Thursday, April 11, 2013

Early start today on our ride to the border of Mexico…  Leaving early when we have a full 5-hour ride, plus a border crossing, is a really good idea.  After riding 2 hours, we reached the border and were on our way in about an hour!  We didn’t have to do anything for the bike since we still had current paperwork. Only one more border crossing left on this trip!

We rode for a couple of hours through jungle with just a few small villages before we finally found a town with gas, an ATM and food – the three things we REALLY needed this morning!  The little kitchen we stopped at was so clean and bright – the couple that run it didn’t speak any English, but we had fun trying to communicate with each other.  The food was delicious!

We rode into Playa del Carmen by noon and found a hotel.  The Mexican Rivera starts just past Tulum and continues up to Cancun.  Playa del Carmen is about an hour south of Cancun.  This is where we will take the ferry over to Cozumel on Saturday.

This was a creative way to find our towel folded in our hotel room!  I think it is a rhinoceros….

We cooled off in the pool, then took a walk through town.  We both are so ready for some GOOD Mexican food.  (In Central America it is chicken, rice and beans…..  rice, chicken and beans… or there is always beans, rice and chicken!)  As we walked along, we came across this woman selling tamales on the sidewalk- we each had one of the most delicious chicken tamales we have ever tasted, served with a bottle of ice-cold coca cola!

Friday, April 12, 2013

The town has one street that is blocked for pedestrians in the evening – lined with restaurants and shops – great place to wander, eat and people-watch.  We are surprised at how few English-speaking tourists there are here; mostly European and Asian.

This mariachi band serenaded us at dinner.

That’s a BIG cigar! Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Friday, April 12, 2013

Today we took the ferry over to the island of Cozumel.  It is amazing how many large  trucks they fit on this ferry!  The ferry takes about an hour to get to Cozumel – very slow moving considering that you can see the lights on the mainland at night from the island.

April 14-19, 2013

We found a great deal on a condo – the owners had a cancellation and gave us their “hurricane season” price…. 🙂  Our view is amazing – always something to watch from our windows.

We went snorkeling together one morning – the water is very clear with great visibility!  Now that he is a “diver” I didn’t think I would be able to get him to go with me.  He is up to 15 dives, including one night dive.

Took a ride around to the “wild” side of the island – the windward side is just that – WINDY and the sea churns constantly; the beach and breakers were beautiful!

“I got my toes in the water, rear in the sand

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand

Life is good today, life is good today

Adios and vaya con Dios

A long way from CA….

Yes, and all the muchachas, they call me big poppa

When I throw pesos their way…”