A Little Jaunt in the Yucatan...

...or maybe it's more accurate to say 8 insane days criss-crossing all over Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Cozumel! We managed to keep it cheap by buying tickets way in advance and staying in 12$/night hostels. The occasion was Semana Santa, or the Catholic holy week, celebrated all over Latin America and parts of Europe. During this time EVERYBODY is on vacation so it is literally impossible to find any accommodations in coastal towns unless you book way in advance. Luckily Sallie had the foresight to get plans started in early February. Two friends from my business program, Utsav and Anosh, were also able to join and I'll forever be indebted to them for teaching me how to manage a moped (more on this to come). Anyhow, as many of our Mexican friends told us beforehand, Cancun definitely won the prize for prettiest beaches. 

Baaaammm!  (Click ^ = bigger) 

So the first day in Cancun we found the public beach access sidewalk, immediately cut across the beach, and plopped down right in front of the RIU Palace, one of the 50-some 5-starrers in the area. I must admit it was a tad amusing to see the looks the faces of the people around us when they realized they DIDN'T have to spend three hundy a night to lounge on the those beautiful beaches. 

The water in this area stayed knee deep over 200 meters out with zero waves. Get! Outta! Here!

But after 2 nights in Cancun we were pretty ready to take off. Besides the beaches and giant clubs there is surprisingly little to see. We were staying in the downtown area which felt like a small Mexican town, with little cuisine outside of the native Mexican and few bars and areas of interest. We decided that Cancun is mainly for Spring-breakers and people looking to stay put at luxury hotels. The following morning we hopped on a bus for the hour drive to Playa del Carmen. Tickets were 45 pesos a pop, or around $3.50 USD. 

When we arrived we found the town much more to our liking. The beaches were still outstanding and you didn't need a hotel wristband to join in one of the beach soccer or volleyball games that are always popping up.

Sallie trying her best to look grumpy after I woke her up from a long beach nap.

The nex day we made it to Tulum, a historic area with ruins right on the coast. Gotta love flute-playing colorful dudes way up on top of a giant pole. Why not, right?  http://youtu.be/19ILtzlr8So

And it was super cool of them to let people swim in the ocean below the ruins.

Also managed to find some killer Indian. Place was called Curry Omm for those thinking of visiting.

After 3 days in PDC we were still sad to be leaving. Luckily our last night of the trip was still unbooked and we managed to convince the hostel to squeeze us in. Thus we took a 20-30 min ferry to Isla Cozumel. A sleeply little island in the Carribean. You can actually get a great view of the island from a cool rooftop bar called Azotea Lounge on 5a, in PDC.

Nicest hostel of our trip, Amigos Hostel. The owner, Kathy, was super helpful.

Bright and early the next day we rented mopeds to save on taxis (the island is surpisingly big, at 10 miles across and 25 wide). We had heard the Cozumel was the best place to snorkel so we headed South along the coast until we found a spot recommended by Kathy. Utsav and I especially were looking forward to this and it ended up being even cooler than anticipated. It turns out that you can snorkel almost anywhere on the West coast. All you need is a mask and some flippers and you're soon chasing around schools of colorful funny fish and watching a crazy underwater drama unfold as all the sea fans, blow-fish, crabs, and unknown creatures try to stake their territory. The Little Mermaid would not have been at all out of place there and after swimming behind a long barracuda for a while I wouldn't have been surprised if she turned up. Sadly, we didn't think to buy underwater cameras so all you have to go on is my not so fanciful description. Did I mention all the animals were singing 'Under the Sea'? 

Aww... best friends forever!

Preach it!

Followed a random path off the side of the road to find another fly snorkel spot.

There's mucho fire dancing at night in the main square. All of the dancers were very talented and I can say that with confidence. After 3.5 months in Mexico I've seen a crazy amount.

Morning ride to the East side of the island. The waves were monster.

Hmm, can't quite put my finger on it...

The island was perfect for just taking it easy after all our tramping around on the mainland. Here's a clip from our fairy ride back to PDC:  http://youtu.be/Fu1hRg_9dlg

                                           

The trip was undoubtedly an adventure I will remember for years and likely the longest such vacation I will have time to take for a while. I can also say that none of it would have been worthwhile without the outstanding people that came along with me for the ride. In particular, I have a great deal of gratitude and love for my wonderful girlfriend and traveling companion, who without fail has always been there to make my life easier so that I can finish my work in high spirits and then head out again with her to see what other new things lie-in-wait out there in the universe.

This one.