In summer 2012 it became clear that I could be available to retire from my state job in 2013. After a conversation with the retirement office and a purchase of back service, I determined that a retirement date of July 31, 2013 was possible. The annuity would be small and living in Austin with it’s increasing taxes would be challenging to say the least. With Lisa’s help we created a plan. With my small annuity and her VA disability check, just maybe we could afford to retire and travel as we’ve always dreamed.
The search for a retirement location was narrowing and everything pointed to Bacalar in southern Yucatan. It was time for a visit to see el pueblo for ourselves. The trip would also be an opportunity to stop in Tulum on the way to Bacalar to visit my friend Karen and see her house.
We planned the trip for the first two weeks in December and made arrangements to fly into Cancun. We left on a Friday and arrived among the beach vacation and bachelor-party crowd, already in flip-flops and ready to soak up the sun (them not us). I stopped at the kiosk in the airport for ADO (ah-day-OH) bus line and got our tickets to Tulum. Buses in Mexico are clean and comfortable. We arrived easily and found the Weary Traveler Hostel not far from the bus terminal. Hostels can be a fun way to connect with other travelers in a laid back environment. For about $30 a night, we had a basic room, communal kitchen, breakfast and a free bus ride to the beach.
We spent the weekend exploring the pyramids, visiting Karen and Skip’s house and hanging out on the beach. Come Monday morning, we were ready to put Tulum behind us and head off to Bacalar.
ADO is a government supplemented transportation company that offers extensive and efficient transportation services.
Los Arboles Tulum - An off-the-grid community near Tulum Mexico
Karen & Skip’s beautiful home on five acres in the jungle is waiting for their solar panels.
love you both. Garth
Keep working on that Spanish. It just might come in handy.