ISLA COZUMEL to CANCUN

Up early and packed before breakfast? - must be a dream.. it's amazing what you can achieve under pressure.  We're booked on the 11am ferry from Cozumel to Cancun.    It'll be a bitty day - not so much the length of the journey but the number of times we have to change transport :  taxi - ferry - taxi - bus - taxi - before we reach our lodgings.

So far, so good but we haven't left the hotel yet and I try not to remind myself that it's April Fool's Day :  Double check everything, Keep looking over your shoulder, Believe nothing, Trust no-one .....!

Exit room.   Commence "SS".   The Systematic Search -  usually triggered by the question "Are you sure you've got everything........Dear?". What follows next should be filmed and posted on You Tube - as the tracker dog is let loose and commences a frantic opening and closing of drawers, cupboards, fridge, under the bed, in the bed, behind the bathroom door, out on the balcony.....

 A professional forensic team could not do a better job and you know what?  there's always something that misses the main packing session.

Travelling Light?  

I think not - add in our two rather heavy laptops that we carry on our shoulders and it is definitely OTT.


 

When leaving the US in November we were wearing our winter woollies, packing a few more for good measure, in anticipation of our return to the UK.  However, Mexico had us hooked and we never made it.  Now we seriously need to dispose of at least two bags and a lot of gear that, sadly, will cost us more in excess baggage charges on our next flight than it will to replace them with new.



Easter Buzz...

The port at Cozumel is really busy - Easter is just a few days away and everyone is on the move.  The Ultramar ferries seat 250 persons on three decks - as one arrives, another departs and they are all full.  We settle in and enjoy the trip.

A lumpy departure soon smooths out to gentle swells and an hour later we arrive at the ferry dock in Playa del Carmen and make our  way to the bus station for the 75 minute coach journey  to Cancun centro.   From there a short 15 minute cab ride to our final destination

Laguna Nichupte

Our apartment is located just a few miles north of the top end of the Laguna Nichupte, a thriving ecological park about 12km long and 5 6km wide.  Rich with waterfowl, fish, crocodiles, shellfish and mangrove vegetation. A huge tourist attraction which contributes to the eco-park funds. 

Groups of  kayakers are out in full force as we cross over the top end of the lagoon, where a series of small canals take you into the jungle..

The laguna is protected from the sea by a long strip of land with a bridge at each end connecting it to the mainland   This strip of land is known as the  'hotel zone' and is where most of the hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, marinas, golf courses, entertainment venues and more are located.
 

Seeing is believing and it was worth our extra cab fare to take the longer route via the strip to see what it was all about.
 

This map will give you an overview - seems they couldn't cram in another hotel if they tried.



There are hundreds of hotels to choose from along the strip but, if you don't want a beach based location, there are hundreds more to choose from within the City.  The Laguna Nichupte is freshwater fed from underground sources but also has two outlets to the ocean which makes its waters brackish.

 

There are hundreds of hotels to choose from along the strip but, if you don't want a beach based location, there are hundreds more to choose from within the City.  The Laguna Nichupte is freshwater fed from underground sources but also has two outlets to the ocean which makes its waters brackish.

 

 Location, location, location - our apartment
 

Away from the hustle and bustle of the strip the road here becomes quiet with little passing traffic.

Borrowing this picture from Trip Advisor our apartment is within the complex  shown on the right hand side.  Although it looks like a solid block from this angle there are about 8 separate buildings each with perhaps 10 apartments surrounded by rich green vegetation.. 

 It's a pretty setting, very quiet, beautifully landscaped, private swimming pool.   Across the road and directly opposite sits the All Ritmo Cancun Resort and Waterpark (we find out later that they own most of the apartments as well).  

This is good for us as we can access all the facilities with little or no charge.  

The Resort and Waterpark has hundreds of rooms, endless pools, restaurants, outdoor entertainments, a childrens water playground and more, and although it was obviously full, being so spread out it was surprisingly quiet. Its consideration for children's events and entertainment make it one of Cancun's top resorts for families.