Fai Quan
formerly known as "Prosaic Traveller"
Tybee Island, GA
Located approximately half hour to the east of Savannah, Tybee Island is the easternmost point in the state of Georgia. Mostly containing vacation homes, this community with the population of just under 3000, is a haven for beach lovers. If I was ever to purchase property in a warm climate, this would be the area.
These photos mainly depicts the beach. Unfortunately, I didn’t capture any city shots so I could have revealed the charm of this community.
Beach homes along the shores.
A sandy pathway to the beach
Tybee Island Pier in the distance
The Pier
Tybee Island Pier
A popular beach activity
Looking towards the beach from the end of the pier
Enjoying the sun
Entrance to the beach. No Bikes allowed.
Mexico (7) – Valladolid, Cenote Maya Park – The Cenote
My last entry on Mexico ends with the second portion of our visit to the Cenote Maya Park. After the gardens (from my previous) entry, you can rappel down into a huge gorgeous cenote, where all sorts of water challenges awaits you.
This challenge was met with ease by my husband, to the left of this photo.
Lifeguards at the bottom makes sure you come down safely.
Tree roots are visible along the edge of the cenote.
Lifeguard is poised for action
Looking down to the platform where swimmers go to after the rappel.
Balancing the race across
Having a nice swim
A large area for just floating along in an inner tube
Stalagmites
One last look before we say good-bye.
Mexico (6) – Valladolid, Cenote Maya Park – The Gardens
Located outside of Valladolid, this Park promotes Ecotourism. The purpose of ecotourism is to allow tourism to develop in a way that is fair and equitable for host communities. All the workers at this park, from maintenance to the photographers are local people being educated by the tour company. It was refreshing to see this garden in a beautiful natural environment with the use of recycle materials like plastic bottles and tires as planter boxes.
The authentic blessing by a Mayan Shaman was a special treat.
Entering the gardens
Mint to go with refreshing drinks
The use of recycled tires as planters
Hibiscus flowers are mainly used for their drinks, hot or cold
Tiny mushrooms
Unfortunately, I did not catch the name of this plant
The use of rocks to make a decorative flower pattern
Recycled bottles to start off seedlings
Oh so natural
Lilypads
Planters add colours to the green environment
An authentic blessing
Mexico (5) – Yucatan, Ek Balam
This Mayan City is approximately 100 kilometers west of Cancun and is considered the oldest inhabited city with a 1000 year life span. However, it is the most current discovery of existing ruins.
The Tower, El Torre, is the largest Mayan structures in the Yucatan. The Mayans follows the tradition of adding new construction, covering the old, every 52 years. This is considered great importance to the Mayan calendar.
The Acropolis is believed to contain the tomb of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok, an important ruler
The front facade of the Acropolis
One of many beautiful carvings surround the tomb
A 106 step steep climb. It was harder coming down than going up. The tour guide recommended coming down backwards or on your butt.
A view from the top. There is a good chanced that any small hills that you see in the horizon are actually ruins that have not been uncovered. Straight ahead is the Oval Palace which contained burial relics. To the right are two temples.
The jungle of the Yucatan
Looking towards the west from the Acropolis
Stone walls surrounding the site to protect from attacks
Narrow passageways
Inside one of many rooms, this one is used as storage for stones ready to be placed in their appropriate spot.
A closer look to reveal painted labels to know where they should go
Side of the Oval Palace
Looking back at the Acropolis from the Oval Palace
The Twins with two mirroring temples on either side
Mexico (4) – Mayan Riviera, Open and Closed Cenotes
These open and closed cenotes with crystal clear water & more than 400 feet visibility, stalactites & stalagmites, are a haven for snorkellers.
Snorkellers in the closed cenote.
Outside the closed cenote.
Roots coming through from above
Blue water reflects and brings out the aqua colours in the caves
Outside light brings out the beauty of the interior cave
Open cenote
Snorkellers enjoying the marine life
It’s a jungle out there
It’s believed that if you rub this tree, it will bring you good luck
Shells imbedded in the sandstones
Mexico (3) – Playa Del Carmen, Beach Scenes
Our hotel was located along a beautiful beach. White soft sand that stretches for miles north and south. Most of these photos are shot along this beach from Quinta Avenida to our hotel, Riu Palace Mexico.
On the pier at the end of Av Constituyentes
Boats waiting to take tourists out on a fishing expedition.
Pelicans taking a rest
Lets go scuba diving
Shore birds
Entrance to shopping on Quinta Avenida from the beach
Sailboats taking a rest
Parasailing
Sunglasses and beer, a common sight
Feeding the birds
A wedding
Looking north from our hotel beach
Looking south from our hotel beach
Snorkelers heading out to see turtles at Akumel Bay
Palm trees. Lesson learned was not to sit underneath these. A coconut can fall at any time.
Mexico (2) – Playa Del Carmen, Quinta Avenida
“la Quinta” or “5th Avenue” is a street famously known for its’ shopping. From high-head brand name stores to small shops with local crafts, you’ll be sure to find something to buy.
From the avenue looking towards the Ferry Terminal to Cozumel
One of many cigar shops
Rooftop of a restaurant
“Liverpool” is a Mexican department store offering mid to high end products. I like their colourful sign.
Above a storefront door
Women’s boutique
If you can’t find a tree with natural blossoms, you make the blossoms
The ceiling of a mall
Mexican version of mannequins
Little colourful mexican hats. Small enough for a chihuahua.
There’s always time for chips and salsa
Mexico (1) – Playa Del Carmen, Christmas
If it wasn’t for all the festive decorations I’d never know Christmas was approaching. My week in Mexico was great and all these beautiful sights added to the enjoyment.
The lobby of the Riu Palace Mexico, our home away from home
Lovely decorated tree
Christmas Berries
Crystal Drops
Small trees all over the lobby
On the grounds of the Riu Palace Mexico
On 5th Avenue
On a downtown street
The Royal
Lobby of the Riu Tequila
Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Lobby of Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Outisde the Riu Playacar
Riu Playacar
Chicago IL (3) – Downtown
I love Chicago’s architecture. The downtown area is most impressive where the old and modern designs intermingle with each other.
Streetville, Chicago
River East Art Center Promenade
Streetville, Chicago
Condos on the south banks of the Chicago River, Wacker Drive
Michigan Avenue
Wrigley Building
The Wrigley Building from across the Chicago River
Chicago Riverwalk – W Wacker Drive and N Dearborn Street
Harbour City
Marina City
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – N Wells Street
West Merchandise Mart Plaza
Old reflections against modern
Civic Opera Building
333 West Wacker Drive
Southern view from Wrigley Building
Hotel Monaco
Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue
Sears Tower
Looking south from the Kinzie Street Bridge
Interesting residence next to the Kinzie Street Bridge
Chicago IL (2) – Millenium Park
Millenium Park is located on the eastside of Chicago right along Lake Michigan. I made a quick trip to the park one morning before hitting the road to Milwaukee. I wish I would have gotten more pictures of this fantastic place.
The Cloud, Millenium Park
Cloud Gate aka The Bean
The Cloud, Millenium Park
Yes, that’s me in center
The Cloud, Millenium Park
An abstract reflection
Jay Pritzker Pavillion, Millenium Park
The Great Lawn and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Garden, Millenium Park
The Lurie Garden
Co-op Garden, Millemium Park
Workers tending The Lurie Garden. The Sears Tower looms behind.
Fountain, Millenium Park
The Crown Fountain
Fai Quan 