Sharing Travel Tales from Around the World

By: Susan Gerle

The white, silky sands of Puerto Morelos, and the turquoise blue of the Caribbean make a fantastic combination for visitors. With the second longest reef in the world, Palancar, just 600 meters off-shore the warm calm waters are great for swimming and snorkeling. Don’t be surprised if you end up swimming alongside a sting-ray, turtle, or barracuda in the calm waters. They come in closer to shore around the middle of February.
It used to be anyone who discovered Puerto Morelos would go home with the message, “don’t tell anybody else about this jewel.” Gradually more people discovered it though and the tourists came.
It’s a village that has attracted many Europeans as well as those from the United States and …

By: Susan Gerle

Valladolid, (pronounced via dough lead) with a population of around 70,000, is a wonderful colonial town to visit while in Mexico. Take a 2-hour bus ride from the ADO (pronounced adio) bus terminal in Cancun.
The terminal in Valladolid is located only 2 blocks from the main square and it is an easy walk. Don’t expect to find too many people who speak English. Mayan is the first language for many in the area and Spanish the second language.
There are many interesting places to visit in and around the town.
1. The zocolo (main square) is lit up nightly with pink lights shining into the green leaves of the massive trees. The historical old church is situated on one end of …

By: Susan Gerle

The city of Merida, Mexico is a great place to visit when staying anywhere on the Mayan Riviera. The shopping and the history are amazing. Take the bus or a taxi to the ADO (pronounced adio) Bus Terminal in Cancun. The bus leaves approximately every 2½ hours heading west. The city of Merida is about 4 ½ hours away from Cancun.
Occasionally you will see a traditional Mayan home built out of tree poles with a thatched roof as you travel along the highway. The fence around the property is built from stones placed strategically one on top of the other. No mortar is added.
We were told to get a taxi at the …

By: Susan Gerle

Is Mexico safe, especially places like Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen? I will say yes because I am here in Mexico on the Mayan Riviera right now as I write this article. In November I was in Puerto Vallarta. I have been traveling down to Mexico for years. I don’t worry what is said on the Internet or in the news because things happen all over the world every day. We just hear about it quicker now with the Internet. I do check travel advisories though and follow them.
I’ve made comparisons between Playa Del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta because I love both areas. It’s really hard to choose between the two when I’m …

By: Susan Gerle
I grew up as a polite conservative Canadian in Vancouver, Canada. Whenever I bumped into someone on the sidewalk I would say, “excuse me.” The person usually acknowledged my apology. As the demographic mix changed and the sidewalks got more crowded, fewer people took the time to say anything. I was frustrated by the lack of manners until I had the opportunity to visit some of the largest cities on earth.