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Published: April 15th 2011
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The journey from the UK to Mexico was long and I watched some films which were refreshingly unabridged (of note: 'Black Swan' - 8/10 - lots of wierd lesbian action which was a bit uncomfortable to watch bearing in mind everyone could see my screen and 'The King's Speech' - 9/10 - as good as everyone bangs on about, Helena Bonham Carter completely steals it as the Queen Mum).
As a tip to anyone travelling to Cancun, you can do a lot worse than pre-booking your hostel/hotel transit with
Best Day . You pay 22 USD online. When you approach them, they give you a travel brochure and plonk you to your hostel. They were very understanding about the fact that I was feeling mental and jet-lagged.
I am staying in a marvellous hostel called Hostel Quetzal which is situated in the quieter, less gross and built up end of Cancun. There are many reasons why this is such a brilliant hostel. The staff are all warm and friendly and create a family feel for the guests. Upon arrival, guests are introduced to the other guests which saves a lot of awkwardness when meeting new people. There is free internet access.
They sell beer and spirits and you keep your own bar tab. A hearty breakfast and dinner is included in the price, saving lots of time and effort and they are very good with veggie/vegan requests - I had soya mince in my dinner last night. The beds in the dorms don't creak and the dorm itself is well ventilated. When I arrived I was given my own room for the price of the dorm for the first night as they had overbooked. The list goes on but basically, unless you are totally mental or a family or really old, you would book this hostel, especially given the brash, touristy and morally barren nature of the Hotel Zone. The guests are mostly youngish travellers and there is (dare I say it) a 'party vibe'. For this reason it is completely unsuitable for families as they play music late in to the night.
On my first full day I was happy to sit about and read, winding down after the emotional rollercoaster of the two weeks preceding my trip. Also, everyone went to the beach and left me behind by accident. Essentially I was like a chilled out, adult version
of Kevin McAllister of Home Alone fame. At dinner, we all sit at a big table, chong a tequila slammer and dig in. Everyone was in a flap about going out. The deal was that you paid $40 USD, and you got taken to this big beach club, complete with pool, with free drinks. Having been fairly inactive all day (I sat in the same chair for four hours), I decided to give it a go. Initially, I completely regretted my decision; suddenly I was wrenched from a very pleasant power nap and thrust in to a sweaty minibus, pumping out loud urban dance pop with lots of young people singing along and in one German's case, whistling as if he was in a club. I was not in the mood at all and felt like crying. Anyway, we get there and it's completely mental. On the club opposite there as a go go dancer in a box. The club we went to had a swimming pool with burly American men hilariously (it's called irony, darling, do try to keep up) dressed in lingerie, dancing on the swimming pool bridge. The music was terrible (urban dance pop again). It was
horrifically trashy and base. So I ploughed in to the vodka with a level of aplomb. I danced a bit. Then realised I should drink more vodka. Then they played Lady GaGa so I was quids in. A totally tragic bikini contest took place where the girls basically had to bare all to get a chance of winning. The best point in the evening came when I jumped in to the pool and, in a glourious flouncing of the swimming pool regulations I had both grown up with an been hampered by since, ducked all my friends, drank heavily and splashed hooting Americans. I realised I was having a thoroughly good time, despite the circumstances and I had effectively witnessed a Spring Break scenario which I missed by a good few weeks. I went home, soaking wet and thoroughly pleased I didn't take my camera with me.
The following morning I couldn't find my wallet which I had taken with me to the pool party despite the free nature of the drinks and indestructabilty of the currency. My wallet also had both cards and my driving licence in it. I was naturally quite panicky to find it missing but
Hostel Quetzal
Plant pot and cat. in comparison with a now well known incident involving a camera in the Philippines, I neglected to go mental and cancel my cards without looking thoroughly beforehand and I laughed like an absolute drain when I found the blighter in the loo. I have now ensured I have one cash card kept seperately in my backpack along with my driver's license which I shouldn't have brought with me in the first place. A close call and worthy lesson to learn so early on in my trip.
The third day brought a new influx of people and we all decided to go to the nearby Isla Mujeres (Island of Women). I had initially wanted to stay there and do diving but I am thankful I went to scope the place first. Though it is lovely to look at, it is still rather touristy and hardly cheap. Still, me and my new found friends (amongst them, a couple called Kate and Dan which is a CRAZY coincidence due to the fact that I have two very close friends - a couple, no less - called Kate and Dan. It was really spooky though they seemed nonplussed when I advised them of
this freaky fact. It was observed by Dan that it would be more strange if my friends at home were called Kate and Kate or Dan and Dan.... Anyway, there were six of us in all; a guy from the Carribean, two Canadians, a Romanian (that's Dan. I pointed out that my friend from home is not Romanian) and another English person (Kate). We went straight to the beach once we'd landed on Isla Mujeres. It was just before 12 noon so we decided to stand around in the mid day sun and drink forties (these being forty ounce bottles of beer). Needless to say we are all burnt to a crisp.
It is my last day in Cancun today and, whilst I will be sad to leave the Hostel but the big hotels and clubs etc corrupt the charm of the place. I want something a bit more genuine so I am heading to the ruins of the Yacutan...
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Jane
non-member comment
Hello from Brizzle
Hi John, long time no hear. Hadn't realised you were on your travels again. Good to hear it and that you didn't disappear into the wilds of Surrey instead. Loved the sound of the hotel. Don't know what your emotional upheavals are but I hope travelling and time do their magic or help with the process at least. Me, I'm really enjoying being back at Viva! for 2 days (nearly a year now) and am singing in a band and all sorts. Life is pretty good! I had a trip to Oz for most of last November, first long one I've ever done on my own - it was really good fun and good for me. Anyhoo, look after yr wallet and hope Yucatan is amazing! Big hugs, Jxx