Better Than a Postcard

The skies in Mexico are amazing!  The sunrises are definitely worth getting up early to see.  I started my runs in the dark, then made my way to the beach to watch the sky emerge.  As much as I loved the sunrises, the dusky sunsets are even better.  As the sun starts to set, everyone packs up and leaves so it's quiet and peaceful, and beautiful....my favorite part of the day.

Mexico Xel-Ha

While in Mexico, I rarely choose to leave the resort - let's be honest, I rarely leave my beach chair. Xel-Ha has become a favorite place to visit and is fun enough to make it worth missing a day of relaxing and reading.  Ok, so a day at Xel-Ha isn't exactly tough, but we do spend the day pretty busy.  The park has so much to see and do and we usually leave with the feeling that we could have spent several more hours.

Showing off our traditional dress.

 

See that cliff in the background where people are getting ready to jump?  It doesn't look very high because of our perspective - we are on a bridge.  But believe me, it is high.  While floating down the river we decided to stop and jump off the cliff.  We headed up the path and Tim walked right up to the edge and jumped.  I thought I would do the same but as soon as I got to the edge I totally froze and couldn't do it.  I ended up standing up there, watching numerous people come and go and getting more and more freaked out.  I ended up making friends with two other girls who were equally squared and we all eventually jumped.  So fun, but I don't think I will do it again.  

This year they had a new attraction, zip bikes that let you ride through the jungle.  It was a really cool to see the jungle up close.  

We had a great time on the rope swing.  I was pretty impressed with my skills.  Tim and my dad were much more impressive but we didn't get any still photos of them.  

  Xel-Ha 2015 was a great time.

Mexico 2015

See, the trick to writing about a trip to Mexico is to do it quick, you should write while you still have tan lines, and haven't lost the amazing feeling of the sun and sand.  Unfortunately, I have waited too long and am having a hard time figuring out how to catch the magic of the vacation while surrounded by gray skies and a never ending "to do" list.  Hmmmm, this picture should help........

For the past three years, ever since we got home from our last trip together to Mexico, my parents have been suggesting another getaway.  Tim started that hunt early and after a lot of looking, found the perfect beach front condo at our favorite resort, The Royal Haciendas.  Going with my parents made it a little more difficult to leave the babies but Tim's parents graciously agreed to come stay at our house and spend the week with Luke and Ruby.  I really worried about leaving them, they are now old enough to miss us, but the lure of a week on the beach was too alluring not to go.  So, we packed up our stuff (way too much stuff, I am a self diagnosed, chronic over-packer), and headed out.  Nothing better than leaving the mountains behind and landing over the ocean.  

We made it through the chaos of the Cancun airport without any real complications, found our shuttle, and after a short van ride, arrived in paradise.  The resort was just as we left it the last time, absolutely beautiful.  

ROYAL HACIENDAS

The view from our balcony,

Worth every penny.

The first day was really cloudy and rainy.  We were all pretty patient with the weather.  Tim and I hung out in the hot tub on our balcony, and even took a long afternoon nap.

Once the rain cleared, Tim took advantage of the empty beaches

And went out metal detecting,

His finds for the day...

Sun or no sun,

I was still excited to get started on my books,

Oh, and jump start on a week full of beach selfies.

We outlasted everyone else on the beach,

The second morning started off cloudy and I began to get nervous, but then the sun came out and it was game on.  The resort came to life, and I settled in for a week of fun in the sun.  Ok, really a week of relaxing and reading, but that is my kind of fun.

My parents found the water volleyball,

And my mom already knew her way to water aerobics.

And of course, the pool bar.

I was the only one willing/able to lie around all day.  My parents went on bike rides and explored town.  Tim ran to Playa, rode a bike to Playa, and explored various beaches with his metal detector.

Our condo had a full kitchen so we ate a lot of sandwiches, eggs, and other easy meals.  We did venture into Playa for dinner one night, and had a great meal at the resort on our last night.

I don't think this is the fish I ate, but you never know.

Until next time....adios and buena suerte.