Mexico - Part I

Oh, where to start!  Chris and I wanted to celebrate our 20th anniversary by taking an adult only trip.  We made "reservations" with my parents more than a year ago to stay with our kids, and started dreaming and planning our get-away.  Though I am very much a planner, in the end we decided to go with an all-inclusive adult-only resort where we would truly have a relaxing time and all our needs would be met without having to make many decisions.  We chose Mexico because we could get a direct three hour flight from STL and be at our destination in a jiffy.  In a word, AWESOME!

We met Grandpa and Grandma at the airport as they were flying in from Colorado.  We had some time to let the kids enjoy our hotel pool, then we had dinner together before saying good bye to them as they headed back home.   Although I was excited about the week ahead, it was hard to hug the kids good-bye.  Ami shed a few tears along with me, but I knew my treasures would be in great hands. 
 

So bright and early the next morning Chris and I took a taxi to the airport and got on our quick flight to Cancun.  We arrived to cloudy skies and rain :( but for the moment it didn't damper our spirits.

After about a 30 minute ride south we arrived at our amazing resort.  We felt pampered from the get-go and quickly got checked in and then rode the golf cart to our individual casita suite.  AWESOME!!

Jacuzzi in our suite, an extra private outdoor shower, a bed and table on the back patio, not to mention our view of the ocean (through the rain!).  AWESOME!

We had about ten restaurants on the resort to choose from, or we could order room service anytime of day.  It was fine dining all the way and so much yumminess!  This was my first dessert....mango something-or-other with creme brulee....  (I fell in love with fresh mango on this trip!)  We only understood about every other word on the menus, but we enjoyed trying many different things.  Always super service with the chair being pulled out for the lady, napkins placed in our laps, smiles, and even crumb knives from the waiters.  :)  One of the best parts....ordering anything we wanted off of the menus without a concern for price since it was all-inclusive, even tips!

Housekeeping services were incredible and we loved seeing a new towel figure on our bed each day. 

The view towards the beach from the main lobby....through the rain.  The resort in stretched along more than mile of beach.  Our end of the resort was very quiet and it never seemed crowded.  AWESOME!

The main lobby

 

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and it rained pretty solid all that day and night and through Friday as well.  It was a bit of a bummer, but we made the most of it.  We didn't hang out at the beach or at any of the thirteen (!) pools, but we did enjoy walking through some of the resort grounds (immaculately maintained), dining at the restaurants, and our awesome suite.

On Saturday we had scheduled a day trip to see the Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World (I've been to three now....Roman Colosseum, Great Wall!)  It was about a three hour bus ride to the Mayan ruins, but our tour guide was excellent.  The ruins were impressive and we were glad to have a day free of rain!

A funny from the day...there was a family from another resort on our bus tour.  They must have been new to Mexico because shortly after we arrived at the ruins one of the teenagers remarked, "What's the wetness on my skin?"  The mom answered, "That's what they call humidity.  They have that in Ohio."  I had a hard time keeping from laughing out loud!

Along the drive we passed through several Mexican villages, the real Mexico, not "plastic fantastic" as our guide called the resorts on the Riviera Maya.  It was humbling to see the contrast of our world and theirs.

The base of the Yucatan peninsula is much like Missouri's with solid limestone.  Thus they have a lot of caves and sinkholes.  We stopped at a cenote (sinkhole) for lunch and a chance to swim on the way back from the Chichen Itza.  I offered to take pictures while Chris went for a swim in the 135-foot deep hole!  It was cool walking down into the cave and there was a hole directly above the sinkhole that allowed sun to filter in.  Very neat place!

More "real life" Mexico!

Our tour bus also stopped at Spanish mission church built in the 15th century (?).

Hmm, just a little freaky don't you think?!

We left on our tour at 7:30 Saturday morning and got back at 7:30 that evening!  It was a long day, but so worth it to see more of Mexico and to get to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  We were ready for our 8pm dinner reservations and then to crash in bed!

That's it for Part I of our vacation.  So many pictures, it's hard to pare it down for the blog!