High Season in Playa del Carmen has proved to be pretty rough so far, and I’ve been going through some tough personal issues, so we took a few days to head down to Tulum for some rest. Peace and quiet is exactly what I found.
Our friend, Irena, hooked us up with a guy named Yuri who has a couple of cabañas for rent on the far South end of Tulum, almost into Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. He calls it Playa Zafiro. These are rustic and pretty bare bones, but my three needs were met: non-sand floor (it was tile), private bathroom, and real lock on the door (no “stick through a loop” would cut it). There was no electricity and apart from wanting coffee in the morning, it was never missed. We had two coolers for ice and food, and plenty of wine, beer, and pre-mixed margaritas. I wanted for nothing. I even had a couple of dirty beach dogs to play with, so I didn’t miss my own two mutts all that much.
This was my home for 3 nights.
How’s that for a front yard view?
Playa Zafiro
I don’t think I saw 10 people in an entire day.
Mother Nature is the best decorator I know.
When I took this, I was thinking of you. For realz.
One afternoon, we headed into Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. An acquaintance had tipped us off to the spectacular sunsets from the top deck of an eco-resort called Cesiak.
This place has 11 or so bungalows and uses alternate energy sources (we saw solar panels and windmills). The grounds were just beautiful and the location couldn’t be beat. Standing high up on their observation roofdeck, I had the Caribbean Sea to the East and a vast, sparkling lagoon to the West.
The sunset was marvelous, I don’t see many sunsets these days.
I walked on the beach this morning and took this, to remind me of where I stand.
I have basically done nothing for the last 2 days, but nothing has felt so meaningful in ages. My head was full, the TV was non-existent, and I had no access at all to a computer. I woke up early and went to bed a few hours after dark. I lived in my head the entire time, and for the first time in a long time, that wasn’t a scary place to be.
[...] Tulum Trip Report Or: Life Doesn’t Suck. __________________ "The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which [...]
By: Weekend Tulum Trip Report - www.Playa.info on January 29, 2008
at 2:52 pm
So Heather, how much does it cost?
By: Ron on January 29, 2008
at 2:54 pm
Looks like a great relaxing mini vacation!
By: Bluespicker on January 29, 2008
at 2:57 pm
The Pacific Coast of Mexico is the place for great sunsets.
By: Catalyst on January 29, 2008
at 3:16 pm
Yeah, I figured the Pacific coast would be a place for great sunsets. We get pretty amazing sunrises, though. *wink*
By: heatherinparadise on January 29, 2008
at 3:22 pm
i love that you enjoyed it so much! it is a magical place to sit with yourself, and the energy is so healing! GOD, i totally sound like a hippie…
By: Irena on January 29, 2008
at 3:49 pm
Wow, I am gone for a day and you post such a new entry with BEAUTIFUL pics! Looks like a place I could use every now and then but for me it’s too far away.
Glad you found some peace and quiet, I think you really needed that (and deserved it).
Andrea
By: Andiline on January 29, 2008
at 4:34 pm
Glad you got relaxed before we show up in Playa (-;…can’t wait to see you…love, J&L
By: Jacko on January 29, 2008
at 4:39 pm
Those pictures make me feel like I’m there again, if just for a few minutes. You really do live in an incredibly beautiful part of the world!
By: Martina on January 29, 2008
at 5:31 pm
Sounds like you got what the doctor prescribed. Good for you. It’s important to listen to yourself and your needs.
By: Elizabeth on January 29, 2008
at 5:54 pm
wow, awesome pics! sounds like a completely heavenly weekend!
By: pamplemoose77 on January 29, 2008
at 6:38 pm
Lovely escape, thanks for the pics! I think it’s important to get out of the hustle bustle of Cancun/PDC and get back to REAL nature sometimes. Better than Prozac!
By: CancunCanuck on January 29, 2008
at 7:02 pm
Glad to hear you got to a good place, literally and figuratively. You needed it, you deserved it, and you should return again soon!
By: StewartG on January 29, 2008
at 7:14 pm
Sounds like a great place to be:)
By: Tappy on January 29, 2008
at 8:11 pm
What a beautiful place. Glad you had time to relax and unwind. Very deserving.
By: jamesblonde on January 29, 2008
at 10:48 pm
Looks like a place I would like to stay myself. Glad you got yourself a nice mini vacation Heather.
By: Thor Henning on January 30, 2008
at 7:19 am
Thanks Heather. Sounds like you had a very restful and fulfilling couple of days.
By: MartyC on January 30, 2008
at 7:37 am
Great photos….I sure love Tulum. Makes me want to rethink my plans of staying up in Playa for the whole month in July.
By: Leasa on January 30, 2008
at 10:20 am
You’re right…Life doesn’t suck! Thanks for letting us into your world/head. It’s not always easy to get past what’s in there. Hope to see you next week!
By: BeckyO on January 30, 2008
at 12:00 pm
Awesome!!! And well deserved………
By: Joana on January 30, 2008
at 5:01 pm
What a slice of heaven Heather! Beautiful pictures. Glad you got a chance to recharge your batteries.
By: Eileencc on January 30, 2008
at 5:52 pm
Very cool place…love the views!! I am so ready for our vacation!!
By: Monica on January 30, 2008
at 6:31 pm
Chill space. We all need it from time to time.
Good scenery helps. But if you have to make do with sun-washed tropical beaches and azure skies instead, then just do the best you can.
By: Roads on January 30, 2008
at 9:00 pm
When I went to work today it was -4 degrees fahrenheit (without the windchill). I was thinking of you. Ass.
Love, Jer
By: Jerry on January 31, 2008
at 12:43 am
Heather, what a great place to clear your head. Good for you!
By: Michele on February 2, 2008
at 3:11 pm
Hi Heather,
it looks absolutely beautiful! – exactly what im looking for…
sorry to intrude but if you have the time, id love to find Zafiro too
thanks.
manda
By: Amanda on February 3, 2008
at 5:45 pm
I thought I’d left a comment… guess it was on the forum… anyway, nice pics and good for you for getting a break. I’m still skeered of the inside of my head… someday I hope to have one of your Tulum moments… til then I’ll live through yours…
By: charmarie221 on February 3, 2008
at 9:35 pm
My gosh I miss warmth on my skin…..
I am so done blowing snow…I at some points had three foot drifts….and the non drifts were almost two feet. I hate winter.
These pics are amazing and when I come, please take me there. If only for one night.
Glad you got to relax and enjoy.
By: Amy on February 8, 2008
at 8:04 pm
you have super pretty feets
By: lizzy on February 14, 2008
at 11:06 pm