Straw roofs are not a Mayan invention, as they originated in Africa from where they spread to five continents. In Yucatan, this form of covering was made with best native materials. First of these is chicle tree, zapote by its local name. Its latex once served as a base for chewing gum (today, 99 percent of chewing gum comes from petroleum products), and was extracted through deep incisions made in its trunk.

Zapote is a reddish color, among hardest woods known, impervious to heat or humidity, and flexible. These qualities make it especially useful for adapting to ornate designs. The second element of construction is wild grass, it grows in abundance throughout peninsula, reaching heights of one meter. Although not widely used, xit palms are another popular roofing material.

Building a palapa is an art, although primitive, and requires much practice and creative ability to master technique. Palapa builders as generous artisans have revealed many of their secrets. The building process begins with cutting of wood, a significant cosmic act since it is determined by lunar phases. Trees may only be cut on nine of every 28 days, during seven days of full moon and two more. Theory has it that just like ocean tides, sap of trees rises during full moon and their trunks reach saturation when cycle is at its fullest. After timbering, when sap dries, it will provide a natural repellant against boring insects.

Grass must be torn from ground manually with its roots intact, then left to dry several days in sun. It must be combed just before it becomes brittle. This is done by laying it on a bed of upright nails and gently pulling it through in one horizontal motion. Bundles are then woven together into plaques and laid onto framework.

In case of xit palms, these are cut then broken where main stem and leaf meet. The remaining fronds are separated into three sections and inserted in a horizontal pole that keeps them together.

Assembling a palapa is a delicate process, full of unexpected. On coast they must be built in accordance with prevailing winds. Builders must determine structure's weight, which in turn determines size of support beams, then they must calculate a sloping angle for roof (generally 45 degrees.).

That angle is crucial. It allows rainwater to quickly drain away before it can penetrate roof material and lead to rotting. The steeper slope, more durable a roof will be. This formula has one drawback however, as higher means costlier, and as a result there is a compromise on 45 degrees.

The Maya used palapas to cover homes and temples built for many purposes. Today's examples include restaurants and many businesses. Cancun is filled with monumental palapas. Almost every hotel has one around its pool areas. They link modern Cancun with a remote past.

Quintana Roo, one of most recently established states in Mexico, has a population of 880,000. Most of inhabitants live in Cancun, Chetumal, (the state capital), Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and San Miguel Cozumel.

One of most attractive ceremonies still being carried out is the

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Edwi Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Set on eleven acres with a half mile of platinum beach (the area is also called Platinum Coast), royal pink façade comforts guests in 72 oceanfront, deluxe rooms, and one three-bedroom private villa.

All Royal Pavilion accommodations come with a king-sized bed. I must say, without management provocation, that spacious dream zone came with plump body pillows and it was most comfortable night I ever had. There was an electronic mosquito zapper that I didn't need in dry season; pests were non-existant.

The room's private lanai has an overhang to keep out some of that glittering light that can be overpowering, but you won't miss Jimmy Buffet moment sunsets as golden orb peels quietly into Caribbean. The shrubs around lanai keep room private and intimate. I found padded beach loungers just a hop over a small wall. Each chair was a library of discarded European magazines, which I read with delight during lazy days, especially James Bond cartoons! Barbados is still very much British influenced, even though Fairmont is a Canadian hotel chain. A New York Times Digest was also slipped quietly under my door daily by colonists!

Even though Royal Pavilion and The Glitter Bay Fairmont serve some of best Bajan and international cuisine, twice daily maid service kept mini fridge stocked so you could get in more swimming and beach time.

The Glitter Bay Hotel is not set beach front like Royal Pavilion, and I was puzzled that my room has plush and barefoot pleasing carpets, while Glitter Bay has cool terra cotta tiles. The maid must fume when vacuuming out sand. The tropical fabrics, rattan furniture, and cool, coral painted walls gives my hideout a colonial feeling.

The 63 rooms of white stucco and Spanish-tiled Moorish/Andalusian themed Glitter Bay Fairmont was originally built on 19 acres as Cunard's private manse. There is a combination of deluxe rooms, one and two bedroom suites, two and three bedroom penthouses, and five superb oceanfront suites in Beach House.

The Great House was renovated and now houses breezy reception area and concierge. One set of tennis courts is behind mansion and another is near Royal Pavilion.

Both properties have A/C and 24 hour room service, king beds, with twins and rollaways available on request. Glitter Bay rooms have pool and garden views, so that is why I chose Royal Pavilion with beachside rooms. The outdoor pool has a separate kids' plunge, shared by all from both hotels. I come to Caribbean to swim in ocean, so again Royal Pavilion receives my vote.

The only real difference between two properties is that Glitter Bay has one bedroom suites and penthouses with stoves and refrigerators, complete with crockery and utensils. I don't cook, especially on vacation, so RP is again nominee for a choice beach hangout. Both hotels offer direct dial telephone and voice mail.

The Fairmonts share these facilities: Fitness and massage centre featuring LifeCycle and LifeStep, treadmills, free weights, aerobics, and a personal trainer, tennis pros for instruction on day or night-lighted courts. There are two tennis courts on dual properties. Only a mile away is Robert Trent Jones, Jr. championship Royal Westmoreland 18-hole golf course. There is also access to Sandy Lane Golf Course which had it's new section completed in late 2002. The Fairmont shuttle is complimentary to both golf courses. Complimentary watersports include snorkeling, windsurfing, hobie cat, and sunfish sailing.

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Kriss Hammond , Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com