Yucatán - Day 14 - Isla Mujeres

Finally I came to the last day of my journey. I rented a scooter today and went to a few destination. But none of the destinations were comparable to the beauty of the coastline. It was super windy, but the view is just fantastic. Mixed with the beautiful Caribbean styled houses, they make perfect postcard pictures.

I then finished the day with another dip into the crystal clear ocean, and a beautiful Mexican dinner (a rather expensive one). Another satisfying day.

Yucatán - Day 13 - Isla Mujeres

Here on the island you are judged by the color of you skin, on how tanned you are. I've always wanted to be able to spend an entire day under the sun and do nothing. Today I found out that it is actually possible, and I feel alright! For 50 pesos I spent a whole day on the North Beach. I was able to walk very far out into the ocean for the water is shallow even very far. The water is as clear as in the swimming pool. The wave is as great fun!

Unfortunately it got too windy later in the day and even a few drops of rain. So I cut it off early and did some other stuff, then went back to see the fantastic sunset. Today I'm a man with a satisfied mind.

Yucatán - Day 12 - Isla Mujeres

After 8 hours of traveling, bus ride, waiting, van ride, ferry ride, finally arrive here at Isla Mujeres. Was it worth all the trouble? I don't know yet, but does it matter? Now I'm here I'll just enjoy myself here.

It's rather fresh that finally get back to a place where more people seem to know English.

Here at the hostel is very busy. Perhaps just me, I rather spend some quiet time, but for young people, probably a fantastic vibe. The room is very stuffy, luckily I'm on 3rd floor so when i open all the windows hopefully no mosquitoes will come in (no mosquito net in the window). The hostel faces the east side of the beach which is the ugly side. All the actions are at the west side, which is just a few blocks away.

Yucatán - Day 11 - Cuzama

Today went to a small town called Cuzama for a cenote trip. Getting to the town was easy, but once there, I had to take a moto taxi which cost me 60 pesos for solo, and another horse ride into the cenotes. I thought I can just somehow walk there from the town, but it is impossible. Luckily a couple was willing to share the horse cart ride with me and saved me mucho money.

The cenotes themselves are over-rated. The ones I visited near Valladolid (though not in the guide book) in my opinion are much nicer.

So no I don't think today's trip was worth it.

Yucatán - Day 10 - Uxmal

Today went to my third ruin site. And finally get to climb up to the pyramid. What a feeling, looking down from the top. The site wasn't too crowded and I was able to have some quiet moment at the top. This site seems to be more interesting than the previous two I visited. There are some structures that are unrestored, and it was a thrill exploring them.

My diarrhea is still on and off. I should have more self control, 'cause I went to the street food at the main square tonight. I'm a little bit regretting now. There is really a festival spirit going on. Music everywhere, part of the streets were blocked off. It was too much temptation.

Yucatán - Day 09 - Izamal

1.5 hour from Merida took me to a small town called Izamal, the yellow city, 'cause the whole town is painted in yellow. It'd an interesting town, when many photo opportunities. The yellow walls look exceptionally attractive with the blur sky in the background. I was expecting a quiet secluded colonial town, but the street stalls selling plastic buckets,.. etc and arcades, and the food market kind of spoiled the mood there...

The church fortress / monastery is a cool visit. And it's an interesting contrast that exactly few locks north stands a tall Mayan pyramid.

Yucatán - Day 08 - Mérida

After the conclusion of the Valladolid leg, I took a 2 hours 1st class bus to Mérida on the west coast. The bus ride in Mexico is much more civilized than the ones I experienced in India. It is very well organized, and everyone on the bus are courteous and quiet. Bus left the station on time. It traveled on tolled highway so no delay at all.

After I arrived, found out the main square was under construction. Just another piece of tourist spot under renovation, again...

I quickly jumped to the shopping district, and to me, it strangely resemble the streets of Mongkok. Two completely unrelated cities, how can they be so similar? All the pedestrian only streets, with street stands set up in front of shops, mixed with department stores, and food stands in the corner. Somehow we just think the same way maybe.

Yucatán - Day 07 - Yalladolid

Today I went to the near-by cenote X'Keken and Samula. This is the first time I've been to one, let alone swimming in one, and it's like nothing I've experienced. The temperature feel warmer than above ground, and water temperature was just right for swimming, I wonder if it is artificially adjusted. Some lighting effects are added, and I like it. When I arrived I was the only one there. It was a little intimidating at first to jump into the water, not knowing what will happen. Birds are flying above the ceilings, and black gold fish all over the underground lake. I forced myself not to think too much and jump into the water. It was such a wonderful experience swimming with the little fish, especially all alone! Later few tourists came down and ended my moment with the fish. It was too bad my minor cold is back so I didn't allow myself to stay in the water for too long.

After that I went to the San Bernadino cathedral nearby my hostel. I paid 30 pesos to see the "special" area. It was a pleasant visit and I didn't regret paying for it. It's fascinating to know that a cenote is underneath the church. And all the ancient looking wall and hide-away passage always gives these old buildings a mysterious and intriguing feel.

Yucatán - Day 06 - Ek' Balem

Went off to another ruin site today, hopped on a collectivo for 40 pesos and headed to Ek' Balem. Somehow this site gave me a more authentic feel than Chichen. Unfortunately I can't go up to the main structure again :( Why do they have to fix everything all at once?
After the ruin I walked about 1/2 hour to the near by Mayan village. A few traditional Mayan huts and brick houses made up the village. It was much smaller than I expected. People are very friendly there, they greeted me 'hola' wherever I went. I then had a quick lunch at the only tiny comerdo there, had a Pollo soup for 60 pesos, definitely a tourist price.
All day there just seem there weren't a lot of people. There were even less solo travelers, and travelers depending on public transit. At the end I had to wait for a whole hour for the collectivo to collect enough people to come back!

Yucatán - Day 05 - Chichen Itza

With Valladolid as my base, I headed to Chichen Itza for a day trip. I took the long distance bus there and arrived with no problem. The weather was perfect, they say this is the coolest winter they've seen. I arrived at around 10 am, not too many people were there yet, most of the shops were still setting up. Some mentioned to me they only spent 2 hours there, but I managed to spend a good 4 hours there. Having seen Angkor Wat, seems to me Chichen Itza frails in comparison. None of the structure were opened to public, so can only view from outside. Never the less, it is magnificent. The story behind the structure were mysterious, and fascinating with all the human sacrificing rituals, and gave me a weary feeling. There were two deep cenotes in the site, which said the site where live people were flown into as sacrifices to the gods. I swear I can see bodies floating on it's lake.

Afterward I headed back to Valladolid and tasted some local food across the main square. My host in Cozumel gave me a list of local food to try out there. I think I'll eat the rest of my meals in Valladolid there!

Yucatán - Day 04 - Vallaadolid

After Cozumel, I traveled inland to the west and arrived at Valladolid. I took the first class bus and arrived without difficulties. Things are cheaper here, many small old streets, but relatively more polluted air, and got my first mosquito bite.

Compare to my hostel in Cozumel, the hostel I'm staying here seems to be a run down. I'm a little bit regretful not spending more. Never the less this seems to be an interesting colonial style city, with lots of photo ops.

My sore throat is not going away, hopefully it won't affect my trip, not even half way through yet!

Yucatán - Day 03 - Isla Cozumel

My second day of diving, first time diving through tunnels. I was quite worried about my skill at first as this is only my 4th dive, and first deep dive. But I made it through and it was fantastic, and magical! I saw sharks, turtles, but the most magical thing was all the colorful fish, big and small, lone and in groups swimming in unison. There's no other experience like diving. And I can see it can get addictive. Once you're in certain depth, you wanna go deeper.

And this concludes my stay in Cozumel. At the end I didn't get to tour around the island, traffic was a problem too as it happened to be the Iron Men competition today, but the diving trip made it up plentiful.

Yucatán - Day 02 - Isla Cozumel

Freedom 37, at least temporary, having the whole house for myself, put on little jazzy music on my smart phone, lying in the open lounge, documenting my 1st day in Cozumel, as the host couple themselves are out partying in downtown. Well anyway there isn't much to document, such is the life in Cozumel, it's always tranquilo, relaxed, nothing is marked on stones until last minute. Main activity for me today was scuba diving, a refresher course from my host himself, the first time I see reefs in real clear water actually! I wish there were more fish, but this is good enough for a refresher course. Afterward, after we docked, while the other customers went away, we just remain sitting on the boat chilled and chatted away with beers in our hands. They were speaking Spanish most of the time, which I didn't understand, but was able to guess some of the more obvious jokes. I just sat, observed, laughed, and enjoyed life with them.

Stuff here is not exactly cheap, almost North American price, but most people here are friendly and honest. Business doesn't seems to be very good. "It used to be better" seems to be what most loccal would say.

Yucatán - Day 01 - Isla Cozumel

After 5 hrs flight, an hour bus ride, 45min ferry ride, and lots of wait time, I'm finally here at my hostel in Cozumel. I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm the only guest here, and I get to have the big room! I had problem with my bank card and the host provided me free long distance call to rectify the problem! I'm soooo lucky I brought some cold cash with me!

My bus ride to the ferry turned out to be a share taxi ride, paid more than double 'cause I can't find the bus station, and I was too tired so I got tricked to take the taxi, but still pretty good for taxi. Amazingly turned out the other passenger is a native from Hastings, who used to do all kinds of drugs but came clean. Now he's doing the bucket list, and helping people to come off drugs too! This is really an amazing experience, even though my mind is too tired to grip the whole meaning of this special encounter.

Now I'm super tired. I'm stuck between going diving tomorrow with my host or sleep all day. Such a nice hostel here, especially I get to be the only one!

Yucatán - Day 00 - Depature

Oh it's that feeling again, the familiar anxiety of standing at the gateway into the unknown, into a brand new country, a new city, a new language, a new culture, a new airport, a new transportation system. It is at the same time intimidating, wanting to retreat, yet knowing needing to move forward, using will power to wipe out all fears, hoping and looking forward to a fulfilling and satisfying end of the journey.

Getting there is always the most stressful. This time I'll need to make many transfers in order to get from the airport to my first destination, Isla Cozumel.

I have to say this trip is one of my least prepared trip. So far I have only planned out my transportations. In 2 weeks I'll visit 4 cities. I have a rough idea what to do in each, but do not have a solid plan like I had in previous trips. Inspired by the other backpackers I've met, I'm hoping my itinerary this time will be more fluid. Hopefully I can gather enough information when I get there, and won't end up sitting in the hostel lounge all day.

Safety is another big concern for me this time, as there has been lots of stories of theft and violence, told personally to me and through the Internet. I hope being alert all the time won't spoil this supposedly relaxing de-stressing vacation.

Mission trip #3

Just came back from another trip to BC interior to serve the church there. This trip almost didn't happen for me. I was dealing with some problems that might affect my team mates. I thought about canceling the trip all together, and use the time to deal with the problem instead, but my pastor insisted me to go. She said I "have" to go, the devil was trying to discourage me! That was all I needed to hear to fully commit to the trip despite of the problem. I'm thankful for such a bold pastor, she helped me fully trust in God. When I got there, God again gave me revelations that He will take care of the problem.

It was an incredible experience. At the reserve it's a totally different world. Most people we met have either some kind of family problem or sickness. Some of the homes we visited are like places in a different country. I feel sad for the people. Yet in desperate situation, when people turn fully to God, things happen! I hear about many divine healing, in fact I witnessed one during the trip. Most people we met, though complete strangers, were totally open to their problems and willing to be prayed for. I see they have a simple and authentic faith and trust in God.

After this trip, a part of my 'self' is broken, that brought me closer to God. I really hope this feeling will last after I get back to work. Suddenly I feel lots of things that would have bothered me, did not matter no more.

My official report for my mission trip

"感謝主! 感謝主!" The congregation cannot stop exclaiming! This is their first ever service in a church. As our van drive through a narrow alley into an empty open area, we see a lone rundown unattractive building. As we walk into one of the units, we see a group of Sichuanese with smiling faces already gathered. Their days of needing to hold services at people's homes are no more, now they can come here to worship every week! "這一生最美的祝福" was the song we sang in the van as we headed out that day. It is a fitting song for the trip because of its Chinese melody, also the lyrics reflect a very simple faith that is common to many Christians I've met in rural China. Sometimes city people like me get easily entangled by all kinds of unnecessary wants and needs. We often say "感謝主" in our prayers and in our praises, but at the back of our minds sometimes we are not satisfied. As this song points out, life can be so simple. All we need, the one thing that will ever satisfy us and make us happy, is to know Jesus! Such is the simple faith of these people. Though they are insignificant in human terms, they are great in God's Kingdom. As we finished our program for them, they started to sing some of their own songs. They have no song books, they just sing from their memory the songs past down by others from before. I notice the lyrics and melody are incredibly familiar, I realize this is the same song we sang in the bus "這一生最美的祝福"! I cannot believe it! I am overwhelmed! This is not just a sheer coincidence, this is planned by God all along! They sang in a slightly varied village melody. I feel God is saying something to us! Though we have different culture, our circumstances may differ, we are but one Body. That very morning in my personal devotion time, I read John 17:22-23

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

No matter where we are, which denomination we belong to, we all belong to Jesus as One Body! And as we are united as one, and only then, will the world really know Jesus! And when they know Jesus, they will receive this true blessing, 最美的祝福!

This has been a constant theme in this mission trip for me. Before I tend to romanticize mission trips, going to exotic places, spreading gospel to the unreached. However, in God's eyes, there's no difference in serving there than serving at my own church, because we are all one church! As we obey and submit to God's lead, we see miracles, signs and wonders like these!

God has always been "Just-In-Time". There has been lots of incidents in this trip that show us, though we see obstacles, God's hands are never out of reach. Particularly in our team traveling and my own, we have seen God opening safe passages often in last moments. I was a last minute late comer joining the team, yet God gave me a really cheap flight ticket back HK to confirm it is indeed His will for me to join; though I was stuck in Beijing during transit, I made it in time to meet the team in HK; for the flight to 四川, God has preserved the very last seat of the flight for me; and on our last day when we tried to get to the airport for our flight back HK, though we got stuck in a gridlock traffic jam, God made the flight delay just a little bit so we made it just in time to catch the flight!

Hallelujah! 感謝主!

Day 04 北京

Without the wind Beijing is much more enjoyable, even with the cold weather. Today went to find a few shops and misc places, I kept getting lost in the back alley. Stuff here is not cheap at all, probably as expensive as in Canada, except for certain restaurants.

For some reason I must have looked more tourist than other days, so many people tried to hassle me, selling me stuff, offering me ride, asking me to bar, I thought I blended in pretty well. Someone actually asked if I'm Korean!

I feel I'm running out of stuff to do in Beijing, and running out of cash as well. Time to say goodbye.

Day 03 北京

The weather in Beijing is getting unbearable. It's cold and windy, and today I was mostly outdoor! I don't think I've experienced such cold weather. I hope I won't get sick. All I want to do is get to the next place and get indoor. Today I visited the 798 art complex. It's an abandoned old east German factory turned into many units of art studios. If it wasn't so cold, it would have been pretty good. All the studios are free to visit, However probably because of it's low season right now, many studios are closed for renovation, and some parts become pretty dusty and dirty because of constructions.

Because I was walking all day, and outdoor in the such cold weather, I'm very tired now. Hopefully tomorrow it won't be as tiring.

Day 02 北京

The room in the 胡同 hostel is pretty cold, I have to put on 2 heavy blanket! The heater is not very effective.

Went to the capital museum today. Great exhibition, but in the history session, there is no mention of 孙中山 at all!

After that went to Chinese massage. One hour massage, only 95 RMB ~ 15 CDN!

After massage, went to eat 新疆 dinner, had lamb curry rice, whole lamb leg, pita bread, and a big bottle of 青岛 beer, only 37 RMB ~ 5.7 CDN.

Day 01 北京

Arrived in 北京 late afternoon. Thank God there's no delay at all this time! I live in a old school Beijing 胡同, and I felt in love with it right away! Its like stepping back in time, but everything is tidy. I cannot stop taking pictures.

After settling down at the hostel, I immediately went out to 王府井 for street food. I had 3 deep fried crabs. Lights, neon signs are everywhere, it's just like Hong Kong. But within couple hours in Beijing, I witnessed the gap between the rich and poor. There are beggars on the street, which is non-existing in 四川 or other places I visited in this trip, yet many people are throwing food away just so that they can sample more food, and beggars picking them up from the garbage bin.

广东

The village trip that I never made in 四川, but this time I get to live in one. For 4 days we stayed in a church in a village where chickens run free everywhere, and every household grows veggies, and great hospitality is the norm. I have never lived in such a place before. We were planning to teach English everyday, but we ended up teaching only 2. However we did visit a lot of elders' homes, the left behinds, and witness the tough lives in the village.

New year is anything but exciting in the village, count down is not the custom here, never the less we did buy some cheap fireworks and had some great fun ourselves. The next day many people played fire crackers, but we were too busy to continue our work.

The last 2 days we finally get to teach English. We found out that they know very little English. I don't know how much they have absorbed in such short time, but they had fun and we had a great time teaching them! For some reason they got really excited when we teach them fruit names.

I thought I can stop wearing my big coat in 广东, but actually we felt colder there than 四川, especially at night, there's no heat in the room and I could not have survived without my big blanket.