I guess Playa just evolved. We wanted to explore the Yucatan, plus go to Cuba, and there are direct flights from Van to Cancun, and from Cancun to Havana so Cancun seemed the obvious choice for the flight from Van, but we didn't want to stay there because it's a tourist resort town lol. Also we knew we needed a place to stop for the first month or so due to some healing treatments I'd had just before we left Van. Playa seemed a good compromise - some place to land and stop for a bit until we could really get going. We'll stay here 'til mid dec then go to Merida for a week then start exploring Chiapas - more or less. Playa is more touristy than I expected, but it's fine for a rest place. We're quite content here.
Thanks re the photos. I've been having so much fun.