Cenotes at Homun

Today was the most fun day that I've had in Merida! A couple weeks ago I was talking to a lady on the bus and I asked her which cenotes in Yucatan were her favourite. She told me that her family loves to go to a little pueblo called Homun because they were discovered not to long ago and so they aren't very popular. She told me that they are really cool though and she called them the "secret cenotes" of Yucatan. 

So today we had no school and I wanted to do something fun so I planned a trip! I called the local public transportation office and asked them if there were any busses to Homun. Then I looked up our schedule, got permission from Profe, and then planned out the day for us! I invited six others with me because we knew that today was going to be an adventure and we wanted to have a fun group! I definitely went right with picking the group, everyone was sooo much fun! Best. Day. Ever. 

 In order to get to Homun we had to go to Centro first to catch the bus, so we went to the panderia bright and early in the morning for fresh bread! It was sooo delicious =)

We got to the bus station and took the bus called Autobuses Lus in order to get to Homun!

 It only costed us $18 pesos (less than $1.50) to take the hour and a half trip by bus!

 Our group waiting at the station! Lyndy, Me, Caitlin, Tyler, Brooke, Aaron, and Cody in front! If any one else ever wants to go to Homun I recommend that you take my friends! Dream team right there. 

 On the bus! It was kind of a sketchy bus... Almost everyone on the bus was Mayan because the bus stopped at a bunch of little pueblos. In the front seat there was a super precious old lady sitting there eating corn on the cob off a stick! I was a little scared to touch the seats. But, while in Mexico eh?

 We couldn't wait to have the most fun day of our lives! 

 One of the Mayan pueblos that we drove through had a ruin just in the middle of the town! So cool!

 Finally we made it! We were a little sketched out though and thought that we might be in the wrong place. He just dropped us off on the side of the street and we didn't see any cenotes or anything, but we walked a little bit and saw this "super official" sign and so we knew we were in the right place. We waited at the sign for only a few seconds before a guy came running out to us. He was so excited to see tourists I think (especially white tourists) and so he was super helpful and told us that we could have two guides, transportation, and visits to 3 cenotes and a cave for just $5 a person! Talk about a good deal eh? So we got set up with some guides and then headed over to the first cenote! 

 We walked over to the first cenote and were greeted with this sign, "Welcome to the Tza-Ujun-Kat cenote!" It was discovered in 2007, so it's fairly new.

 We walked a little more and then were told that this was the cenote. Doesn't look too impressive eh? We knew at this point that today was going to be an adventure! Entrance is on the left, and cenote hole is on the right where all those rocks are.

 Our guides were so awesome and loved taking pictures so they took pictures of us all day! 

 He wanted to get artsy and try other angles too... It was fun but we were excited to get in the cenote! 

 Here's the entrance to the cenote... We had to climb down these stairs backwards while holding on to the rope! It was pitch black and we were greeted with a ton of bats on our way down!

 We all made it down though and were so excited when we found this! It was a huge cenote that was shaped kind of like a doughnut. There was a lazy river sort of feel to it because the water went in a circle around the outside, and the eye of the cenote poured light down into the middle.

 These pictures don't do it justice... I felt like I was a photographer for national geographic! 

 Swimming in the cenotes! 

 Here you can see how it was a lazy river sort of.... 

 Aaron and Caitlin passing by in the water =)

 Little island sort of thing.. 

 The water was really shallow in this one so we could all touch... it was fun but we just wanted to jump off of things! 

 Dark cenote water! 

 Happy to be in the cenote! 

 We love cenotes! Abrazos para los cenotes =)

 Is this even real? We looooved swimming here!

 The cenote had a nice big hole in the middle and so there was lots of light. The first cenote was really cool but there was more to see than to do. Lots of exploring, not a lot of jumping off of things haha. So, we were ready for cenote #2! 

 We got out of the cenote and then our guides took us to our transportation... Waalaa! They told us that they made this carts themselves... pretty much justa bench on wheels with half a motorcycle attached to the back! haha... good times in Homun.

 Solid reflectors for night time ;) 

 We had seven people and we had two little benches and so we had to squish a little ;) 

 Haha Aaron wishes he drove... but he actually just rode on the motorcycle with the driver.

 Me, Lyndy, and Cody. Great carriage-riding group.

 Our drive to the second cenote was about 30 minutes long. We first rode through the town and then through the jungle. 

 There were no cars in this little pueblo. The transportation of choice was either a bicycle or a tricitaxi. It was so cute because all the ladies would usually ride in the front of the tricitaxis and their husbands would ride the bike behind them.

 Homun = Coolest place ever! 

 This little Mayan ruin was actually someones house! There were some people sleeping in Hammocks inside of it. Imagine if this was your house?

 After we rode through the city we turned into the jungle. Second cenote this way!

 We rode along this bumpy dirt road for about 15 minutes. Let's just say that it wasn't the smoothest ride I've ever been on! 

 It was beautiful though.... so many trees and plants surrounded us! 

 Henequen. Traditional Yucatecan plant. 

 Finally we made it to the second cenote! It was called the Bal-Mil cenote. 

We had this cenote all to ourselves... it was great.

 This is the entrance to the second cenote! So cool eh? They just discovered this one six months ago and they don't take all of their groups to this one, but we told out guides that we wanted to see them all.

 They find the cenotes by looking below the roots of trees. If the roots stop growing horizontally and start growing vertically than there is probably a cenote below the earth. 

 Welcome to the cenote. Tyler loves pictures ;) 

 Going to the dark cave! No bats here luckily =)

 Adios! See ya in a few =) 

 Breath taking. The hole to this cenote was really small so it was pitch black inside. Our guide let us use his flashlight though.

 The stalactites never cease to amaze me with their beauty! I'm always in awe looking at them.

 "Hello little friends! My name is Alamo. In order for me to take care of you, when you see my roots don't pull on them because it hurts me a lot and I give shade above. Thank you for looking after me. Your friend, Alamo." Haha, thanks Alamo!

 Entrance. This cenote was really small but we loved it because it was so undiscovered. I'm almost sure that we were the first white people in this cenote haha. 

 Caty! Ready to swim? 

 Lyndy and I in the dark cenote! 

Wahoo! We love swimming! This cenote was cool because it had a sandy bottom. It was roped off though because since it's so new they haven't really explored it that much and there are lots of sharp, slippery rocks in it that they don't want us climbing on. Also, you can't really see it in this picture, but along the back wall there was a little, dark cave thing and so of course Aaron decided to climb in it. I'm glad we did though because the cave was half in the water, half aout of the water. There was a little ledge to sit on too so we just hung out there for a while. 

 Time to head over to the third cenote! Our guide was the funniest guy ever! 

 I just noticed now in this picture that our guide put his thumbs up too! Haha I love how he was driving and also photobombing. He was boss. 

 Third cenote this way! Cenote Yaxacaltun! 

 This rode was all mushy and dirty.... I was just hoping that we weren't going to sink in and get stuck!

 Welcome! 

 Wait, a car in Homun!? What is this? Haha 

 Third cenote! Unlike any other cenote that I'd ever been to! It was still below the group but it had a huge hole and tons of light!

Entrance to the cenote. The rails were made of metal and it was about 100 degrees out so it was SUPER hot to touch! 

 There were even some plants growing in it. So cool! 

 Also, it had a rope swing. Need I say more? Obviously you know how much we love to jump off of things! We played here for like an hour!

 Gorgeous girl! 

 Lyndy! 

 Brooke! 

 Brooke! 

 Me!

 Cody! 

 Tyler! 

Caitlin! 

 Our guide even went in... jeans and all. 

Haha hola! 

 Aaron and I swimming =)

 This picture is hilarious! Props to the photographer for perfect timing. Just walking on water. Nbd. 

 Cody didn't want to let go so Aaron grabbed the rope and pulled him back! 

 We were having a ton of fun but obviously we always love to do the craziest things possible and so we thought that we would try two people on the rope at a time! Caitlin and I do everything together, why shouldn't we swing together right? Haha

 Brooke and Cody tried too! 

 But obviously two wasn't enough and so the boys had to try three at a time! 

Tyler, Aaron, and Cody.... Best guys to bring on this little adventure! 

 This doesn't look dangerous does it? 

 And jump! 

They made it all the way to the end! It ended up turning into a battle of manliness determined by how long you could hold on to the rope haha

 Then these three tried... 

 Well hey, if the boys can all go on at once why can't the girls too? Let's try 4 at a time! 

 Didn't really work as well as the boys, but A+ for effort! 

 Apparently they were having a deep conversation... I love this pic.

 Aaron decided to climb the roots and was almost to the top before they noticed. He kind of got in trouble for this one. They should probably put a sign in here too ;) 

 This cenote was really fun too because it was unlike any cenote. The bright light, plants, and rope swing made it a must-see. We had so much fun jumping into the water too. There was another family in there with us and they couldn't stop laughing. They thought we were ridiculous (we might be) haha.

 We found this well that led down to the cenote and Aaron wanted to jump through it so bad but our guide wouldn't let us sadly. Probably a good idea that he didn't jump through it though.

 Off to the next cenote! My guide let me ride in the back this time =) It was much less bumpy.

 Hahaha... his face. 

 Cody was probably happy that he didn't have to sit on the little wood bar on the side any more.

 Just riding through the jungle! 

 Tyler rode on the back of his too. I love this picture. Both of their faces are priceless. 

 Finally we made it to our next stop! The grutas (caves) of Santa Maria! 

 Entrance to the caves! 

 The first part of the caves was dry. We climbed down a bunch of rocks while following the lights placed along the paths. 

 It was pitch-black in the cave and we went pretty deep and so the lights were really helpful.

Dora the cave explorer! 

We walked some more and then finally reached some water. We took our back packs off and then started walking wading our way through the water.

 "Just follow the light" is what our guide told us.

 Some parts were deeper than others.

 It was really exciting to tread through the water... we never knew what we were going to find around the next corner and everything was a surprise! 

 Handprints on the walls! ...Blood? 

Just follow my light you guys! Our guide was sooo legit! Climbing through all the caves in his jeans. He was really helpful though and used his flashlight to show us the way. He held onto us during the slippery parts and made sure we stayed safe.

 We climbed over and under lots of different rocks. 

 Watch your head! 

 Coolest cave we've ever been in! 

 Aaron! 

 Brooke... cutie pic! 

 Now we're going to make our way through this little hole... wait, what? Haha YOLO

 This was probably the coolest thing I've ever done! 

 This was the best part of the walk... we had to go completely under the water on the other side, lay down and then feel for this hole in the rocks. Then we climbed through the hole and came out on the other side! Hahahaha

 We were excited to be in the cave! 

 The pictures really don't do it justice. It could easily be one of the coolest places on the planet.

 Caty! 

 A shot of the walls... so gorgeous! 

 After a little more walking and exploring we reached the heart of the cave... a cenote! I had a good flash on my camera, but it was pitch black in there. We had our own little private cenote to play in too! Coolest thing ever! 

 We were all so excited to get in! The water was bright blue! Also, can we please talk about how long Caitlin's arm looks in the picture? ;) Haha Caitlin and I have an secret obsession with always noticing how long her limbs look in pictures. Sorry girl! Haha <3 

 We had to keep our legs up while we were swimming because we couldn't see the bottom of the water. There were a ton of sharp rocks so it was best to just not kick while swimming.

Group photo in the cenote! 

 Brooke and I! 

 Even our guide jumped in for a bit too! 

 Then we climbed over some more rocks to another little pool. This one had a sandy bottom and it was fun to hang out in. Also, the wall that Aaron and I were holding on to had a little cave underneath of it so our guide held his flashlight under water and we swam below it!

 One of our guides swam with us and the other took pictures. Such a perfect combination! 

 After swimming in the cenote for a while we climbed back through the caves. Loving life =) 

 Group pic with the guide! 

Can we say National Geographic?

 One, two, whisky! 

 Successful trip through the caves! 

 Alas, our day was over. It was such a fun day! Couldn't have been more fun! 

 Last ride through Homun =(

 Best part of Mexico is all of the coloured houses. I think that's why I love it here so much. Im pretty sure that it's impossible to not be happy when you walk outside and see all the bright colours! 

We had the best guides ever! 

 Our guides didn't care if we swam for 4 minutes or 4 hours. They never rushed us, helped us with anything we needed, were super helpful and really nice. We sure got lucky with them! It's crazy that they stayed with us for about five hours and it only costed us $5 each! We all gave them a big tip after though because they were so great to us. 

 Out guides even dropped us off at the bus station after. We were SOOO lucky because right as they dropped us off, the bus to Merida pulled up. The bus only comes every half an hour so we had perfect timing! We rode in this tiny little van with our whole group and some more Mayans! 

 BEST DAY EVER! 

 We play all day and then crash. Exhausted.

 Brooke and Tyler blackmailed us all with sleeping pics.

 Haha, Caitlin loves to sleep on busses. 

 Haha thanks Brooke. Your shoulder was much needed.

 We got back to Centro eventually and then just when we thought our day couldn't get any better, a tropical storm hit and the skies fell upon us! 

 I've never seen more rain in my life! The streets were flooded in a matter of seconds! 

 Venga la lluvia! 

 We jumped in all the puddles and ran up and down the streets in the rain. We were the only people outside because everyone else was ran for cover. We definitely made a scene and everyone was laughing at us. We were having fun though. YOLO.

 Wet t-shirt contest! Spring break on accident. 

 Just a few drowned rats waiting for the bus.

Luckily the bus stopped for us. We kind of flooded the floor though and left huge puddles in our seats. Sorry to whoever is going to sit there next!

Today was definitely one of those days that qualifies for one of the top 10 best days of my life! I think what made it the most fun was how much of a surprise everything is. Homun is not a tourist attraction at all and so there was barely any information about it online. Also we didn't really know to expect, we were all just ready for an adventure! I was lucky to have the coolest group with me ever though. We had a blast together and I know that none of us will ever forget this day. Best part is that the whole day including busses, guides, cenotes, transportation, food, and tip costed only $10.00. A day like today would have costed hundreds of dollars in the states! Another thing that made it fun was the fact that I had planned it all. I did it without help from anyone else and we went all by ourselves. Nothing could have gone more smoothly today, I'm sure of it. Also, to top off the perfect day I got home and mama had panuchos waiting for us for dinner! Actually the best day ever! 

I'm so amazed at how beautiful of an Earth God created for us to live on. There are so many hidden beauties all across the world. After today I just want to discover more of Earth's beauty. I've learned so much here in Merida and I've learned so much. I wish my whole life could just be one huge study abroad! I sure am one lucky girl to have had this opportunity. Another GREAT day in Mexico!

P.S. Sorry about all the pictures. It was just such a fun day and so I wanted to make sure that I shared all of it with you! The pictures aren't near as cool as the real thing but hopefully you can piece them together to make the big picture =)