William: Hello Hobbs! A new update on our whereabouts. Just moved over to Merida after a long drive from Cancun. Empty roads giving you a weird feeling. We had all possible difficulties finding our airbnb accommodation as its address was like Marida, Caucel, Avenida 68, Puerta Sisal, Calle 31, Avenida Caucel 68, Calle 3/2419 B. After much asking around, as we don't have a navigation system here, and consulting our paltry maps, we gave up and phoned our host who navigated us to the house, which turned out to be located in a semi-fenced residential area outside the city. Quite a pretty and comfy place for that and entirely for us alone.
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William: So we finally had a goodnight's sleep, did some sightseeing in the capital of Yucatan today and are looking forward to reconnoiter the area tomorrow.
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Hobbs: Hi there! Many thanks for the details. Caucel rings a bell with me. Is it to the west of the city itself? A fairly new development?
William: That's it. Brand new and still being developed. Following a wide and brand new avenida today, we ended up with this. <file_photo> And dense vegetation beyond!
Hobbs: Looks like Mexico to me. But they'll pick up the continuation once they needed it. Practically minded as they are. And how did you like the city itself?
William: We got stuck on the Plaza Mayor, this being Sunday. It was turned into a market square with stalls offering local food, craftsmanship products and household goods, surprising un-touristy. In front of Palacio del Gobierno, a supreme show of dancing in local costumes.
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Hobbs: Did you manage to get to the balcony of the Palacio on the first floor and get some photos from there?
William: But of course!
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William: Theresa tried to prevent me from trespassing but you know me. Even managed to get to the loo there!
Hobbs: Good boy! And how about the cathedral? Casa de Montejo? Is it still accessible or is it only a bank?
William: Both, and Theresa intends to visit the cathedral again to take some more photos. I didn't find it that impressive, apart from the west facade of course. A small part of Casa de Montejo on the ground floor is a museum now, interiors with period furniture plus a small modern art gallery, quite pleasant though over-airconditioned, but the rest is a bank, I think.
Hobbs: If I remember correctly they bought the building some time ago and financed its restoration. To have a good overview of the city, you should try a ride on an open double-decker bus.
William: Planned for a day to come. Tomorrow we want to go to Sisal and drive along the coast to Progresso.
Hobbs: You'd better stay in Sisal, enjoy the beach and absolutely try one of their fish restaurants. As far as I remember the road leading eastwards peters out after a few kms and you are nowhere.  Years back with my team we mapped the ruins of Xcopte temple east of the road but it took us a strenuous march and even worse kayaking. I don't think it's been made open to sightseeing. I'd give it a miss anyway, nothing spectacular.
William: Thanks for the tip! We are planning though to drive down and visit Uxmal. Is it worth it?
Hobbs: Absolutely! It is a must. Huge, well preserved, with a totally unique - oval - pyramid, el Piramide del Adivino. Plan one whole day for this site. It is exceptional. One of my favourites in this part of Yucatan.
William: We will! I'm developing a slight liking for Maya architecture :-)
Hobbs: I bet you are! Anyway please keep me posted about your travelling there.
William: Sure. Your tips are invaluable to us. You'll hear from us soon!
William and Theresa have just moved to Merida. They had problems getting there. They like their accommodation and they enjoy their sightseeing in the capital of Yukatan. They are planning to go to Sisal and Uxmal. 