Wine Festival and Sacred Mayan Journeys at the Riviera Maya
Wine Festival and Sacred Mayan Journeys at the Riviera Maya
TAO Inspired Living has created a guide to the best and most interesting festivals in the Riviera Maya, organized by date to help you plan your travels accordingly. Some of the dates might change year after year, so make sure you check directly on the websites of these events to confirm the specific dates of the festivals and happenings. Whatever your age or interest might be, you can come and enjoy life at its best in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, the Riviera Maya.
WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL CANCUN/RIVIERA MAYA
The Wine and Food Festival Cancun/Riviera Maya is a relatively new addition to this area. Although most of its events take place in Cancun as this festival has become more and more popular, there are also some Riviera Maya hotels that are now participating in this delightful gathering of the best Chefs and Sommeliers from around the world.
Foodies from all over gathered during the month of March to celebrate one of life’s greatest pleasures, eating. The festival is putting the name of Cancun and the Riviera Maya among the top culinary destinations in the world by bringing the best of the Mexican and international gastronomy and finest wine cellars from all over the world to be savored in this unparalleled beautiful setting.
The latest edition of the Wine and Food Festival was dedicated to France, Spain and Mexican gastronomy. With different events like Spanish traditional cuisine and wine pairings by acclaimed Spanish chefs Juan Mari Arzak and Juan Roca, who also offered gastronomy conferences to share their culinary secrets. There was also a tribute to France food and its amazing wines by celebrity chefs Alain Ducasse and Daniel Boulud.
Among other tastings and activities there were also cooking classes techniques by renowned Mexican woman that have made a name of their own with the original and emblematic recipes that have taken Mexican gastronomy and wines to a whole new level. Also local restaurants and hotels bring their signature dishes of their menus to the Gourmet Tasting Village held at the Moon Palace Golf & Resort, where you can enjoy the best that the hospitality industry in this area has to offer.
The Festival also seeks to share its achievements by giving support in variety of ways to community charity foundations, culinary students and institutions of the area.
Check their website for the next edition in May 2016, where you can buy in advance individual entrances to each event or promotional packages and prepare your senses to be blown away by the deliciousness of this Festival dedicated to lovers of all things gourment.
SACRED MAYAN JOURNEY
A Mayan tradition lost for almost half a century has been rescued by Xcaret Park. During the month of May, for almost a decade now, 350 rowers make a sacred 
pilgrimage from Xcaret to Cozumel to celebrate a mythical Mayan tradition to honor and receive a divine message from Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of the moon, fertility, childbirth and love.
In collaboration with the INAH (the National Institute of Anthropology and History), Xcaret Experiences has recreated this ritual to accurately adhere to the original way it was performed since 1250 – 1519 AD period, 30 handmade canoes were built in the old traditional Mayan way for 350 rowers coming from Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum and Akumal.
The Sacred Mayan Journey is a 50 km crossing which translates to 6 to 7 hours of paddling each way in the Cozumel Channel. There is a training of six months each rower has to endure to overcome the hard conditions, risks and physical efforts this journey involves while navigating the Cozumel Channel to worship Ixchel.
These brave and determined rowers honor this mythical tradition with a practice that strengthens their cultural identity to the Yucatan Peninsula and the Mayan elder’s maritime routes. The traditions of the original music, customs, dances and every characteristic of the canoes and rowers are being respected, which makes this an event one to not to be missed.
For all visitors of this region of the Riviera Maya during May, this is a must do. Make sure you are at Xcaret park, to witness the endurance of people, just like you and me, that have embraced a challenged bigger than life itself. A tradition that will go on for years, because of people that have committed to preserve their elder’s ways. An amazing celebration of ancient Mexican and Mayan culture and a pilgrimage not to be missed.
Most of the participants are Mexicans from other states and foreigners now living in this region determined to fulfill this challenge inherited by the Mayan elders. “In lak ‘ekh, Hala ken” (I am another you, you are another me), the energy required to become a single continuous movement, paddling in harmony with the sea, that will take them to dry land.
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