Hunab ku primeval god of Mayan Culture

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Hunab Ku is the great primeval god of the Mayan culture, center of the galaxy, primordial and vital energy of all things, a shapeless divinity that created all. According to Mayan cosmogony, this deity manifested as a unique and absolute entity amongst all things. 

Hunab Ku was born from himself, he was the beginning and the end at the same time. This is a clear evidence of the Mayan infinity concept.

Hunab Ku was the father of Itzamná or Itzamnaaj, who became the most relevant divinity and is known as The Master and Lord of the Skies, the Day, and the Night.

You may believe that Hunab Ku, being an all-creator god was perfect, but as a matter of fact, he was the opposite; the Mayans described him as an imperfect god that failed 3 times before he could create the first life form. Becoming aware of his failures, Hunab Ku used all his power and energy to populate the world with dwarves, a brutal and primitive life form that emerged from the earth. After that, he created the offenders, a life form capable of modifying what was already established, and that represented the water and spiritual capabilities. Finally, when he combined the first two creations, he obtained the Human Being, and guided by Itzamná gave life to the Mayan people.

Lomas Travel invites you to celebrate the Mayan Year with our promotions and services in tours, hotels and transportation in Cancun. Reserve now!

Mayan Ceremony at the Beach

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If you are planning the wedding of your dreams, maybe you should consider the Mayan Ceremony, that is not only one of the most important trends of the year, but also through this emotional celebration, you can share a unique and sacred moment in a dream-like location.

Imagine exchanging vows in a mystical environment. The bride and groom walk to the altar accompanied by the rhythm of pre-Hispanic music, to find objects that represent the four elements: flowers, maize seeds, water and copal.

In front of the altar, the Shaman welcomes them and honors the four elements. With the copal (Mayan incense) the Shaman blesses the couple to promote understanding between them. Then he will ask for the rings and will give the bride and groom a moment to express in words all their love. The couple may then make offerings of fruits and flowers to represent their union and promote harmony in their marriage.

Ritual at Wedding in Riviera Maya

The Spiritual Sand Ceremony is also performed, in which the bride and groom pour sand of different colors in a container, creating unique patterns that symbolize their union. Friends and family members can also participate in this special moment, by forming a circle around the couple, or by incorporating sand of other colors to the main container.

This brief but significant Mayan Ceremony is an excellent way of living the Mayan Year close to your loved one. Lomas Travel invites you to discover this experience. For more information check our website at Weddings by Lomas Travel.

Wedding at Riviera Maya

The Temazcal ceremony, a unique spiritual experience

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With an emotive ceremony, the construction of the temazcal at El Dorado Royale began. This is part of an initiative that aims to return to the roots and customs of the Mayan culture, and share them with our visitors, offering a unique experience that will touch them.

With pre-Hispanic music, the ceremony pointed to the reconnection that the temazcal represents. Greetings to the Sun were performed while the dancers moved to the rhythm of the sounds made with a conch. Offerings of seeds, which represent goodwill, and water, representing life and prosperity, were made.

This tradition has its origins in the pre-Hispanic cultures that used steam baths as a tool for healing. The Temazcal symbolizes the return to the womb of our mother, the place where we are isolated from the outside world and where we can reflect and reconnect with ourselves. With the arrival of the Spaniard, the use of the temazcal was prohibited, but today, this ancient tradition has survived and is still practiced in several communities.

The dancers moved to the rhythm of the conch

In Nahuatl, the word temazcalli means “house of steam”. The steam of water mixed with aromatic herbs is used in a building that resembles a round cabin, because according to the pre-Hispanic cultures, the power of the universe acts on circles. The ceremony begins with the lighting of the fire, which unifies the new fire with the fire of the Sun to provide an offering to the universe. It continues with dancing and playing of music in order to connect with the Earth, to find health and well-being. The purpose of the temazcal is to allow a person to confront his counterpart and reconnect with himself.

So if are looking for a spiritual and renewing experience, you will soon be able to enter this Mayan sauna in El Dorado Royale.

The Temazcal has its origins in the pre-Hispanic cultures

The 2012 year for the Mayas

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We are just about to finish one more year, a year full of great moments, memories, and lessons. But this time will be different, because we are about to welcome the year 2012.

Lots of things have been said about this date: that the world will end, a new era will begin, there will be planetary changes, and even genetic mutations.

Many believe that it’s the end of the world because according to Mayan prophecies, the winter solstice of December 2012 marks the end of the actual era, unleashing natural disasters or a cosmic event that will change the world as we know it. Even some scientists believe that a new geological era will begin.

But this doesn’t mean that the world is coming to an end, it means that a new era will begin.

The Mayan prophecy states: “…the era of fear will end and an era of light, brotherhood, and peace will begin”. 2012 will be the opportunity to start over, it will be the end of the Mayan Cycle, which is the period between August 12^th, 3114 b.C. and December 21^st, 2012 a.C, this spans from the first Egyptian dynasties, passing through the industrialization age, all the way to the present era.

Instead of looking at it in an apocalyptical way, we should see this 2012 as a chance to renew, to start over, to change in order to begin  this new cycle in complete harmony.

We share with you some tips to receive this New Year:

-Turn off the T.V. and read more

-Meditate before you go to sleep

-Exercise

-Eat healthy

-Forget the past

-Light candles as a symbol of gratitude and peace

- Recycle

-Help those in need

-Avoid animosities

-Get in touch with nature

Lomas Travel wishes you a wonderful New Year, and may this 2012 be full of positive things for you and your loved ones.

New year 2012

New Year on the Beach

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Would you like to welcome the New Year 2012 with sun, sea and sand?

There are many options to celebrate the beginning of the year, and being on the beach is one of the favorites. The celebration starts at dusk with a huge party under the stars that will be lit by moonlight.

On New Year’s Eve, the various night clubs and bars are ready for the party. People get together to dance, sing, celebrate with a wealth of emotions and spread good energy to welcome 2012.

In Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya, the majority of hotels and restaurants offer dining packages with special dishes for New Years’ Eve, and the chefs prepare some of their best creations.

A night celebrating on the beach is an idea that is pleasing to many, while others prefer to make a reservation in a hotel. As for lodging, options are almost endless: from a simple room in Downtown, up to a luxurious suite in Cancun’s Hotel Zone or in Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue.

To witness the dawn of a new year and receiving the first rays of the Sun, is an experience that at some point of your life you have to live!

The sunrise on the beach

You can see the sunrise from the balcony of a room or on a lounge chair on the sand; the idea is to enjoy a sunbath and the refreshing breeze of the Caribbean with your friends, partner or with the whole family.

And afterwards you can relax in a Spa, swimming pool or in a relaxation area in one of the hotels. Or if you want to start the year in a different way, there are many fun excursions that will let you explore new grounds during your New Year’s holiday on the beach.

As you can see, the Riviera Maya is incredible! And to celebrate New Year’s Eve in any of its beaches becomes a great experience.

We are about to conclude the countdown and the only other thing left to say is: Happy New Year 2012!!!

Happy New Year 2012

Lomas Travel 30 years Anniversary

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Thirty years is easily said, but when it comes to giving support 24 hours a day to those who visit the Mexican Caribbean, you know that it is actually a hard work, full of challenges, difficulties and great satisfaction.

The night of December 15th, Lomas Travel’s 30th Anniversary was celebrated at El Dorado Royale Resort and Spa. Employees, managers and special guests gathered to celebrate the triumph of three decades of permanence in the difficult tourist market.

In a festive ambience, the event begins, the lights dim and the host welcomes everyone: “Today is a very special day…Today we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Lomas Travel”, said the host to the crowd. “Yes, 30 years of hard work that have consolidated Lomas Travel as a leading company in service and creator of amazing experiences”.

A warm round of applause is heard and the host gives the microphone to the company’s founders: Mr. José Luis Martínez and Mrs. Dolores López Lira. They thanked profusely all the people for the support received during the past thirty years, while they managed one of the most important companies in the Mexican Southeast.

They were especially thankful to three special guests, whose presence demonstrated the great value of the company founders’ great work: Richard Ewing from Arcan Associates, Mrs. Giselle Alwitt from Empire Tours and Mr. William Lamacchia from The Mark Travel Corporation.

Recognition was also given to the 60 employees who have been working in the company between 10 and 30 years. Mr. Martinez and Mrs. López Lira thanked them for their loyalty and commitment that has allowed Lomas Travel to grow and become a reference in the tourist industry in Quintana Roo.

With laughter and music on the background, the guests had a great Christmas dinner with traditional dishes such as: turkey, romeritos, cod and delicious desserts. When the dinner was over, everyone was ready to party! With a few moving words and a video, a remembrance of the past 30 years was made, and thanks to a Latin Band, the dance floor opened and everyone was ready to dance!

In this way a grand celebration began, where everyone felt a part of a great team, pieces of a large gear that produces an excellent level of service and memorable experiences to millions of people. To the rhythm of the mariachi everybody sang and celebrated, thinking that 2011 was a year full of challenges, but thanks to a strong will, all of them were successfully overcome.

Lomas Travel thanks all of you who are part of this great family, who have supported us, have trusted us and have used our services. Thank you for these wonderful 30 years and those to come!

Green Ecological Christmas

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Christmas is already here. This is the time of the year when we decorate our homes and we fill them with the festive spirit. We set our Christmas tree, buy the Christmas ornaments, we wrap the gifts…but have we ever really think about the impact this causes on the environment?

We invite you to have a very green Christmas; here we share with you some tips:

1.- Instead of buying a natural Christmas tree every year, why don’t you buy an artificial one? These last approximately 5 years, and that way you also get to save some money. Another option is the “Christmas tree rental”, that’s right, you can lease a living Christmas tree. This service includes free delivery and post-holiday pickup. The tree is a living air freshener and it reduces fire hazard. Also, customers can lease the same tree year after year.

2. – If you are about to buy gifts that will need batteries, choose the ones that uses rechargeable batteries.

3. – Instead of paraffin candles use natural wax candles that are smoke free and biodegradable.

4.-Defrost your freezer before Christmas, that way it will work better and there will be enough space to store the food.

5. – Use creative decorations that can be recycled such as CDs or boxes.

6. – Use LED lights, they last longer and they consume less energy.

7.- Recycle printed fabrics and wrap your gifts with them. You can tie a ribbon to make it look prettier.
We hope you find these advices pretty useful, Merry Christmas!

Kepler 22-b earth's similar planet

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If we thought that there was no planet like Earth, we better give it a second thought. NASA announced recently the discovery of a planet that is very similar to Earth. This planet is called Kepler 22-b, it is 2.4 times bigger than Earth and it is out of the solar system 600 light-years away.

This planet has an average temperature of 71.6° F. Scientists believe that Kepler 22-b may have water, although they haven’t determined yet if it is a rocky, liquid or gaseous planet, Kepler 22-b is so far the most likely planet to support human life.

In March 2009, a spacecraft was launched as a part of Kepler Mission, with the purpose of finding habitable planets. And 2 years later, Kepler 22-b was found. If we calculate the time of this new planet according to the known measures, you might say that a year in Kepler 22-b equals 290 terrestrial days.

Douglas Hudgins, a scientist from Kepler Mission said that: “this is a major milestone on the road to finding Earth’s twin”.

And what do you imagine Kepler 22-b to be like? Do you believe it has as many ecosystems as Earth? Do you think it has beautiful beaches? And last but not least, do you believe there’s life in Kepler 22-b?

Christmas Day 2011

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Christmas Day is one of the most popular holidays observed around the world on December 25, to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning “Christ’s Mass”, indicating the day in which the most solemn mass was celebrated in the early Catholic Church.

The allure of Christmas festivities is such, that even non-Christians take part of the celebrations worldwide. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, a special meal, display of various decorations and the tradition of Santa Claus bringing gifts to children.

For Christians, the most important decoration is the Nativity scene, in which porcelain or plaster figurines portray the scene of Jesus’ birth. This decoration can be found in churches and homes during the whole month of December. Other decorations, including greenery and Christmas trees date back as far as the 15th century. The heart-shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolize the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches.

Non-Christian homes are usually decorated for this season with cinnamon-scented candles, sets of blinking lights, poinsettia flowers, garlands of evergreen foliage, bells, and other Christmas figures, which contribute to create a merry and warm ambiance.

Christmas music, with its slow and sometimes festive rhythms, usually brings cherished memories from childhood to most people. The custom of playing religious hymns and special melodies for this season started in the 4^th century, in Rome, and evolved to carols and secular songs that are enjoyed nowadays. Two of the most popular carols are “Deck The Halls” and “Jingle Bells”, composed in 1784 and 1857 respectively, which show us that despite the centuries, the joyous spirit of Christmas remains very much appreciated.

A very important event during Christmas Day, for Christians and non-Christians alike, is the family dinner. It is a time for gathering, enjoying a delicious meal, sharing memories and exchanging Christmas cards and gifts. Because the essence of this holiday is the wish for the wellbeing and joy for everyone… and those are aspirations shared by all religions in the world.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!

Mayan World 2012

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Mexico is an amazing country that has inherited wonderful ways of living and knowledge from many pre-Hispanic cultures, being the Maya one of the most admired because of its architectural creations.

The Mayan people had an advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics and guided their religious and civic activities based on very precise calculations. According to their calendars, the winter solstice of December 2012 marks the end of the current era and the beginning of a new, harmonious one that will last for 5200 years. This means that the world will not end in 2012, as many pessimistic people have suggested, but to the contrary, it continues, in a much better way. According to the Mayan prophecy: “…the era of fear will end and a new area of light and brotherhood, peace and unity will commence…”

Mayan Archaeological Sites

To celebrate this new beginning, Mexico’s government has invited several Central American countries to join the “Mundo Maya 2012” that includes cultural activities and artistic festivals in the Mayan area, comprised of the five southeastern states of the country.

Among the many activities planned for the state of Quintana Roo, you will be able to enjoy the: Opening of Cancun’s Archaeological Museum, Feria de la Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Fair) in Cozumel, Travesía Sagrada Maya (Sacred Mayan Crossing) in the Riviera Maya, Festival de Tradiciones de Vida y Muerte (Festival of Life and Death Traditions) in Xcaret and many more cultural and sport events, concerts and conferences.

So come to Mexico and take part in the new beginning!

Visit Mexico… And celebrate life!