February 2008 - The Parklander Magazine

TRAVEL INFOBy Carol Corbin JonesOn our recent cruise, we again visited our favorite cruise port ofCozumel, Mexico. This is no longer the sleepy little island of myfirst visit 18 years ago. Now, another tourist Mecca, the cruisersconverge into the immaculate shopping center and slowly wanderdown the main ocean front street. Sadly, gone is much of the charmof “Old Mexico”, however, the good news is that it is consideredvery safe and, today, safety has become a major reason for thepopularity of cruising.This area is the perfect destination for travelers, who like exotic environments.TheYucatan is home to three major eco-systems that inviteexploration. My favorite way to travel is to stay at a small local hotel,not in a huge, impersonal, international residence. However, on myfirst trip to Cancun, 20 years ago, I was fortunate to be able to enjoy aweek at a friend’s apartment. I had no thoughts of being a travelwriter, I was simply there to visit, learn and talk to the local people.The apartment was on the spacious beach of the bay side of Cozumel.The waves were gentle; the clear, aqua water the perfect temperature.The streets were filled with local shops, the people friendly, all withtime to talk and share experiences.My next trip to Mexico’s Yucatan will probably be to a small localhotel on the Isla Mujeres, the little island just off of the coast ofCancun. Here, I found (as it existed 12 years ago) a fierce local pride inkeeping the sleepy little Mexican village atmosphere.The island is a short ferry ride from Cancun. It is five miles long andless than half of a mile wide. Most visitors stay in the small town at theThe Yucatan is home tothree major eco-systemsthat invite exploration.west end of the island. According to Mayan legend, the island wasused for traditional fertility ceremonies. It has a rich history, filledwith pirates and marauding buccaneers. Spanish Conquistadorsexplored the island in 1517, but only found ancient Mayan statues ofwomen, hence the name “Isle of Women”.I also long to return to Playa del Carmen (an hour’s drive fromCancun) and the astonishingMayan ruins of The coast of Isla MujeresTulum, located on ahill, above what wasdescribed by anothertravel writer as one ofthe ten most romanticbeaches in the world.Tulum is the prime,convenient location toexperience the timelessCozumelIsla Mujeres70 FEBRUARY 2008