Cancun

So I've skipped a few countries but I can't wait to show this place off.

Cancun, Mexico. One of the worlds finest when it comes to party central, all inclusive - resort, holiday making destinations. And there is a reason why, It is all the tastes south of the border, if I dare say, mixed with top line tourist attractions and services. All of this set on one beautiful coastline, where God has set the thermostat at a balmy 28 degrees with the sun a'shining and the sky clear and blue. 

US college kids know what they're in for when they set their eyes on cancun for spring break.

Cancun is one hell of a tourist spot though, it's split into two main areas. 

1. The Hotel Zone - 27km of resort after all inclusive resort. Where there is nothing lower than 3 stars and full of Americans and Europeans escaping their winter as far as the eye can see. 

2. Downtown/Centro Cancun- where the local action is at, where the city is and it's people are found. It's not as shady as it might come off, still right off the tourist strip. Thanks to AirBnb I've found an amazing apartment residence to stay at for my week long chillfest here. 

As it seems I'm bound to see the worlds coastlines, it's now Central America's turn. As repetitive as it might seem, pristine white stretches of sand, clear baby blue waters warmer than I've ever felt before. No one is without sunglasses, hat or sunscreen around here. This is one place to get a tan. And trust me I know tanning. 

I've spent the bulk of my time here taking on the waves. As sad as it is to say an Aussie came out this way to learn.bIt's a great place to start, the waves are small enough to practice on and not wipe out to heavily. Starting out on the 12ft longboard, the Malibu made it too easy for me. 360 surf have been amazing to me, the boys take you on like family, especially uncle gnarly, who legit married a girl from my hometown. 

One of the travel wonders that just goes to show you how small the world can be.

Noting on my favourite place to dine at round these part, the Big Surfin' Burrito. Cancun's best hole in wall, serving what is claimed to be the best burritos in town. And I couldn't agree more, with a menu full of local tastes, the spice in these burritos have been known to clear up one or two passage ways. Open 24/7 breakfast lunch dinner or drinks -  The coconut water and rum helped start a night, The best mix to rehydrate and intoxicate at the same time. 

When here you can't pass up on a dive, whilst cancun is home to the worlds second largest reef. It does have a world first, MUSA. Made up of a collection of submerged lifelike human statues by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, it provides another dive spot for visitors. Becoming a living reef to relieve the stress of the human footprint being placed on the natural one.

As anyone who's been here before will tell you the public bus system is something big cities yearn for. Once you know your route number, the buses are circling 24/7 and you never have to wait more than five minutes before it's around. Fare is simply 10pesos one way for a decent timely ride and mine had live entertainment :) 

May the rest if Mexico show me as good as a time as Cancun. 

I'm Yours

An oldie but a goodie.
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours ukelele cover.

The School of Sitting in Airports and Thinking About Life

As we enter the New Year I look into the opportunities it presents and reflect on the past year that was. As this time of year tends to do to a person, I have a sudden urge to look at what I've learnt so far from a year of personal growth and travel.

One thing distance can show you is the immensity of the world, it puts into perspective the true weight and value of what we deem important in our lives. When wandering the world you're shown the bigger picture, one that is easily forgotten. It may seem like our lives are worlds apart from those in other areas of the world, but in truth they are one in the same. Depending on the society we live in the battles we face differ largely, for many around us it's one of social acceptance and success, although for others it's a struggle for survival. Whilst both do have an effect on your well being, for most of us in the first world there's the tendency to compare ourselves to one person nearby rather than the world in its entirety. When you put yourself in a position to face the reality of world, where whole societies suffer from civil unrest, a lack of government support, corrupt governments. Through the struggles of others lives for mere perseverance you see the true blessings of yours. We are sheltered from the lack of impoverishment. We easily forget the struggle it took to get to where we are now and that some are still struggling to get there.

If there's one thing I'll always say,

"It could always be worse"

It's funny when I talk to people about travel, many wanting to get off the beaten track. I smile and think to myself, 

"Oh hell nah"! 

My parents are from off the beaten track, they came running to Australia to make sure I didn't have to go back. And I'm not about to. Don't get me wrong I do get it, wanting a raw experience, who doesn't want adventure? Just know that for some people in the world that the adventure of desolate isolation, extreme weathers, bumpy roads and dangerous wildlife is their day to day life. Their world one of sheer simplicity, happy in their circumstance and with a lack of complaint.

So keep your hearts, minds and eyes open. We've become a world where we are more interested in protecting ourselves and our self progression, we're not seeing people but opponents and competition in those around us. We tend to forget we're all just simple human beings and stop seeing the person within. We need to start giving each other a chance, we don't give each other enough chances. I've even seen myself be scared to receive help even when I needed it, judging their motives.

We largely can't control things that happen in our lives, including the societies and lives we are born into. But we can control who we are in this world and what we put out into it.

As we strive to become the best possible state of our souls, it requires the questioning of our motives and responses. Do we remember it could be worse than what we have? Do we remember those who have little yet still give beyond their means? Do we remember those that would kill to lead a quality of life close to ours and not need anything more?

"Choose being kind over being right, and you will be right every time" - Richard Carlson

Until our next philosophical lesson.