Monday, May 15, 2017

Kantun Chi, Puerto Aventuras, Underground Cavern, May 2017

Kantun Chi Underground Cavern Tour

Puerto Aventuras, May 2017

This cenote park is literally a 10 minute walk from Barcelo Maya resort complex to the reception desk.  There are always breaks in the traffic so just cross to the middle island, walk south while waiting for a break in the traffic and then cross when safe.  There are three parks side by side.  Not sure what the north one is called but Kantun Chi is the middle one.  Cristalino is the south one and you can see that through the fence as you are walking along the dirt road to the main entrance.  I believe it is about 50MXN pesos to go into Cristalino and you can jump from the cliff top (which is right next to the fence we see) right into the cenote if you are brave.  We watched and gave up waiting for a couple women attempting to do the jump.  The park north of Kantun Chi seemed to offer zip lining (at least that is what the sign showed) as well.







The prices for Kantun Chi:. $29U.S. for a self guided tour of the four cenotes.  $59 adds the guided underground cavern tour which is what we took.  $79 gives you a fifth huge cenote next to #4 which is accessible only by the tour guide plus a lunch.



Equipment you will receive to use for the cavern tour:. life jacket, helmet (I was extremely glad to have this as I hit my head in the ceiling underground a few times when standing in tight spots), nice blue plastic water shoes, a mask.  

Important:. You will see a plastic jug on the glass counter next to the payment counter.  It has environment-friendly bug spray.  You are not supposed to wear any of your own so please lather on before heading out!  They do not tell you so most of our group did not know and we paid dearly for it in mosquito bites.  We all made sure to lather up when we got out before we headed out to the above ground cenotes.  You WILL BE attacked by mosquitoes at the entrance to the cave while waiting to descend the ladder!  There.  You are warned.   (You are also not to wear sunscreen to protect their fragile environment so keep that in mind before you leave.). Sorry​ picture is a bit fuzzy.  After we came up from the cavern the temperature change fogged up my camera bag!



Please note the masks are used to see the rocks below when you choose to swim in the big pools.  If you don't want to do that the masks are not necessary as there are very little fish to see.  I saw one small fish swim by once in my tour.  

I took a lot of pictures as I walked so I hope you enjoy.






































I hope these pictures make you want to experience this yourself one day.  Truly a wonderful visit.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Rainbow Hair Balayage with Honey Highlights on Medium Brown


Very happy with my rainbow hair!  My thanks to my hairdresser Dolly for her fabulous work.  Honey highlights.  Rainbow colours being blue, purple and red.



Here is a picture of the colour when taken outside.  Different light, different perception.




Update:  
First wash one week later (dry shampoo during the week) with cold water.  Conditioner only wash to help retain colour.



Update #2:
6 days later, wash #2.  Bought sulphate free L'Oreal color care shampoo to use.  Washed in warm water as my shower has no cold and then conditioned with Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution which also contains no sulphates.  Lots of blue dye going down the drain.



Update#3:
Wash #3 6 days later.  The honey highlights at the bottom are definitely morphing as they take on the darker colors.


Sunday, January 31, 2016

Bahia Principe San Juan a la Carte Restaurant & Menu - Part 3 (Takara) - January 2016

Please see Part 1 for information related to all a la carte restaurants at the resort.

Takara 
Interior views of the restaurant.  Please note this is not fully enclosed.  There are some big open windows should you feel the need for a sweater in winter months.  Sorry, we had seating at 7pm, not our usual 6:30 slot so the pictures have more patrons in them than usual.
 




 This a la carte restaurant is also not full sit down.  Again, the buffet is for the appetizer and dessert.  You just choose your main course.  You can see the buffet in the picture directly above.



Welcome drink was lime tasting.  

 

My husband's appetizer selections.  Spring roll, crab claws (not tasting too much crab, probably just fish), sushi (definitely not to Oriental standards!), smoked salmon, some tempura


 I chose some crab claws, a spring roll, a beef satay skewer (or is it a lamb brochette?), some noodles, shrimp cocktail and a fried shrimp crisp.


My main course was the Emperor's Caprices - shrimp and squid tempura (apparently that means one each), and duck yakitori.  I do not know where the sushi is or was but it was not there.  It came with a sweet dipping sauce.  The duck was moist as was expected and tasty.  The tempura was nice too.  All paired well with the sauce.


My husband chose the chicken brochette with pineapple and a sweet sauce. He did not like the sauce himself.


As usual I had ice cream for dessert. I took this picture because of the unusual plate.