Abi's Deep Dive

One of our partners Kanan Kay were having an AGM in Isla Arena which is in the North of the Yucatan peninsula, and we were invited. I jumped at the opportunity to get to see a bit more of the area, and off I went!! It took nearly 7 hours to get there in the minibus, but we had empanadas for breakfast on the way, and I had a good book as well as needing to do some posts for GVI social media so I kept busy. Las Arena is a slim bit of land that looks like an island in the Gulf of Mexico, but is joined to the mainland. In some bits of the trip the road was a bit like a Devon lane, big enough for one vehicle, but no passing place for miles. We just drove past Merida which looked beautiful, old buildings and a big cathedral but we didn’t stop, instead going straight to Isla Arena for a late lunch.

We were staying at an Eco site right on the beach which had basic one story buildings: one room with a bathroom. I was paired up with a lobster fisherwoman from Punta Allen, Laura. Laura and I had a quick chat then we were all taken out on boat to see the new no fishing zone that is being created. We skirted around the dense mangroves, over green murky water, not like the Caribbean blue I had left behind in Puerto Morelos. The three boats tied off together and one of the local fishermen talked to us about the new project and why they felt it was necessary to boost the fishing stock which had been declining. One of the things I have loved about being here is working with local organizations and seeing projects that are based on their wants and needs, and it was great to feel part of this restoration of a fishing area that was always very important to local families.

We all had a meal and people chatted and caught up, or got to know each other for the first time. Being with the fishermen reminded me of being with the rugby boys at home; there’s such a camaraderie , and lots of laughing and joking together, and although they take the piss it’s all friendly and everyone feels welcome, including me the only native English speaker!!

The next morning I got up early so I could have a walk along the beach before the meetings started. Such a beautiful place, but with the same signs of deprivation I have seen everywhere I have been in Mexico. The abandoned house falling into the water and rubbish collecting on the beach because no-one picks it up and municipality collections are expensive.

The quiet here was incredible, just the noise of the water and the birds. As I walked along this beautiful stretch of coastline in the sun I reflected on the times over the years that I have been on holiday and hoped that one day I would live somewhere just like, this with the sea on my doorstep.

We had a busy day with voting for the board of Kanan Kay and the reports for the year. We then divided into groups to look at the social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of our own organizations and how we can effectively measure impacts, then the conference was over and we all went to see a local crocodile sanctuary and some fireflies! Due to the building on mangroves lots of crocodiles lose their habitat. We see it in Cancun and Puerto Morelos too. These guys were rescued by an old Mexican chap. I didn’t hear what he said about a release plan etc but the older ones had enclosures in the mangroves. I am not sure how sustainable it all was but he clearly was very fond of them all! The fireflies were beautiful but impossible to photograph!! I will put a video onto Instagram but honestly just seeing the little lights in the darkness was pretty awesome!

We got back, ate, showered, then a few of us piled into a truck to “go to town”. Having seen not very much on the way in I was interested to see if there was a late night bar somewhere. Turns out the loud dance music was for little ones on baby go-carts, and we were just headed to a shop to buy beer!! We got back to base and a couple of bottles of very bad scotch also appeared. We talked into the early hours about our lives and experiences and tattoos! I practiced my Spanish and a few people their English, the alcohol definitely helps.

The next morning there was some more networking over breakfast and then we all set off in different directions to get home. Although my Spanish definitely needs improvement, I really enjoyed being part of that community for a couple of days, and strengthened my relationships with the Punta Allen community with whom I did my AGRRA training, as well as making some new contacts to increase GVIs connections in the community here.

A trip I will not forget. (I will take the whisky next time!!)