Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Cancun is a city which has developed purely due to tourism. There is a 'hotel zone' which stretches for 22km along white sandy coastline with massive resort hotels the likes of which would no doubt turn us away at the door! So we bypassed Cancun, and instead headed to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) a 25 min boat ride off the coast. Even this looked quite developed compared to what we had been used to and so we were a little unsure as we stepped off the ferry. However our Irish friends had been here just before they headed home and had recommended apartments where we got a good deal including kitchen again so all was cool.

We spent 8 days on the island doing very little other than lounging on the lovely beach, drinking ice cold Coronas (literally, as our freezer was very effective although the beer didn't freeze until taken out. Mik figured out the reason for this but to be honest I've forgotten his whole physics theory. I was listening at the time, honest Mik!). I was just happy to drink cold beer, albeit with the gringo addition of a slice of lime and cooking ourselves some lovely meals including fresh mushrooms, something we hadn't had for 6 months! Not a terribly interesting fact granted, but we will want to remember it in years to come I am sure!?

We did eat out a couple of nights though, and really enjoyed it. Rather than being a necessity it became a treat again. Especially as mexican food has proved to be very good. Loads of tacos, quesadillas and burritos (esentially the same thing just wrapped a different way!) with lashings of guacamole! And as they serve the chile sauces on the side, everyone is happy!

One day we did head back across the water to the shopping centres of Cancun. The primary reason was to check out the big supermarkets as next week our Mum's were due to arrive for their visit and we needed to know we could stock the apartment for them. It was the biggest supermarket we had seen in many, many months and sadly we spent a good 1/2 hour wandering around taking it all in! The secondary reason for hitting this particular shopping centre was because it housed a Zara (for those not in the know this is probably my favourite shop back home, not least for the fact that their trousers are long enough for me!) I was in heaven. I was very restrained but did just have to spend 5 mins walking round the shop in a pair of their strappy sandals! Oh, I miss heels. Trainers and flipflops have been the norm for far too long! Sorry, girlie moment.

Another day we visited the turtle sanctury on the island. Our guide book had promised huge turtles and lots of different species. Sadly the hurricane last year must have claimed a few turtle lives as there weren't many to be seen. Evidence of the hurricane could be seen all along the east coast of the island where many hotels had been gutted and walkways destroyed. The same was true in Cancun itself and we saw many signs promoting the reopening of some of the big hotels some 8 months after the hurricane hit.

Sitting on the white sandy beach watching the sun set, cold beer in hand, it was difficult to imagine the havoc nature had wreaked. We really enjoyed our time here on a very laid back island and before we knew it it was time to head off to get ready for the arrival of our Mum's!

Cara