On June 16th, we departed on our 10 month late Honeymoon to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Isla Mujeres is a 7 mile long island just off the coast of Cancun.
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| Our hotel, Hotel D'Gomar, is the Red and white 4 story building just left of the center. |
After a tiring 24 hours, 3 plane rides and a 25 minute ferry ride, we made it to our island vacation. Walking off the ferry, we heard sounds of "Do you need a Taxi?" "Snorkling!! Golf Carts! Whale Sharks! Interested?" The sun was shining, and it was hot. A much welcomed change from our Eugene weather. We stayed at the Hotel D'Gomar, just across the street from the ferry docks, overlooking the ocean. A small independent hotel, we received an extremely affordable rate. $65 a night for our king bed with a view over the ocean. We stayed in their downtown area, on the northern part of the island.
We were able to spend our 7 days doing what we wanted, when we wanted, how we wanted. We slept in until 11, drank beer on the beach, and swam most days. We swam with schools of fish, and explored the rocks that they lived in.
One memorable day was on June 20th, when we rented a moped and drove down to the southern part of the island.
We visited Punta Sur, where they have ruins of the Mayan temple to the goddess of Fertility and Child-Birth, Ixchel. This is also the most eastern point in the country of Mexico. We were able to walk around the small park, as well as walk along a path by the ocean. Nyla also made a new Iguana friend.
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| Nyla and her new reptilian friend. |
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| Nyla and I on the lower walking trail of Punta Sur. |
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| A nifty crab. |
After we ate some ice cream, we headed back up the island to stop at Castillo de Garrafon. A small hotel and beach area where you can could cheaply rent snorkel gear and swim. We dropped our stuff at the beach chairs and ran into the water. Not even a minute in we began to see dozens of different types of fish. I (Nathan) have never been snorkeling before, and it was an amazing experience. Swimming with so many colorful and beautiful fish was a fantastic memory.
We drove around where many of the islanders live, enjoying the bright house colors and local shops and restaurants.
THE most memorable part of this day will be when Nyla drove the moped. She drove it around a parking lot, and decided that she wasn't comfortable driving one. But she decided that she would drive it down the street. I said that I don't feel comfortable with her driving if she isn't, and she replied with, "Nathan! I'm actually offended!" Being a good husband, I told her I trust her and lets go. 5 seconds out of the parking lot, we find ourselves on the ground with the moped on top of us and the front wheel under the back of a taxi. We couldn't help but just burst with laughter. Luckily only the tires collided, no damage done. More was done to Nyla's ego. Why she gassed instead of break will be a mystery to us all.
We spent the rest of our time on our two legs, enjoying the local food stands, beer, coconuts full of alcohol and relaxing. It was wonderful to spend such a calm and fun vacation just the two of us, and travel together.
More about our Honeymoon to come, including our favorite foods, places to eat and more about the island!
