Blog

After about 3 days of intermittent rain and constant cloud, the sun has returned in full force, and Tulum is paradise once more. As such, I did what semed like the only logical choice, and spent all day long relaxing and having a seriously chilled time on the beach.

Chris, Erica, Laura, and myself went to a big disco party that was happening on the beach tonight, at a place called the Mezzanine bar. Plenty of drinking, plenty of dancing, and plenty of good times. The Austrian guys and Wahi showed up as well.

This afternoon was a rainy, dreary affair. Instead of hanging out at my new beach retreat in the cold and the wet, I returned (as a "trespasser", for the first of many times) to The Weary Traveler, and hung out with Chris, Erica, Laura, and Emily (another Aussie, from Dubbo). Laura taught us all a crazy card game called Irish snap, which kept us drunk and occupied for quite some time.

These three folks were staying at The Weary Traveler in Tulum, while I was down on the beach at Mar Caribe. I met Chris first — on the beach, I think — and then the next day, I met Erica and Laura as well. The four of us ended up going out on the town for a few nights, and becoming real good friends.

Today I finally did what I've been meaning to do ever since I got to Tulum: I moved to the beach, and set up my hammock for sleeping in. I'm staying at a cabaña lodge called Mar Caribe; they also rent out hammock space for 50 pesos a night. This is the way to stay in Tulum.

These two Israeli guys were staying at The Weary Traveler. They're both — eh, you know! — real easy-going, laid-back guys. Actually, they're both rather stoned. Shay is also an accomplished juggler, who can do an impressive act with his throwing sticks. Nir wants to go to Italy to become a doctor. They've both done South America, and have plenty of good stories to tell about it.

Tonight will be remembered as the great feast night of Tulum. Kyden, Steve, and myself decided to make it a boys' cooking night, and we whisked up an authentic Mexican dinner of tamales, BBQ chicken, and guacamole that was extremely delicious, and that was also of ample quantity for about half the hostel to dig in and have a bite.

Kyden, Steve, and myself caught a taxi over to the Grande Cenote this afternoon. This is one of several cenotes (rock pools) in the area, that I learned are actually all joined together, through a vast, subterranean network of water tunnels. We hired some snorkels and fins at the cenote, and jumped in for a dazzling underwater adventure.

Steve, Kyden and I went and saw the ruins near Tulum beach this morning. It was great weather on the beach; but unfortunately, we got there too late to beat the crowds (about 10am). The ruins are very nice, but they're not quite on the same scale as most of the others. The best thing about them is the gorgeous cliff-beach-and-sea backdrop that enfolds them. Back in the day, this really must have been prime Maya real estate.

Ran into Kyden at The Weary Traveler, and he, myself, and Steve (Cody couldn't make it) ended up hanging out together in Tulum for a bit. Like my good friend Arthur Cheng back home, there's something about Kyden that screams "future national leader". Maybe it's the law degree he's getting a Georgetown Uni in D.C; or the way he always appears to be either listening intently to someone, or answering their questions (with the accuracy of these appearances being questionable); or the way he jumps into things with confidence and enthusiasm.