Directly after the Capital we went to climb the highest mountain of Mexico, PICO DEL ORIZABA (5611m).

From the familie's house we could see our goal ...

The walk to the foot of the mountain was very beautiful but far. When we finally reached the refugio at 4750m it was late and dark and I had already caught a terrible headache.

But finally we stood there... 5611m Pico de Orizaba also known as Citlaltepetl (Star Mountain)   From there we had an extraordinary view and we could look down in the big crater.

After the biggest adventure of our trip it was time for some party in VERACRUZ

Here we played around in a fortress (San Juan de Ulua) by the sea and had great Christmas parties.

Then it was time for some Maya history in the PALENQUE RUINS

Here are some pictures of the very nicely preserved Templo de las Inscripciones

And then it was time for me to fool around a bit among the waterfalls, lians and temples of Panenque.

Our next stop was the city MERIDA from where we visited the archaeological site UXMAL

In this building complex, Cuadrangulo de las Monjas, there was many places where small kids could have fun... ... and then below we have some off-pist temple trekking pictures ...

After all that mayan it was time for a great CHRISTMAS PARTY with some locals in MERIDA

	The Christmas dinner that the locals prepared was mucho delicious. It was called Lamo Clabatiado with Spagheti con Crema.
	Then it was time for the Christmas game with a big Piñata filled with candies. But since the new beginners did not manage to break it...
	... we had to ask for help from the real professionals (some kids from the neighbor).

Between Merida and Cancun we stopped by another Mayan site, CHICHEN ITZA.

El Castillo

Here is a collection of places that we visited in the eastern part of the YUKATAN PENINSULA.

	Close to ISLA MUJERES Ivo tried to rape a Manta...
	In these caves ("cenotes"), filled with water, we could snorkel among fishes and adventurous (dangerous?) labyrinths.
	At PLAYA DEL CARMEN I did wonderful coral reef scuba diving. Unfortunately I have no pictures from that, so here is a group picture from our dormitory instead.
	At ISLA COZUMEL we did snorkeling and new years eve party.
	The TULUM RUINS were interesting mostly because they where situated just next to the sea.
	In MAHAHUAL we said farewell of Yukatan at this Caribbean and untouristic beach, where a beautiful coral reef was reachable just about fifty meters from the shore.

After a long bus ride we were back in the CHIAPAS. Here we went for a swim inside (!) the waterfall Misol-Ha before we continued our journey to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS. 

From the city San Cristobal De Las Casas we visited two villages. In San Juan Chamula, inside this church, they were worshiping with Coca-Cola and in the graveyard the crosses had different colors depending on the age of the dead.

In the second village, Zinacantan, we saw how local women prepared tortillas and making their blankets.

From San Cristobal De Las Casas we also took a trip to CANON DEL SUMIDERO.

Here was the "Christmas Tree" the most spectacular... (don't miss the white boat on the picture to the left)

 Well.... that's all for now folks...  :o)

Muchas Gracias y Hasta la proxima vez Mexico !!!