Valladolid, Pez Maya and Playa del Carmen

[Last updated: 15-Jan-2022]

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Sunday, 02-Apr-2017

Knowing where and how to avoid the lumps and bumps (in the bed), I had a better night's sleep! After checking-out, we left our luggage at Reception, as Romain suggested we cycle to Cenote X'keken. I didn't have a clue where it was, but it is near the town of Dzitnup, south-west of Valladolid; a photo of the cenote featured on the cover of Romain's LP guide. Unfortunately, there weren't any hire bicycles available; which suited me, as I was not keen on cycling in the heat (as with the Tour de Tulum). According to the LP guide, the cenote is about 20 minutes from Valladolid.

Our next choice of transport was to use a colectivo, but none of them went to the cenote. However, one of the colectivo drivers took us to what appeared to be a taxi, the driver of which said he could take us (along with another person); for 30 MXP (£1.25) each.

At our destination, the pool (Photo MX-063) was smaller than the Cenote Zaci pool, but still had a number of people interested in swimming in it; along with the hundreds of catfish!


Photo MX-063

The taxi back to Valladolid dropped us outside the Hotel El Mesón del Marqués, and cost us 40 MXP (£1.67) each.

We sat in the park (from where I took Photo MX-064), until our stomachs started telling us it was time to eat. Although we had seen it before, but not been inside, we had lunch in the Las Campanas restaurant (on the corner of Calle 42 and Calle 41; just down from the Hotel Maria de la Luz). Before leaving, I wanted to have a few more reminders of Valladolid. If I was quick, I felt I had just enough time to go and take a few photos of some of the town's colourful buildings.


Photo MX-064

Photo MX-065

Photo MX-066

Photo MX-067

I hastily returned to the restaurant, paid my share of the bill, and then we collected our luggage from the hotel, before making our way to the bus station for the 15:05 bus back to Tulum. While I was in the hotel, I used the hotel's Wi-Fi (for the last time), to check if any WhatsApp messages had been sent (from other volunteers) in connection with us all meeting in Tulum; but no.

We arrived in Tulum at 16:40 and soon met Kathleen, Jack and Brais. I made a final WhatsApp check (thanks to the Babel Cafe's Wi-Fi), before we were taken back to Pez Maya by Luis' large colectivo.

Back at the base, we met the new volunteers. We were all told that, due to the weather (guess what), there will be no diving tomorrow!

Monday, 03-Apr-2017

Being Monday, the first main event was to (again) thoroughly clean the kitchen! As part of the process, any cardboard boxes (including egg trays) were torn up into small pieces and added to the waste food buckets; see Photo MX-068. When finished, the 'mixture' was taken, and added, to the compost pile. From what I saw, the compost process was working well!


Photo MX-068

Over the weekend, "tons" of sand had been blown into the Communial and Kitting Areas. As all volunteers were off-site, there was no-one to keep the place clean. So, in addition to the kitchen cleaning and recycling activities, we had to clear the Communial and Kitting Areas of the sand.

Between the cleaning and clearing activities, and lunch, we took it easy. It was another ideal time for some of us do our laudry duties!

After lunch, a number of us went for a swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. What a way to introduce the new "newbies" to a paradise location! We performed a Beach Clean mid-afternoon. As it had been almost two weeks since the last one was done, the amount of rubbish collected was quite incredible.

After dinner, we played Cards Against Humanity until about 21:00; then bed.

Tuesday, 04-Apr-2017

This morning's duty was Grounds; raking the sand. The Wave 1 divers (including myself) started preparing to dive, but (again), due to the weather, this morning's diving was cancelled; perhaps we might dive after lunch.

Friso gave a presentation about coral to the newbies. As I wanted to improve my coral knowledge, I sat in with them. I found it very informative, compared to the presentation that Liz gave. I think it was because Friso (a coral specialist) took his time to explain the corals, whereas Liz's presentation was a lot quicker (timewise) and therefore, not so detailed.

The strong wind had produced some quite large waves, which some of us thought were ideal for body surfing, so a number of us did!

While I was taking a shower (after the swim), it was announced that we would play Robot Wars - GVI Mexico Style. When I returned to the play area, I didn't want to get covered in sand (and thus have the need to take another shower), so I sat and watched. It was also quite obvious (by this time of the afternoon), that there would not be any diving to-day.


Photo MX-069

Photo MX-070

Wednesday, 05-Apr-2017

This morning's duty was Boats; specifically the emergency boxes, even though (at that time), we didn't know for sure if there would be any diving today.

Sure enough, the answer came during our pancake breakfast: there will not be any diving before lunch. Plan 'B' was more fun on the beach. We were divided into four teams, with each team having to complete four separate activities, scoring as many points as possible. The activities were: Sheep Pen, Charades, Diving Kit Assembly and an Obstacle Course. I though we (Team 3) did well, but we came third!

There was no diving after lunch, so we watched an episode of the BBC's series Shark (televised in Jun-2015), followed by a Scavenger Hunt; this time, we came last!

I went through Coral Exercise 3 with Friso, getting more correct answers than last time (but still not the 95% required!). Gaia was nevous about presenting the next day's schedule after dinner; it is normally given by a staff member. I told her to "just be yourself. It will be fine". And it was!

To end the day, two volunteers had birthdays; one today and one tomorrow. As a nice surprise, a birthday cake appeared! Yummy!

Thursday, 06-Apr-2017

This morning's duty was Kitchen, but not before observing yet another beautiful sunrise; see Photo MX-071!

It was announced during breakfast that there will be diving, but not in the sea. Instead, we will be going (in two waves: morning and afternoon (me)) to the Cenote Encantado (GPS N20° 07' 53.40" W87° 27' 55.10"). I think the idea was aimed at the newbies, who up until now, had not started diving!

As with the diving, the kitchen duties were split between two teams. However, there were tanks that needed filling, so I volunteered to fill them. Upon joining those in the kitchen afterwards, we prepared lunch (spaghetti, with tomatoes, onions, courgettes and spices).


Photo MX-071

The afternoon divers departed from the base at 13:00. Hector was to lead the way, with Zack at the rear. When we were ready to get into the water, it was nice to see that most of the silt (reported after the morning's divers) had settled. Well, that was until we got into the water and disturbed it again; as can be seen throughout the following clips! Rather than create one long video clip of the dive, five shorter, manageable clips have been created:
Cenote Encantado - Getting Ready (3 minutes long)
Cenote Encantado - Part I (8+ minutes long, via YouTube),
Cenote Encantado - Part II (<6 minutes long, via YouTube),
Cenote Encantado - Part III (3+ minutes long), and
Cenote Encantado - Part IV (3+ minutes long).

Back at base, dinner was Chick Peas (which I didn't want to eat), so I fried some of the spaghetti that was left over from lunch. Yummy and crispy!

Friday, 07-Apr-2017

This morning's duty was Communial and Kitting Areas. Looking out at the sea, diving might be on, as the sea looked relatively calm!

Sure enough, diving resumed as normal. I was in Wave 3, so I buried my head (once more) into the coral book. At this rate, I expected to pass the test in a week, or so; that was my target!

For the afternoon's dive, we went to the Wonderland site (GPS N20° 01' 06.24" W87° 27' 44.28"). Once below the surface, we headed for a sandy area of the sea bed - and had a bit of fun!

Back on dry land, I went and showered. In doing so, I missed the Boat Push and the weekly Boat Clean! Sorry guys!

The evening's party theme was Zombie Nation! Thank Heavens for those bed sheets; but sleeping bags don't work!


Photo MX-072

Photo MX-073

* * *

I was a little confused about my departure date from Pez Maya. It seemed that on the changeover weekends, all volunteers needed to leave the base on the Friday, in order that the staff can carry out any appropriate preparations for the incoming new volunteers. I thought that my initial booking was up to (and including) Saturday (29-Apr-2017), so I booked a hotel (in Playa del Carmen) for that night, prior to my flight back home on Sunday. However, Pete confirmed that I would ned to leave the base on the Friday. Therefore, I needed to arrange an additional night's accommodation for Friday.

Saturday, 08-Apr-2017

Time to get organised for this weekend's venture. We (volunteers) were divided between two destinations; Tulum and Playa del Carmen. I decided to go to Playa del Carmen, for two reasons:

Because of the number of volunteers requiring transport, two taxis were arranged (for a 10:30 departure); one for Playa del Carmen (Luis and his large colectivo) and a taxi for Tulum, but both taxis only took us to Tulum. I travelled with Gaia, Martina and Ben in the second taxi.

I thought Luis' driving was fast, but the second taxi driver was a reckless maniac! I think we were very relieved to get out, once we reached Tulum!

Unfortunately, in my haste to get away from the taxi, I left my water bottle in the car's boot. I think it must have worked itself loose and fell from my backpack during the rough journey. We continued our journey to Playa del Carmen by colectivo, which cost 45 MXP (£1.87). Luis charged 100 MXP (£4.17) to Tulum and 150 MXP (£6.25) to Playa del Carmen. So by breaking our journey, we saved all of 5 MXP (£0.20)!

In Playa del Carmen, and because of our number, some of us ended up at the Loft 10 Hostel, at Avenida Norte 10, at a cost of 200 MXP (£8.33). Martina and I accompanied Gaia to the bus station (where we said "Goodbye" to Gaia), then we returned and met the other volunteers at Fresco Habito (along Avenida Norte, between Calle 8 and Calle 10 Norte) for two of the best Chocolate and Banana Smoothies in town, and a Banana Toastie!

I wanted to find the BE Playa hotel, to see if I could extend my stay at the end of the month. Fortunately, it too is on 10 Avenida, but further along (in a North-Easterly direction), at Calle 26 Norte. Unfortunately, and bizarrely, I was not able to change or do anything to my reservation at the hotel. Instead, I was told to either use the phone, or do it over the Internet!

Back at the Loft 10 hostel, I tried to book an extra night, but the hostel's Wi-Fi (and Internet) was up and down - like a pair of whore's drawers! The annoying thing was that the staff knew about its reliability, but did little to solve it, apart from continually rebooting the router! Eventually (after what seemed like 30 minutes), I managed to book a room for the night of 28-Apr-2017! There were no Standard rooms available, only suites. I didn't have the time, nor could I be bothered, to try and find a cheaper room in another hotel, so I went for the suite option, not knowing that I would end up with a Suite: Photo MX-111!

"Anyone thirsty?" was asked. So we went downstairs and into the bar beside the hostel, for some beer and Pool. Feeling hungry, we walked along 10 Avenida to La Patrona de Playa (a Mexican restaurant), where I had Gringas (a variety of Tacos), washed down with a Piña Colada! Amazingly, and much to my surprise, I was given two glasses of Pina Colada; it was Happy Hour, but not quite BOGOF (Buy One, Get One Free) time. They cost 60 MXP (£2.50) each, but two cost 100 MXP (£4.17)!

I was wearing my "One Tequila..." T-shirt (Photo MX-074), so with our bellies suitably replenished, we walked back along Avenida 10 to the 3B Hostel, and up to the roof bar (Photo MX-075), where I had my very first Tequila! No, I didn't like it - even less with the salt and lime!


Photo MX-074

Photo MX-075


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