Saturday, April 6 to Saturday, April 20, 2013 (Trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico)

**Warning:  This blog in picture intensive...remember to click on picture to enlarge**

We left cloudy, dreary Victoria Saturday morning...(I had woken up with a bit of a scratchy throat, so I bought some ColdFX at the airport hoping to put a stop to it...but it didn't work, I ended up with a sinus thing and cough the whole two weeks...sheesh!!)...


...and after a 5 1/2 hour flight, arrived at the Cancun Airport...

We found our shuttle driver and after a short wait for more passengers, we were on our way to the resort.  It was about 7:00 when we arrived at The Grand Mayan Riviera Maya Resort.  We had a one bedroom suite booked but I thought since Steve's uncle and aunt (Gordon and Esther) were joining us, it would be nice if they would upgrade us to a 2 bedroom suite.  They would not upgrade us in The Grand Mayan but they would give us a 2 bedroom suite in the Mayan Palace (a step down from the Grand Mayan)...hmmmm....decisions, decisions.  It was in building 2 (out of 21 buildings that get farther away from the pools and ocean the higher the number) so it was nice and close to the everything.  We decided to take it for now and then talk to Gordon and Esther in the morning.  Their flight was scheduled to arrive from Edmonton at 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. 

As soon as we got to our room, we changed into shorts and flip-flops and headed out to find someplace for a light bite to eat.  The place is huge and we walked around and around...all we wanted was a bar where we could get a beer and a snack but all we could find were restaurants.  Wow, I think it is going to take some time to get our bearings around here...of course, it was dark, so that didn't help.  We finally decided on the Mexican Restaurant where we had a couple of beers and shared some "build your own" tacos.

We found our way back to our room and called it a night.  We didn't think that we would even try to stay up and welcome Gordon and Esther since it would likely be around 3:00 a.m. by the time they made it to the resort.  Well...I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and since I hadn't heard anything, thought I would check to see if they were there...nope!  Oh sheesh, where are they?! Shortly after that, I heard the quiet closing of doors...whew...they made it.

Sunday morning Steve and I left Gordon and Esther to sleep and went out to find a restaurant for breakfast. We were anxious to see the beach, so after breakfast, we found it...

Back at the room, Esther and Gordon were up and after big hugs and greetings, we sat down and chatted for a bit.  We found out that their flight from Edmonton had been delayed a couple of hours...they also had to de-ice before they could take off.  After quickly getting caught up, we decided to go over to The Grand Mayan and ask to have a look at one of their suites.  Well, one look and we decided to move over to the one bedroom that we had originally booked. We have one week booked in the Grand Mayan and one week in the Mayan Palace...let's take the first week here and see if we can "sweet talk" them into letting us stay here the second week. Our suite was in building 13, in The Grand Mayan Jungle, quite a distance but they have shuttles that run regularly or a lovely walk through beautiful gardens.  Since we hadn't really unpacked much, the move was quick.

Next thing on the agenda was a trip into Playa del Carmen to the Mega Store for groceries and liquor.  The resort has plenty of restaurant options but is also very expensive so we are going to take advantage of the partial kitchen in the suite and cook most of our meals.  The taxi driver dropped us off at a restaurant across the street from the Mega Store...Gordon and Esther hadn't had anything to eat yet.

All stocked up with groceries, beer and wine, it was time to get unpacked...this is the main area of the suite...

Esther is unpacking in the bedroom...

Gordon is cooling off in the plunge pool out on the patio...

The bathroom...there's a sink/mirror and then into the main bathroom, there are double sinks and a walk-in shower with glass door as well as a separate toilet room...all very nice.  There is also a door from the bedroom (the bedroom also had a huge jetted soaker tub).

With the unpacking all done, it's time to relax.  We really like having a patio but sure wish there were proper patio chairs...all there was were 2 rather uncomfortable lounge chairs...

...consequently we had to bring out chairs from the kitchen...

Gordon and Esther cooking dinner...while Steve supervises...

After a delicious dinner and a lovely evening, the maids came in and made up our bed...this is our "playpen"...

The next morning Steve and I were having coffee out on the patio when we had a visitor.  This is a Coati (Nasua)...it's related to the raccoon.

After our morning coffee, I headed out for a power walk around the resort while Gordon went to the pool to do his morning laps....the start of a regular routine for the next couple of weeks.

Our first day at the beach...it was cloudy to start but cleared up after a bit and it was windy; a deadly combination because you don't feel that hot.  Later that evening as we were enjoying happy hour back at our room,  I kept getting redder and redder...oops!  Esther got quite red as well.

Unfortunately, access to the ocean in front of our resort wasn't the best...it would have been nice to have sand instead of the rocks.  Gordon and Esther braved it wearing water shoes to make it over the rocks but Steve and I didn't try.

The next day we walked from our suite to the pools...a beautiful walk through the "jungle"...

This pool is unique...it has a sandy beach with a water trough along the edge to clean your feet before going into the pool...

This is the spot we chose today...

The infinity pool next to the lagoon...

After a few hours by the pool, we went back to the room, got cleaned up and then took a taxi into Playa del Carmen for some sightseeing and dinner. The taxi dropped us off at one end of 5th Avenue and we walked all the way to the other end.

We stopped for a cold beer at a café with Wi-Fi (Gordon and I had our devices out connecting with the outside world!)...

At this point, Esther and I went our own way shopping while Gordon and Steve did their own thing...we met up again after about an hour.  Steve took this picture of a Mayan Temple that was next to the restaurant we were just in...

This is quite the costume...

A look down towards the beach...hmmm...those clouds don't look very good...

Gordon and Steve decided to stop for another beer...

This is the main beach in the heart of Playa del Carmen near the ferry to Cozumel...

We met up at Senor Frog's....

Cozumel way off in the distance...

As we were walking through the town square, we were in time to watch a performance.  I don't know what it is called but there are five fellows that climb up to the top of the pole, four of them wrap the rope around their ankles, and then fall backwards off the top and twirl upside down as the rope unwinds.  This fellow is playing the flute as they start climbing up the pole...

After watching the show, we walked up 5th Avenue and chose a restaurant for dinner (no easy feat with so many choices)...








...where the waiters brought out our Margaritas on their heads...

We had lots of entertainment...

What a great afternoon and evening!

Wednesday morning Steve and I went for a long walk around the resort...don't let the clouds fool you, it was very hot and humid!  Here are some pictures we took on our walk...

It's pretty quiet around the pools and beach this early in the morning...

Take a look at the trees...yup, it was pretty windy!  It was actually very windy the whole time we were there.

Very cool benches at the shuttle stop...

That afternoon we took a taxi to a small beachfront resort called Petit Lafitte.  Gordon and Esther have friends that go to the resort every year and have gotten to know the bartender, Jesus, very well.  Jesus and his wife have also visited Canada.  He was coming on shift at 3:00 so we went to the resort a little early so that we could enjoy the beautiful beach.

We found some chairs on the beach and Esther and I changed into our swim suits (Steve and Gord had worn theirs)...

Then it was time to play in the waves...

 ...and take in a few rays...

Shortly after 3:00, we went up to the bar to meet Jesus who made us some excellent Margaritas...

Thursday morning, Gord, Esther and I decided to sacrifice a morning to go to a "presentation"...their typical spiel "it will only take an hour and a half". (Steve swore he would never attend one of these again after being to three before and stuck to his guns.) So we were taken to the buffet and after a nice breakfast, we went on a tour of the display suites and then to the presentation center where Leslie explained the program.  Well, I really didn't mind the first couple of hours but after politely saying "no thank-you", we were passed on to no fewer than five more people who tried their best to get us (or should I say Gordon and Esther) to buy.  They really didn't want to take no for an answer!  Oh well, we finally made it out...and for our sacrifice, we received 4 tickets to Isla Mujeres as well as a $300 credit for food and drinks at the resort and 10% off our entire bill at the end of our stay.

That night we went out for a great dinner at Havana Moon.  The restaurants at the resort were expensive but they really had good food.




At 9:00 a Cuban Band started playing...

The pools really looked cool at night...

After doing our best to stay at The Grand Mayan, they said that they were all booked up...so on Saturday, we had to move over to the Mayan Palace.

Not quite as nice of a kitchen as there was in The Grand...

The view from our room...(that's another Coati Nasua down there)

Time for a walk down the beach...

We went by this old resort that is boarded up and for sale...

We stopped in front of the Iberostar Resort where Gord and I decided to go into the water...beautiful sandy beach right into the water here...

Gord played in the water more than I did...what fun in the waves!

Time to walk back...

Nice vacation rental property...

Almost back now...that's our resort.

After an exhausting walk, it was time to relax by one of the pools...

Tuesday (April 16) was our trip to Isla Mujeres.  Steve woke up feeling a little congested....oh, oh...surely after eleven days he can't be catching my cold! The tour company would be picking us up at 8:40 so there was no lolly-gagging around this morning!  The van arrived promptly and we were soon on our way to Cancun and Las Perlas Hotel and Marina where we would be taking the Sea Passion Catamaran called Tahiti.  The tour included snorkeling on the way to the island, a buffet lunch on the island and then free time in the downtown area.

Boarding the catamaran...

The colour of the water is absolutely incredible...so beautiful...

We are arriving at the spot where we will be snorkeling...it's a national marine park.

Steve and I were one of the first ones out into the water. Absolutely awesome!  After swimming around and seeing all sorts of beautiful fish, I decided to go back onto the boat so that I could take pictures.  It wasn't long after that when they started calling everyone back in.  That is Steve in the water with his arms up in the air...

Steve coming on board...

 Once snorkeling was over, the bar opened...

Gordon on board!

 And Esther...

Captain of the boat...

Just look at the colour of that water....stunning!

The ferry from Cancun over to Isla Mujeres...

We are entering the harbor where we will be docking and going for lunch.

Getting off the catamaran and up to the Beach Club...

WOW!  Such a lovely setting...

We managed to get one of the beachfront tables...

Steve took a walk out to the end of the pier...looking back towards outdoor buffet...

...view to the left...

 ...and view to the right...

Lots of tour boats out...

One final look...and we head back to the catamaran...

We are heading out of the harbor and to the downtown area.  There is a little dancing going on...

 Some beautiful homes line the waterfront...

We passed the sister-catamaran...

 ...and a Mexican navy ship...

This is where we are docking...

We started to walk down this road but once away from the breeze along the waterfront, it was incredibly hot, so we turned around and walked along the main street towards North Beach...

North Beach...

We were hot and thirsty, so we went into this restaurant across from the beach for a beer (and water)...

Holy crap I'm hot!

Well, that was a quick hour and a half...time to head back to the boat...

 

Posing in front of a map of Isla Mujeres

Time to get back on board...

Awww...great picture!

Now it's time for some entertainment from the crew...and tequila shots!

Gordon and Esther's turn for tequila!

And more dancing...

The resort district of Cancun...

We're almost back now...we had an incredible day...lots of fun!

The rest of the week was spent lazing on the beach or by the pool.  Unfortunately, Steve did end up with a cold...we made a fine pair! Our mornings always started off with coffee on our very small deck...

They have built an artificial reef trying to regain and keep sand on the beach...

Thursday afternoon we decided to take a taxi to the small fishing village of Puerto Morelos, just north of the resort.

Being a Minister Uncle Gord had to check out the Church...

 

We stopped here for a drink...



...and then continued our walk...this is the public beach...

Laundry out drying on the roof of this Mexican home...

After passing lots of restaurants where owners would try to lure us in, we decided on this spot (although I can't remember the name of it).  Filipe told us they had the best Margaritas...and if you didn't like them, you don't pay for them... and if you like them you pay double... he was kidding of course...they were very very  good!

Saturday (April 20), we got our suitcases all packed and checked out...Steve and I would be taking a 5:00 p.m. shuttle to the airport while Gordon and Esther would be leaving at 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Now we have the rest of the day to enjoy our final moments at the beach...

Shortly after 3:00, we went to the pool restaurant for a bite to eat before heading up to the hospitality suite.  Gord had arranged for the suite...we had it for one hour, so Steve and I quickly got showered and dressed.  We said our goodbyes to Gordon and Esther and after big hugs, we went down to the lobby to wait for our shuttle.  It was so good spending time with them...we had a wonderful time!

We arrived at the airport at 5:30 for our 7:20 flight back to Victoria.  Steve suggested we buy an hour of Wi-Fi yesterday so we could book our seats on Westjet. Thank goodness we did  because the line up at the WestJet wickets was horrendous!  There were three flights all leaving around the same time...one to Toronto, one to Vancouver and our flight.  After slowly moving in the line, we came to a sign that said those who had already checked in were to go to this other line...and it was empty...yay!

We had an uneventful 6 hour and 28 minute flight to Victoria.  Towards the end, there was a medical emergency and they asked if there were any medical people on board.  Once we landed, they asked everyone to remain seated so that EMS could come aboard and take care of the individual.  We don't know what the problem was but it didn't appear to be critical.

After taking a taxi, we arrived home at 1:00 a.m. and were bed by 1:20.  By Playa del Carmen time, it would be 3:20 and Gordon and Esther would likely be just boarding their plane home to Edmonton.