Landing in the concrete jungle of Cancun we hot-footed it straight out of there by bus, taxi, and boat to the beautiful Isla Mujeres. The beach here was one of the best we have seen anywhere in the world, with it’s white sand and incredible blue Caribbean sea. Coupled with a easy-going atmosphere and free flowing Corona it was the perfect chill out spot. We returned to our backpacking roots and rented a studio so we could self cater and after all that grease in Orlando, cheese sandwiches have never tasted so good.
We had luckily arrived in the last few weeks of the whale shark season and took a boat trip out to snorkel with them during their plankton feeding frenzy. Our friends Caz & Asa had recommended the experience but even their descriptions did not prepare us for what was in store. There were hundreds of these things ranging in size from estate cars to buses. They swim around with their enormous mouths wide open sucking up the microscopic plankton, quite a sight to behold when they’re heading straight at you. Although whale-like in size they are actually sharks but are the most docile, beautiful creatures ever and aside for the one that swam directly into me when I was looking the other way they are totally harmless. There were only four of us on the trip and our crew prepared gorgeous food and muchas cervezas, unfortunately with Mark’s sudden attack of Montezuma’s revenge that morning and my usual wobbly sea legs we didn’t consume quite as much as you’d expect of the Shiptons. A little however was sampled and needless to say I left the whale sharks with a little more than plankton to suck up!
Finding it hard to leave we decided the only thing that could drag us away was a few nights in one of Cancun’s many all-inclusive resorts. The luxurious room, amazing food, as many beers and cocktails as you care to drink and the biggest pool in Cancun made for an amazing two days. All the other guests seemed to do a double take as we arrived with our grubby backpacks, but once on pool side with a row of drinks and an enormous plate of food from the snack bar we soon blended in with all the other holiday makers.
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8 comments so far
September 12th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I was watching a programme on Whale Sharks a couple of weeks ago, they are very impressive creatures and probably eat a little less than you two.
September 15th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
What happened to the New Zealand ‘Bombers’ you got to stop the seasickness?
Oooooooo! I want to do that swim with the sharks, looks wonderful, we could suggest it to the Swimtrek crowd?
The turquoise sea looks lovely, and the pelicans too
Is that thing crawling on the grass growing up to be an ‘alligator’???…or is that it’s full size?
What a lovely pool at the hotel…5 star Grand Oasis no less!!…that doesn’t look like backpacker budget to me??
Nuneaton will not live up to this standard in 15 days time you know……..see ya then xx
September 15th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Glad to see you back captain blog! As much as john’s comments are true, they lack the detail of yours
Plus you cover everything we all want to ask lol. I did think the same as you tho. Blackpool isn’t gonna quite have the same effect xxx
September 15th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
O and h, ross had his 1st swimming lesson yday and I took a sneaky video for you to look at and figuring out Rhys’s christening too so your diary better be empty when you get home lol xxx
September 17th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Hello Clare…………Captain Blog here!!…….glad you appreciate the ‘finer detail’ of my blog comments, I also enjoy reading yours but I wish I knew how to put those ’smiley faces’ on.
Lol to you & the boys & your Mum & Dad See ya soon xx
PS Hello Helen & Mark!!!!
September 18th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Well, we have a beautiful sunny day in Nuneaton today BUT our back garden with its tiny water barrel does not quite live up to Isla Mujeres and the beautiful blue water. What a hell of an experience swimming with the “sharks” trust your mother to want to do that, I wouldn’t put it passed her given the chance. Well we are off to Norfolk soon for a break, bet it rains………….
Take care both as always. xx
September 19th, 2009 at 6:04 am
thanks for all the comments as always. Clare, tell Rossi I can’t wait to see him doing his swimming lessons. We’ll get Rhysi perfecting his stroke so he can keep up with his big brother. Already planning our next trip for March so don’t book the christening then!
September 19th, 2009 at 8:56 am
The christening will hopefully be as soon as u get back so I know u haven’t got they chance to jet off lol. Depends on what hoops I have to jump through to get him done
love you xxx
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