The Solo Traveller

by Jacqui Priestley

I do love going on family holidays with all the hussle and bussle and different expectations of the annual vacation held by various members of the family group, however, I do also like to take myself off the beaten track at times and travel to a place or Country that I have not visited previously and become the ‘sole traveller’. My need for variety and attraction to the uncertainty of not knowing what is around the corner made for a great basis upon which to start my Latin Amercian journey with a trip to Mexico, recently.

Cancun is a city in southeast Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is a significant tourist destination in Mexico and the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez. The city is on the Caribbean Sea and is one of Mexico’s easternmost points. It is perhaps best known for its ‘Hotel Zone’ where tourists, searching for white-sand beaches and never-ending nightlife can experience allinclusive holidays in 5 star hotels in Cancun which offer everything you’ve ever dreamed of

in a Caribbean paradise. This was not, however, the Cancun I was looking for! So I headed to El Centro (Downtown Cancun) upon arrival, and stayed at a fabulous hotel on Avenida Bonampak, which was full of Mexican and Spanish guests, so perfect for me to practise my Spanish, although most people responded to me in English before I had finished my sentence in Spanish! The local beach was quiet and natural and the pool practically empty, so I was off to a good start.

El Centro is more than impressive than just new shopping malls, cinemas and local restaurants, there are also scenic broadwalks with remarkable vistas, reminiscent of Miami or Florida, and one of the most spectacular marinas I have ever seen, with designer shopping - should that be your thing?

And so to further afield, my first exploration of my trip was to see Chichén Itzá which is a complex of Mayan ruins on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. A massive step pyramid, known as El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan, dominates the ancient city, which thrived from around 600 A.D. to the 1200s. Graphic stone carvings survive at structures like the ball court, Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of the Skulls. Nightly sound-and-light shows illuminate the buildings’ sophisticated geometry. Quite an impressive sight, with a tour guide who explained the history of the Mayans in great detail and said he was an actual desendent of the Maya people.... hmm?

Next, the very attractive and charming village of Valladolid.

One of Mexico’s famous Magic Towns, Valladolid is located in the state of Yucatán, near the iconic Chichen Itzá between Mérida and Cancún. Valladolid has a rich history and is full of fascinating colonial architecture and a unique cultural presence, plus the most warm, friendly locals you would ever wish to meet. A remarkable experience, which was well worth a visit.

No trip to the area is complete without seeing a Cenote. Cenote Ik Kil is open to the sky with the water level about 26 metres below ground level. There is a carved stairway down to a swimming platform. The cenote is about 60 metres in diameter and about 50 metres deep.There are vines which reach from the opening all the way down to the water along with small waterfalls. There are black catfish which swim in the cenote. It is a very pleasant sight to see, and the bar onsite does a very refreshing marguerita! That definitely hit the spot!

By now I had met fellow ‘sole travellers’ and we took ourselves off a couple of days later via ferry (quite a brave move for the travel sickness that I am afflicted with) to the Isla de Mujeres, which is Spanish for “Women Island” is an island where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet, about 13 kilometres off the Yucatán Peninsula coast. To the east is the Caribbean Sea with a strong surf and rocky coast, and to the west the skyline of Cancún can be seen across the waters. You travel around the island by golf buggy - yes, golf buggy - this was another first for me. It was not a comfortable ride, over a great many road bumps, very big road bumps at that. The lighthouse is the ‘photo opportunity’ spot and we came accross the most chilled beach bar, - lovely food and cold beer - so all in all a fabulous day out.

My thoughts on my first trip to Mexico? Very friendly and accomodating people. Cancun certainly felt very safe for a sole traveller to explore. Prices for hotels, food, transport etc are all very reasonable, and would I travel to other Latin American journey destinations - Absolutely - For Sure! I can’t wait to see what is around the corner.

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