Mexico parte dos

Mexico Parte Dos

The resort was partnered with different excursion associations. After looking at our options we all agreed on the Tulume excursion.  It was a day filled with swimming in the crystal clear water of a cinote, repelling into a cave, zip lining across the Mexican forest and ending with a trip to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulume. It was an incredible experience.

Zip lining was invigorating, we climbed up these big towers then they would clip you on to the line. Standing on the edge of the tower you'd have to let go of your fear of heights and push off out over the jungle of Mexico. Once you pushed off it was easy to relax and enjoy the beautiful Mexican scenery.

The Cinote was FREEZING! A cinote is a natural forming under ground river found in Mexico with fresh water. It was believed the ancient Mayan's took their human sacrifices to the Cintoes to decay. Yet it was the only source of fresh water around so historians still are unsure exactly what went on in the Cinotes but they have found body remains in them.

Repelling was an interesting experience, to have your whole body held up by a rope and harness as you are dangled above a giant cliff is not one of the most comfortable feelings. You control the decent down into the cliff by using the rope attached to your harness. Some people just let go of the rope and flew down the cliff to the bottom, it was quite impressive. I went down nice and slow the first time the second time I'd gotten a feel for it but it was enough repelling for me.

Tulum

 

Tulum was one of the many ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico. I was very interesting to see how people from hundreds of years ago went about living. Unfortunately we only received a short talk about they Mayans and the ruins when we arrived so I will have to let the pictures speak for themselves.

The water there was absolutely breath taking though. I've never seen water look like this my whole life.

Diving in Cozumel

Sunrise at the resort

Later that week we went on a dive to Cozumel, it was amazing. We had to get up early to take a fairy from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel. Once we arrived I met my dive instructor Victor, he was awesome. Instantly I felt comfortable with him and we were already joking around.

The first dive I was pretty nervous, I hadn't dove since I was first certified, when I was ten.  Our first dive was to be 100 ft as well, no small feat if I say so myself. Just telling my self "remember to breathe, remember to breathe, remember to breathe" the whole way down helped. Yet I couldn't equalize as well as the other divers. Once I got adjusted at 100 ft the currents just took us away on this great nautical adventure on the off the side of a underwater reef-cliff side. 


It looked familiar as to what I remember when I was ten, the angel fish, the crystal clear blue water. But what I did forget was to slow my breathing. I had run out of air so quickly I had to buddy up with Victor. Fortunately, he was so experienced he barely used any of his tank when he dives. We were just cruising along on top of all this sea life I couldn't believe my eyes. Then I saw what made the dive epic, Victor swam us up to a sleeping sea turtle. It was huge but one of the most beautiful things I have even seen in my life. So elegant and pristine. 

We got up after that killer 102 ft dive and just relaxed until the boat came along. Heather was out on a separate more shallow dive but she was more than enjoying herself. In between our two dives we got to snorkel. One of the dive team instructors was feeding the fish and tropical fish were just coming in swarms. 

Cozumel was just gorgeous, a piece of blue heaven. If I ever go back to Mexico I would like to just stay in Cozumel for the water and marine life.

The second dive was 50 ft, a lot more shallow. But we were all able to dive together and it was once again so beautiful. I wish I knew the names of the fish we saw better but there where some eels, dog fish, angelfish, parrot fish and a lot of fish native to that part of Mexico.

After the dive we were treated to a spectacular lunch with the best fish I have ever had, it tasted so fresh. After lunch they showed us the video footage they recorded during the dive, there were some awesome shots.

Preserving the Beauty

Mexico was surprising me here and there everyday, one of the things I really appreciated is that when we went on the excursions they highly stressed biodegradable sunscreen and bug spray. They also had a lot of concern for the environment, a lot of recycling and reusing. 

There was a lot more trash on the roads though than in America. As well as, the boats’ bathroom flushed right into the ocean, nice to know we got to dive with our own feces.  

 By the end of the week I was so sick of the food, but the resort did grow on me I was getting upset our time was coming to an end. But all good things must come to an end, I guess. We got a ride to the Cancun airport where I had to say goodbye to the Merrings and Heather. 

It was hard leaving my trail buddy. I wanted her to come with me to California so bad because we were off to such a great start of a summer together. But at the same time it was so invigorating knowing, I was going off on my own to a place I didn't know much about. 

I had a lot of nervous excitement but it was California, it has to be awesome. 

On a journey of self development on the other coast of America. Once again, I am ceased to be amazed.

Once the Merrings boarded the plane it really hit that this was it. This is the first time I’d be without Heather on a great adventure. I was going to a place where no one knew me. The West coast of America, a place I knew nothing about. Where I was completely and utterly uncomfortable. 

Life was getting real, real fast.

Cancun Airport