cancun & isla mujeres
We took a quick bus trip from Tulum to Cancun, only about 1.5 hours. It's a bit sad to be arriving because it means our time is almost up! This is our last week in Mexico :( I've decided to only eat ceviche. Ceviche is fresh seafood, marinated in lime juice with corriander, tomato, onion, chilli and salt. Ahhhhmazing. Unfortunately the first time Scott tried it was the night after the cenote dives. Because he had been tasting the "fresh/saltwater interface" the rock minerals got him good and he was very sick that night-- which unfortunately he now associates with ceviche. Looks like we'll be eating apart from now on, because I can't give it up!
We're only spending one night in Cancun before catching the ferry across to Isla Mujeres ('Island of Women'). This long narrow stretch of sand lies just off Cancun and is apparently where the Spanish conquistadores kept their mistresses while they were busy conquisting. The ladies back then probably didn’t have access to cold beers or beach umbrellas but nonetheless I’m sure they enjoyed their time on this lovely little island.
The ferry ride over was remarkable not for the lovely blue sky day nor the panoramic views, but rather the Mexican guy rocking ZZ Top on the upper deck with just his guitar and an awesome backing tape. It was tempting to take the boat straight back home if only to hear more of this lad.
We're only spending one night in Cancun before catching the ferry across to Isla Mujeres ('Island of Women'). This long narrow stretch of sand lies just off Cancun and is apparently where the Spanish conquistadores kept their mistresses while they were busy conquisting. The ladies back then probably didn’t have access to cold beers or beach umbrellas but nonetheless I’m sure they enjoyed their time on this lovely little island.
The ferry ride over was remarkable not for the lovely blue sky day nor the panoramic views, but rather the Mexican guy rocking ZZ Top on the upper deck with just his guitar and an awesome backing tape. It was tempting to take the boat straight back home if only to hear more of this lad.
After a short stroll through the few blocks which make up the “town” we settled on a nice room for $35 a night and headed down to the beach, which can be found about 100m in any direction from “town”. The water here is absolutely transparent and so shallow that you can walk out for about 10 minutes without getting your hair wet. Our place even comes with a friendly dog upstairs, whom we've christened 'Wayne' in honour of his Aussie cousin :) Every time another dog walks down the street Wayne sticks his head over the balcony and wails like a cow being murdered. We've never heard anything like it. |
Watersports - 7 april
Today we decided to make the most of the lovely big bathtub of shallow Carribean water by renting some water craft from a cranky Mexican on the beach. There was a moderate offshore breeze blowing so Allana deftly chose a standup paddleboard while I opted for a windsurfer. The vendor kindly offered me a lesson but given my vast experience (did it once about 10 years ago) and lack of money to pay for said lesson I had to politely decline. Anyway, it turns out that it’s quite difficult to sail back in against the breeze!! So while Allana (after having a nice paddle around) photographed from the shore I was slowly swept out into the Carribean sea. Thankfully Al was keeping an eye out and told the grumpy vendor, but he would only agree to go and help me in his kayak if
Allana paid him 200 pesos (15 bucks)!! After some careful consideration and indepth cost/benefit analysis she finally agreed.
Allana paid him 200 pesos (15 bucks)!! After some careful consideration and indepth cost/benefit analysis she finally agreed.
BIKES / Iguanarama - 8 April
Isla Mujeres is small enough to easily circumnavigate by pushbike so we decided to give it a crack today -definitely worthwhile!! The beaches down south of the island are absolutely stunning and offer some good snorkelling opportunities – the fish here are so tame that they swarm you as you get in and nibble at any peeling skin from yesterdays sunburn.
We had lunch at a restaurant right on the southern tip of the island, with views out to the hotel zone of Cancun in the distance. The wildlife on land was just as interesting as the reef, with gigantic iguanas roaming the streets and posing patiently for any passing tourist with a zoom lens.
We had lunch at a restaurant right on the southern tip of the island, with views out to the hotel zone of Cancun in the distance. The wildlife on land was just as interesting as the reef, with gigantic iguanas roaming the streets and posing patiently for any passing tourist with a zoom lens.
Cancun & COzumel
Our final days in Cancun were spent getting packed and diving off Cozumel Island. The dive trip was a huge day starting at 6am and not getting home until 7pm. We were bussed to Playa del Carmen, got a ferry to the island, 50 mins by boat to the dive site and all over again to get home. But it was worth it. Our first dive was a deep wall dive, with impressive sponges, sea whips and fans. Turns out those sea whips are bloody painful if you accidentally brush past one, as Allana found out they feel like sticking your leg in a fire even though you are 30m underwater. Our second dive was much shallower, only to 15m and the visibility fantastic. This reef was lobster city- these guys were massive! The group of people on the trip with us were a great bunch, there was the friendly chatty Americans, a young South African family and a British couple who were very serious divers. We all got along well and it was great to chat away to other people in English again. By the end of the day it was one of those funny half-awkward situations where everyone is friends but no one has bothered to learn anyone’s names.
goodbye mexico!
Our last dinner in Mexico was sad. We don’t want to leave! I think we could have easily spent three months here. Highlights were definitely cenote diving, Palenque and Puerto Escondio. Best foods include the ceviche, fish tacos in Puerto Escondio and the Argentinian dinner in San Cristobal. But everything has been great. Mexicans are a friendly, happy, fast-talking bunch of people who have made us laugh and feel welcome in their Country. Te amo Mexico!!!