Bringing it down a notch

Because we have had so many complaints about how blue the sea and sky are, we thought that today we'd give you something a little bit different. We have been having some tropical storms here for the last few days and we got some awesome pics a couple of nights ago. Now you might ask us to remember what you should not do in a thunder storm.... find the highest point under what is essentially a big tree and take photos. It got especially exciting when fork lightning hot the bar opposite. Well they just carried on the drinks and music. Then of course three fire engines came rushing down the pedestrianised road outside our apartment and stopped two roads down from us. Don't know what had happened there because our view was obscured in that direction by the big palapa roof we were under. Before we made our hasty exit we managed to get a few shots. Thats right, we go into the heart of the danger zone so we can bring you the latest news and images from the Yucatan. We are Adam and Tess and this is what we do.

So here is the sky with no lightning
...And here it is lit up only by the lightning!

Crazy huh! On another note, Adam is building up his tolerance to cyanide having consumed a local Chaya plant leaf before it was cooked. It is a type of spinach that is only looses its cyanide content after being cooked. Before we realised this Adam decided to give it a taste raw. Luckily he only ate one leaf and so is fine... his body temperature is obviously so hot here in Mexico that he cooked it internally. Phew

Tulum

Sometimes we write a blog to inform, sometimes to keep you updated and on days like today its to make you jealous! Seriously sit down and look out of the window. Of the 200-odd people who viewed our blog the other day, I bet for at least 90% of you its grey. Check out our latest from the beautiful sight of Tulum (just down the coast). Maybe you could print out the pics, stick them on your window and imagine that that blue blue sea is your view!
Check out Tessa's new hat!

Calling for the fashion police

So there have been a lot of rumours circulating concerning a certain pair of sandals that Adam purchased to avoid a confrontation with a Meridan leather worker. I'd like to take this opportunity to say that he was complaining how ugly they were and I merely agreed with him! There has been so much controversy surrounding the infamous shoes that we thought that a blog post was required to let you all decide for yourselves. Tess

The sandals were purchased because I wanted to support the local craftsmen. No really! And I wanted to wear what all the Mexicans were wearing. Sadly the only people who wear this style of sandal are stupid tourists who have been conned by wily leather merchants. Also the leather stretched so the sandals ended up being approximately four sizes too big. After several weeks of pain (the delightful metal decorative features acted like a cheese grater against my skin) and negative reinforcement about them by Tess and local children... I was persuaded to go for something a little more stylish. Designer labels are the way forward and so I'd like to introduce my new Oakley flip flops. I still can't walk in the damn things but I am assured that I will learn the art. Also I seem to have lost my beard... if anyone finds it please pop it in the post and return it to me asap. Adam

LOST! Not just a beard but a very significant part of my character, I may look happy here but that is just the brightly coloured shirt therapy, I am crying on the inside.

Coba: back to the jungle

So today we visited another Maya site. I know what you are thinking... "oh no, another 200 pictures of random stones that make no sense on flickr". Well, hah, you will have to make do with photos of us playing around with a plant with really big leaves! key information about Coba that you can use for after dinner conversation:

1. Its really big! 12 stories up (137 ft), its the second tallest Mayan pyramid with great views over the jungle and lakes.
2. Scratch point 1, first mistake.. its not one site but over 6000 structures (many yet un-excavated hidden beneath the jungle). The site covers 31sq. miles.
3. Coba (water stirred by the wind in Maya) is the meeting point of several ancient white highways called sakbes in Maya.
4. The tall temple is called 'nohoch mul' and scaling it nearly killed Adam.
   

Like to take this time to note that I also saw my first wild crocodile at the site, hanging out in one of the lakes waiting to eat me. Very cool.

Ok I am on the hunt for a hat cause my poor round head is getting burnt. All I can find are sombreros, panamas, cowgirl hats, chav caps, big floppy things and little round wicker things with sunflowers in them... yuck! Any suggestions as to any nice styles of summer hats out there? All suggestions will be considered and pictures may help.

blog central exposed

The last 3 weeks we have been inundated with emails requesting the exact location of ?blog central?. So today we decided to lift the lid on one of the most sought after mysteries after the secret ingredients of KFC (I mean how do they take lovely chicken breast and make it taste so vile?) and what happens in Area 51? maybe it is just Kentucky fried alien we are eating?You may also be wondering why we have been mute for nearly two weeks. Well, without going into the dark and sordid conspiracy of what really happened on the island that shall not be named? we left and are now in Playa del Carmen. Since we have arrived here in Playa we have finally had several good nights sleep because our bed is massive and we have a fly screen balcony so its lovely and cool! Combine this with slow internet, beach time, very cool bars, a book shop and cable tv and you might get to the heart of the lack of blogging. So today's special treat will show you where and why we are here in Playa.

Things to note:
1. Adam knows that the photos are out of focus, hmm, seems taking photos every 7 steps on a beach makes you look like a pervert.
2. See if you can spot those people who think he is a pervert.
3. The bagel shop is amazing
4. Ah Cacao (our local café) serves the most amazing sipping chocolate I have ever experienced ? even as good or better that the one in Stockholm. That is serious chocolate goodness and the cake is just as good.
5. I am trying to persuade Adam to take his camera out at night to photo the gorgeous beach bars here. The street looks like a contemporary, bohemian wonderland, like the tropical version of Stockholm at Christmas, all lit by candles and with great music to set the mellow mood of Playa.

So here goes, enjoy?