DAY 1  . . . . . .Isle Mujeres, Mexico

Getting to the island. . .

Flying into Cancun is quite easy.  Clearing customs in Mexico even easier.  Once you pass through immigration you basically push a button, if it's green you pass, if it's red, you get your bags checked.  This time I let my husband push since I am notorious for pushing and getting the RED light.   Wouldn't you know, he pushes "GREEN."  We are one step closer.

As we exit the airport in Cancun we are bombarded by tour operators, taxis, shuttles, time share reps, etc. etc. etc.  Since this trip was basically planned less than 12 hours prior we really didn't have the time to sort out our tranfers to the ferry dock (If we would have had a little more time we could have saved a little money,) but it is what it is.  We pay for and proceed to the waiting area for our shared shuttle. 

As we are in the shuttle leaving the airport I notice a huge billboard for "Walmart" and instantly thankful that we are not staying anywhere close to Cancun.  The only good thing about this place are it's beaches, and close proximity to some amazing destinations such as Tulum, Cozumel (although I only recommend if you scuba dive), Holbox, and of course Isle Mujeres.  As we are driving through the hotel zone which is nothing short of South Beach on steriods,  I actually become a little bitter at the destruction of what could be such a beautiful place.  When I travel to a foreign destination the last thing I want is to feel like I never left home.  After passing shopping mall after shopping mall, and seeing nothing but chain restaurant after chain restaurant the only clear way that I know I'm in Mexico at this point is the stamp in my passport.  Where is the authenticity of this place?

As we finally pull into the dock my bitterness quickly fades and my excitement returns.  It won't be long now.  My husband buys the ferry tickets, and since we have about a half hour to kill decide to pass the time with an ice cold "cerveza".  The weather is hot, the waters insanely beautiful, I suddenly realize that 4 days here are not long enough.

After 4 cervezas, guacamole & chips, and a short 20 minute ferry ride we finally are here.  We are staying at the same place we stayed last year (Cabanas Maria Del Mar. www.cabanasdelmar.com)  Although it's only a $ 3.00 cab ride to the hotel, we decide to walk which takes about 15 minutes.  We have one thing on our minds at this point. . .BEACH!  Check-in is fast, we rush to our room, and are on the beach in a matter of minutes.  Our hotel is located on the North Beach which is without a doubt the best beach on the entire island, and I must add with the best beach bar BUHOS.  (Buhos is one of the best beach bars we've come across anywhere) 

The beach was amazing.  The water even better.  This is paradise!

Although coming here to sit on the beach and relax would have been enough, our main purpose of this trip was to "Swim with Whale Sharks."  So after dinner and checking out a few dive shops we made our reservations for 0800 the next morning.  I felt like a child on Christmas Eve, tomorrow morning seemed so far away.  Being so filled with adrenline  to even think about sleeping, we headed back to Buhos Beach Bar for a night cap and watch the sunset.  All I'm thinking at this point is " It is great to be back!" 

There are 2 docks to catch a ferry to Isle Mujeres.  The most popular " PUERTO JUAREZ" is also the furthest from the airport.  The newest dock is "GRAN PUERTO" . They both cost about 35 pesos each way to cross, operate every half hour all day, and the ride is about 20 minutes.  For more information on the ferries as well as  Isle Mujeres check out www.islemujeres.info

 

1 Country down, 11 More to go. . .

Well I have just returned from my first adventure.  Isle Mujeres, Mexico.  My husband and I first traveled to this island gem last year, and after falling for the charm of this place decided immediately that we would be back.  After my trip from Ecuador fell through, and my husband's plans not working out also, we decided to lift our spirits and return to one of our favorite places.  So about 12 hours before our flight was departing the hotel was booked, bags were packed, and excitement set in. 

The fact that we were here less than a year ago didn't dissuade us in any way shape or form from going again.  Although last time we rented a golf cart and toured the entire island, visited the turtle farm (Tortugranja), accomplished a couple more dives including an underwater museum (Museo Subacuático de Arte,) there was one thing that we were dying to try, but were not able to. . .that was until now.

That's right we swam with the WHALE SHARKS!!!!!


Before I get to that though, let me begin by telling you a little about Isle Mujeres.  This place is without a doubt one of the most enchanting, and peaceful islands we have visited.  Although it's size is small, there are hidden treasures around every corner.  There is a saying in spanish "MI CASA, ES SU CASA," ( my house is your house,) and that is exactly the feeling you get the minute you step off the ferry and onto the dock.  Isle Mujeres is a fishing village, and although you can see the hotel zone of Cancun in the distance, has done a good job at maintaining a quaintness about it, with it's cobblestone streets, sidewalk cafes, and small boutique hotels. 

So come with us as we visit ISLE MUJERES, MEXICO!!!!

Ferry to Isle Mujeres.  You can see Cancun behind us.

View of PUNTA SUR. South end of the Island.

Sunset from North Beach. (Best beach on the island)

View of North Beach from our balcony.

Crystal Clear waters that seem to never end.

Local resident!

North Beach

Local fishing boats.

Change of Plans. . .

I wish I could be saying "HOLA" from Ecuador, but that's not the case.  After sitting in the Atlanta airport from 8 o'clock yesterday morning til 5:45 that evening, I heard the dreaded words that a stand-by hates hearing, "Flight Is Full!" One of the best things about my job is that I can fly just about anywhere for free, or very cheap.  However, it is stand-by, which basically means having to be flexible.  After not getting on the flight I returned home to Florida and started working on my back-up plan.  With now only 4 days to travel narrowed down my options greatly.  I toyed with the idea of going to Nicaragua, & Panama before coming up with Mexico.  That's right Mexico.  It won't be the first time that I've been there, and I can guarantee that it won't be my last.

Last year my husband and I visited a tiny island off the coast of Cancun called Isle Mujeres.  The main attraction here is diving with the whale sharks.  Both being certified scuba divers were extremely excited about this, then we found out that the Whale shark season ended the month before we arrived.  We fell in love with the island and decided then to come back this year to see these gentle giants.  We were actually planning this trip for August, but as my husband always says "PLANS CHANGE!"

Just keeping my fingers crossed we make the flight. 



Here is a little info about Isle Mujeres. . .

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, where time passes slowly and your dream vacation becomes a reality. Located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. The downtown area (Centro) of Isla is just four by six blocks. The average temperature is 80 degrees with 60% humidity and the hottest months are June thru September. Mapped at latitude North 21° 11' 5" and longitude West 86° 42' 50" Isla's terrain is flat with beaches on all sides.

Historically, Isla Mujeres is a fishing village and though it is now thoroughly discovered by tourists it still retains it's charm and tranquil atmosphere. As you stroll the streets in the evening you will see families gathered together in Caribbean styled homes, tucked between stores and restaurants, mending their fishing nets and relaxing.

Why Quito???

Why Quito?????

Well to be honest I have never really considered traveling to Ecuador until 2 weeks ago.  I came up with my "1 year, 12 months" plan while driving to work.  It took a couple of days before even thinking about where to begin this journey.  One thing I needed to consider was someplace that was "woman" friendly, and that I would feel comfortable going, since for the first trip I would be alone.  Through process of elimination, and a little investigating I decided on Quito.  The more I learned about this South American City, the more excited I became.  The only obstacle now is getting on the flights.  One of the benefits of working for the airlines is the ease of travel, but going stand-by isn't always simple, and for now I'm keeping my fingers crossed. that it all works out.  (I really do not have a back up plan.)

So here are some fun facts about Quito. . .

Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It was founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. Today, two million people live in Quito. It was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 (along with Krakow in Poland)
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Quito lies between two mountain ranges and its altitude is 2,800 metres or about 10,000 feet.

It boasts no fewer than 40 churches and convents, 17 squares and 16 convents and monasteries. It's been called the 'Reliquary of the Americas' for the richness of its colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage.


The city is a popular starting point for trips to Mitad del Mundo, or “Middle of the World,” the equatorial marker just outside the city, and to Cotopaxi National Park, home to an active volcano. Some travelers take excursions to accessible parts of the Amazon jungle and to Ecuador’s famed cloud forests, where an almost constant mist creates dense, lush greenery and diverse animal species including hundreds of types of birds. Hot springs, like Papallacta, are a short drive away, as is Otavalo, the huge outdoor market where local entrepreneurs sell everything from alpaca sweaters and beaded jewelry to livestock. The drive from Quito takes you through small towns where the local delicacy cuy (aka guinea pig) can be found roasting at the side of the road.

"I never regretted any trip I took, no matter how inconvenient, expensive, or unnecessary it seemed at the planning stage. I only regretted the trips I didn't take." - Carol Benet

The other day I read this quote and it really got me thinking.  And of course the more I thought about it, the more upset I was becoming.  The one true passion of mine is to travel.  It's not the actual trip itself that I've become addicted to, but the experience that I walk away with at the end of each journey.  Life is too short as we all know, and I am tired of waiting to see  and experience the world. 

So how do I get rectify the missed opportunities?  Well here is my plan, and it's quite simple.  1 year to visit 12 countries, basically 1 country a month for the next 12 months.  I have made this decision without actually thinking about the how's, where's, when's, etc, and I depart on my first adventure in less than 1 week.  It's amazing when I actually put my mind to something how fast I can make things happen. 

So here are the details. . .On June 16th I will not only be departing for my first of twelve countries, but I will also be embarking on my first solo trip outside the US.  To set the record straight, I did not intentionally plan on traveling by myself, it's just the way things worked out this time, and as I've said I am tired of waiting.  So World Here I Come!!!!

First Stop. . .   Quito, Ecuador