Myths: Dance of the Flyers Ceremony - Costa Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Dance of the Flyers Ceremony

Costa Maya

Quintana Roo, Mexico

N 18° 43.993 W 087° 41.585

Short Description: 

The Dance of the Flyers (La Danza de los Voladores) ceremony performed to bring forth rain is performed whenever cruise ships are docked at the port of Costa Maya in Quintana, Roo, Mexico.

Long Description:

A consortium of cruise lines developed the port of Costa Maya. The area has deep water that can accommodate large cruise ships and provides a convenient stop for cruise ships that are visiting western Caribbean ports. Within the security area of the port, there is a faux Mayan village created for tourists. The Mayan pole ceremony, an authentic Dance of the Flyers (Danza de los Voladores), takes place in the central square.

According to Totonac myth a severe drought was inflicted by the gods because the people had neglected them. The Dance of the Flyers ceremony was created to appease the gods and bring back the rains. A permanent 72' high pole is installed in the courtyard of the faux Mayan village of Costa Maya. The ceremony is preformed by by professional flyers and witnessed by thousands of tourists.

In this version of the dance four flyers, dressed in traditional garb, climb to the top of the pole, tie ropes around their feet and descend, head first, to the ground while circling the pole the ritual number of 13 times. A fifth participant remains on top of the pole, plays a flute while pounding out a cadence on a drum.

La Danza de los Voladores has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage (ICH) by UNESCO in 2009. The country of Mexico is committed to safeguard and promote the tradition to keep it alive.

Fountain: Lagoon Fountain - Costa Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Lagoon Fountain

Costa Maya 

Quintana Roo, Mexico

N 18° 43.958 W 087° 41.621

Short Description: 

The lagoon fountain is located at the entrance to the faux Mayan Village inside the security area of the cruise port of Costa Maya.

Long Description:

A consortium of cruise lines developed the port of Costa Maya. The area has deep water that can accommodate large cruise ships and provides a convenient stop for cruise ships that are visiting western Caribbean ports.

As you leave the pier and enter the village you immediately encounter the lagoon fountain. The artificial lagoon itself is quite large and is surrounded by buildings on the southeast end. On the north end seven jets of water arise from the lagoon. The jets will alternate in height. Beyond the fountain are lounge chairs and the shopping area. Visitors are allowed to enter in the lagoon.

Cruise Ship Port: Costa Maya - Quintana Roo, Mexico

Costa Maya

Quintana Roo, Mexico

N 18° 43.973 W 087° 41.530

Short Description: 

Costa Maya is located on the Yucatan Peninsula along Mexico's Caribbean coast. The port was created around a virtually uninhabited area expressly for the creation of a deep water cruise ship port.
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico

Long Description:

A consortium of cruise lines developed the port of Costa Maya. The area has deep water that can accommodate large cruise ships and provides a convenient stop for cruise ships that are visiting western Caribbean ports.

The terminal is a T-shaped pier that can handle several ships at a time. From the intersection of the T it is a 0.25 mile walk to land. There is a free tram shuttle that connects the cruise ships to the shore. On the shore, and within the security area of the port, There is a faux Mayan village and shopping area created for tourists. Swimming or wading is available in a fountain lagoon. People dressed in Mayan costume lend the illusion of authenticity. The Mayan pole ceremony, The Dance of the Flyers, takes place in the central square.

Outside the security area is the sleepy town of Costa Maya. Starting at a reproduction of a Mayan pyramid, a single 2 mile route zig-zags past a lighthouse to the fishing village of Mahahual which was devastated by Hurricane Dean in 2007. It has been rebuilt from ruins into a tourist/resort area along a wide boulevard, The Malecon. A tram runs between the cruise port to Mahahual. A taxi will get you back at a cost of $5 US.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

N 18° 24.411 W 077° 06.647

Quick Description: 

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is located at a shore front location in the Island Village shopping area adjacent to the main cruise terminal.

Long Description:

Just about the happiest place in Ocho Rios, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is a short walk from the Ocho Rios Cruise Terminal or the more industrial James Bond Pier. In addition to the usual party atmosphere that characterizes the interior of all Margaritavilles, this establishment has a beach area, a rooftop hot tub, a pool with swim-up bar, and a 100' water slide. They also serve Caribbean food. After dark the place turns into a nightclub with a dance floor. You can also purchase Jimmy Buffett merchandise at the Trading Post.

Philatelic Photograph: Dunn's River Falls - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Dunn's River Falls

St. Ann Parish

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

N 18° 25.036 W 077° 08.394

Short Description: 

Dunn's River Falls is the premier attraction near the cruise port of Ocho Rios in Saint Ann Parish on the northeast part of the island of Jamaica.

Long Description:

Dunn’s River Falls is a multi-tiered cascade that flows from the mountain above down into the Caribbean Sea. On this day, Ash Wednesday - a national holiday, thousands of people entered the water at the Whirlpool at the base of the falls and climbed 185' high and 600' in distance along the limestone rocks over which the water of Dunn's River flows. For safety, people hold hand to form human chains which are led by experienced guides. Dunn’s River Falls has become one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica.

The stamp and photograph shows the falls from the Di Picture Stop area where you can marvel at the falls while staying dry on a boardwalk. The stamp is part of a set of 16 pictorial stamps issued by Jamaica during 1979 and 1980.

Musician Statue: Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

N 18° 24.398 W 077° 06.643

Short Description: 

A statue of the legendary and influential reggae musician, singer and lyricist Bob Marley, is located in the Island Village shopping area near the cruise ship port in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Long Description:

A 6.5' high bronze statue of Bob Marley stands on 3' high sculpted stone base. A bare-chested Marley is shown with his long hair braided in characteristic dreadlocks. The lower part of his the body morphs into the roots a banyan tree. This is most evident from the rear. Marley has a guitar at his midsection which is slung over his left shoulder and back. His right arm is pointing straight up and his index finger is extended. He is holding a microphone near his mouth with his left hand. The microphone morphs into the roots at the bottom of the statue. The sculpture was signed by C. (Christopher) Gonzalez and dated '82.

Bob Marley was born in the village of Nine Mile, St. Ann Parish in the mountain above Ocho Rios on February 6, 1945. He was the mixed race child of British born Norval Sinclair Marley and Jamaica born Cedella Booker, later known in Jamaica as Mama Marley. In high school he began to write music with his friend Neville Livingston, later known as Bunny Wailer.

The pair moved to Trenchtown, near Kingston, where they formed the reggae band called Bob Marley and the Wailers with Peter Tosh, Beverley Kelso, Junior Braithwaite. and later Cherry Smith. They produced 15 albums of music that popularized reggae music throughout the world. Bob Marley wrote the lyrics to many of the 145 songs that he recorded, including classics such as:

One Love
Buffalo Soldier
Get Up Stand Up
I Shot The Sheriff
Is This Love
Exodus
Satisfy My Soul
and many others

Discography:

The Wailing Wailers (1965)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution (1971)
The Best of the Wailers (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Live! (1975)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Babylon By Bus (1978)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)

Bob Marley was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 1977 and died on May 11, 1981 in Miami at the age of 36. The certified platinum compilation album - Legend, released after his death on May 8, 1984, insured his place in musical history.

Wikipedia lists the following honors awarded to Bob Marley:

Band of the Year by Rolling Stone Magazine, 1976.

Awarded the Peace Medal of the Third World from the United Nations. June 1978:

Awarded Jamaica's third highest honour, the Jamaican Order of Merit. February 1981

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. March 1994

Album of the Century for Exodus by Time Magazine. 1999

A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. February 2001

Awarded Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. February 2001

Rolling Stone ranked him No. 11 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. 2004

"One Love" named song of the millennium by BBC.

Voted as one of the greatest lyricists of all time by a BBC poll.

An English Heritage blue plaque was unveiled at his first UK residence in Ridgmount Gardens, London. 2006

The album Catch a Fire inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 2010

Roadside Attractions: Wally's Service Station and Mayberry Courthouse - Mt Airy, NC

Wally's Service Station

and 

Mayberry Courthouse

Mt. Airy, NC

N 36° 29.770 W 080° 36.184

Short Description: 

Wally's Service Station and Mayberry Courthouse are prominent sites in the fictional town of Mayberry, NC featured in the Andy Griffith Show. Their counterparts in Mt. Airy, NC are located at 625 South Main Street.

Long Description:

The town of Mt. Airy, NC was the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry, NC, the setting for the Andy Griffith Show. Andy grew up in Mt. Airy and actually frequented many of the establishments featured on the show.

As a boy Andy Griffith would visit Wally's Service Station to buy a snack or a soda. The real service station was built at its current site in 1937. In 2001 it was converted into a tourist attraction. In the Andy Griffith Show Goober Pyle worked at Wally's Service Station. He later purchased and ran establishment. Goober was played by actor George Lindsey. Parked outside the Service Station was a black tow truck used by Wally's Service Station and driven by Goober.

Adjacent to Wally's Service Station is the Mayberry Courthouse. This existing building was modified to resemble the courthouse featured on the Andy Griffith Show. As a tourist attraction the interior re-creates the Mayberry jail and Sheriff Andy's office, complete with desk. Attached to the courthouse is Emmett's Fix-It shop. Emmett was a later addition to the show who was the handyman in Mayberry, Emmett Clark, portrayed by actor Paul Hartman. Of interest is the Mayberry Taxi Cab Company vehicle is parked outside Emmett's Fix-It shop.

Roadside Attraction: Floyd's City Barber Shop - Mt. Airy, NC

Floyd's City Barber Shop

Mt. Airy, NC

N 36° 29.985 W 080° 36.441

Short Description:

Floyd's City Barber Shop is the inspiration for Floyd's Barber Shop and the character Floyd Lawson that was featured in the fictional town of Mayberry, NC on the Andy Griffith Show. It is located at 129 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC.

Long Description:

The town of Mt. Airy, NC was the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry, NC, the setting for the Andy Griffith Show. Andy grew up in Mt. Airy and actually frequented many of the establishments featured on the show. In real life he regularly had his hair cut at Russell Hiatt's Barber Shop in the downtown area of Mt. Airy. On the show this became Floyd's Barber Shop which was operated by Floyd Lawson the Barber.

In real life the barber was Russell Hiatt who opened the barber shop in the 1940's. When Mt. Airy became the fictional Mayberry the barber shop was renamed Floyd's, to match the name used on the show. Russell Hiatt has retired but the barber shop is still in operation. A picture of Andy Griffith getting his hair cut by Russell Hiatt is displayed in the lower left of the window. Hours are M-Tu-W-F from 7 am to 5 pm; Sa from 7 am to 3 pm.

Floyd the Barber was introduced to the Andy Griffith Show during episode #12. originally he was played by actor Walter Baldwin. the character was portrayed as being absent-minded with running joke that he could not properly trim sideburns. From 1961 the barber on the show was played by by Howard McNear who was Floyd Lawson for the next six seasons, until he had to retire due to poor health. As the show progressed the role of the barber became more important as his involvement in the plots increased.

Roadside Attraction: Andy Griffith's Boyhood Home - Mt. Airy, NC

Andy Griffith's 
Boyhood Home

Mt. Airy, NC

N 36° 29.467 W 080° 36.596

Short Description: 

Andy Griffith's Boyhood Home is now a Bed and Breakfast. It is located at 711 E. Haymore St., Mount Airy, NC.

Long Description:

Andy Griffith was an actor and Grammy Award winning singer. He grew up in this modest house in Mt. Airy, NC. This town is the model for his long running TV program The Andy Griffith Show (1960 -1968) which takes place in the fictional town of Mayberry, NC. You won't have any trouble finding the home since it is right across the road from the huge water tower at the highest point in the town.

A sign outside is inscribed:

Andy Griffith's
HOMEPLACE
1935 - 1966
For Lodging Reservations:
366-789-5999
800-565-5249

If the house is currently occupied, which seems always to be the case, a sign outside will read:

Guests Are
Occupyimg 
Andy's House
Please Respect 
Their Privacy

Reservations can be made through Hampton by Hilton Hotel Rooms and Reservations at the above 800 number. Rate is $175 to $200/night

Roadside Attraction: Statues of Andy and Opie - Mt. Airy, NC

Statues of Andy and Opie

Mt. Airy, NC

N 36° 29.874 W 080° 36.515

Short Description: 

The Andy and Opie Statues are located in front of the Andy Grifffith Playhouse at 218 Rockford St., Mount Airy, NC. statues were commissioned by the network TV Land

Long Description:

The bronze statues of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and his son Opie Taylor (Ron Howard) from the long running TV program the Andy Griffith Show (1960 -1968) was commissioned by the network TV Land and installed at 218 Rockford Street in Andy Griffith's home town of Mt. Airy, NC, the setting for the shows fictional town of Mayberry.

The statues were sculpted by Stuart Williamson, cast at EIS Studio and dedicated on September 24, 2004. Andy and Opie are walking hand in hand while carrying fishing poles. Andy is wearing his Sheriff uniform and the barefooted Opie is wearing an open collar shirt and pants with wide cuffs. Both are looking at each other and smiling. The the scene is from the opening sequence and theme song of the show.

A bronze plaque on the ground in front of the sculpture is inscribed:

a simpler time - a simpler place
a lesson - a laugh
a father and his son

Presented by the people of TV LAND