Getting into it

Mexico - Guatemala

8am, 11th June 2013. Wake up feeling incredibly sore, sick and sorry for myself in Tulum, Mexico. A bottle of rum the night before with Clay my new American buddy turned out to be more trouble then I imagined. Lesson 1 - never do sit ups just before bed when you`re drunk. Woke up the next morning feeling like I had ripped my stomach open, apparently just because you feel like you can do thousands when you´re drunk doesn't mean you actually can. Packing my bag that morning consisted of me folding up 1 t-shirt, sitting down on bed for 5 minutes. Putting t-shirt in bag, laying down for 3 minutes. Folding up shorts, lying on floor for 4 minutes.... you get the picture, I was in agony as well as having a hangover. Finally get my bag packed and rush to meet up with the group just as everyone is walking out to taxis to get to the bus station. Still feeling like shit and have to get some girls to carry my backpack. Get on the bus towards the Belizean border which is about a 4 hour bus ride. Everything is finally good, I´m on the bus and we´re on our way. Lesson 2 - Always remember to check your hotel safe before checking out, even when in pain. Turns out I was lucky enough to be able to return to Tulum to check out the sights again as I had left my passports there and wouldn´t be entering Belize that day. Had to finish the 4 hour bus ride to the border then get on another 4 hour bus back to Tulum. Return to hotel and get passport. Sit in town for 8 hours waiting for next bus back to border at midnight. Catch express bus that actually takes me over the border at about 4am, continue onto Belize City where I arrive about 6:30am. Wait for 8am ferry to the island we are staying at, eventually catch up with my group at 9am, 24 hours later and well and truly ready for bed.
This is just one of the many highlights on the last couple of weeks.

Passport mishap aside I´m still having a ball. Travelling with and meeting heaps of great people and going to some amazing places. Beaches along the Yucatan Peninsula, English speaking Belize where the locals are great fun, Caya Caulker which is a tropical island just off the coast of Belize City, Mayan ruins, cave exploring, hot springs, a jungle resort and heaps more. Have just arrived in Panajachel, Guatemala after a homestay with a local family which was a great experience. Leaving for Antigua tomorrow morning. Enjoy the photos.

Chichen Itza, one of the "New" 7 wonders of the world

 

 

Swimming and snorkelling in the Grand Cenote

 

Paradise Beach near Tulum

 

 

Sunset cruise on a sailboat at Caya Caulker

 

 

Our jungle resort in Rio Dulce

 

Spanish fort built in the 1500's which we kayaked to from the resort above

 

Making tortillas with my homestay family

 

Mama & Papa and grandchildren above

 

more...

 

Viva la Mexico

Not kidnapped yet

 

Been on the road for 2 weeks now and have loved every last minute of it. Its kind if sad that I've only got another 18.5 months to go...

Haven't been mugged, shot, tortured or abused in Mexico at all yet so its all going pretty well. The people are friendly, the food is great and everything is dirt cheap. Only real downside has been a few drops of rain in the evenings, mostly due to it being wet season.

San Cristobel was lucky enough to receive 10 months rain in the 2 days we were there, don't think I've seen such constant heavy rain before. Better get used to it I suppose. Have just arrived in Playa del Carmen which is just south of Cancun, USAs version of Bali for us. Beach, bikinis and lots of mojitos.

 

Hierve el Agua & the pools above

 

Another hard days work

Mexican wrestling aka Nacho Libre + a midget

 

Ruins at Palanque

 

Sumidero Canyon 1km high

 

more...

Have discovered that I cant upload pictures onto my blog using my tablet so the updates here may be a little sporadic. Hope you're all having fun back in reality.