Cancun, Mexico (9/12 - 9/15)
On an impulsive whim of eccentricity, I decided that this year I do not want to celebrate my birthday with anyone else. I want to be at a beach somewhere nearby, and just be able to read a book and fall asleep under the warm Mexican sun. So I booked myself on an award travel flight, booked myself an all-inclusive resort and then off I go. Little did I know what a trip it would have turned out to be.
Day 1, Friday: Arrived at the airport and greeted by the friendly representatives of Olympus Tour who escorted me to a van and within 30 minutes I am at the hotel Riu Caribe. It was rather windy and rather cloudy so I was thinking..oops, is it going to rain all weekend?? But turns out it did not.
In the evening, after a humongous lunch, I went to La Isla, the biggest open air mall in Cancun.
Wandered around but realized that everything is pretty expensive. It is a unique mall though, a reminded me of the open air mall at Los Angeles where I was last October. And then I happened across this:
Apparently Senor Frog is not just a club, it is also a store and clothes brand. Hmm..I suppose frogs are popular this part of the country.
Day 2, Saturday: Exhausted from an evening of walking around La Isla, I fell asleep soon as I got back to the hotel the night before, and woke up bright and early in the morning. I have to admit, it is a bit weird wandering around on my own in Cancun, so I'd really not recommend it. It is a family and friends and couples vacation spot but not the solo vacationer/backpacker.
I walked out to my humongous balcony and realized that it is still very windy today. This means I will probably not be able to swim on the beach. It was very sunny and hot nevertheless, so I smack on SPF 30 sunblock and ventured out ready to get my once a year roasting under the sun.
The sun was too hot so I quickly found an umbrella to hide under.
And then these Mexican guys started walking around asking if anyone wants to take picture with this squirrel-monkey. Yeah it looks rather unique but I think each picture cost at least 5-10 USD. So I passed. (Cannot be as "generous" with my wallet nowadays given all the uncertainty with my company and job) But managed to snagged a shot of the monkey on someone else's shoulder. Good enough.
So after an afternoon of sun I decided to go downtown to check out the party scene. Well not that I was planning to go party but hey I have to see what this famous Coco Bongo place is all about right? It is supposedly the most famous club with open bar for USD 45 the whole night. Yeah perfect for the alcoholics but nobody really believe I didn't drink a single drop when I was there. Hmmm.
Day 3, Sunday: Wah beautiful day! Quickly get ready, have breakfast and head off to Isla Mujeres ( The Island of Women ) Hired a golf cart for 15 bucks an hour and went around the island. Very shiok! But afterward I returned the cart like 10 minutes late and got charged another 10 bucks - what a rip off. Anyway pretty scenic sights along the way.
Garrafon National Park - where the best snorkeling can be found this is their nature preserve. A lot of other activities too. Too bad I didn't have enough time to explore the place.
The Real Cancun?
After returning the golf cart in a huff, I went off to Playa Norte ( North Beach, the best one on the Island) and proceed to find a nice spot to lie low for a while and catch a breeze on this rather non windy day. Ah..found one! This is perfect! Just what I needed. And all for USD 18 - umbrella, bed, towel
Backpackers paradise - this reminds me of Perhentian Kecil Island. Sigh. Fond memories of home resurfacing here..
Here's a luxury version of the bed and notice the red circle for the rather popular view on beaches in cancun.
Then at 4pm I thought I had enough so decided to head back to the hotel.
We all know what happened afterward - refer to Chapter 1 if you don't know.
Next day I was on the first plane back to New York.
Will definitely visit Cancun again, with friends next time.
Day 1, Friday: Arrived at the airport and greeted by the friendly representatives of Olympus Tour who escorted me to a van and within 30 minutes I am at the hotel Riu Caribe. It was rather windy and rather cloudy so I was thinking..oops, is it going to rain all weekend?? But turns out it did not.
In the evening, after a humongous lunch, I went to La Isla, the biggest open air mall in Cancun.
Wandered around but realized that everything is pretty expensive. It is a unique mall though, a reminded me of the open air mall at Los Angeles where I was last October. And then I happened across this:
Apparently Senor Frog is not just a club, it is also a store and clothes brand. Hmm..I suppose frogs are popular this part of the country.
Day 2, Saturday: Exhausted from an evening of walking around La Isla, I fell asleep soon as I got back to the hotel the night before, and woke up bright and early in the morning. I have to admit, it is a bit weird wandering around on my own in Cancun, so I'd really not recommend it. It is a family and friends and couples vacation spot but not the solo vacationer/backpacker.
I walked out to my humongous balcony and realized that it is still very windy today. This means I will probably not be able to swim on the beach. It was very sunny and hot nevertheless, so I smack on SPF 30 sunblock and ventured out ready to get my once a year roasting under the sun.
The sun was too hot so I quickly found an umbrella to hide under.
And then these Mexican guys started walking around asking if anyone wants to take picture with this squirrel-monkey. Yeah it looks rather unique but I think each picture cost at least 5-10 USD. So I passed. (Cannot be as "generous" with my wallet nowadays given all the uncertainty with my company and job) But managed to snagged a shot of the monkey on someone else's shoulder. Good enough.
So after an afternoon of sun I decided to go downtown to check out the party scene. Well not that I was planning to go party but hey I have to see what this famous Coco Bongo place is all about right? It is supposedly the most famous club with open bar for USD 45 the whole night. Yeah perfect for the alcoholics but nobody really believe I didn't drink a single drop when I was there. Hmmm.
Day 3, Sunday: Wah beautiful day! Quickly get ready, have breakfast and head off to Isla Mujeres ( The Island of Women ) Hired a golf cart for 15 bucks an hour and went around the island. Very shiok! But afterward I returned the cart like 10 minutes late and got charged another 10 bucks - what a rip off. Anyway pretty scenic sights along the way.
Garrafon National Park - where the best snorkeling can be found this is their nature preserve. A lot of other activities too. Too bad I didn't have enough time to explore the place.
The Real Cancun?
After returning the golf cart in a huff, I went off to Playa Norte ( North Beach, the best one on the Island) and proceed to find a nice spot to lie low for a while and catch a breeze on this rather non windy day. Ah..found one! This is perfect! Just what I needed. And all for USD 18 - umbrella, bed, towel
Backpackers paradise - this reminds me of Perhentian Kecil Island. Sigh. Fond memories of home resurfacing here..
Here's a luxury version of the bed and notice the red circle for the rather popular view on beaches in cancun.
Then at 4pm I thought I had enough so decided to head back to the hotel.
We all know what happened afterward - refer to Chapter 1 if you don't know.
Next day I was on the first plane back to New York.
Will definitely visit Cancun again, with friends next time.
Comments