We arrived at the resort a day late so our room wasn't going to be ready for a couple of hours. They suggested we ride the shuttle (golf cart) down to Jo-Jo's to eat. It's so beautiful here. The weather was the perfect temperature. It was pretty much the perfect temperature from the time you work up until you went to bed but I also like heat. Especially since there is the ocean or lovely pool you can jump into if you feel too hot.
Our hotel room before our presence sullied it. At this point, I'm just glad we have a place to sleep.
Why yes. That is a jacuzzi with a canopy. Don't you have one in your bedroom?
The view out of our swim up suite. We had our own little pool! Isn't that fun? The idea was very fun but we spent most of our time at the beach or pools. Our weirdo Canadian neighbours stayed in theirs a lot. He had a cooler with tequila on his deck. I'm still fascinated by the cooler. Did he fly with a cooler here? Buy it at the local Wal-mart? Why do you need a cooler full of tequila you had to provide when all alcohol is free and plentiful?
The view from our pool to our deck. I don't know why I agreed to a photo of me in a bikini in a hammock. I must have been high on non-airport air.
Our resort was all-inclusive which means you don't have to spend a cent while your there. The only thing we paid for was our couples massage on the beach. We had a $50 coupon for the spa so we thought we'd go for that. It was quite enjoyable. The rest of the time we enjoyed the fine service at the several gourmet restaurants, health "bars", and room service. That's right, free room service. Which means Ryan and I had a plate of nachos each night before bed, because we could. Every meal was at least 3 courses but we liked how the servings weren't that big. That way you feel okay about eating two appetizers and maybe a desserts.
One thing I really liked was the fruit. Fresh fruit everywhere and so many different kinds. I took this photo for my dad because he really likes fruit. Ryan didn't think I could eat this but I did. I showed him! This was where we ate breakfast most days. It had every sort of breakfast item you would ever desire. Want an egg white omelet with spinach, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms? They'll make it for you. Want a chocolate fountain at breakfast? Who wouldn't!
The only problem we had with the eating set up was the dress code. Dinner was supposed to be nice dress and the men were supposed to wear "casual shoes" or "dress sandals". Since Ryan abhors sandals, you can guess which one he went with. He brought his all-stars which he had washed before "to look extra nice". The first night we went to dinner they wouldn't let Ryan in but they were letting men in with sandals. So he had to go all the way back to our room and put on his plastic flip-flops he brought for the beach. He can barely walk in the things. So for the rest of the vacation he went to dinner in flip-flops. We met a lot of other guests who were having a similar issue. One suggested they develop a "shoe chart" which made me laugh.
We did a couple of excursions while in there. One day we went to Selvatica which involved zip lining through the Mayan jungle. Since cameras were not allowed "for our safety" (whatevs) Yet I was forced to hold a parrot for a cheesey photo op. We didn't purchase any photos. I can only offer you this link Zip Lining You can pretend that's me in the video. I did zip line upside down because I figure I'm only going to do this once so I might as well go for it. It was hot but fun. After we zip lined, the guides took us over to this rope swing thing. We were all hot and tired and wanted to get to the cenote but they thought we'd love this. About 7 people did it and then we mutinied and were taken to the cenote. I made Ryan do it.
Finally! The cooling cenote. In our group there were people from Alberta, Montreal and Ontario. Kind of crazy. The French Canadians were at our resort and were a bit obnoxious. The one chick had a diamond in her tooth.
Nothing like a sweet photo on the way home from a hot, sweaty day in the Mayan jungle.
The other day we went to Xel-ha which is a natural aquarium. You basically snorkel all day. We took an underwater camera but I haven't developed the photos.
I liked it here but the water was a little cooler than the Caribbean because it had river water feeding into it. Still it was beautiful and we saw a lot of fish and corral. We also snorkeled in a cave. It was all inclusive too which I'm really beginning to love.
We went to Tulum for the second part of the day. I went to Tulum with my mom a couple of years ago and loved it. We were dumb and forgot our camera this day so we only took pictures with the disposable underwater one. You'll just have to do with these I found on google images.
The beach at Tulum is a favorite of mine. You should probably go there before you die. Not like I've been to many places but I'm glad I've seen this.
We spent the rest of the time back at the resort except for Friday night when we went into Playa del Carmen for some shopping. I was pretty much in love with the resort life. Eating, drinking, sleeping, reading, swimming, room service nachos, and all of it is free for the asking.
Ryan sitting by the main building/lobby.
This is where you waited outside for the shuttles/over-sized golf carts. I loved the palm tree canopies.
Ryan got up early our last morning (um crazy?) to take photos of the beach at sunrise. This isn't the part of the beach we swam in since it's rocky but I thought it was a nice photo.
I got a flower in my hair!
"Now, this is how you eat a coconut. Insert in mouth and bite."
Flowers
I debated long and hard about this photo. I really wanted to show the canopy beds they had by the pools and beaches. These were lovely. What isn't lovely is the bloat I'm experiencing from 7 days of all-you-can-eat/drink-all-the-time. I should have had Ryan take this photo on day 1, not 7. Whatever, I'm old.
Lastly, a photo of Tonita who must be famous since she was the only iguana with a plaque.
