Explanations

Hey guys

Yes,I am still alive, and now in Mexico!

The first 3 pictures that I just posted were from the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico. A bunch of old crumbling buildings covered in iguanas. But what makes these ones spectacular was where they were set. They are on a vast field overlooking the ocean. They have an incredible view looking over the cliff but it is also amazing to swim underneath them and have them towering above you.

The next two pictures are in Belize. The first of a sting ray. We did a day trip of snorkling around the 2nd biggest reef in the world and got to go in with a ¨pack¨? of stingrays. What is the name for a group of sting rays? I´m sure uncle Mark will know. Or at least look it up and add it to his wealth of animal groups knowledge. ANyways it was really cool to swim in and around them. The water was really shallow so it was hard to get away from them. They have a very sinister look in their eyes. Kinda freaky.

The next picture is of a manatees nose, aka a sea cow. We headed to an area where they are sometimes found, and were lucky enough to see a bunch of them. They apparently get very curious when they hear people talking close by and will come up to check it out. They are very slow moving creatures so we could usually spot them moving slowly around our boat. They were much nicer and less threatening looking than the sting rays but we weren´t allowed to get into the water with them. We weren´t sure why, as they didn´t seem dangerous, until out guide Glen explained. Apparently they have the ¨parts¨ of a human female and the conservationists are afraid that men will try and ¨take advantage¨ of these lovely creatures. Guh.

The next two pictures are of more Mayan ruins in Guatemala, called Tikal. We went there at 330am to catch the sunrise while sitting on the tallest of the temples. We watched the sun come up over the huge jungle and tops of temples sticking out amongst the trees. It was an amazing sight. Normally the fog doesnt allow a very good view of the sun coming up but it was really clear when we went. Also the howler monkeys were all around us, calling and claiming their territory for the day.

In other news, Allan just found out he has salmonella, so he is on some antibiotics for a week. And my sister comes to meet me in Cancun on Tuesday! We will then proceed to cause some trouble in Mexico (just kidding mom!) before heading to Argentina.