Monday 28th January

21.28: I am in Bacalar, it is beautiful, so breath takingly beautiful. Everything I had hoped for; turquoise clear water, untouched nature on the horizon and a swing... A SWING. I am more than happy that I swiftly made my way here, I had imagined to stay in Tulum a little longer but this is the little bit of me I have been searching for. So tranquil. I took the journey with a lovely new German friend Mersher (though I am almost positive that won’t be how it is spelled!) It was good to have company and to have somebody to assist in asking for directions. We spent the duration of the coach journey watching ‘The Martian’ trying to workout what was being said as it was over dubbed in Spanish... I see now why people suggest watching films with subtitles as a great way to learn a language.

They are playing Claptone in the lounge of this massive casa, it feels more like a hotel than a hostel, much more luxurious. It makes me think of our Ibiza lives, and has lead me once again to reflect on how much of a bloody great life I really have. I ate pizza for dinner (I know... A classic Mexican dish!) As much as I love tacos and burritos it was nice to have something a little different. I keep promising myself that I will cook but the food is so cheap and delicious it is easy to take the lazy option. I just booked myself onto a SUP paddle tour tomorrow, should be pretty fun!

Tuesday 29th January

17.15: WHAT A DAY. I slept terribly for the first time since leaving the comfort of my own bed. There were some loud Belgian guys playing stuff on their phones at an obnoxious level, right in that moment I was sending them a devil stare through my tightly closed eyelids but it turns out that after a morning of stand up paddle boarding together I actually really liked them. Plus, one of them saved me from a potential disaster that I shall come back to. I had some vivid bad dreams and constantly felt as though I wasn’t ever truly asleep. So when my alarm went off at 05.55 I was not best pleased, but I was soon to find out that it was more than worth it!

Horhay, our SUP instructor showed us the ropes; how to move about left to right and how to break, gave us life jackets and on we hopped - in the dark, may I add, the moon and stars were still glistening away over the lagoon. I have to admit I was a little bit worried, to begin with it feels very unstable though I quickly adjusted! I had been warned it would be cold in the dark at first so I REALLY didn’t want to fall in wearing 3 layers! I kept repeating a little mantra to myself ‘don’t panic... trust the water’ and consequently all was dandy!

Drifting along the water as the sky turned orange layer by layer on the horizon is a sight I will never forget. A huge sense of calm was travelling with us all, to begin with anyway. After about ten minutes the Belgian guys all started to drop like flies. It was hilarious to watch, though I tried to conceal my giggles; karma and all that. With each minute that passed I felt more and more like I was born to stand up paddle and I am now determined to learn to surf. I got chatting to a lovely guy from Mexico City who was telling me about all of the areas of this country I should visit. The sun popped up into the rainbow coloured morning sky and we worked our way across to a shallow area with lots of reeds. A quick banana snack and then we hit the water again to get across to Cenote Negro for a swim. By now we were in the thick 8am sun so my three layers were over sufficient, I was sweltering! The wind had picked up so crossing the tide was hard work but it made the first dive into the lagoon so much more worth it. I kept thinking of how much my dad would enjoy this experience, though mum and Frances would probably prefer to be waiting at the dock and soaking in the sunshine.

Pulling up at the jetty was awful, I felt like a three year old trying to ride a bike without stabilisers for the first time. But, I made it safely (for now) with the others, gliding up slowly to be able to take a seat and disembark. We ate the sweetest pineapple and spent a little time diving and swimming in the fresh water. It’s not salty like the sea so it was incredible. Cue my Belgian saviour.... I tried to gracefully push myself up onto a paddle board and step out onto the tall jetty but instead of leaping out like a pro I was more like jelly fresh out of the mould; I couldn’t catch my balance. He had both my hands in his, he was laughing, I was laughing, each time he tried to help we went in a different direction. Eventually, after what felt like minutes of left to right to left to right (like those moments when you dance with people trying to pass them on the street) I plopped back into the water like a total novice, scraping my foot along the way which looked horrific at the time but is actually ok now.

We made our way back to the hostel hastily as we were almost going to miss breakfast, which is the best i’ve had so far at this place, killer omelettes! Since getting back I have been basking in the sun, working on my tan. Tough, I know. I cut my hair into a bob because you know, I haven’t changed my hair for years and I felt like it was time to let go of that same old hair style. Edging closer to that head shave (I am joking mum.... Or am I?) I assured her on facetime that I wouldn’t so we’ll see. The beauty of the internet is that I never feel too far from home, I have spoken to all of my family today and I truly feel at about 260% happiness, which I know is impossible but anyone who knows us Shillito’s knows we love to exaggerate!

Wednesday January 30th

07.25: I got up an hour ago to watch the sunrise from the swing. I can just see the pink/orange glow forming behind a cloud. There is a cacophony of natural noise out here in the mornings. A chorus of birds who sound more like a crowd at a rock show than birds singing a pretty song. There are swallows tweeting and swooping around in pairs out from under the canopy. Cockerels crowing intermittently in the distance. Some sort of heron squawking sporadically.

09.51: Just waiting for breakfast now, 10 seems like a late start but it gave me time to go for about an hour long run. Enough time to get some sweet short tan lines. It weirdly felt good to be doing some hills, still had to fight with myself at the start though, the lazy lump inside always wants to give up but once I found my stride it was great. I like running to explore the area, it helps to map it all together.

Thursday 31st January

08.17: The skyline is just stunning today. It is here every day, I am not sure there is ever a day when it is not. The array of different blues is something i’ve never seen before. I moved to Blue Monkey hostel today, much more rustic but in a good way and nice to have a bit of contrast. I spent the majority of yesterday in the sun and am now a little pink... Classic. Not red though. I am looking after my skin, or at least really trying. Carly arrived too, she was the first person I spoke to when I arrived here in Cancun, she offered me food from their bbq and I felt like we were immediate friends.

We have met so many wonderful people here in just one evening. A truly inspiring couple from Iowa who have become like everybodies parents and some lovely English guys who I will try to catch up with in Guatamala.

10.05. I am sat on the grass in the blazing sunshine playing my guitar, attempting to write a new song. I think something is materialising!

Friday February 1st

07.04: I am sat right at the waters edge watching the sunrise in this spot for the final time, I can see the moon, Jupiter and Venus. Thinking about how much of an impact the three English guys have had on this place, everybody was sad to see them go yesterday. It’s funny how the relationships you form can be so instant with some and not at all with others. I FINALLY dropped off my clothes at a laundry place after lunch yesterday, I am more than excited to pick them up.

11.36: It seems to be when I am cycling that I get a huge sense of freedom. Whenever I borrow a bike and get out and about I get those ‘life moments’ and almost can’t believe how lucky I am. I cycled so fast to the laundry shop and got there just as the guy opened the door at 8am! Eager beaver. I meandered my way home feeling over the moon, funny how something as trivial as clean clothes can really make my day. I had planned to get a ferry straight to Caye Culker today (google it right now.... It looks like Jamaican heaven) but I have been persuaded by a lovely Irish lady to check out a small town in the North of Belize first, so three of us will leave together. It seems like a good idea as opposed to travelling entirely alone. ONWARD.