After nearly six weeks in Canada, our departure felt sudden. One moment we were saying emotional farewells to friends and family, and the next, we found ourselves at the airport, ready to catch our flight to Cancun, one of Mexico’s top travel destinations. As the plane took off, leaving the frozen landscape behind, we were filled with excitement.
We had left some tasks until the last minute. With all the visits, we barely had time to pack and ended up forgetting a few essentials. Normally, we would book hotels, buy travel insurance, and plan an itinerary, but this time we were scrambling to get it all done. Our last day was a blur of finding a good travel insurance quote and rushing to pack our bags. Thankfully, everything worked out, and as the plane ascended, our worries disappeared.
This trip had been on our minds for months. Even while trekking in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, we thought about the white sands of Mexico. Time feels different at the beach; life follows the moment, the tides, and the sun.
Despite a flight delay, we finally landed in Cancun after midnight. The wait at the understaffed immigration was long, but soon we were in a taxi heading to our hotel. We checked into our charming Mexican-style room around 2:30 am, eager to rest and not ruin our first day in this vibrant city with so many activities to enjoy.
We woke up around nine, too excited to sleep any longer. Groggily, we headed to the hotel’s restaurant for our first Mexican meal, a tasty Ranchero breakfast with eggs, tortillas, Ranchero sauce, refried black beans, and taco chips.
We then ventured out, immediately engulfed in the flavors and sounds of Mexico. Guitar music filled the streets, and taco stands wafted the aroma of cumin and salsa. Our neighborhood, about 2 km north of the city center, felt authentically local, surprisingly devoid of tourists.
Strolling down Ave Tulum, we were thrilled to be in Cancun and eager for some beach time. We bought a few Coronas from a grocery store and hopped on the R1 bus to Zona Hotelera. The moment we glimpsed the beach, it was more stunning than we remembered. We headed to the beach near Casa Maya Resort, where the powdery white sand and turquoise waters greeted us.
Instantly, we ran into the water, and the moment I submerged, I remembered why I love the beach so much. While we enjoy trekking, villages, history, and culture, the beach offers a unique kind of travel experience. We can’t wait to spend the next few months here, soaking up the tropical weather, exploring hidden gems, and enjoying all the activities Mexico has to offer before our House Sitting gig in the southern Caribbean.
