Tulum/Xelha

620 wake up . We’ve got a big day ahead . 630 room service , 720 collection at the lobby of the Marriot . Add to this we’ve lost 3 hours to LA time and only one days recovery after travelling 12 hours + . Yep , I know it , I can’t whinge as this is what you do on Holliday . 1st stop , Tulum . A 2 hour drive by 2 coaches . It’s a military operation , we are dropped off at a rendezvous point and then herded into groups for our specific tours . Hundreds , into the thousands of people , a dozen busses and a melting pot of races . I’m pretty sure we were the loan Aussies , the majority were Hispanic , a scattering of anglos and a surprising volume of Asian . After a freezing ( aircon pumping ) trip to Tulum we were hit between the eyes with a thick rancid heat . The ancient ruins of the Myahs was the attraction . I’ve got to admit it but this stuff doesn’t interest me too much. Emma , on advice from a work colleague suggested we walk the half mile to the famous Tulum beach . This is a post card location, apparently. I wasn’t overly impressed . An onshore wind , combined with a low tide had turned the waters into a green chop with an accompanying stench of rotting seaweed . I can still see the charm as it hadn’t been commercialised with shiny resorts but it did have ramshackle bars and weathered old touts looking to hook us into some tour , but no , not today mate . After an hour we are back in the main village , checking out all the South American touristy stalls . With embarrassment I admit we didn’t see the ruins , 90 minutes wasn’t enough time to see everything. Ok I’m not that cultural , that’s why the second location had me excited . This is a theme park that has a bit of everything , and the thing I like about it is it hasn’t been chained to political correctness . When you can go cliff jumping , snorkelling with dolphins and stingrays , rope jumping , zip lining and water sliding with unlimited alcohol and food this joint gets my vote . Did I say unlimited , that includes cocktails , crazy . Strap yourselves in kiddies you’re gonna have to , cause mum and dad are relying on you guys staying afloat . Once you get in this joint you realise you leave your dignity at the door . It’s bathers and reef shoes and not much else , you’re bikini line better be waxed and your beer gut can’t be sucked in all day . Everyone’s gonna see everyone today , only alternative is to sit at the bar and get hammered , but that would be a travesty when you see the emerald green waters and tropical background out of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie . If you don’t have pockets in your bathers your carrying stuff , and that’s pretty hard when there’s snorkelling and a heap of water sports to contend with . It’s time to show the body wether you like it or not , and by gee there’s some Hispanic girls who are loud and proud about showing their derrière , god bless ‘m . No phones unless they’re waterproof, so that was a bummer , as there is some amazing photos to be taken and that’s not including the bu.. , ah anyway . 6 hours , 18000 steps , only 4 margaritas, caves , cliffs ,with a customary Aussie bomb thrown in ( broke the the crutch strap on the life vest and knackered my self ) ,zip lines , massive slides , reef fish and more . At a $125 US a head today was a pretty special day . Yeah it was a bit crass , the body was constantly wet and the feet were squelching in reef shoes for hours , it’s basic and a bit loose on safety and responsibility but I like that . You use your brain , take some calculated risks , have a lotta fun and watch the kids buzz . Hay this is pretty special , we are in Cancun , Mexico and are living a big life at the moment . The location , the beauty , the flesh , the fun and the grog ……. if you could’ve only been here