such a special day.  Patsy and Tom W., The Green Girls (Holly, Jill, Shelley and Leslie) and Debbi W.