Stories Untold - A Tribute to Señor Frog, Cozumel's Least Desirable Vehicle
In the vibrant coastal town of Cozumel, Mexico, a pair of travelers embarked on an adventure they would never forget. Their journey began with the rental of a bright red convertible jeep, named Senor Frog, for about £30 from a local dealer. However, the vehicle felt more like a toy and was a busted-up, bright green imitation of a VW Beetle.
Their first challenge came when they noticed that the doors of Senor Frog did not lock, making their ride through the bustling streets of Cozumel an unusual spectacle. The travelers, who looked like the most ridiculous sight to have ever graced the streets, continued their journey with a giant inflatable swan, named Alberto, tied into the back of the jeep using scarves.
As they drove, Senor Frog refused to enter second gear and instead jumped straight from first to third with a dangerous clunking sound. To add to their woes, the fuel gauge of Senor Frog was stuck at a quarter tank, even after being filled up. This led to a tense drive home, with the travelers unsure if Senor Frog would make it.
Their troubles didn't end there. While driving Senor Frog, a passenger door swung open, nearly taking out a scooter. In an attempt to fix the issue, a battle with the jeep's tarpaulin cover ensued, resulting in it filling up with water and collapsing.
To make matters worse, heavy rain occurred during their drive home, causing one windscreen wiper to fling off. Soaked and filthy, both travelers braved the downpour, with Janet sticking her head out the side window occasionally to get a better view of the flooded roads. Despite the challenges, they managed to retrieve the lost windscreen wiper, Janet scrabbling about in the mud at the side of the road.
Common issues with rental cars in Cozumel, as well as in other tourist areas, often mirror those experienced elsewhere in Mexico. These include insurance scams, vehicle condition and inspection issues, hidden or surprise fees, poor customer service, and fuel pump scams. Travelers are advised to thoroughly inspect rental cars, clarify all fees beforehand, and use reputable rental companies to minimize risks.
This travel story is part of a new series focusing on untold stories from the author's travels, with the aim of being more creative and sharing simple, funny, or poignant moments from their journeys that don't normally find a home on their blog. Despite the mishaps, the adventure in Cozumel remains a memory the travelers will cherish.
- The travelers' adventure-filled journey in Cozumel was not only marked by beautiful coastal views, but also by the challenges they faced with their busted-up rental car, Senor Frog.
- Amidst the chaos of car-maintenance issues and unexpected adventures, the pair's car troubles mirrored common issues faced by travelers renting cars in tourist areas, like fuel pump scams and poor vehicle conditions.
- As they navigated the flooded roads of Cozumel, the travelers' lifestyle took an unexpected turn, balancing the thrill of adventure travel with the routine maintenance of their uncooperative red convertible jeep.
- Leaning into the spirit of their adventure, the travelers' eccentric choice of transportation - a bright red convertible jeep named Senor Frog, an inflatable swan named Alberto, and a busted-up, green car-mockup – became an emblem of their lifestyle and untold travel stories, now part of an exciting new series.
