Life on the Mexican Caribbean Coast: I swam with Whale Sharks!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I swam with Whale Sharks!

I have to tell you, it was an amaaaazzzzzing experience. To be so close to these huge animals, swimming alongside them as they cruise along, it's like nothing I've ever done before. I thought seeing a turtle up close was great, so how much better this 5metre spotty fish.

Our organised trip the week before had been cancelled when Hurricane Irene passed close, and this Sunday it was raining heavily as we drove to Cancun at 6am, but the captain assured us the weather was fine there. There were only 3 of us, me and my friends Carla and Carla. It started to rain on our way out in the boat, and continued for about 1/2 the time we were out. Unfortunately the rain and cooler weather affected the numbers of whale sharks we saw. The captain said on a hot sunny day there were 100s, but we only saw 3, none of which spent a lot of time on the surface, preferring the warmth of the deeper water. Still, seeing one was enough to thrill me!

Yes, that's its mouth open and catching food - glad I stuck mostly to his side!
We needed to be suited up in our snorkel gear, legs hanging over the side of the boat, ready to jump when a shark was sighted. You jump in and start swimming - these guys move fast and he who hesitates won't get to see it. I was surprised when I got back to the boat how exhausted I was, and I guess a bit overwhelmed as well, this is not something you get to do often! Although there were lots of other people in the water, when you are looking down at the shark you really don't notice, it just feels like you and him!

Whalesharks are in our area from mid May to September, so for anyone looking for a fantastic experience, that's the time to book a visit.

On a less happy note, the locker where the captain told us all to leave our bags, got flooded, and now neither my camera nor my mobile phone are working. Turned out to be an expensive day, but still a great experience and one I wouldn't hesitate to repeat.

Here is a video from friend Carla took:
http://www.youtube.com/user/playadelcarmenrenta#p/a/u/2/7rkCaEzMY-0

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Blog Intro

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lynne, 50 something years young, retired in 2010 from my job at Griffith Uni’s Student Guild, and now ex-resident of Australia's Gold Coast after more than 15 happy years. Disgruntled Melburnian returning to the South? Not even close. Moving across the country to be with my new love? I wish! I embarked, by myself and perhaps irrationally, on a new life on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, where in 2010 I purchased, on a whim, a new 2BR condo. I had spent until then, a total of about 3 weeks in the town which was about to become my home. Impulsive? That’s my middle name. Crazy? That remains to be seen. Stay tuned… When I travelled to Mexico on holiday in September, I had no plans to buy a house, there or anywhere else for that matter. But I found a great yoga school, and the rest, as they say, is history. Maybe the yoga relaxed me too much! I felt so at home that when I looked in the real estate agent’s window and found property that was not only affordable but downright cheap, I had no hesitation in saying “yes” to a new life. The cost of living is low, the weather is hot all year round, the people are friendly and who knows what wonderful (or challenging?) experiences await me? Playa del Carmen is about an hour south of Cancun on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, but light years away from the glitz and craziness of that Spring break destination. 15 years ago it was a sleepy fishing village. Today 5th Avenue has paving rather than sand, and is populated by hotels, restaurants, cafes and boutique shops, yet it has managed to retain its small-town charm. It’s like the Gold Coast was 50 years ago, or so. Relaxed, laid-back, friendly. If you walk too fast along 5th Ave, one of the locals is sure to ask you “What’s the hurry? You’re on holidays!” “Manana” is not just a word to them. “So what are you going to do all day?” is the usual question I get from my amazed friends. “As little as possible” doesn’t seem to satisfy them. “I’m going to live a simpler life” I tell them. I’ll start with yoga under the palapa roof every morning, enjoying not only the physical exertion, but the sharing of spiritual energy with new friends. After yoga I might join friends for coffee, or head to the beach for a morning swim in the incredibly turquoise warm Caribbean sea. I’ll walk slowly home along 5th Avenue, peeking into the shops and admiring sarongs. I might have a massage on the beach, where less than $A20 will buy me an hour of full-body bliss with the sea breeze cooling my skin, and the sound of the waves just metres from my jasmine-oiled feet will be the real thing, not piped music. I’ll eat fresh, seasonal local fruit which hasn’t lost its flavour. A 2-course meal with fruit juice at a small café will cost me about $A3, or Thai chicken noodles at my favourite noodle bar around $6, again including a drink. In the evening I’ll enjoy the ambience of 5th Ave after dark. The shops will be open very late, the hawkers good-naturedly trying to entice me into their boutiques and souvenir shops. There will be strolling Mariachi bands serenading couples eating at the many restaurants. There might be an art exhibition along the street, or street performers. Down on the beach the bars and nightclubs will be gearing up with live Salsa music or playing Santana’s hits, and the fire show performers will be practising twirling their sticks. At the end of the day, having breathed fresh clean air, I will sleep deeply and soundly. But before I do I will thank whatever benevolent spirit led me to start my new life here. I hope you will enjoy sharing this new life with me through my blog.

Life on the Mexican Caribbean Coast

Enjoying Mexico

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I swam with Whale Sharks!

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