Images of Yucatán 1: Islas Mujeres Revisited Post Hurricane Gilberto
Images of Yucatán 2: The Shanty Hole Boxes of Holbox
Images of Yucatán 3: Beachcombing for the Origin
Images of Yucatán 4: Swimming with Whale Sharks
Images of Yucatán 5: Onward to Mérida (a.k.a. Ti'ho)
Images of Yucatán 6: Moldy Architextures of the Off-White City
It seems going to Mexico in August is becoming somewhat of an annual pilgrimage (entry from last summer). Maybe because it's the only place you can get a cheap plane ticket these days. This time we concentrated on the Yucatán peninsula. We flew into Cancún but got away from there as quick as possible, to Isla Mujeres (so called because evidently that's where the pirates stowed their booty).
fishing boats on the way to Isla Mujeres
The last time I was on Isla Mujeres was during Hurricane Gilbert back in 1988. At the time it was the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, but Wilma surpassed it last year. At the time, I also used to write bad poetry set to music inspired by such things.
As we approached the island, the ferry that had originally stranded me on Isla Mujeres was still there.
Isla Mujeres ferry wrecked by hurricane Gilbert
Near the wrecked ferry was another boat stranded from Wilma. It was also near where they took people snorkeling, an activity I would not recommend on Isla Mujeres unless you like being corralled into a clusterfuck of life-vested (mandatory) and flailing tourists.
"snorkeling," or in fear of drowning in mass disney hysteria
I did manage to catch a nursing shark and wrangle it to the surface for a better look. Call me a cowboy.
chasing a (toothless) shark off Isla Mujeres
Their skin feels like sandpaper on top and is soft as a baby's bottom on the underbelly, with eyes the size of BBs.
hugging a shark
But this was nothing in light of what was to come on Isla Holbox.
But first, here's some other things we observed on Isla Mujeres.
fire coral
brittle star
Mujeres mutts: instant friends for life
handsome cat enjoying the cool night on top of pukas
battened hatches
tequila sunset
new structures emerging from the old
swim nude radar danger texture
taking a dip back on the mainland
Admittedly, the waters of the Cancún strip (no better than Vegas on the water) are a milkier turquoise and wavier, but these are the consequences of dipping ...
the wrath of stray jellyfish tentacles