- 2 days ago
EPIC Cozumel Excursion via Celebrity Cruises - Mayan Culture, Local Honey, Tequila class, & MORE
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00:08On our way to Cozumel and we are continually being stalked by carnival. Way off in the
00:17distance we do see land. Land ho. And we're almost at Cozumel.
00:31And 68% humidity. Currently traveling at 13 knots. So far we have traveled 1,493
00:45nautical miles. It is currently 77 degrees on February 12th. Supposed to be getting up
00:57to about 81 today. And there we are. Just about ready to pull into port. And here's our pilot
01:07coming in. Take us to Cozumel.
01:10Wow.
01:21He dropped something or somebody off.
01:24That is one huge ferry.
01:31Notice anything interesting about this boat?
01:36It's a clear boat.
01:40A glass boat.
01:42Okay. Not made of glass, but you get the idea.
01:46After we ate our breakfast. And if you're curious what that's about, you can check our last video.
01:51We went down to the gangway through the destination gateway.
01:56After we picked up a friend of ours.
02:00It was Sue from the Villages Skip and Sue YouTube channel.
02:07And we made our way down past all the ships.
02:28Down a very long port. And of course we had to stop off for the standard touristy pics here and
02:36there.
02:36Like this Island Cozumel photo opportunity.
02:41There we go.
02:43And then we just continue down to where we were to get our pickup for our excursion.
02:50And we are going to take a trip around Cozumel to some very interesting spots.
02:58So stay tuned for that.
03:01You are going to be pleasantly surprised at what we got ourselves into.
03:12And here's where Luann and I got our whip.
03:29Our tour guide Eric got us all together.
03:33And we started out by going up these escalators and into a very huge mall area.
03:39That eventually took us to the transportation center, which essentially is just a parking lot with buses.
03:45But the bus we were on was a proper bus.
03:48And unlike the last port excursion that we did, this one had a dedicated driver and a dedicated tour guide.
03:59So from the start, I was much more impressed with the package deal that we just happened to get.
04:06We did get a ship excursion credit.
04:09So we use that for this excursion and we're glad we did.
04:14And this is what we saw and what we did that day.
04:19So stick with us.
04:21There's a lot to see.
04:22There's a lot of very, very interesting and very surprising happenings that happened to us during this excursion.
04:32And a few things we saw that we did not expect and not sure we were supposed to see.
04:38But with that said, come along with us and see what we can see.
04:43In some places, we're going to expand or we're going to stay like 30, 40, 50 minutes.
04:50OK, so we're going to try to follow that time.
04:53OK, so we're going to return at the time that I mentioned to you.
04:56OK, familia?
04:58If I'm honest, the first location that we're going to visit is called Cinco Soles.
05:04And it's not far away from here.
05:06Los Cinco Soles is actually a few different places.
05:11I think they have four places you can go to the one that we want to.
05:16They had separated into different shops, but it was all inside.
05:21And according to their website and print literature, they call themselves a world of Mexican wonders.
05:27And it's where you can discover a lot of the Mexican handicrafts.
05:32And their idea is to support local producers and artisans by placing a high quality seal on each of their
05:42made in Mexico products.
05:44Now, this space, it's not real big, but it's not small either.
05:49And it's dedicated to the workers who craft each piece that's displayed in their, I guess you can call them
05:57boutiques.
05:58And when you purchase here, it's supposed to contribute to their sustainable economy and it helps to provide them and
06:06their families with the livelihood that they need.
06:11At least, again, that's how they portray it and advertise it.
06:15But when you walk through, you do see that there are some like T-shirt things as well.
06:21You know, those touristy trap sort of things.
06:24But most of it, I will say, is very good artisanship, as you can see in these video clips.
06:41Getting on the bus, we were able to then go to Cozumel and see the real Cozumel.
06:49The outskirts areas, which I thought was really interesting.
06:53And you got to see a few more things that you normally wouldn't see in the touristy port area, which
07:01I really appreciated.
07:03But where we go next was absolutely fascinating.
07:08So you got to stay tuned for that.
07:11You will be delectably surprised.
07:14I know that we were buzzing with excitement.
07:18And also, you're able to use it as a solar filter.
07:21Okay.
07:22So, Jorge is going to park right now.
07:26As soon as he parks, it's going to be time to say, vamos.
07:29Entering into the Mayan bee sanctuary, we were ushered into kind of a presentation hut that we got blessed and
07:39a purification of the group and a protection of the individuals as it is understood in the Mayan culture.
07:51Ricardo is going to show how we do this here in the Mayan civilization.
07:56Okay.
07:57After the presentation, we're going to enter to see how the bees lives inside of this place.
08:05Okay.
08:06After we finish, we're going to pass to the tasting and then I'm going to give you free time so
08:10you can look around and take pictures.
08:12Okay, Familia.
08:20Please don't be afraid.
08:22Don't be scared.
08:23This ceremony is a purification process for you.
08:27And the welcome to Cozumel, protection for the group.
08:31And very important in my culture.
08:33Ask permission before to die in the jungle.
08:35Okay?
08:36Permission before to see the bees.
08:37This is my mentality.
08:39It's my culture.
08:40Remember the sacrifices, maybe tomorrow, not today.
08:45Malo kim sukum, bishabeles, haskimak ingwo, in chaotic tex.
08:54Tan shunan kap, jikel kap, kalitagone, minah yetel tiah meyak, signal, signal.
09:09An astan tabinakastik.
09:12Tu us ajakta u yikelol.
09:16Le bisatiuleches iskala.
09:19Le tik kanatik agwatoch.
09:23Le utal tulukim kustal.
09:27Ti olalesun ham.
09:30Ayukil kap.
09:33Jumbo tik.
09:37Jumbo tik.
09:38Jumbo tik in Mayan language means thank you.
09:41Sukum means friend and brother.
09:44Jumbo tik sukum.
09:46Thank you friends.
09:47Thank you for your business.
10:09Jumbo tik.
10:11Jumbo tik.
10:16Jumbo tik.
10:18Jumbo tik.
10:18Do you speak maya?
10:19Yeah.
10:21Jumbo don't speak maya.
10:22Now are you ready.
10:47WirklÄs, gracias.
10:48Thank you very much.
10:48but as long as you leave them alone, they leave you alone.
10:52They have no desire of attacking you or biting you unless you bother them.
10:57So we were able to walk literally right through the hives, as you will see here.
12:18And we were taught the difference between Mayan bee honey and the European bee honey.
12:35The European bee honey is the honey that we most associate with table honey here in the United States and
12:44most of North America.
12:46The Mayan bee honey is more earthy and is used more for medicinal purposes and traditional Mayan treatment of ailments
12:58and different skin conditions.
13:01The gifts from the hive is the gift shop for this place, and it is where the bathrooms are, as
13:09well as the hand washing facilities.
13:16Of course, while you're here, there's all types of different honeys that you can buy, including the Mayan honey.
13:35On your way out, you, of course, just by happen chance, come by another outbuilding that just happens to have
13:46products for you to buy from a local artist, and they really are rather good.
13:52So, peruse, take your time, but not too much time, because we got to get on the bus and go
14:00to our next stop.
14:05On the way, we just happened to get by a nudist beach.
14:11Now, there were no nudes on there, at least not that I noticed.
14:15And then, of course, you have all the beautiful scenery, and that gives you time to digest the wonderful honey
14:24that you just ingested and get your stomach ready for your next adventure.
14:30Just you wait and see what this is.
14:33Whoa.
14:34Hershey has nothing on these guys.
14:39Welcome to the Mayan Cacao Company.
14:42Now, cacao, of course, is chocolate.
14:44But before we got to learn or experience any of the cacao here, they ushered us into taking some pictures,
14:53which, of course, is one way that they make money by selling you those touristy pictures.
14:58And they just happened to have been doing this right next to the restroom, hence another restroom stop.
15:06Nice and convenient.
15:08Afterwards, we were, again, ushered into a presentation building where we saw a presentation of the history of the Mayan
15:20cacao and a lot of really good information.
15:22As far as the history and how the Mayan peoples used cacao, this was, again, very interesting and very educational.
15:32After that point, we were ushered off once again to another building that had a Day of the Dead presentation
15:40in it.
15:40That was really neat, but we had to walk fairly quickly through it because on the other side, there was
15:49a taste test of a couple of different types of chocolates, but they put it on soft taco shells.
15:59My personal opinion, it really didn't go together, but at least she got to taste the chocolate.
16:05But by the looks of Luann and Sue's face, I think they kind of thought the same thing I did.
16:18Our next stop was yet another building that we went into.
16:23It was really neat.
16:24We walked into what looked like a small hut, and all of a sudden, it was this huge auditorium.
16:30It was personally my favorite part of this experience where they showed us how they actually made Mayan cacao and
16:40how the Europeans had come over and how they added sugar to the Mayan recipe to make it more palatable
16:48for them.
16:49And of course, some generic information about the cacao that they make there on site.
16:55The presenter was very funny, very educational.
17:00It was a nice relaxing area because you were able to sit down in this one.
17:04And definitely a part of the tour you do not want to miss.
17:16Of course, just like the other places, the tour is not complete until you go to the gift shop.
17:24This is where you get to sample a few more pieces of chocolate and to purchase anything that you want
17:32to take back to the ship and snack on at your leisure.
17:36Oh, that's the aphrodisiac version.
17:43Definitely a lot to look at.
17:45And I would say it's probably a diabetics nightmare.
17:49However, one of the better gift shops that we had come across, of course, also, when you walk out of
17:57the gift shop, there's a place there that you can get different drinks, different chocolate based confections.
18:05And myself and Sue decided to try the chocolate margarita.
18:17I've never had a margarita before besides a chocolate margarita.
18:22This is good.
18:24This is very good.
18:25It's strong, too.
18:28Is it good?
18:29Yeah, it's good.
18:31It's melting.
18:31With our chocolate margaritas in hand, we decided we better get on the bus before it leaves without us.
18:39And then off to the next stop we go.
18:42And that is to this place, which I'm not even going to try to pronounce, but it had tequila.
18:50They taught us how to drink tequila correctly.
18:53And they also had pieces out you can get snacks.
18:57And supposedly they had some of the best tacos in town.
19:01And here's a little bit of what we experienced.
19:03We're going to have anything in all the way.
19:05One of each.
19:07Okay.
19:08One of each.
19:09One of each.
19:10Friends, what is the tradition in Mexico?
19:13Shots.
19:14Shots.
19:15And this is what we're trying to change.
19:16Okay?
19:17Now, don't get me wrong.
19:18I'm not saying that this is not going to be fun.
19:21Definitely it's going to be fun.
19:22I've done it.
19:23But, you know, the consequences the next morning.
19:26Okay?
19:26Now, we even have a saying.
19:29One tequila, two tequilas, three tequilas, four.
19:33We have to do it in the opposite way.
19:35We have to take our time and we have to drink it into little sips.
19:38How many of you enjoy drinking wine?
19:40Yes.
19:41How many of you enjoy drinking, I don't know, like bourbon or scotch?
19:46Yeah.
19:47How are you doing, my friends?
19:48I'm a sitter.
19:49I bet you do.
19:50Okay?
19:51But, my friends, in the case of tequila, it's going to be the same.
19:54Not only, my friends, because it's going to be a better experience.
19:58Because it's going to be a little smoother in that way.
20:00I'm going to share with you a technique that is going to make things a little easier.
20:05But, do not forget, we are not drinking honey.
20:08It's tequila.
20:09Okay?
20:10So, it's going to be a little harsh.
20:11But, it's going to be something you're going to be able to handle it.
20:15Now, amigos.
20:17I know it's just a little sample.
20:19But, if it's possible, try to make two or three sips out of that sample.
20:23The first one is going to be a little different.
20:27Because, you're going to have to swish it.
20:30Okay?
20:31Swish it inside your mouth for three seconds.
20:34After that, you can just pass it and swallow it.
20:37And, what is going to help you is to breathe in and breathe out.
20:41But, welcome to a Mexican yoga class.
20:45Close your eyes.
20:47Breathe.
20:47Breathe, okay?
20:48So, remember.
20:49Sip, swish.
20:52Swallow, and breathe.
20:54Now, what is happening right now, my friends.
20:57Your taste buds are reacting to this.
21:01Yes, they are.
21:02And, your mouth is watering, right?
21:05You're feeling a little tingling at the back of your mouth.
21:07It's part of a process.
21:09Now, after a few seconds, all of this will disappear, my friends.
21:12And, that's going to be the sign to try one more cequila.
21:18Your taste buds will react to that.
21:21See you later.
21:22Bye-bye.
21:22Have a seat.
21:43Bye-bye.
22:30Then finally, we got back to the port and started the long walk back to the ship.
22:37Now, it was kind of neat to see the port when it wasn't quite as full.
22:43Unfortunately, we were right up against the time for the ship to leave.
22:47So we had to pretty well huff it.
22:50But since we were on a ship-owned excursion, they were waiting for us.
22:56So we were too worried about that.
22:59But again, don't go anywhere because we're going to show you what we had to eat that night.
23:05What was on our vegan menu?
23:07What we chose?
23:08Also, was there anything at the snack area for us later that night before we went to the theater and
23:18saw a fantastic performance?
23:20Wait till you see this.
23:22So stay tuned.
23:23I'll show you all that and more in a minute.
23:26And there we go.
23:28We are moving.
23:30Bye-bye, Cozumel.
23:34What did you say?
23:36Goodbye, warm weather.
23:41For our evening meal, we went to the Cosmopolitan Restaurant again, which is one of the included restaurants.
23:47And we met up with Sue once more.
23:50And we met up with another friend of ours, Judy.
24:05I will say tonight's meal was okay.
24:10Again, not what we expect for an elevated premium cruise.
24:14My soup was good.
24:16My risotto was good.
24:17Luanne's cauliflower steak was really good.
24:21Sue and Judy told us that their meal was good as well.
24:26Not great, but good.
24:28But as always, the service was fantastic.
24:33That was exceptional, no doubt about it.
24:35And here's an example of what I mean by that.
24:42Don't mess it up.
24:43I'll be reading video tape.
24:44Sure.
24:48Wow.
24:49Voila.
24:52Only you need to have a strong tape.
24:54Yes.
24:56Bon apetit.
24:57Enjoy.
24:58I can take this.
24:59Here's the banana orange with sorbet.
25:06You know what?
25:07And that's the...
25:08Raspberry sorbet.
25:10That's the baked Alaska.
25:15That's a chocolate cake with ice cream.
25:20There we go.
25:20Vanilla ice cream.
25:22Our wine person's name is Prasta.
25:26P-R-A-S-T-A.
25:28As with any cruise, of course, towards the end of your itineraries,
25:33the servers and kitchen staff come out to do a little dance
25:38and show their appreciation for you coming on the cruise.
25:43That was a definite nice extra touch.
25:46I like that.
25:53After our evening meal, we decided to go get some snacks before going to the theater.
25:58I will say the vegan cakes that they had there was not impressive at all.
26:03I am sorry to say.
26:05They taste like cakes that were in a deep freeze and they defrosted them
26:09and put fresh fruit on it.
26:11And although the fruit was good, the cakes, we didn't go back and get any more.
26:17But Sue and Judy did say the cookies were great.
26:21So off to see Jonathan Scott Roth.
26:25And what do we think about this show?
26:28Oh.
26:29Oh, absolutely.
26:32Anybody want to come to your music out there?
26:35If you're looking for a real treat, please welcome Jonathan Scott Roth.
26:53We're live on the forest now.
26:55I ain't got to know what you're going to be.
26:56That was an awesome show.
27:00If this gentleman is on your ship, trust me, take time to go see it.
27:06I'm not really that big into country music, but he did more than country music.
27:11He did a whole bunch of other stuff and he was extremely entertaining.
27:17Well, thank you for coming with us and staying all the way through the video.
27:21We really appreciate it.
27:23And tomorrow, we are going to be at a C-Day.
27:28We run into a fellow content creator that I was able to do a very quick interview with.
27:35So stay tuned.
27:37Come on back for that.
27:39And we'll see you on the next episode.
27:42But until then, as always, have a great day.
27:47So what did you think?
27:50That was the best show.
27:51That was the best one?
27:52Yeah, she liked it.
27:53That was the best show.
27:54That was the best show.
27:55That was the best show.
27:57That was the best show.
27:59That was the best show.
27:59That was the best show.
28:00That was the best show.
28:01That was the best show.
28:07That was the best show.
28:08That was the best show.
28:12That was the best show.
28:13You
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