spaswinefood

4. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tobasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

5. Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán

6. Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time

7. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico at Thanksgiving

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico at Thanksgiving

2011-11-30T15:46:00.000-08:00

After two weeks on the road we took some down time at Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. We took a week to relax at the Mayan Palace Resort on the Mayan Riviera. The Mayan Palace is a great place, just to kick back and relax over Thanksgiving.

Wharf in front of Mayan Palace Resort

Each year holiday resorts and restaurants around the world hosts Thanksgiving celebrations for their guests. Since the Mayan Palace resort had an event planned for Thanksgiving event we bought tickets shortly after arrival, such that we could attend.

The resort has a number of restaurants. This year’s Thanksgiving was held at Restaurante Del Lago.

Restaurante del Lago

It was a dinner buffet. While the Thanksgiving Holiday is a time for turkey and pumpkin pie it is also a time for fruits and vegetables. The wide variety of foods available at Thanksgiving time gave rise to celebration at this time of the year.

Thanksgiving display

Thanksgiving display at the entrance to Restaurante Del Lago

The following photos illustrate the happenings around turkey, fruits and vegetables at the Thanksgiving celebration:

Friendly faces greet us at turkey time

Just look at the fruit and vegetable decorations near the turkey

Check out these awesome vegetable carvings

Vegetable carvings

The skilled art of carving fruits and vegetables was quite evident throughout the buffet area at this celebration. The following fruit carvings are a few more examples:

Watermelon carving

There was a special fondue section of the buffet, with more carvings as well.

Fondue area

Fruit for Chocolate Fondue

It is obvious that beyond just cooking up an awesome Thanksgiving feast, the staff worked hard to prepare a special Thanksgiving celebration. The fruit and vegetable carvings and the displays all added to creating a special Thanksgiving atmosphere. The staff also dressed-up for the celebration.

Some of the staff wore special attire for Thanksgiving

A great Thanksgiving outfit

Staff at the grill

We enjoyed the break from our road trip and especially the Thanksgiving dinner with wine at Restaurante Del Largo. We appreciate all the efforts by the staff.

The day after Thanksgiving we left Playa del Carmen to continue our drive south to Belize and onto Guatemala. Did I say they have great margaritas and a nice beach?

Una Margarita

Beach area at the Mayan Palace Resort

Sharon

November 2011

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

South of Playa del Carmen enroute to Chetumal

See other Spaswinefood posts on our Margarita Drive through Mexico:

1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita

2. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas

4. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tobasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

5. Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán

6. Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time
7. Playa Del Carmen to Chetumal, Mexico

Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time

2011-11-26T06:32:00.000-08:00

Since everyone has heard of one of Mexico's top tourist attractions Cancún, it needs little introduction. During Spaswinefood's east coast drive south through Mexico we stopped over in Cancún, Quintana Roo for two days. The drive on the tolled highway from Mérida to Cancún looks like the picture below pretty much the whole way. Sure, there were toll gates along the way, a few small towns and I think one turn. The highway i s delightful to drive.

Mérida to Cancún on the tolled highway

We were fortunate to find pet friendly accommodations at the Holiday Inn Arenas. Upon reaching Cancún we knew that we could now start relax a little after our drive through Mexico. While our stop over in Canún was brief we had planned a week of down time in Playa del Carmen.

Cancún near Holiday Inn

We were happy just to take in the beach scene near the hotel.

Beach in front of Holiday Inn

In the morning we had breakfast on the veranda overlooking the beach.

Coffee on the veranda overlooking the beach

Relaxing on the veranda overlooking the beach

A Typical Breakfast

We tried some domestic wines that were included with our hotel package. Cabernet Sauvignon was taste able but the Chardonnay was not.

It is a pass on this one

A taste able Cabernet Sauvignon

While the wines were not great the Margarita's were good.

Una Margarita

The hotel also a spa service right on the beach. It was John's birthday so he had a message.

What a beautiful setting for a message

Cancún has much to offer in terms on accommodations, restaurants and spas. In fact Cancún is one of the premier spa resort destinations in the world.

One of Cancún's many restaurants

One of Cancún's many night clubs

After a brief stopover in Cancun Spaswinefood was onto Playa Del Carmen where we would take a welcomed week’s break from the road. After some down time we would head onto Chetumal, Quuintana Roo to cross into Belize.

Sharon,

November 2011

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

See other Spaswinefood posts on our Margarita Drive through Mexico:

1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita

2. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas

4. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tobasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

5. Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán
6. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico at Thanksgiving
7. Playa Del Carmen to Chetumal, Mexico

Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán

2011-11-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

It was hard to leave a pleasant city like Campeche but, knowing that we were enroute to Mérida helped. Here are a few photos taken during our drive south to Merida.

Toll gate as you enter the Yucatán

Signs along the route

Sign showing ring road around Mérida

We spent two wonderful days in Mérida, Yucatán to take a break from our road trip through Mexico. Mérida is a beautiful historic city. Before leaving Campeche we made reservations at the pet friendly Casa Lucia Hotel in the historic center of Mérida.

We arrived mid-day and took lunch near the Plaza Independencia (Zócalo) at Restaurant Portico Del Peregrino, 57 Calle 501, between 60 and 62 Centro, Mérida.

Portico Del Peregrino Restaurant

Dining Room at Portico Del Peregrino Restaurant

For lunch John ordered Lemon Soup, a Yucatán speciality and Ceviche. I ordered Cheese Enchiladas with mole.

Sopa de Limón

Enchiladas de Mole

Ceviche

We shared a lemon pie for dessert.

Pie de Limón

Of course a display of tequila at the restaurant caught the attention of my i-phone.

Tequila display at Portico Del Peregrino Restaurant

Portico Del Peregrino Restaurant

Our first night in Mérida was the beginning of a Mayan festival.

Church on Plaza Independencia

Crowds gathered to see a folklorico at Plaza Independencia, Mérida

Folklorico at Plaza Independencia, Mérida

Plaza Independencia, Mérida

There was lots of activity around the Plaza.

People hanging out at Plaza Independencia to take advantage of the WiFi connection

Of course not everyone was online, there were some checking out the local treats on the plaza.

Papas and Churros Vendor at Plaza Independencia

Restaurants near the Zócalo are great places to drop by for a pizza or snack.

Sidewalk restaurant near the plaza

Vegetarian Pizza

Una Margarita

Next day, we dropped by the Amaro, a vegetarian restaurant for lunch.

Entrance to Amaro Restaurant

Amaro Restaurant Courtyard

Amaro Restaurant Patio Dining Area

For lunch we ordered the following:

Una Margarita

Eggplant Enchiladas

Fish with vegetables and rice

An inviting table setting

We finish with a flan to share.

Flan for two

On the way out I saw this wine display.

Wine bottles on display at Amaro Restaurant

Dinner on the second night was at La Parranda Restaurant.

La Parranda

We ordered Bean Soup and Vegetarian Fajitas.

Sopa de Frijoles

Fajitas

Margarita time at La Parranda Restaurant, Mérida

Una Margarita

We loved our walks in the historic district, which is especially beautiful at night.

Horse-drawn carriages near the Plaza Independencia

All to soon our restful stop in Merida was over and we were back on the road again. We were much enjoyed our stay at Casa Lucia Hotel. Next stop on our Margarita Dive will be Cancún, Quintana Roo.

Sharon

November 2011

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

See other Spaswinefood posts on our Margarita Drive through Mexico:

1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita

2. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas

4. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tobasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita
5. Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time

1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita

Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tobasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

2011-11-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

We left Veracruz heading south on Ruta 180 to Villahermosa, Tobasco. We thought we were making progress in our journey down the east coast of Mexico; so we decided to take the coastal route instead of the tolled highway. Well, guess what it took much longer than anticpated. Here are a few photos from Ruta 180.

Ruta 180, south of Veracruz

Villahermosa
Because the drive on Ruta 180 took much longer than expected when we arrived in Villahermosa after a long day on the road. Needless to say, we headed in the direction of the hotel zone to secure a room for the night. Arriving in a busy new city at the end of the day requires maximum attention. Fortunately, we saw the sign for Best Western Maya before I drove by. When you pull into the parking lot, from a six lane city boulevard at the end of the day, it is a really good feeling.

We did not bother to look for a place to dine and took dinner at the Best Western restaurant.

Camarones

I know we had margaritas but I did not take a photo this time.

We made an early departure next day for Campeche, in the state of Campeche. It was a pleasant drive to Campeche. During the drive from Villahermosa to Campeche I took the following photos:

South to Campeche

Just north of Campeche

Approaching Campeche

Campeche
We stayed at the Ocean View Hotel, Campeche. We were given a number of diner recommendations for Campeche's historic old town. We decided on Restaurante Marganzo.

We started with margaritas.

Una margarita

They served a complimentary appetizer.

Appetizer

We started dinner with a fish cocktail and a beet salad.

Cóctel de Mariscos

Ensalada Remolacha

The entrees were tacos and pulpo dishes.

Egg Tacos with pumpkin seeds

Pulpo

At the end they served compliments of the house a tamarindo drink.

Tamarindo with chile

I took the following photos of Campeche's historic old town:

Outside the historic center

Central Plaza

Orchestra playing in the Central Plaza

View of Central Plaza

Central Plaza

Fountain with light and music in historic old town

After a beautiful evening in Campeche next day we were onto Merida. The beautiful city of Campeche is well worth a visit.

Sharon
November 2011
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

See other Spaswinefood posts on our margarita drive through Mexico:

2. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas
3. Tampico, Tamaulipas to Veracruz, Veracruz
4. Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán

5. Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time

3. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tabasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

Tampico, Tamaulipas to Veracruz, Veracruz

2011-11-16T16:18:00.000-08:00

After a restful stopover in Tampico, Tamaulipas we headed south to Veracruz, Veracruz. When we exited Tampico we crossed over the Tampico Bridge, which has been in service since 1988. The Tampico Bridge spans the Pánuco River to connect the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz.

Tampico Bridge

From the Tampico Bridge looking back towards Tampico

We begun a full day's drive through the tropical lowlands. Here are a few photos from Ruta 180 south to the city of Veracruz.

Heading south on Ruta 180

Lush vegetation along Ruta 180

Banana plants along Ruta 180

After a long day on the road we arrived in the city of Veracruz. It took some time to find for a hotel. We settled on a Howard Johnson on the promenade. Veracruz is the oldest, largest and historically significant port in Mexico. It is also a beautiful seaside city. We found the town very inviting. It is a must visit.

We just walked down the street and discover a wonderful restaurant, El Cabrito Español. Once we found it we decided to look no further.

El Cabrito Español Restaurante

It offers both outside and inside seating

The waiter presented us with a number of wine options for dinner. We ordered a Rioja wine, Marqués de Cáceres, Crianza 2007. While we enjoyed our margaritas at the end of the day it was great to set down at the end of day four, with a bottle of wine.

Marqués de Caceres Crianza 2007

We started dinner with an Ensalada Española to share.

Ensalada Española

Our entrees were Tortilla Española and Chipirones en su Tinta.

Tortilla Española

Chipirones en su Tinta

Diner was quite delightful. It was so nice to have a good dinner with wine.

Next day it was onto Villa Hermosa for a margarita.

Sharon,
November 2011
Merida, Yucatan
Mexico

See other Spaswinefood posts on our margarita drive through Mexico:

1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita
2. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas

4. Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán

5. Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time

3. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tabasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas

2011-11-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

Mexico has three main routes that run in a north to south direction (west coast, central highlands and east coast). Given that we entered Northern Mexico near the beginning of the central highlands route we continued down the central route to Torreón where we headed to the east coast. After entering Mexico at Agua Prieta, Sonora it took us two days to get to Torreón, Coahuilla. On day three we left Torreón, the largest city in Coahuilla on Ruta 40 east towards Saltillo, the capital of Coahuilla. As we left Torreón I captured these photos on my iphone.

Exiting Torreón on Ruta 40

As we exited Torreón on Ruta 40 the moon was quite visible in the day sky

Shortly after leaving Torreón the elevation stated to increase. As we continued along Ruta 40 to Saltillo we experienced spectacular scenery.

Climbing into the mountains on Ruta 40

It was smooth travelling along Ruta 40 to Saltillo. From Saltillo we took Ruta 57 south to Matehuala, San Luis Potosí. Here are a few photos along Ruta 57 from Saltillo to Matehuala.

Joshua tree forest along Ruta 57

Joshua tree forest along Ruta 57 south of Saltillo

In Matehuala, San Luis Potosí we stayed at Las Palmas Midway Inn and dined at the Las Plamas Restaurant

Margarita time

Tortilla chips and salsa

We ordered the following for dinner:

Guacamole

Sopa de Tres Chiles

Sopa de pollo

Spaghetti Primavera

We shared a flan for desert.

Flan

From Matehuala, the fourth largest city in San Luis Potosí we headed east again to Tampico, Tamaulipas. Here are a few photos along the route from Matehuala to Tampico, a full day of driving (Ruta 57S to Ruta 80 E to where we took 85S to Cuidad Valles then 70E to Tampico).

It was raining as we left Metahuala on Ruta 57 south

Driving through the Altiplano Portosino on Ruta 57 south of Matehuala

Vegetation starts to change as we head east on Ruta 80

Starting at the junction of Ruta 57 and Ruta 80 we start to experience marked climatic changes from the landscape of Altiplano Potosino to tropical lowlands by the time we arrived at the east coast. On Ruta 80 we pass through corn fields enroute to Cuidad de Maiz.

Corn fields along Ruta 80

Ruta 80 going east towards Cd Maiz

After Cuidad de Maiz we climbed through a mountains where we saw lush vegetation and oak trees.

Climbing into forest after Cd Maiz

Shortly afterwards we descend into the tropical lowlands. We took Ruta 85 at Antiguo Moreles to Cuidad Valles.

Descending into tropical lowlands on Ruta 80

In the lowlands we encounter fields of sugar cane.

Sugar cane fields along the route

Enroute to Cuidad Valles, Ruta 85

From Cuidad Valles we took Ruta 70 east to Tampico. In Tampico we stayed at the Quality Inn on Hidalgo and dined serveral blocks down the street at El Callejón de los Milagros.

El Callejón de los Milagros, Tampico

After we were seated the waiter brought us a platter of tortilla chips and salsas go with the margaritas we ordered.

An inviting platter of tortilla chips with a variety of salsas

Margarita at the end of the day

We ordered salad and soup.

Ensalade Mediterranea

Sopa de Mariscos

For entrees we ordered Quesadilla flor de Calabaza and Camarones al Ajillo.

Camarones al Ajillo

Quesadilla flor de calabaza

Next morning we were on our way down Ruta 180 to Veracruz. I am sure there is another margarita or a bottle of wine waiting.

Sharon

November 2011

Merida, Yucatan

Mexico

See other Spaswinefood posts on our margarita drive through Mexico:
1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita
2. Tampico, Tamaulipas to Veracruz, Veracruz

Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuila for a Margarita

2011-11-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

After we entered Sonora, Mexico at Agua Prieta, we headed to towards Neuvo Casas Grandes on Ruta 2 then Ruta 10. The drive from Agua Prieta to Neuvo Casas Grandes went quickly so we decided to not stop at Neuvo Casaa Grandes. I captured the following photos during the drive to Neuvo Casas Grandes, Sonora:

Heading into the Sierra Madre Occidental

Sierra Madre Occidental in the distance

Sierra Madre Occidental

Ruta 10

Near Neuvo Casas Grandes, Ruta 10

It was onto Chihuahua, Chihuahua for the first night. Here are a few photos from the route.

Ruta 45 North of Chihuahua

In Chihuahua, Chihuahua we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.

Dining area at Holiday Inn Express

Waiting area, with dining area in the back

After a restful stay in Chihuahua we onto Torreón the next morning on Ruta 45, then Ruta 49. Enroute to Torreón we continually passed farmland.

Along Ruta 45 to Jimez then Ruta 49

Along the route

The state of Chihuahua is one of the richest agricultural states in Mexico. In the area around Delicias we saw fruit processing plants and walnut farms.

Walnut trees near Delicias, Ruta 45

My first spotting for a hot springs (balnearios) was at Camargo, Chihuahua.

Balernia sign on Ruta 45

At Torreón, Coahuila we stopped at Hotel Fresno Galerias for the night. This hotel was excellent value for the price.

Finally after two days in Mexico we stopped for a margarita.

Also there was Spinach dip and a salad for dinner.

Spinach Dip

Vegetable Salad

From Torreón it was onto Saltillo via Ruta 40 where we would head south to Matehuala via Ruta 57. I will write about that in a future post because it is time for a margarita.

One of the many Pemex stops on our two day drive

Sharon

November 2011

Matehuala, Mexico

See other Spaswinefood posts on our drive through Mexico:
1. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas
2. Tampico, Tamaulipas to Veracruz, Veracruz

3. Veracruz to Villahermosa, Tobasco and Campeche, Campeche for a Margarita

4. Taking a Margarita Break in Mérida, Yucatán

5. Cancún, Mexico: Margarita and Spa Time

1. Through Sonora and Chihuahua States to Torreón, Coahuilla for a Margarita

Crossing Into Mexico At Agua Prieta, Sonora

2011-11-07T05:41:00.000-08:00

We have done the border crossing into Mexico many times. This time we will cross at Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora and head south towards our final destination Guatemala. We have driven the west coast and central highlands routes of Mexico to Guatemala previously so this time we will drive down the east coast. Our plans for this trip are to head east across Mexico to Saltillo, south to Tampico then onto Yucatan where we will enter Belize and then onto Guatemala.

Now a few photos from our drive from California.

Crossing the Mohave Desert

On this trip we took three days to drive from the Bay Area to Douglas, Arizona (stopping in Los Angeles, Luaghlin and Tuscon). We once did this drive in one day but this time we are taking it at a slower pace. We did encounter some unusual weather along the route. During the drive from California to Arizona we experienced rain in the Mohave Desert. The Mohave Desert occupies parts of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. It is bordered on by Great Basin Desert in the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south.

Raining in the Mohave Desert

Later when we entered Arizona the next morning there was evidence of a snowfall overnight. It was a record snowfall for this time of the year.

Snow along I40, 10 miles east of Kingman, Arizona

Further along the route on US93 we saw Saguaro Cati. The Saguaro Cactus is the symbol of the southwest desert. I love seeing this cactus when we drive US93.

Saguaro Cacti along Highway US93

Saguaro Cacti along Highway US93

After an overnight in Tuscon we picked up the last few supplies for the road and drove onto Douglas. Here are a few photos from the last part of the drive to the border.

Route 80, South of Tombstone, Arizona

Route 80 Bisbee, Arizona

Route 80 approaching Douglas, Arizona

Now arriving at the border reminds me of an art installation I visited. We recently returned from the European Wine Bloggers Conference in Italy. While in Italy we visited Castillo di Ama, a winery that features art. One of the art installations was by a Cuban artist on walls. Needless to say the wall between the United States and Mexico was part of the installation.

Wall Installation at Castillo di Ama

Here are more photos of walls.

Wine bloggers taking a break

The brown wall represents the wall between the United States and Mexico

On the drive south to Guatemala I hope to capture for Spaswinefood images of culinary delights and hot springs along the route. While we will not be driving through Mexico's wine region (Baja California) I will report on wine happenings along the route.

More later, because we are at the border crossing. November's Spaswinefood posts will be along the route, as we drive through Mexico.

Sharon

November 2011

Douglas, Arizona/Agua Prieta, Mexico

See Spaswinefood posts on our Margarita Drive through Mexico:

2. Driving for a Margarita, Part Two: Torreón, Coahuilla to Tampico, Tamaulipas