Arrested Development - Ex-Pats Mexico

26) Town with the Paunchy Pups, Colima. http://www.visitacolima.com.mx/english/index1.htm While the plaza and Spanish-colonial homes (settled in the 1600's), one residence houses the Museum of Regional History, which showcases ceramics found in many pre-Columbian shaft tombs. There are many plump and happy dogs, whose significance has been lost, but they were thought to have been revered and perhaps even used in religious sacrifices.

27) Chasing the Rain God on the Ruta Puuc, Yucatan. "most travelers who visit the Yucatan Peninsula focus on its headliner archaeological sites, from Chichen Itza to Tulum. But the 27 mile long Ruta Puuc (http://www.yucatantoday.com/destination ... -route.htm, an easy day trip south of Merida, takes travellers to some of the artea's least visited sites - Sayil, Xlapaqk, Labna, Kabah - ending at t he overly visited, but impressive site of Uxmal." One option is to hook up with group in Merida which will take you to all five sites in one day for about $33 http://www.nomadastravel.com. There are more details on each of he sites if anybody asks.

28) Bajas Surprise in a Bottle, Guadalupe Valley. Apparently Baja is producing some vintage wines, such as Casa de Piedra, L.A. Cetto, and others. There is a driving tour of the Route 3 which includes 20 wineries and B&B such as http://www.lavilladelvalle.com/

29) Village of Hidden Beaches and Wildlife. San Agustinillo. "While Puerto Escondido attracts the surfer party crowd, and Zipolite and Mazunte pull in the backpackers, the nearby beach village of San Agustinillo carves out a more upscale yoga and ecotourism niche." The bay is more protected than other bays on the Pacific Coast, but still more suited to boogie boarding and body surfing than swimming. There is a national turtle center there. One 'get away from it all' is the yoga retreat and ecolodge - Rancho Cerro Largo

30) The Church of Sport: Futbol, Mexico City. The "Mexican national passion". Describes some on the teams and stadiums in Mexico City. The Estadio Olimpico Universitario is designed to look like a volcano, and includes frescos by Diego Rivera. The ultimate ice breaker (for men anyways) a curiosity and questions always welcome about the sport.

Address
1 Portal Morelos and Reforma St., Downtown, Colima, Col., 28000. Phone (312) 312 9228

Admittance and Services

Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00. Admission fee $34 MXP. Children under 13, students, teachers and senior citizens presenting a valid ID do not pay. Free admission on Sunday. There is a $30 MXP fee if you are willing to shoot with a videocamera. Temporary exhibitions, guided tours, educational workshops, summer courses, student advisory, checkroom.

Synopsis

The Colima Regional Museum of History opened in 1988. The 19th century building that houses it is located at the Main Square, at Portal Morelos, near the former Cathedral, called Basílica Menor, and the Government Palace. The collection guides through the history of Colima, from the Prehispanic West Mexico culture to the first half of 20th Century. The ceramic animal and human sculptures from the region are remarkable.

Director
Juan José Arias Orozco

#27 I agree that the Ruta Puuc and the smaller sites are more intense and impressive than the more populated ones. Uxmal is spectacular whether it is crowded or not and it is never as crowded as Chichen Itza or Tulum. I've rarely seen more than a few people at the other smaller sites along the Ruta Puuc. Don't miss the caves of Loltun which are incredibly huge caverns where thousands of Maya hid for years during the Caste War. I'm going to post a link to one of my favorite bloggers Paul in Mérida who describes how you can take this tour easily and very inexpensively from Mérida. He has pictures too! His blog is called Hammock Musings from Mérida and he is an evocative writer.