Going back to Blighty

So time to say farewell to Mexico, and head back to the UK.... Thankfully, it's only a short stopover for now and I'm not expected to go back to reality just yet... All the same, it's strange to think I will soon be seeing family and friends again after what feels like such a long time.

 

We get to the airport in Cancun and I start to look for the flight... A mild panic sets in when I can't see it. There is no 14.15 flight listed to Miami, only 12.15 and it is 12.00.... I start to freak out a little thinking the time is wrong on my iPhone and didn't take into account the time difference and struggle to find someone to reassure me. The staff are not exactly what you would call helpful or understanding of the dilemma, but thankfully the panic is only for 5 minutes when I find out there is a 14.15 flight after all...! Phew....

 

The journey is pretty straight forward, AA to Miami, Miami to London on BA back to the fabulous terminal 5. Last minute duty free shopping, and we are good to go. I get back and am greeted by my parents at the airport, it's lovely to see them and ridiculously freezing. Flip flops might not have been the best choice! I pick up my car and then drive in a blizzard back to my house, and spend the next 24hrs working on getting it to a temperature that I can live in without 2 fleeces and a blanket, or wearing everything I own! Welcome home...!

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Final day

And so the last day arrives and the packing up starts, one final workout and then we head to meet up with our instructor for hobby cat sailing and snorkelling. We get there promptly, and we wait.... and wait..... and wait, all the time being told 15 minutes, and then watching the guy who sold us this adventure walk further down the beach on his mobile!! About an hour late, the guy finally turns up.

We then head out and I soon get the feeling that this is our driver, rather than instructor! So I leave it and just ask a few question, how do you steer, how do you tack, and gybe. We get to our snorkelling spot and are given the gear. Jumping in and heading towards the reef. Sadly the gear is a bit of a pain, the snorkelling keeps slipping and needs constant adjustment but I won't let that get me down. It's hard work swimming, and the reef is quotes shallow in parts. At times I swim and suddenly realise my foot is on the reef, and that I'm now caught in a shallow area wondering how to get out... I look up and see the someone waving "come here, look at this" that's all well and good but I'm stuck now in this reef!!!

Repeat this process about 8 times in an hour and that's about my experience really, lots of pretty fish but I think having been to the great barrier reef that this particular area doesn't compare! But it's fun, and the sailing is good. I learn how to get myself back into the hobby cat without assistance which is an event in itself really! Not the most dignified of performances but funny.

Then we head back, and I insist on taking the helm.... Let's just say, on the way back the ride is slightly more bumpy than on the way there, but it is fun and I enjoy it... Although I can see that sometimes the instructor (for want of a better word) is actually pushing the rudder where he wants it, but eventually as I get the hang of things that is less and less.

By the time we are back im starving so back to Zenzi again and this time we tuck into the nachos we have been seeing all week, and not disappointed one bit they are fab and filling! A couple more piña coladas and we are happy as Larry!

After finishing up, we head back to the hotel to pack what we can praying we don't need more bags! And then decide that out last meal will be back at Dialblito's. Tomorrow it's back to the UK for a brief pit stop and birthday party before my final adventure back in Antigua.... Turning 40!!!

 

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Easter Monday

So fully recovered, I'm ready for the next cultural exploration with "Easy Tours". As always they are 20 minutes early, and apparently it's our fault people are waiting around! Not a great start. Thankfully, Helen is quick getting back from Starbucks with breakfast and we soon head off... Still 15 minutes early so not really sure what the issue is.

Tulum is not too far which is good, about an hour to get there and meet our guide. This is where we find out the group is Dutch and English, so half the time the guide is speaking Dutch, the other half English. The guide is also not exactly the most personable, quite aggressive. Everytime he finishes speaking English he basically tells us to move on... It's hard to hear him and we don't seem to be getting much information so there is a sad moment when both Helen and I switch off! Tulum is beautiful and scenic, nicely set against the ocean it's just a shame our guide is not great... We actually end up trying to listen in to other guides to see if they are better!

It's almost a relief when we get our own free time to explore and can walk round. That's when I see the attack of the killer gecko, a small child sitting on the floor eating a peanut butter sandwich (well I assume that really as they are Amercian), and all of a sudden a gecko comes charging across the floor up to the child. Luckily the father steps in between and rescues the child. However, the surprise is then the dad takes the sandwich off the child and starts to feed the gecko... What is wrong with these people!!! I swiftly move away....

After a few classic touristy shots, we then get to paradise beach. It's gorgeous, and the water amazing, perfect to swim in I am sad we will only have an hour here. It's nice to walk up the long stretch of beach and relax in the sunshine, and I could swim here forever the water is so lovely and warm, flat and clear. But sadly the hour ends too quickly and we head back. Once again, frustrated that the driver is saying everyone is waiting. He said 12.50 and it's 12.49, so if they are waiting that is there problem for not making the most of the beautiful beach and time we had there.... Whereas we made use of every second!!! I'm starting to wonder what the easy in easy tours stands for because it certainly isn't easy going! Sadly they seem to have a monopoly on tours in the area.

We get back to the hotel and head to Zenzi bar, grab a sun lounger and order food and decide its time to have a few cocktails... Piña colada here we come! Food as always, amazing I have tuna which is pretty much fresh off the boat and tastes divine. We sit back, relax, enjoy the afternoon sunshine and long around with cocktails... Well in a few days we will be freezing in the UK so best make the most of it!

In the evening we head to another hotel recomendation Diablito Cha cha cha, and it's a fabulous find of 50s chic, with Asian fusion menu... The food is by far the best we have had so far, and the settling is lovely, we have eaten so well in Mexico which is a real surprise, I'm pretty impressed I have to say!

After dinner we head across the street to a bar for a quick drink, its not exactly party night as its monday and this particular place has about 10 times more staff than customers, but the first drink is free so who are we to turn it down! We sit quietly drinking and notice in the corner of our eyes a couple dancing, they stand out because well no one is dancing, but everyone is staring. Its not the best dancing I've seen, but they seem to be enjoying it.... what the real surprise is during the chorus the guy suddenly starts breakdancing to riders on the storm.... To say the bar is gob smacked would be an understatement, he does it again!

It's at this point all the iPhones come out and whilst I at least attempt to subtly video this event, some are just blatantly pointing the phone at the guy as he does it again and again. It is hysterical.... But basically our queue to leave this establishment!

 

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Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday, well it was definitely a day of rest after a late night/early morning finish! Altogether a rather uneventful day that involved lying on the beach for a while, and pizza, pasta night at a local Italian. Wood fired pizza, with leftovers taken home for later!

I wish I had more to say... But sadly, I assumed the recovery position and had an early night ready to see what lies at Tulum and bracing myself for another Easy Tour experience!!!

 

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Easter Saturday

So after a brief but interesting pool party experience, we are actually not feeling too bad the next morning so after another good workout we head to find another beach club to try out. This time we head to Zenzi bar, the food is amazing although sadly the service is slow... Although to their credit they do tell us they are having issues so not too bad I guess.

Helen orders ceviche which is amazing, to be honest it looks a lot better than the ceviche I had in Peru. The food is delicious, and we also get to grab a sun lounger after as well. After yet more relaxing we take a walk to find some stuff to do for the rest of the holiday... Well basically I want to sail, and I know there are hobbie cats here so we wander around and find a good tour guy on the beach, well at least we hope he is!!

We sign up for a special deal 1/2 day express tourism to Tulum ending up on Paradise beach, then 2hrs sailing and snorkelling. Perfect, we keep going down on price till basically we get a price we are happy with. It's the only way to book these things, just keep getting them to knock down the price or go somewhere else. Personally as long as you don't feel ripped off, it's all good and I think we got a good deal really.

Satisfied that our days are happily filled, we head back to get ready for a night on the town. On route I book us up in a lovely restaurant Mosquito Blue, now yes that is the same chain as Mosquito beach, but I'm just hoping the service is better. Luckily it seems to be even just booking the table, so I'm hopeful we will have a good evening.

Dinner is divine to be honest, and perfect really. Mosquito Blue is Italian, so I have a lovely Parma ham starter and blue cod main course which just melts in the mouth and not too heavy. A quick drink in the hotel, then it's off to La , tonight DJ m.a.n.d.y is playing and Helen and I are keen to hear him, mainly because we saw him last year for my birthday and it was a good night so just trying to relive the memories. Also, seeing as every night we hear the club music it's about time we went to see what all the fuss is about!

We stroll in, waiting to be asked to pay the cover charge, nothing.... We head up to the terrace which is really lovely open bar area, the music is good and its a good crowd gathering although still quite early. I head out to find out what time Mandy is playing, to which not even the staff know... But it sounds like 2am ish, so it's going to be a long night...

We get talking to various characters in the bar, most of whom seem to be Mexican, this is a pretty popular spot for Mexicans on holidays and with spring break it's pretty busy, most people say that about 70-80% roughly would be Latin American rather than American or European coming here which is quite interesting. There are a lot of locals too just finishing work and heading for drinks, in fact as we wander round we basically meet everyone who works at the hotel... With a surprisingly warm welcome, we now seem to be flavour of the month!!! All of a sudden we became cool!!!

One of the best moments had to be Helen approaching the DJ box, "Where's Phil? When is he playing?" like he's he bessie.... "Errr he's just coming, will be on in 20mins..." , then when Phil AKA M.A.N.D.Y comes up its "Phil, when are you playing, we have been waiting all night and only came here to see you" .... "emm, just coming on now, I will do my best " ... Well thats good to know!!

It was a really great night, a funny moment when someone introduced themselves by singing Abba.... Well I guess if your name is Fernando what else would you do!!! At least as we head to bed the music will no longer be playing... except of course the ringing in our ears.

 

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Good Friday... Pool party!!

So after the long day to Chichen Itza, today is all about the hotel pool party!! So shortly after breakfast we hit the gym for a good workout, now I know holidays are for relaxing but to be honest it's actually nice to get some exercise! The gym is quite nice and we get 50% off the day rate so it doesn't actually cost much.

After the workout we have a walk down the beach and look for a nice place to settle for lunch, the hotel gives vouchers for various places one of which is Mosquito Beach, a really lovely looking place and the food looks ok. Playa del Carmen is all beach clubs with lounges, umbrellas and table service, cocktails on the beach and everyone trying to look their best!

The food is nice, smoked salmon bagel, well it is actually 3 mini bagels and very filling but just what is needed really. It is then that we spot a few empty loungers that have been vacant a while and bring out the voucher... This is when we are very quickly dismissed and told they are all taken!! It doesn't look like it, but I guess they are waiting for someone to pay them the 300 peso!! I'm not overly impressed with the service at this particular place, it seems pretty pretentious.

So instead we settle on the beach, who needs a sun lounger, and as for the umbrella... Well to be honest, it's not ridiculously hot. Probably mid 20s at best with some cloud cover, so I think we should be fine. After a relaxing afternoon on the beach we head back to the hotel where the pool party has started...

It feels a bit more like all the friends of the people working in the hotel came for a party, there are a couple of people in the pool who look like they are freezing... It's not really hot, and the sun basically is shaded from the bar and pool area from about 4pm onwards. But people are having a good time, the music is good so we grab a drink at the bar and then head in to change.

We head to Cocina Mexicana for dinner, where the guacamole is amazing and food is lovely, it's a bit of a romantic setting to be honest for myself and Helen, and then we notice the place is like a cat sanctuary with lots of cats all running around the place.

The Pool party is in full swing when we get back, so we join in the drinks and start to be a bit adventurous with the cocktails. I think the staff are sort of warming to us, but who knows.. These are the times I wish I had got further through my Rosetta stone before going away! Note to self when home, finish learning Spanish! I may have to start randomly calling Jayne (my only spanish speaking friend) to have a conversation in Spanish when I get back!!! ...

Well the chocolate martini is to die for.... Who needs desert! Then we get free absolute vodka, mixed with apple and cucumber which is just delicious, and i think the bar staff see us wavering so throw in some free tequila shots.... There is a moment when we find out Paul van dyk is playing and are nearly tempted to party but to be honest after seeing him at Ultra Festival bed seems a better option! Plus we have a big night out planned tomorrow.

 

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Chichen Itza... Easy tours

Have to say I'm glad for the ridiculously long sleep and am up and raring to go for the 7.30am pickup and day trip to Chichen Itza. Sadly the hotel breakfast isn't till 8am, so we head to the nearest place for take out breakfast.... Maybe muesli and milk wasn't the best choice!! And didn't help that we were given forks to eat with. Thankfully, the nearby shop had spoons, our tour agent ran to get them as they turned up 30minutes early and we had to run out of the restaurant with our food.

It comes as a bit of a shock when we get on a huge coach, having been sold a tour for 12 people in a mini van 50 people on a coach is a bit different. The next hour is spent rafting around the general area picking up more and more people till the bus is full. We then head straight to Chichen Itza, where the next surprise is that the 2 hrs to Chichen Itza is actually more like 4 with all the messing around. We get there at midday!! You could probably get there in 2 hrs as its 140km away, but not on this tour!

Chichen Itza doesn't have any limit on number of tourists like Machu Picchu, so it's swamped... I think they mentioned that since its become one of the new 7 wonders we are talking 8000 people a day, maybe more on the March and September solstice days when the serpent can be seen ascending and descending the pyramid. Our tour guide is like someone from the Texas military... marching us into the park.

It's really interesting though and surprising about the history of the place, we get 2 hours to look around which is about enough, you could probably do a bit more but it's enough to get the information you need and some good pics. Our guide has all the advice on photos, squashing the pyramid, holding the pyramid in your hand, with your finger and so on.... We could be there all day as he shows how to do photo art of Chichen Itza.

The place is a bit spoilt with the endless row upon row of stalls all selling the same souvenirs it's actually a bit oppressive the volume of stalls actually in the place itself. "Hey lady, best price, cheaper than my ugly neighbour" is all I hear them say... After Chichen Itza we head for a really nice buffet lunch included in the tour, with some traditional Mexican dancers.... I am just amazed at how they keep the beer bottle on their heads as they spin round and round... Skilful!!

Next stop is Cenotes a pool with vines hanging in a cave, that's the best I can really do to describe it really. There are miles of underwater caves in the area apparently this is just one place. It's lovely, and the water is so nice to swim in after a hot day walking around. Refreshing!!! Sadly we are rushed here, only 1 hour we could have done with 2.... Next stop is a Mayan village, basically here we are just brought to shop... But get a taste of a traditional Mayan drink and some quite nice tequila. Anyway, after trying on poncho's, sombreros and various other fun we buy a little bottle of the Mayan drink, bit like sambuca but much nicer and easier to drink!!!

Sadly, we aren't warned that it's another 3 hours before we get back so we don't eat.... 9pm we get back starving...! Again, a surprise as we were told back at 6.30pm. I would say if you book anything in Mexico make sure you shop around a lot, we had a great day but the frustration is that we weren't told what we were getting! So needless to say, no plans to use that tour agent again in a hurry.

Luckily there is a great restaurant directly under our hotel Di Vino, so we head there for a late dinner. The food is delicious, I order grouper and Helen has the lasagne, and I can't resist the tiramisu which was divine. They have wifi too, always a plus..! Although we couldn't connect, a common problem in popular places. It's not the cheapest place, but food and service is really good so worth it really.

 

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