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Chapter 19 Rio Grande Valley

You can't play the game if you don't have a program, and here it is.......

Business meetings are the first Thursday of each month, November through March.

All of the other Thursdays Unofficial lunch meetings same time and place without the business just lunch with SKP friends
no meeting on Nov 22, thanksgiving

Chapter 19 Lunch - 11:30 AM

Golden Corral, 300 W Expressway 83 Weslaco.

North side of expressway --Go west from FM 88 (Texas Blvd)and Expwy 83. Buffet Lunch for $6.59 plus tax.

Our season starts in the fall Nov through March
If you come early we will have some activites in Oct - Nov. shrip fest in Oct at Port Isabela watch this spot for details - Nov has the sand castles behind the Sheridan at SPI. watch for details. Bob

Upcoming Rallies and Events

Chapter Voice Mail Information: 888-757-7701 ext. 8019

News from the valley.

Most of the valey is clean now with some piles of brush here and there.
The Island is still in poor shape. The Sheridan may not be open until Jan 09. The Raddison plans to open in Oct. Many hotels and restarants were hit bad by Hurricane Dolly and another hurricane is due next week? Many of the larger restarants are still closed and some partially closed.

Come on down while the gas is still cheap. There will be room for you all this winter.

YUCATAN ADVENTURE

The Mayan World

An Escapees Tour

11 DAYS - 10 NIGHTS

$1199.00 Per person double occupancy (includes airfare)

$1399.00 single

Departs January 5, 2009



This is the ultimate trip into Mexico, a dream come true - lush tropical jungles, crystal clear blue waters, exquisite dining, wondrous archeological sites, sun-drenched sandy white beaches; plus, the culture and folklore of an amazing civilization, the Maya and its predecessors, the Olmec. Our main destination is the noble city of Merida, which has a population of about 1 million. Aside from it’s splendid colonial architecture, Merida is a tranquil, and clean city, which has the distinction of having the lowest crime rate in Mexico.

Additionally, our tour takes us to other wonderful cities, such as: Veracruz, Tampico, Campeche, Villahermosa, Catemaco, and many quaint Mayan villages.

Touted as the Mayan Route by Mexico’s department of tourism, our tour takes us to some of the country’s most important archeological sites. These superlative archeological sites are: El Tajin, Palenque, Uxmal, Comalcalco, and the recently named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza. Bring binoculars, sandals, light clothing and swimwear.



TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Day 1 - Departure is from the Best-Western Palm Aire hotel, 415 S. International Blvd. (1015) off Expy 83 in Weslaco - also from La Copa Inn, 2000 S. 10th (next to La Plaza Mall) McAllen - or from other specified locations. After clearing customs in Reynosa, we follow along the Gulf Coast through rich farm land, where the principal crop is grain sorghum, and cattle ranches are everywhere. Our lunch stop is at Soto La Marina, a fishing village - so try the seafood, especially shrimp. Early afternoon arrival in Tampico. After arrival in Tampico we’ll stroll to a beautiful plaza billed as the New Orleans of Mexico.

Day 2 - Depart at 8:00 a.m. for the port city of Veracruz, state capitol of Veracruz state. We now find ourselves in the tropics and will remain in this lush environment until we arrive in Merida. This abundant region is birthplace to many agricultural products that now delight our taste buds. Nowadays, our palates savor delicacies that originated in this area of Mexico such as chocolate, vanilla, pinapple, papaya, guava, among others - plus many highly merchantable products such as rubber, tobacco, henequen, agaves for tequila and mescal, etc. etc.. This said, no other country has introduced to the world more agricultural or harvestable commodities than Mexico, and many originated in the places we will visit.

At around noon we arrive in Poza Rica, where we stop for lunch. Afterwards, we visit El Tajin, the most impressive northernmost archeological site in Mexico. The site’s most impressive structure is the Pyramid of the Niches. This area is the birthplace of vanilla. Late evening arrival in Veracruz.

Day 3 - Today we take in the sites in and around Veracruz, home of Mexico’s largest and most important port. First, we visit historic San Juan de Ulua, a very impressive and famous fortress that protected the city from pirates bent on looting Veracruz. Next, we visit La Antigua, a fascinating village that dates to 1524. La Antigua is where Hernan Cortez first anchored his ships, after he sailed along the coast from Yucatan. This fascinating place was the first municipality in the Western Hemisphere. Also, the first church in continental America is located here - it’s still standing and in active service. The ruins of Cortez’s old home is still preserved in this proud community, which is dotted with huge fruit bearing trees such as mango, coconut, pecan and other exotic fruits. From 1525 to 1600 Antigua was Veracruz. Needless to say, La Antigua is awesome.

In the afternoon we visit the area of the malecon (wharfs). Located by the malecon is an extensive arts and crafts center, ideally suited for your shopping experience. Later we go to the main plaza with its unique arcade restaurants and be entertained by Marimba music and strolling musicians.
Overnight in Veracruz.

Day 4 - Early departure to the capitol city of the state of Tabasco, Villahermosa, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Along the way we stop in Catemaco and take a boat ride on Catemaco Lake to visit Nanciyaga, an ecological park carved out of the jungle. There are several interesting small islands on the way to Nanciyaga. One of these small islands is a leading attraction, for it is inhabited by a colony of baboons - have your cameras ready. Nanciya served as a movie set for two American films, Medicine Man, starring Sean Connery; and most recently, Mel Gipson’s, Apocalypto. A scheduled stroll through this enchanting place will place you in a truly jungle setting. Along the jungle trail, you may even have an on-the-spot cleansing by a shaman (witch doctor) or a mud facial done by a specialist. Evening arrival in Villahermosa.

Day 5 - Today we find ourselves in Villahermosa, the state capital of Tabasco. Tabasco is the leading producer of bananas and cacao in Mexico. While in Villahermosa we will venture into the fascinating world of cocoa (chocolate). Tabasco is the birthplace of Cocoa.. Planned visits to two cocoa plantations are in store to witness the process that turns cocoa into chocolate, converting this marvelous product into the world’s most desirable of delicacies. - Mesoamerica’s pre-Columbian food of the Gods.

In the same general vicinity of the cocoa haciendas is the very interesting archaeological site of Comalcalco. Comalcalco is vastly unique from other archeological sites in that it’s the only architectural construction that employs a special type of brick technology found nowhere else in Mesoamerica. The fired brick technology resembled those of Rome of the old world from the same time period. Also, included is a visit to the La Venta Olmec Museum, located within the city of Villahermosa. There are 28 Olmec carvings in the outdoor museum, which, also, includes a zoo, lake and indoor museum. Overnight in Villanueva.

Day 6 - Today we depart Villahermosa and head out to explore Palenque, an exuberant and renowned archeological site, which located in the midst of lush jungle vegetation and colorful tropical birds - bring your binoculars. Palenque is one of the most significant and beautiful archeological sites anywhere. From 500 to 800 AD, Palenque was a major power in the Mayan world. Overnight in Campeche.

Day 7 - We start the morning in Campeche visiting one of the eight forts built to wall-in the city for protection against invaders. Included is a visit to the historical part of the town.. Afterwards we continue toward the Yucatan Peninsula for a stop at Uxmal, another very impressive archeological site. Founded in 600 AD, Uxmal’s architecture is considered among the most significant in all of the ancient world. Located here is the most spectacular building in all pre-Columbian America, the Governor’s Palace. Arrive in Merida for our stay for 3 nights..

Day 8. - Today we take in the ambiance of “The White City,” Merida. Merida was built more than 450 years ago on the site of an ancient Mayan city, and still retains its colonial charm and its laid back tempo delights visitors. In the early morning we’ll visit Celestun, where we take a boat to view one of the largest concentrations of wild flamingos in the Americas. They provide a magnificent spectacle, especially if we happen to catch them in flight. The stretch of coastline along this route has beautiful, soft white sand beaches, strewn with seashells and lapped by clear blue water. In Merida we’ll visit the Montejo Palace - built in 1549, the Cathedral - the oldest in Mexico, the local market and a factory that makes the traditional Yucatecan guayabera shirts. The evening takes us to well known restaurant featuring Yucatecan cuisine (not included) where you can enjoy an exotic Yucatecan dish, while being entertained by a lively show.

Day 9 - Now it’s time visit the recently named one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”, impressive Chichén Itzá, the principal ceremonial center of the Mayan culture. The dominant ruin is El Castillo Pyramid, which stands 75 feet tall and is capped with a square temple. El Castillo has 365 steps, attesting to the Maya’s knowledge of the skies - if you scale its summit, the view from the top is worth the climb. Our lunch stop will be in the lovely colonial city of Valladolid.

Day 10 - Plans are in the works to visit an ancient henequen hacienda, which were the mainstay of the economy during the Colonial Period and just beyond WWII. The many of the old haciendas in Mexico have been restored to their former splendor, and the grounds to these places or truly magnificent. The afternoon is free to shop, sightsee, ride a buggy, stroll around the plaza, buy a guayabera shirt or just enjoy the beautiful city of Merida, which is very safe. There is entertainment every night at the plaza.

DAY - 11. Early morning flight to Reynosa via the Mexico City airport.



Tour Includes:

* Return flight-Merida to Reynosa * Luggage handling
* A/C motor coach with PA System and Bathroom * Bilingual guide and tour conductor
* Purified water, snacks and pop on bus * 10 nights hotel
* Entry fees fo archeologicdal sites, boat rides etc. * $24.00 Mexican travel permit
* Transfers (Merida to airport - Reynosa to Valley)

ENJOEYABLE TOURS


Tour Contact: Dot Harrigan

1582 S. Gastel Circle

Mission, Texas, 78572 Telephone: 956-358-8357 E-mail: jinxdot2001@yahoo.com

Chapter Officers

For more information, please contact:

E-Mail: w6luy@arrl.net
Phone: Bob Raynor at 956-421-3173