mayan ruins in tulum

The ruins in Tulum, Mexico.

On the second day of our cruise, we visited the Mayan ruins of Tulum. You can read more about it here.

After our ship docked in Cozumel, we walked to a high-speed ferry, and learned that the air-conditioning wasn't working. If that wasn't bad enough, the 30 minute ride to the mainland was VERY rough, and the ferry got tossed around like crazy. The workers were handing out bags so people could throw up. Then they came around with paper towels to people could mop themselves. I didn't get seasick, but I felt so bad for the people who did.

After we got off the ferry, we walked 20 minutes in the searing heat to the bus. Then the bus took us 45 minutes down the freeway to Tulum. All in all, it was quite an adventure just to get to the ruins.

It was totally worth it!!!!!!

I wanted to linger more at the sites, but we were on a tour and had to keep up with the group.

And it was hot. And I mean HOT. I have never felt heat like that in my entire life. I am a warm person anyway, so sweat was dripping down my arms and legs. I was like a walking waterfall with a bright pink face.

Here's a plug for Neutrogena Sunblock SPF 85 - this stuff is amazing, especially for me, who burns like mad. If my Casper-like freckly skin can survive a whole day in the hot Mexican sunshine wearing this, then it'll work for anyone.

After the tour, we were free to roam around for a half hour. We walked up to the cliffs, and below us was the most beautiful beach. The water was bright blue and looked so cool and inviting that I wanted to dash in with all my clothes on. I think I would have, if there was time.

Then we did the entire route in reverse, and ended up back at Playa del Carmen, where we stopped at Senor Frogs to drink a few beers, look out across the blue water, and wait for our ferry back to Cozumel.

It was such a fun, hot, sunny, exhausting, exhilarating day!

You can see the whole batch of photos here: