On Sunday, 21 June we woke up and packed a day pack as we were heading to some ruins outside of the city called Coba. We had some breakfast and then found a great little bakery and bought some snacks for later. Bakeries are everywhere in Mexico and they all churn out stacks of the most delicious baked goods. Especially common are crispy pasteries sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.... yum!

Once at avo a ruins we hired bikes to cycle between the sites as they are quite far apart. We met a French Canadian, Vincent, who cycled from site to site with us. We fidn't get a guide so didn't understand a lot of the history but it was beautiful to cycle in the lush forest and see the structures and remains of the famous Ball Courts.

The Americans we had met in Puerto Morellos had recommended that we take a trip to Akumal Beach and swim with the sea turtles. Vincent had been the previous day and he recommended it too, and said that we would have sufficient time once we returned from Coba ruins to get through to the beach.

We bussed back to a Tulum, grabbed our swimming gear and then caught a Collectivo through to Akumal Beach. A short walk down a paved path and we walked onto the most beautiful beach. It was the weekend so the beach was full of locals spending time with family and friends. We rented some snorkel gear, dumped our bag and made our way to the ocean. A tip we were given by Eve and Vincent was to go and look for the turtles in the grass - they like to eat it so they just float around. I honestly couldn't believe my eyes when we saw the first one swim past us. This guy was quite big and with a couple smooth pulls with his flippers, he glided right past us and started munching on some grass. Kevin and I lifted our heads to the surface and laughed out loud - this was unreal. He was so close! We ducked down again and followed him around while he are a bit more grass. And then, the best part - he needed some air. Up he popped (and so up he popped) just in time to see his little turtle mouth open up for air and then under he went. Up again he popped for a second gulp and then deep he swam.

We decided to go search for some more and it didn't take us long before we found another one. In total I think we saw six turtles in less than an hour. We just hung out with them as they swam around munching their grass, complete unaware of us. Someone then arrived with a floating raft and a GoPro and we decided it was time to go. We didn't want to frighten the creatures. I really did climb out the ocean grinning... and grinned the whole way home.

On leaving the beach, we bumped into Vincent again - he had come to see the turtles again. While we were walking to the Collectivo stop the heavens opened and we got drenched in about 30 seconds. Soaking we stood waiting for a Collectivo and finally once stopped and picked us up. We felt so bad that we would wet the seats but I local told us to relax - it often rains and the drivers don't mind the seats getting wet.

Swimming with turtles wasn't something on my bucket list but wow, what an experience. If you ever get a chance to swim with these cool creatures, go for it! It will be an experience you will never forget!