If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...More Octopix added 3/19
View related threads:
(in this forum
| in all forums)
|
Logged in as: Guest
|
|
Users viewing this topic: none
|
|
Login  | |
|
If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...More Octop... - 2/24/2013 6:17:25 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
As I originally planned this trip, we were to spend 3 days at Mayan Beach Gardens, and get up really early for the 5 hour drive back to Cancun to catch a midafternoon flight. Shouldda been able to get around this long drive considering we were gonna be out a month. But soon it made sense to try to extend for 5 weeks. Marguarite's job was no longer a factor, as it had been eliminated - and I could do 5 weeks and leave five days for Kingfish and Ali's wedding, and a couple blues fests. May have to skip fishin' in northern Minnesota this year, but hey- there's next year. Maybe a really short trip to Vermillion?
Anyhow, I call Marguarite, and she's all in. So I plan to end this thing with the big dance in Cozumel for Carnaval. I can extend another 6 days using only 4 vacation days plus the weekend. So the flight change wasn't too much damage, and I extend another 3 nights at Mayan Beach Gardens. We stayed 4 nights downstairs, and the final 2 nights in the unit directly above. There's only 2 stories in that bldg, and it was cool for the two other nights. That left 3 nights in Cozumel, the last being Fat Tuesday. I booked a superior room at Villa Blanca for less than a C note / night. That was maybe the suprise of the trip (how nice that room was).
Leaving Xcalak with a great breakfast at Costa de Cocos, we were off to the next adventure.
Now Marcia and I had sent a few Emails back and forth, and I was convinced that before we left MSP on Jan 11, that MBG was going to be the nicest place we's stay. But it was really tough to leave Casa del Sol. It was there that I found the bamboo root, and started to decorate my cepter for Carnaval. Several strolls along the beach in El Placer would help with the decorations.
CdS was a tough act to follow, but the unit downstairs we stayed in was fabulous. We found our secluded beach area off to the south end of the resort, and had all the privacy we needed. No reason to start with tan lines again.
Never quite sure about the communal dining in the evening, but it was all good. Marcia and Kim did whatever they could to make us comfortable. The first evening, we met a yound couple from London - James and Debs. They turned out to be lots of fun, and one day we kayaked out to the reef break, tied off and snorkeled. Debs was the first to spy the octopus, and I tried my best to get a couple decent pix. They were headed up to Florida for a wedding, and thought they'd return to Mexico before returning to London. We exchanged Emails, and I told them where we were staying at Villa Blaca. I encouraged them to join us, but never expected they'd show. I guess I was wrong again!
We met Rick and Robert from L.A., and one morning convinced Rick to join Marguarite and I for an adventure up into the Sian Kaan to snorkel the shipwreck. Rick was also interested in doing some fishing, so he was all in. Robert just wanted to chill, after a long travel day from San Pedro the previous day. Well you've probably read by now about the flat tires and dented rim, and thank God for Rick. And the fact they rented the same Make and model, so his spare fit. got us back to MBG just before dark.
And the next day, I jacked up their rental, and borrowed a regular tire for the trip into Chetumal for 2 tires and a rim.
After striking out at the local llanterias in Mahahual, Kim said the best bet was Chetumal. So after a late breakfast, Chetumal it was.
Somewhat familiar with Chetumal from finding the ferry dock heading to San Pedro, I tried not to be intimidated. Forget my Spanish is practically non existant (except in a cantina or restaurante), and in the back of my mind were Florida Girls words, "Don't get lost in Chetumal. It's easy, it's a big city. There's not much English spoken in Chetumal except at the ferry dock." Hmm, wonder if they sell tires??
Armed with a good map from Kim, a quick Spanish lesson from Rick, "Necessito nueva llantera y rim". I had one day to solve this. Rick and Robert were leaving the next day, and I needed to get the spare and front tire back to them. The tire wasn't too bad, but the rim and another used tire took about 6 different stops. Turns out Tacho's was the place.
Upon return, I stopped in Bacalar to get the rental washed. It was so muddy, it was hard to tell what color it was. Took a while for the kid to get to me, but he did a great job. I still had the nagging problem with the joint where the quarter panel meets the bumper. It was kindda just hanging about an inch apart. All that off road stuff made it even worse. I'd wait til I was done with all those beach roads before gluing it back together.
But back to the shipwreck. I had looked on Google earth and never did find it. Marcia's map made it easy. When you leave the paved road, you set the odometer to zero, and go 9.9 km. The gate at the enterance down the path to the beach was chained and locked, so it did take a bit to find. It was really fun, and an enjoyable snorkel and beach walk. It's just the adventure on the way back that sucked.
It was kindda a hassle to move upstairs for the last 2 nights, but one cool thing was laying on top of the balcony, with an unobstructed view of all the stars on a clear night. After about 15 minutes, I decided it would be a great idea to get a shot glass and the bottle of Correlejo. I think I did see some shooting stars, but it could have been the tequila.
Marguarite sez she's done with the Sian Kaan, I say we just need a better suited vehicle. I'd like to get up to km 22 (Marcia sez that's the best snorkeling in the area), and a bit further to Punta Herrero. I dunno, maybe I got more balls than brains. Get one of the fisherman to take you out in a panga, snorkel, flyfish, and eat lobster and conch. In season, of course.
I'll work on the pix this week.
[image] [/image]
TMB
< Message edited by tmbutler -- 3/20/2013 9:40:29 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward............ - 2/25/2013 9:06:47 AM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Maggie
Where is the ship wreck?
BINK!
Mags
OK, let's start at the Pemex, 4 km out of Mahahual. Going towards Mahahual, take the next left (you are going north) - there's an electrical pole with some signs on it. One of the signs says Mayan Beach Garden. If you stay on the paved road about 45 km, it will turn to a dirt road similar to what you'd see south of Tulum, going into the Sian Kaan from the north entrance. You'll go past El Placer, and El Uvero.When the paved road ends, set your odometer to zero. You'll be entering the Sian Kaan from the south within a km of losing the pavement. It's 9.9 km and you'll find a gate that's chained and locked shut. You can walk around the gate, and follow a path on foot that will bring you to the caribe. There's a shack, and you will see the shipwreck maybe 100 yards from shore. It is in shallow water.
TMB
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward............ - 2/25/2013 1:30:54 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
Here's another bunch of pix. It may have seemed like there was a lot of queen trigger pix, but what astounded me was there were schools of them directly in front of mayan Beach Gardens - but out a ways. Usually I see singles, but I bet there were over a dozen of them. There were not lots of coral heads directly out front, but there was lots to see - the queen triggers, a spotted eel, intermediate french angel, yellow ray, and the starfish.
The octopix are of the same fellow, it's just I hammered away trying to get a couple good shots. They're not great, but it was fun to watch for a while.
The best snorkeling was north up the beach. First time I kayaked it with James and Debs, and the second time I just walked the beach and swam out to the reef break.
Hope you don't get bored.
[image] [/image]
A few more later...
TMB
< Message edited by tmbutler -- 2/26/2013 9:13:46 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward............ - 2/25/2013 6:48:22 PM
|
|
|
Maggie
Posts: 17693
Joined: 4/9/2005
From: Yurtain Gooey Duck Wench
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: tmbutler
quote:
ORIGINAL: Maggie
Where is the ship wreck?
BINK!
Mags
OK, let's start at the Pemex, 4 km out of Mahahual. Going towards Mahahual, take the next left (you are going north) - there's an electrical pole with some signs on it. One of the signs says Mayan Beach Garden. If you stay on the paved road about 45 km, it will turn to a dirt road similar to what you'd see south of Tulum, going into the Sian Kaan from the north entrance. You'll go past El Placer, and El Uvero.When the paved road ends, set your odometer to zero. You'll be entering the Sian Kaan from the south within a km of losing the pavement. It's 9.9 km and you'll find a gate that's chained and locked shut. You can walk around the gate, and follow a path on foot that will bring you to the caribe. There's a shack, and you will see the shipwreck maybe 100 yards from shore. It is in shallow water.
TMB
Got it, thanx!
Any pix of it?
BINK!
Mags
_____________________________
For Saskia: Odota, anna minun ajaa se pois!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward............ - 2/25/2013 9:19:43 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Maggie
quote:
ORIGINAL: tmbutler
quote:
ORIGINAL: Maggie
Where is the ship wreck?
BINK!
Mags
Is the pope Catholic??
TMB
OK, let's start at the Pemex, 4 km out of Mahahual. Going towards Mahahual, take the next left (you are going north) - there's an electrical pole with some signs on it. One of the signs says Mayan Beach Garden. If you stay on the paved road about 45 km, it will turn to a dirt road similar to what you'd see south of Tulum, going into the Sian Kaan from the north entrance. You'll go past El Placer, and El Uvero.When the paved road ends, set your odometer to zero. You'll be entering the Sian Kaan from the south within a km of losing the pavement. It's 9.9 km and you'll find a gate that's chained and locked shut. You can walk around the gate, and follow a path on foot that will bring you to the caribe. There's a shack, and you will see the shipwreck maybe 100 yards from shore. It is in shallow water.
TMB
Got it, thanx!
Any pix of it?
BINK!
Mags
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward............ - 2/26/2013 10:14:05 AM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
Here's the last group of pix from this part of the trip. There's some pix from a stroll south of Mayan Beach Gardens, showing the power of hurricane Dean back in 2007??, there's a few from the path going in to the shipwreck, some on the beach in the biosphere showing some of the nearby fish traps, some from being stranded on the pothole filled paved road, and some final pix with Marcia, Kim, and guests from the final night. There's also a group of pix from Bacalar (again - let's see, 4th visit?), where I got the off road mud off the rental. This was on the way back from Chetumal, after buying the 2 tires and rim.
I hope to have better luck convincing Marguarite to return to the Sian Kaan - either from the north or south, but I'll be wizer about the vehicle I take in. I'm sure glad Rick was along, and could speak fluent Spanish to the truckload of Mexican folks who gave Marguarite and Rick a lift back to the resort.
Enjoy the pix.
[image] [/image]
[image] [/image]
This concludes the segment from El Placer and the biosphere. As you can see, Marcia and Kim have a great place there, a great staff, and MBG is located on a beautiful remote beach. We'll be back next year for a week or so. Each of the rooms offer a slightly different experience. We spent 4 nights downstairs, and 2 nights upstairs. As you can see from one of the last pix, we roll with a lot of stuff. But changing rooms was a small price to pay for a last minute extention. We liked the downstairs the best because it was close to that remote part of the beach property to the south. It was fun tho on the last evening on the upstairs balcony, to lay on a cushion at night, completely under the stars, and sip the Correlejo. Nice breeze off the caribe - no bugs.
Rick had a few pix and an interesting video from the biosphere. I'll have to dig that up and post later.
TMB
< Message edited by tmbutler -- 2/26/2013 10:51:35 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 2/26/2013 1:52:55 PM
|
|
|
ulle trautvag
Posts: 405
Joined: 3/28/2008
From: Manhattan/nyc
Status: offline
|
Gorgeous!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/12/2013 12:09:27 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
Well, as we start to piece together next year's trip, Mayan Beach Gardens is definitely part of the equation. Reservations already made. There are few places that you can snorkel out front or just up the beach, and find such healthy coral. For us, MBG has the right mix of world class snorkeling from shore (or kayak), excellent food (or kitchenettes if you prefer), comfortable accomodations, nearby adventure in the Sian Kaan, solitude or companionship, and a very friendly staff . There are unique advantages in each of the rooms. We thoroughly enjoyed both units we stayed in.
If you're looking to escape the crowds a bit and decide on a visit to Mayan Beach Gardens, please say "Hola!" from Tomas y Marguarite!
TMB
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/18/2013 11:39:13 AM
|
|
|
divedocmd
Posts: 3
Joined: 3/22/2011
Status: offline
|
Daytime octopus while snorkeling? You are good! and lucky!!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/18/2013 2:13:44 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: divedocmd
Daytime octopus while snorkeling? You are good! and lucky!!
Hey DDoc. Checked out the linx to your stuff - pretty cool! Yeah, I think luck is the predominant factor. Debs spotted the octopus first. I was just about to check out the coral head, and then headed back a bit to find James and Debs as they haven't done a lot of snorkeling - thinkin' we should stick together a little more. Debs went past the coral head, and then later mentioned the octopus, as she surfaced. I didn't know whether she was sure of it or not at first, but then I thought how can you mistake that.
I stuck around enough to finally find it, and then tried several attempts for the next 30 minutes or so. They finally caught up with me an the way back to the kayaks.
The only other time I was lucky enough to get decent day time octopix was back in 2005, in Aventuras Akumal bay. Lemme see if I can post a couple. On yet one other occasion, I actually went looking for octopus at dusk, as I had seen one hunting in the shallows at dusk the night before. And yes, it was back the next night in about the same spot. This time I was armed with a dive light and a fairly Xitty camera, but again pulled off a couple decent octopix.
From shallows in front of Oasis Tulum 2005
Almost missed it, but caught the suction cups of the tentacle out of the corner of my eye. Circled back around and realized how good they can blend into their surroundings.
[image] [/image]
[image] [/image]
Had this Sealife cam at the time Had this measuring wand for focal length for closeups. Actually nudged it. It immediately turned whitish, and expanded its body size considerably, especially around the tentacles. Got a couple pix before it inked me and bolted. Eventually nestled into the crevise.
[image] [/image]
[image] [/image]
[image] [/image]
From shallow water in front of Bahia Principe at dusk 2009
[image] [/image]
Oh, and a few octopix from aquarium at home. 2012
[image] [/image]
[image] [/image]
[image] [/image]
Probably best over all octo pic
[image] [/image]
As you can see, I have to admit to being a little octonutz.
TMB
< Message edited by tmbutler -- 3/20/2013 10:04:17 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/18/2013 2:32:18 PM
|
|
|
Whitney
Posts: 2892
Joined: 2/6/2005
Status: offline
|
Awesome pic! our very first trip to Mahahual we showed up at MGB unexpectedly for our very first stay--and the rest is history. Kim and Marcia--great peeps! Great adventure, thanks!
_____________________________
It's not what you know, it's who you are.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/18/2013 3:25:30 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Whitney
Awesome pic! our very first trip to Mahahual we showed up at MGB unexpectedly for our very first stay--and the rest is history. Kim and Marcia--great peeps! Great adventure, thanks!
Hey Whits! Been a while. Always think about Casita Dragonfly when I'm near Mahahual. Marcia and Kim weren't sure whether Peter and Gabrielle were still renting casitas, or just doing the beach / brunch thing with the cruise ship peeps. I think it was 2010 that Marguarite and I ventured down that way, and stayed at El Castillo for 3 nights. Next year, we'll be in El Placer for 7 days, and maybe pass down your way. I think Dale and Dempy were stayin at your place the days Marguarite and I were at El Castillo.
We gotta winter storm advisory here in Mn / Wi today - wish I was in Mahahual. Talked to a colleague today who just got back from diving a week In Mahahual. He said it was very windy, and there were 4 days they could not go out. He only got 5 days in. I guess weather is always a crap shoot where ever you go.
TMB
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/18/2013 4:59:21 PM
|
|
|
ChrisandCindy
Posts: 4781
Joined: 12/24/2005
Status: offline
|
loved the pix. Mayan beach garden has been on our radar for a while. Looks like it is worth the drive.
_____________________________
Video
Pix
YouTube
A smile is the same in every language
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/18/2013 7:07:59 PM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: ChrisandCindy
loved the pix. Mayan beach garden has been on our radar for a while. Looks like it is worth the drive.
C&C-
Mos def worth the drive. If you come down in the first week of March, we'll get a chance to meet. I know you'll enjoy the snorkeling from seeing your daily UW posts. You don't have to go far to see a very healthy reef, and the amenities of the resort are great! Directly in front of MBG, it is good swimming - and as you go out farther there are some coral heads. The one time I snorkeled directly in front, I saw maybe a dozen Queen trigger fish, a small coral head with a spotted eel, an intermediate french angel and some squirrel fish, a yellow ray, and a large star fish. So even if the coral wasn't plentiful, there was lots to see. If you walk up the beach about 8 - 10 minutes to the north, there are many coral heads in really great shape. You can walk up, or you can kayak up and tie off out by the reef break. I did both.
I think you'll enjoy the shipwreck if you make it up into the biosphere. Just don't be in a hurry (driving). Watch the potholes on the paved road, and just be reasonable on the beach road. If you know you'll be exploring in the biosphere, don't rent a car with those low profile tires - or rent a newer car with better tires than I had.
Marcia sez the best snorkeling in the area is at km 22 (from the end of the paved road - about ~25 km from MBG) . The shipwreck is at km 9.9. I'd like to make it into the biosphere again next year. I want to get to km 22, and maybe get some fisherman to take us out in a boat to snorkel and maybe fly fish. There is a restaurante up there somewhere, too - but if you go I'd check with Marcia to make sure.
If you go, you will be glad you did.
TMB
< Message edited by tmbutler -- 3/20/2013 9:56:34 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...All pi... - 3/21/2013 8:32:34 AM
|
|
|
divedocmd
Posts: 3
Joined: 3/22/2011
Status: offline
|
Great luck with all your octo-pics. On my first dive trip to Aruba I ran across a big fellow during the daytime. After that, any Caribbean octopi have been on night dives. When I was in Hawaii I think we saw them on every dive but they were little guys. Thanks for sharing!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...More O... - 3/28/2013 9:42:48 PM
|
|
|
GlubGlub
Posts: 22
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Status: offline
|
Great post and pix! What kind of camera do you use?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: If you dare, El Placer and parts northward...More O... - 3/29/2013 9:01:47 AM
|
|
|
tmbutler
Posts: 2066
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: GlubGlub
Great post and pix! What kind of camera do you use?
Well, I'm gonna guess I used maybe 4 different cams for the pix in this post - some I don't own anymore.
My main one for topside and UW is a Cannon T1i. Top side I like the 18 - 200 mm lens. UW I prefer the 10 -22 mm wide angle lens. I put it in a Sea and Sea housing and strobe(s). Before the trip, we bought an Olympus TG-1, which we used exclusively top side, but is rated for I think 33 feet. Sposed to be waterproof, shock proof, freeze proof, etc. Was real handy, just strapped around my arm and didn't have to worry about water while kayaking or in a dive / snorkel boat.
Now some of the octopix date back to 2005 and 2010??. Some were with a Sealife 520 and strobe, some were with a Pentax (similar to the TG-1) but much earlier model. I regret not having used my 60 mm macro lens and port for the T1i (UW), but I'll have a chance next year.
I was pretty lucky to have gotten some decent shipwreck pix with the UW rig, without having a ton of water spots on the port. Some that I did have, I was able to crop out. Unfortunately, for me it's mostly luck. I'll shoot easily 10 gigs and get maybe a handful of reasonable shoots. But I guess you gotta be in the right place at the right time for the foto op. That'sm luck, too.
TMB
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
|
Printable Version
[image] 
