More to Mexico than Beaches and Tequila!

It’s Valentines day weekend and i’m heading off to Mexico City. Whats in store?  I don’t know.  I left it in my friends hands and i’ll see whats in store!

First I have to point out a couple things.  First I love Pre-Check and Global Entry.  Why you ask?  Well first off, when arriving at Seatac Int’l Airport and seeing huge lines at the Security Checkpoints my heart initially skips a beat.  But then get’s back on track because I remember that I have Pre-Check.  My line for this trip is a mere wait of maybe 2 minutes along with about 30 seconds of movement, no removing my shoes, no taking out my liquids and no removal of my two computer type devices in my bag.  I arrive at the airport a bit later than most people do because of this quick zip through security.  I travel to Mexico a lot.  I just learned on this trip that I can also apply to a Mexican Trusted Traveler program also.  http://www.viajeroconfiable.inm.gob.mx/  So i’m going to give it a try.

The second reason why I love this program (Global Entry), is the 2 minute clearance through Immigration and Customs when I enter the USA.  Right now, my wait into Mexico is averaging about 1 hour.  When I come back to the USA, usually the Citizen line is about the same.  So this saves me about 58 minutes on average.  If you travel often I would suggest that you apply for these programs.  http://www.globalentry.gov/tsa.html

What does Mexico have to offer other than Beaches and Tequila?  Well this trip I was surprised by a Hot Air Balloon ride over Teotihuacan area.  Afterwards we ended the early morning with a nap on top of one of the Pyramids and then Lunch at La Gruta (The Cave).  It was Amazing.  I highly give this experience many many thumbs up and suggest anyone willing to try it!  Balloon Ride  http://www.flyvolare.com.mx/index.html   LUNCH http://lagruta.mx/

Our morning started early at 4:15 AM!  after going to bed at 1:00 AM 3 hours earlier, this was NOT an easy task!  I was not told where I was going and was left to guess until 2.5 hours later when we arrived!  Once we arrived however, the early wake up will have been well worth it!

Once we arrived we registered and then attended the showing of our balloon being inflated. Our balloon was fully inflated, while the pilot inspected the condition.  He noted a minor issue and then deflated the balloon a bit to fix the cabling.  Once fixed he allowed us 10 passengers to board.  We quickly took off and floated away into the just sun risen sky.  We floated towards the largest pyramid “Pyramid of the Sun.”  The view and the trip was amazingly breathtaking.

Our travels brought us on a direct flight towards the Great Pyramid.  Our pilot brought us low deceiving us as we thought we would float right into the pyramid.  As our basket trimmed the tops of the tree’s our captain squeezed the triggers on the burners forcing the hot air to drive our balloon up the south facing wall of the pyramid.  It was if we were driving up the side of the pyramid.  It was beyond believable.  We crested the top and skimmed the jagged flat point.

We continued to ascend floating through the Valley of Death continuing as we reach close to 2,000 feet.  Our view of the valley went on for miles or Kilometers as they say in Mexico.  It was breathtaking.  after about 45 minutes we started our decent looking for a place to land.  We again decent below the tree level brushing the bottom of our basket atop of the trees.  Our pilot finds an appropriate field and brings us in for a soft gentle landing, not once but three times before we come to a complete stop.

Outside of the basket talking about our amazing adventure we express our opinions and thoughts about the marvel we just enjoyed.  Our pilot and his crew deflate our balloon preparing it for another flight for anticipating guests.

After our quick 1 hour trip, we drove to the Pyramids and walked the ground of the “Valley of the Gods.”  Our three hours of sleep caught up with us and we decided to take a nap on top of one of the little pyramids.  One hour later we went to lunch at La Gruta (The Cave).

it was close to 70 degree’s Fahrenheit.  Leaving our jackets in the car was a must.  However when we spoke with the hostess she suggested we bring our jackets as it is “much colder” in the restaurant.  Our host walked us down multiple flights of stairs.  The amazing ceiling and walls of THE CAVE amazed me.  I nearly skipped multiple steps in amazement attempting to take photo’s and oooh-ing and ahhhh-ing at the marvel.

This literally was a cave.  there was a stage set up front for concerts and performances.  Candles graced one end of the cathedral.  A bar hosted multiple persons on the second level.  Music played in the background enhancing the experience of the Mexican flare.

Again an amazing view, amazing experience and amazing day.  Words cannot express the experience!  Photo’s will have to show the amazing-ness experienced.