One week to go!

This is the worst part of traveling, the waiting. Counting down the days definitely doesn't make departure day come any sooner that's for sure ~ in fact, I'm fairly certain it makes it take longer, relatively speaking. Getting very excited though and cannot wait to park my ass in the sun, on the beach, chilling out and not worrying about the myriad of things that typically weigh us down in our usual daily lives. Or maybe I'll swing in a hammock between two palms... or maybe... Hurry up next week! I wanna go!

Two weeks and counting...

Getting ever closer to single digits until departure day! I can almost hear the waves of the Caribbean washing ashore at Tulum, if I close my eyes - but then images of all of the great food I'm going to eat springs into mind. One thing I am very eager to tuck into is fresh sea urchin - mind you, it's only the roe, or eggs, that you eat, but still ... fresh from the sea, with that buttery, lobster-like flavour and texture? I'm sold - and I'm sure it won't be costly at all.

And thinking about sea urchins is making me imagine all of the great underwater shots I'll have from this trip. Kinda wish I had've done some in Goa last year, but didn't want to chance damaging the video camera, so far from home and with a long road ahead. This trip, oh hell yeah, its going underwater. The chance to film manta rays, moray eels, sea turtles, etc is just too awesome an opportunity to pass up!

Two more weeks until I can replace the hammock I left behind in Toronto all those years ago - two more weeks until I can tie it up to some palms and just chill the fuck out, swaying in the breeze. Life is good my friends, doubly so when you travel...

Soundtrack - Mexcio 2012

Last year, Toronto's Our Lady Peace ended up being the soundtrack of my sojourn through India. This year, I have settled on the debut album from Los Angeles' The Glitch Mob. It's got just the right blend of energy and melody and is tinged throughout with a subtle bittersweet sadness. It totally works for me right now and reflects my mood lately - which is to say, all over the map. Well worth the listen, if not the purchase. Check out their latest, We Can Make The World Stop.

That one is a little more energy and chaos - and it's so damned catchy! The whole album is quite good; I haven't hit a track yet that I didn't like. I haven't been this surprised with a release since Rammstein's last album, which is saying quite a bit.

21 days and counting!

Three short weeks to go until my cameras get dusted off and do their magic. I'm so happy that they invited me along again on this year's trip! Maybe I'll be nice and return the favour next time.

Been doing a lot of research on transportation - how to get from here to there sort of thing. Seems I may be investing in a few taxis, as colectivos and buses don't make either the routes or the stops I need. Ah well, there is always hitchhiking - and we all know me by now; if its an unnecessary risk, I'm likely to take it. Not sure who I get that from in the family?

What I do know is that I am eager for the beaches of Tulum, like seriously...

Started thinking today, that I may turn this blog into a website - something I want to continue pondering. It would make more sense, organizationally, to do so, and I could have separate sections for images, videos and text, broken down by trip... hmmm...

Sounds like fun, I'll bring the beer...

The government of Canada has travel warnings for Canadians going to Mexico posted relating to scams, violence against tourists, theft and kidnappings. Sounds good and all, but how is that knowledge supposed to keep anyone safe? Is it meant to deter a person from traveling to a foreign country? I faced worse in India, trust me. Theft, violence, scams and kidnappings in Mexico? Hmm... I went through terrorist bomb threats, maoist insurgence and anti-north american sentiment (and violence I might add) in India. Not to sound indifferent, but a travel advisory that contains nothing different than I might face in my own country? No, I am not worried at all. Obviously, I will be taking precautions for my own safety, but what the government is saying doesn't worry me in the slightest, nor what we read in the media. A few isolated events do not a trend make...

Last Hostel Booked - Mundo Joven, Cancun

Finally booked my final night in Mexico, in Cancun, at the Mundo Joven. Shared accomodations, but for the price, it can't be beat; especially for it's location. Its near the bus terminal and some zocolos - and who doesn't like last minute souvenir shopping? Seems like a rather nice place, from the reviews and photos. Rooftop bar, hottubs, hammocks, you name it - its a backpacker's heaven. All of that isn't the main reason to take it though - it's the proximity to the buses that's the big sell for me. Easy to get to after arriving from Tulum and easy to get to the airport the next morning.

Everything is booked now, aside from my inital bus to Valladolid, which according to my hosts at La Candelaria, won't be an issue - tonnes of buses leave Cancun going to either Valladolid or Merida, and no matter which, they all stop in Valladolid. So... no worries, om shanti shanti! LoL! Been a long time since I've had the need to say that!

SKROSS World USB Charger

So I went and bought my SKRoss USB charger today - only $26 which is quite good consider it is a multi-plug adapter that works in over 150+ countries. I tried it out on my camcorder and it happily charged away! So that's great! No more three hour waits in cyber-cafes waiting for my devices to charge. And, it has two usb ports, so that a plus too - ipod and camera charging at the same time. Yup, not bad at all for $26!

SKROSS - World USB Charger

Now, to Dukoral or not to Dukoral... that is the question...