The Yucatan Part 1

From Campeche we caught our first 2nd class bus, which was just as nice as the 1st class ones, and got dropped off at Uxmal. These ruins were pretty cool, we saw our first court of a ball game they used to play which is crazy. Its a rectangular field with walls on the 2 longest sides with sideways hoops at the top. The teams had to get a ball through the hoops using their hips, elbows or knees. What made it the game of their life was that the loosing team were all sacrificed! I dont think the coach would have to say too much to motivate them at half time!

From Uxmal we had to sit and wait on the side of the road and hope for another bus to come along and it not be full. Real travelling. This bus driver was a bit of a legend and when we got to Merida he started beeping at all the fit girls he drove past. From Merida  it was to Cancun via Chitin Itza - The biggest and most popular of all the ruins. Danni did her first bit of bartering with some jewellery sellers. She has been a complete sucker for the tourist sell - luckily never buying anything, but this time she was ruthless and got the guy down from 280 pesos to 100.

Next stop cancun - Mexico's Greece. Straight off the bus we were accosted buy an annoying American who walked us to his hostel. The place was spotless downstairs and so we said we'd stay. Got to the dorms and they were hot, dirty, cramped, full of bugs and the 1 shower was gross! nice one. Conned. However it did have a wickid bar on the roof with a jacuzzi and played industrial (according to the american - it was techno) music all night. We stayed for a few but we were the only travellers there tho we did dance with a few wasted mexicans.

After being woken up at ridiculous o'clock (dorms are great) it was off to Isla Mujeres. A small little island, alot less americanised than cancun. Awesome. We stayed in a nice cheap hotel owned by a lovely little old mexican lady right in the centre of the action.

The island is amazing. First day we chilled and went to our first gorgeous paradise beach with warm turquoise water and palm trees for shade.

Aidan's fashion tip no. 2 - Be a man, show everyone your a man - wear budgie smugglers (speedos)!

The sun sets over the beach every night and its beautiful. There are loads of nice bars and resturants and trying to remember we've got a year and not spending loads of money on fresh seafood and yummy cocktails at bars along the beach is very difficult.

Day 2 - Danni's first Scuba dive. I was very scared but also really excited. In the morning I had a little lesson in the shop by this cool instructor which made me really relaxed. Then in the shallow water we did some little drills. Had to learn how to breathe through the regulator - really wierd and takes a while to get used to because it feels hard to breathe at first. Once used to it I had to practice taking the regulator out of my mouth. He did it and then signalled for me to copy, i just shook my head- way too scary! So he did it again and eventually i was brave enough to try it and it was really easy.  So twenty minutes after taking my first breaths under water we were in the boat heading out to the reef.  The instructor took me down which felt like it took forever because my ears were taking a while to equalise but he was really calm and we made it down to the bottom with no problems.  then after a few minutes he gave my hand to aidan who then led me around the reef.  we stayed down for 40 mins and saw loads of amazing fish.  on the second dive i was more relaxed so enjoyed myself even more and got to swim on my own and evn go through a cave.  it was brilliant, i loved it and the fish are so cool.  we saw so many, including huge parrot fish, barracudas and two stingray, one of which was massive.

 On another day we went snorkelling and swam with more fish and got to feed them whilst in the water- when we put the bread in the water you actually couldnt see for fish, it was so fun.  We also went in a little pen with a nurse shark (they dont have any teeth) which was an experience!

On the last day we hired a golf-cart and missioned off round the island- not really that much of a mission as the island is very small!  It was great fun to drive though, and Aidan decided to take it off road- comedy! Paul who was in the back was nearly bounced out and Aidan nearly grounded it! It was all in an attempt to find a cool short cut to a beach. There are speed bumps all over the island but none of them are marked. Aidan was burning along looking out at the sea and didnt see one. He only slammed on the brakes after everyone in the cart shouted bump and we skidded to a halt in front of loads of mexicans shaking their heads and laughing. 

 The island has a cool party vibe and every night we've been trying out all the bars but always end up at a beach bar at a hostel. Every night the party goes on into the early hours. THe other night Aidan had a little too much to drink and managed to headbut me on the dance floor - smooth! A little while after that i had to take him home and put him to bed as he could barely walk! He didnt embarrass himself too much as the guy he was drinking with had passed out on the sand long before.

Next stop is Cuba. Cant wait.

Love to you all x