Cancun Club Med

Even Iguana's stop to smell the flowers

When we first arrived, I wondered if I was cut out for the Club Med experience. I am a creature of habit and Hawaii loomed large in my memory with its familiarity and perfection in the tiny details. The idea of being cloistered in a tiny slice of beach down the at the bottom of a densely populated peninsula – huge resorts abutting the slim line of white sand and turquoise Caribbean sea, tall apartment complexes that actually stretch so far that they fade into the mist; made me feel very claustrophobic.  I hanker for the wilderness. During the week we are staying there are 900 other people – families, older couples, happily tucked in with us. The whole thing is  long low white stucco buildings spread out along 2km of  beach.

Iguana paradise

As I started to settle into the rhythm I became very thankful for the beach that we are on. It is the closest to wilderness on the pennisula with natural atolls that block the fierce wave action and lend itself to some protected coral areas for snorkeling. There are no other resorts south of this resort. It was first on the Yucatan peninsula 40 years ago. It still has that isolated dated charm. The rooms remind me of Greece with the twin beds and the Spartan furnishings and the  very faint odour of sewer. It now has merged into an experiential combo of Hawaii and Greece – with the lounging about in the mornings snorkeling, the jungle like flora, the plethora of iguanas, and then the social life at night. There is always some convivial entertainment to attend to every evening. So after we have a little mojito on the porch of our room and watch the ocean, we amble over to the central area. Tonight Kyr said there is a live band. This not having to pay makes dining a very relaxing experience – you never are waiting on the bill. So great.

Mayan Temple at Tulum

The first few days were very hard on me and probably lessened some of the charm because my leg was in such excruciating pain. I don’t think I will ever forgive that renegade dog and owner at Kokanee. The ocean waves were quite fierce and almost knocked me over so I couldn’t get in  on the main beach. The last two days we have been able to snorkel. Quite strong currents, but warm and some interesting fish. Kyr is in love with the new “Snorkl” mask I bought him. I am ordering one for myself as soon as we get home. My leg has settled enough that we were able to attend to some Mayan ruins. My ideas of functioning without a brace were very short lived. The combo of brace and 5 toes footware is making people quite considerate of my slowness on stairs etc… The lifeguard at snorkeling even gave me the thumbs up with the most unorthodox way I have to get myself in and out of the water.

Burnt girl at Tulum

Despite lathering on sunscreen, Kyr and I are burnt to a crisp. We spent quite a time in the shop discussing the benefits of those available  - since neither of us can read Spanish, in hopes of finally finding a product that works.

Mexican sea and sky

Happy mother and son at Mayan Ruins

Mayan ruin Iguanas

Mariachi band playing just for us a happy song

Kyr at lunch in the Mexican Restaurant Club Med Cancun

Kyr frolicking on the path leading back to the main club.