28th December

I remember a few years ago Gavin B recommended I should go to Tulum (quiet beach, cool ruins) to get away from the Yanks in Cancun but as I have a free day I thought I would check out the beach at Playa del Carmen. I walked up to the front after a mediocre breakfast - the beach was already pretty full. I thought it will be ok staying here I suppose without the hour trip to get to Tulum. And then I heard....

"So I said, like, yeah no way. And she said, like, ya-ha. So then I said in your dreams sister, you ain't not gonna go and you know it"

I turned to the nearest mexican and asked the way to the Tulum bus stop.

Tulum was really nice. The town had really chilled cafes and restaurants and shops with assistant that didn't try to drag you in from the street. If I had 2 trees and a bigger rucksack I would have bought a hammock. Had a pizza and a huge fruit juice and set off to the ruins.

Yet again the Lonely Planet lied to me. The one km to the ruins were nearer seven. I got collared by a gorgeous local who was trying to flog me a hostel for the night but sadly I had to decline. Finally got to the ruins, they were pretty spectacular with the Caribbean behind. Unfortunately, I had my camera on an odd exposure setting which I only realised when I got back so the pictures are pretty rubbish. The sea was clear blue and the sand reasonably quiet.

Slept on the collectivo back to Playa and banged my head on the window which caused much laughter amongst my travelling companions.

Had a few beers with the others by the pool when I got back and then only managed a rather tame vegetable soup for dinner. The group were dropping like flies with Victoria, Mikey, Linda, Hilary, Ning all going before finishing their mains. The highlight of the meal was when Manita came up, gave me her mobile number etc and said "I don't give this out to many guys. Call me." She will be in NYC over NYE so you never know!

Next stop after dinner was Karaoke. The bar was big and ominously empty. After a few sols the girls were up - Beth and Leslie. Then the Thais took the mike and won the crowd. Ing was particularly powerful. I sang Down Under by Men at Work but it was awful - totally out of key but then recovered in spectacular fashion (even if I say so myself) with New York, New York (most of which was sung on my knees with the girls dancing around me).

Went to a beach bar for a few hours with Beth, Lesley (it was now gone midnight and therefore her birthday) and Johanna (who has livened up considerably). Sols, Tequila etc were flowing and we all staggered home at 2.30am. Bought Leslie a rose for her birthday and then it started to rain so staggered back. Beth popped in for Toblerone and then went to bed. All in all a pretty good night to end the tour.