I am forever changed by this adventure. Driving Mexico has become one of my greatest experiences. What I am learning about the world we live in is changing me; my knowledge and my opinions. The people of Mexico have changed me through their kindness and their gratitude for life. My mind can never go back to what it was. It has been expanded by what I have observed these past few weeks. This is what I love most about travel.
We have now completed the loop around the Yucatan peninsula; landing a few kilometers from the Belize border.
The following road log is a quick summary of where we have been....more detailed stories of each location will be posted in the near future.
We have now completed the loop around the Yucatan peninsula; landing a few kilometers from the Belize border.
The following road log is a quick summary of where we have been....more detailed stories of each location will be posted in the near future.
Day -Fourteen~ July 10, 2014
Chichen Itza to Playa del Carmen
States Traveled: Yucatan & Quintana Roo
High 89 Humidity 80%
16 ft. above sea level
Population: 150,000
Stayed at an Airbnb apartment
We sped our way through the Cancun area. Bluck. Arrived to our first airbnb as guests. We just started hosting last year and love it. Being a guest was equally as enjoyable and we will do it again. Our main reason for venturing this far south: a free diving certification course. I was stoked to be reunited with my inner mermaid [learning to dive deeper on one single breath with no tank of air]. No such chance....the girl had given me the wrong frikin dates. I was crushed. In all fairness the mishap was an innocent mistake and both women I communicated with are lovely gals and I hope to take a course with them in the future.
To top it off, we were both super unimpressed with Playa. Not our scence at all. We made the most of an unsuccesfful afternoon by checking out the hip and happening Avenida Quinta. Wow, so many pretty people...all in one place. We held hands tightly, as we walked along somewhat in fear; we ain’t in our jungle paradise anymore.
Chichen Itza to Playa del Carmen
States Traveled: Yucatan & Quintana Roo
High 89 Humidity 80%
16 ft. above sea level
Population: 150,000
Stayed at an Airbnb apartment
We sped our way through the Cancun area. Bluck. Arrived to our first airbnb as guests. We just started hosting last year and love it. Being a guest was equally as enjoyable and we will do it again. Our main reason for venturing this far south: a free diving certification course. I was stoked to be reunited with my inner mermaid [learning to dive deeper on one single breath with no tank of air]. No such chance....the girl had given me the wrong frikin dates. I was crushed. In all fairness the mishap was an innocent mistake and both women I communicated with are lovely gals and I hope to take a course with them in the future.
To top it off, we were both super unimpressed with Playa. Not our scence at all. We made the most of an unsuccesfful afternoon by checking out the hip and happening Avenida Quinta. Wow, so many pretty people...all in one place. We held hands tightly, as we walked along somewhat in fear; we ain’t in our jungle paradise anymore.
Mamitas Beach. For the record...I have a top on!
Day Fifteen~ July 11, 2014
Playa del Carmen
Happy Birthday Mom! In my family, we have one rule for singing happy birthday
[and one rule only]...you have to sing loud! We skyped my mom and belted out our best tune. She sent us along our way with some good advice...do not take your top off at the beach! After all, we were headed over to the famous beach called Mamitas. A popular place to let the ladies hang free to soak up some sun. Sam was rather disappointed because he did not get to creep out [um, I mean to see] any boobies. I was feeling rather overdressed; my cheeky bathing suit bottoms were somewhat prudish for this crowd. We had to work hard to find a place to squeeze our towels along the crowded sand. Once we found a place to squat, it was a glorious few hours of relaxation and pretty people watching....and lots of smack talk, sure to earn us some hell points.
Playa del Carmen
Happy Birthday Mom! In my family, we have one rule for singing happy birthday
[and one rule only]...you have to sing loud! We skyped my mom and belted out our best tune. She sent us along our way with some good advice...do not take your top off at the beach! After all, we were headed over to the famous beach called Mamitas. A popular place to let the ladies hang free to soak up some sun. Sam was rather disappointed because he did not get to creep out [um, I mean to see] any boobies. I was feeling rather overdressed; my cheeky bathing suit bottoms were somewhat prudish for this crowd. We had to work hard to find a place to squeeze our towels along the crowded sand. Once we found a place to squat, it was a glorious few hours of relaxation and pretty people watching....and lots of smack talk, sure to earn us some hell points.
Day Sixteen~ July 12, 2014
Playa del Carmen
[Day Trip to Cenote Dos Ojos]
Before abandoning the dogs with the babysitter [a.k.a keeping them in the apartment], we treated them to another trip to the dog park. Still unlucky to find any other dogs to play with. We arrived at the cenote in the mid day heat. Our new goggles and natural competitive attitudes led us to see who could dive under water the longest; a possible unconscious strategy to warm up in the brisk water. Upon departure of the first cenote, I banged my toe. Yep, broke the middle pig. I hobbled onward to the second cenote, trying to ignore my throbbing toe. Not all things which happen in Playa stay in Playa....the purple bruises followed me for many days to come.
Good riddance Playa.
Playa del Carmen
[Day Trip to Cenote Dos Ojos]
Before abandoning the dogs with the babysitter [a.k.a keeping them in the apartment], we treated them to another trip to the dog park. Still unlucky to find any other dogs to play with. We arrived at the cenote in the mid day heat. Our new goggles and natural competitive attitudes led us to see who could dive under water the longest; a possible unconscious strategy to warm up in the brisk water. Upon departure of the first cenote, I banged my toe. Yep, broke the middle pig. I hobbled onward to the second cenote, trying to ignore my throbbing toe. Not all things which happen in Playa stay in Playa....the purple bruises followed me for many days to come.
Good riddance Playa.
Day Seventeen~ July 13, 2014
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
States Traveled: Quintana Roo
High 86 Humidity 79%
30 ft. above sea level
Population: 19,000
Stayed at Rancho Tranquilo
A short one hour drive south....and hello, hippy paradise of Tulum.
The heat and humidity are still scaring us away from camping; although there are several stellar sites nearby. We rushed to view the final game of the World Cup. Settling in at a bar which allowed the dogs. Not a second after ordering a drink and food, we put two and two together....shit, we are sitting at a German bar. With German fans. Luckily, Argentina did not do much worth cheering for. Although, our refusal to drink free celebratory tequila after the final whistle may have given the secret away.
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
States Traveled: Quintana Roo
High 86 Humidity 79%
30 ft. above sea level
Population: 19,000
Stayed at Rancho Tranquilo
A short one hour drive south....and hello, hippy paradise of Tulum.
The heat and humidity are still scaring us away from camping; although there are several stellar sites nearby. We rushed to view the final game of the World Cup. Settling in at a bar which allowed the dogs. Not a second after ordering a drink and food, we put two and two together....shit, we are sitting at a German bar. With German fans. Luckily, Argentina did not do much worth cheering for. Although, our refusal to drink free celebratory tequila after the final whistle may have given the secret away.
Day Eighteen~ July 14, 2014
Tulum
The ruins of Tulum are spectacular. A large palace sits upon the cliffs of the turquoise ocean. 99% of the tourists visiting had some serious butt and belly sweat going on....except for those damn 1% ers. The women wearing their bathing suits while walking around. Besides taking photos of the ruins, I became fascinated with trying to snap shots of these chicas [and of course, will post them for your viewing pleasure, when I write specifically about Tulum Ruins]. The best part about these particular ruins....the ocean swim just below the looming presence of the ruins.
We finished the day with a game of bocce ball on the beach. We poached a beach front resort and settled in with our own cooler. As we finished our second to last shot, some ratty little vendor kids walked through and picked up all of the balls. Ok, cute. Thanks for helping us. Wrong! The 7 year old boy split one direction and the two young girls, the other direction. Oye! The girls were quick to surrender the large colored balls. The little boy hid the small white ball in his greasy little palm; denying he had it. As I reached out to grab him by his backpack, he tossed it to one of the girls. Holy crap, you are totally playing keep away from us. Even my best teacher face could not get them to return the ball. After several tosses and their snide little giggles at our mis-attempts to grab the ball away from them, I quickly informed them...."tourists do not buy things from naughty little children"; my best Spanish always shinning through in moments of ill-fated patience. Finally, the little brat threw us the ball and went on his way.
Tulum
The ruins of Tulum are spectacular. A large palace sits upon the cliffs of the turquoise ocean. 99% of the tourists visiting had some serious butt and belly sweat going on....except for those damn 1% ers. The women wearing their bathing suits while walking around. Besides taking photos of the ruins, I became fascinated with trying to snap shots of these chicas [and of course, will post them for your viewing pleasure, when I write specifically about Tulum Ruins]. The best part about these particular ruins....the ocean swim just below the looming presence of the ruins.
We finished the day with a game of bocce ball on the beach. We poached a beach front resort and settled in with our own cooler. As we finished our second to last shot, some ratty little vendor kids walked through and picked up all of the balls. Ok, cute. Thanks for helping us. Wrong! The 7 year old boy split one direction and the two young girls, the other direction. Oye! The girls were quick to surrender the large colored balls. The little boy hid the small white ball in his greasy little palm; denying he had it. As I reached out to grab him by his backpack, he tossed it to one of the girls. Holy crap, you are totally playing keep away from us. Even my best teacher face could not get them to return the ball. After several tosses and their snide little giggles at our mis-attempts to grab the ball away from them, I quickly informed them...."tourists do not buy things from naughty little children"; my best Spanish always shinning through in moments of ill-fated patience. Finally, the little brat threw us the ball and went on his way.
Day Nineteen~ July 15, 2014
Tulum to Chetumal
States Traveled: Quintana Roo
High 90 Humidity 74% [delightful ocean breeze]
5 ft. above sea level
Population: 152,000
Camped at Yax Ha
K-Wow! This is the best campsite in the entire country. Nestled along turquoise water looking down the coastline towards Belize. For the first time in weeks, the dogs were set free to wander. Both darting directly to the water. Yoga, reading and relaxation was the theme of the day. Until Sam discovered he had left his computer charger in Tulum. Darn. How can we fix this?....Think. Got it. A fresh fish dinner and a margarita along the boardwalk.
Tulum to Chetumal
States Traveled: Quintana Roo
High 90 Humidity 74% [delightful ocean breeze]
5 ft. above sea level
Population: 152,000
Camped at Yax Ha
K-Wow! This is the best campsite in the entire country. Nestled along turquoise water looking down the coastline towards Belize. For the first time in weeks, the dogs were set free to wander. Both darting directly to the water. Yoga, reading and relaxation was the theme of the day. Until Sam discovered he had left his computer charger in Tulum. Darn. How can we fix this?....Think. Got it. A fresh fish dinner and a margarita along the boardwalk.
Day Twenty~ July 16, 2014
Chetumal
Sam took the car to get some love. One of our back tires was not holding air and needed a new tube. Quick fix. Back to relaxing. We ended the evening with a camp grilled fish dinner and conversation with the friendly security guard. Oh, life is good, but it is time to move on.
Little did we know...days 23 & 24 were about to blow!
Almost called off the rest of the trip after these long stressful days...
Chetumal
Sam took the car to get some love. One of our back tires was not holding air and needed a new tube. Quick fix. Back to relaxing. We ended the evening with a camp grilled fish dinner and conversation with the friendly security guard. Oh, life is good, but it is time to move on.
Little did we know...days 23 & 24 were about to blow!
Almost called off the rest of the trip after these long stressful days...
