Mexico trip day 2: Walking around Valladolid (9/29/18)

Got up and packed my bag for relocating to Valladolid. Ate breakfast that was provided by the hostel (omelette and cereal station with bananas) before walking to the bus station to head out. The bus winds up being a little late but the guy working the station door was helpful letting me know which bus to go on. Get on the bus and head out when they start a movie. Tried watching but the subtitles never came on and my spanish isnt that good so I read a little bit and took a nap. Arrive into town and get my bearings to walk to the hostel (Hostel La Candelaria).

Water collection art work I believe at the hostel. 

Chilling in a hammock at the hostel. 

Everything I had read talked about the architecture of the buildings and how beautiful they were but I found them to be run down for what I was expecting. They had some gorgeous churches and what not but the hype that was played up on the blogs I was reading I felt were misleading. Find the main cathedral which was closed (which I found weird as I feel like when I travel over in Europe the churches are usually open so you can explore them). Keep walking and find their city hall which has a small museum about the city's history built into it so I go look in there and check out their cool murals. From there, I walk south and explore random parts of town and eventually make my way over to the main tourist street which is just a bunch of higher end shops that goes from the central part of town down to the convent  (calzada de los frailes) and grab a quick bite to eat (meh empanada from one of the stores) before going to check out the convent. Walk around for a little bit and then head back towards the hostel. On the way I grab a tasty coffee from Cafeina and hang out for a bit before getting back to the hostel.

Main Cathedral in the main square.

Who wants to have their picture taken?

One of the murals in the historical museum in the main square.

Stumbled upon a random church on my walk. 

The convent of Valladolid.

Found the artful sign for Valladolid in front of the convent.

Closer look of the convent.

Tasty coffee treat for a little break from the walk.

Cool little idea for seating in a bar. Swing chairs.

Check in to see if anyone wants to join, but no one is there, so I continue my walk over to Cenote Zaci, the huge cenote in the center of town (10-15min walk from the hostel. Its incredibly beautiful and huge (people hanging around the edges and jumping into the water from the various entry spots); it is due to these cenotes that I am glad I came inland - the reviews did not lead me astray here. Strip down to my underwear and jump in to enjoy the chilly waters and just relax a bit after a long day walking around town sweating my butt off. After floating around a bit and letting the fish peck at my skin while being relatively still, get out and air dry a little bit before walking around and taking pictures of the cavernous sights surrounding the walkway. As sun starts going down, head back to the hostel to partake in the Cantina night where they make a few small plates for everyone and give everyone a 40 of local beer. Make plans with some of the guys I met then as the night winds down, I go take a shower (their showers are outdoors but covered - wish they were uncovered to enjoy the moonlight) and then get ready for bed for tomorrow's adventure.

Ruin near the Zaci Cenote.

Can you guess which symbol is for the Cenote?

Lets go down and check this place out.

Havent even got to the water and its looking like I made a great call.

This place is huge. And stunning.

Walking along the path inside the cave and this is the view.

Thats the path I was just on.

Stairwell out from inside the cave.

Lets go get in the water

Path down to the water from this side.

Another great view of Zaci.

Looking down the stairwell from above.

View down into Zaci from the top with a statue.

One of the jumping pads into the cenote.

Some of the inner rooms in the cave.