Hangin' with Higton
Written prior to the trip...
I knew I wanted to do a fun trip this spring - something different - but I didn't know what it would be. Now that I'm so involved in Couchsurfing, it opens up a lot of doors and allows you to do a more adventurous short trip much more easily than I did prior! But when? And to where?
A great answer to this presented itself to me when it became clear I could do a couple of things at once - have a little adventure and also continue my goal for the year of meeting up with more of my Travbuddy friends!! Higton has spent the last 8 months about in Costa Rica, and is now traveling his way up through Central America - his trip will end in Cancun, where he will catch his plane back home to the UK - and thus, the idea for Cancun was born! An email to Higton suggesting it, an email back from him in the affirmative, and the plan was on!
So this is the day where we meet up on Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancun.
But nothing is more amusing than the directions to GET to the bar - in Ryan's words... "from the ferry, go between the 7-11 and the giant frog, and walk two blocks to Ave Hidalgo... take a left, and Comono is half a block on your right.... orange and white."
THE GIANT FROG???
I have decided I don't WANT to know what this is ahead of time - is it a name of a business, or really a large statue of a giant frog? I want to wait and see - so for those of you reading this that have been to the island and know, please DO NOT spoil my surprise - I really look forward to finding out all in good time!!
I'm up for a few new experiences, and recently I've been curious to try a hookah pipe - another Travbuddy, David (beedeeb) has been talking to me about it and I'm getting kind of curious! He's currently in Nicaragua, but when he gets back to Phoenix we had plans to go to a Hookah bar if I hadn't had a chance to try this yet.
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On the actual day...
Manolo and Erik left today for Manolo's hometown to celebrate his birthday with his family; they would be gone for two days. I, in turn, got ready and headed to the Ferry to go to Isla. It was easy getting the taxi and the Ferry over was breathtaking. Up until now, the most beautiful water I'd seen was in Malaysia; but this beat it by a landslide! The colors were unbelievable, and I couldn't believe how they changed, just from pocket of water to pocket of water - sometimes light blue, sometimes green, sometimes dark blue... amazing. I just couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that it was real.
We landed on Isla, and immediately I saw the giant frog - no, it's not the name of a business or a statue, but rather three large signs; two hanging, and the largest on the top of the building. You really can't miss them. Mystery solved!!
I still had my suitcase, and was unsure how far it was to my hotel; I was yet to learn JUST how small the island was, and my sandals I had bought, while not as bad as they were going to get, were already letting me down as not being nearly as comfortable as they had looked when I had purchased them specifically to do the walking I had planned to do. I overheard a couple tell a taxi they were going to the same hotel I was staying at, and asked if they would like to share it, and they said yes. They were a very cool couple from Kansas City, that in 13 years of marriage had NEVER TAKEN A VACATION!! Then, she had read an article about Isla Mujeres, and how it was one ranked as one of the best islands in the world, and decided they had to go - they would be staying for 8 days.
We arrived at the hotel, I checked in and dropped my bag, and then headed over to Comono where I was to meet John (Higton). I was quite early, but figured it was as good a place as any to sit, relax, and enjoy the island. When I arrived, however, I was in for a real shock - it was completely closed!!
I figured this wasn't such a big deal - I mean, he'd still have to pass by it not knowing it would be closed, just as I did, and we'd meet up that way and just go somewhere else; also, I'd seen some places more on the water - and being from a desert, that is NEVER a bad thing - so a change in locales suited me just fine.
Across from the closed Comono was a small shop selling various island souvenirs, and the man that ran it was there and had a couple of old white plastic chairs.
His name was Vicente and he was an utter delight. We talked and laughed for about an hour. He was alternately horrified and amused that I had been going to meet someone at Comono when it was now closed for now reason; he kept shaking his head apologetically, saying "aye.... Mexico time, I don't know!!!" He was great.
As we spoke, a guy walked by at a brisk pace. He had large sunglasses on and as he walked by the closed Comono, he took a strong look and seemed very agitated, but kept walking. It really struck me - it seemed that he, too, had a vested interest in the fact that the place SHOULD be open - but I knew it wasn't John, it looked nothing like him - and by that time he was gone, so there was nothing I could do but wonder.
About 10 or 15 minutes later, the same guy came walking quickly back the same way, again looking at the closed establishment; and this time, instead of passing, he walked over to the wall across from it, to have much the same vantage point that I had, lit a cigarette and just started watching.
At this point, I just felt sure that we were somehow tied in someway; so I stood up and walked over, and simply asked for a light, hoping that would begin a conversation. As soon as I did he immediately said,
"AMANDA???"
It was Ryan!! The other CS'er I'd been hoping to catch up with while on the island, and the one that had directed us to this particular restaurant.
We only chatted a few minutes before up walked John. I introduced him to Ryan, and then we all walked over towards the beach again and we found a bar by the ocean where we could sit and get some beers. Ryan explained he had some things he needed to get done, but we hoped to hook up with him later.
John and I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening just chatting and catching up - after all of his "Later" blog entries it was nice to hear how more of the trip through Central America had gone, and just fabulous all around to finally meet him in person. Later we had a dinner consisting of some of the freshest seafood I've ever had - SERIOUSLY, you all, if you want good seafood, go to Isla Mujeres. Yum Yum.
Finally, time for bed. I don't think I've ever fallen asleep so quickly, but all the overnight flights, late nights and now beer (when I don't usually have it often) were really catching up with me. I went back to my room, opened the window, and fell asleep to the sound of the waves right outside.
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The price is the same at 35 pesos one way, 70 return, and each take 15 to 20 minutes to make the trip. That being said, the ferries that leave from Puerto Juárez are nicer, newer, and just a better choice for your money.
As I said, they aren't far from each other and are the same price; the only difference will be the experience you have while crossing the Caribbean; and why not enjoy it? Head over to Puerto Juárez...
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It had come highly recommended, both by fellow Couchsurfer/Travbuddies Manolo and Eric, and also by their friends. While there is a section more under a tent type area as you step off the sidewalk, keep walking! There are a few tables down in the sand next to the boats, with the Caribbean literally lapping at your feet. For a girl from Phoenix, it's pretty heady stuff.
The mix here is Mexican/Seafood - and such fresh seafood it is... I had heard a great deal about their high quality mixed seafood ceviche, but ended up opting for the mixed seafood fajitas instead. These come without tortillas unless you request them (actually, I did request them and they still came without, but really you don't need them as you soon find out) and it was delicious. I even found my bites of octopus acceptable, and that's something I'm still learning to embrace.
I've also been told that the grilled fish and grilled lobster with garlic butter are both fab, but didn't try them.
Definitely a place to try while on the island; the food is really nice, but again, it's that table RIGHT on the water that is the real winner...
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