Rivera Maya

Back in March Simi went with her friend Kelly down to Cancun, Mexico as a pre-planning trip for Kelly's wedding. The first week of October was the wedding itself, so on Saturday Simi and I boarded Southwest's finest 737 and flew on down to Mexico! We arrived to a crazy heavy afternoon shower. The peddlers outside of the gate begun to harass us to right in their taxi, but we ignored the pleas as we had already booked transportation. With acknowledging the ride ticket with the travel company we then stood around and waited for some additional guests. Those folks never arrived so it was just Simi and I in a big van headed down to our resort for the next four days.

We had booked four days at our own resort and were going to meet up with the wedding party on the following Wednesday, with the ceremony on Friday. Our place was called Now Sapphire. A bellhop took the bags, and we were escorted to the VIP Lounge. Free drinks, snacks, and air conditioning as once the rain let up the humidity was blanketing. The resort was unique in having ponds with fountains setup like the grid of a small city. Thatch covered vaulted ceilings where the streets and it was two lefts and two rights to get to the pool.  Once stayed a few nights it became easier to navigate around the water features. We left the VIP Lounge having declined the time share speech and arrived to our awaiting room with a nice "Happy Anniversary" plastered across the door. The room was nicely appointed and had a beautiful second story balcony view of the ocean.

The view was stellar, but the passing storm churned up the water and it made the beach become coated in a nice thick layer of brown seaweed. The waves were small, and the salt water was the appearance of chocolate milk! Bags unpacked it was a visit to the Market Cafe (buffet) for lunch. I tried the various local fruits offered, and none were as tasty as I hoped. The sun began to peak out of the clouds and it was swim time! The pool was gigantic with a bar (that served up delicious fruit smoothies), fountains, and in-water chairs for tanning.  After the pool it was a quick shower and a delicious dinner. I think we went to bed before 9 that night.

Sunday we were up early before the sun, and the workers had tirelessly cleaned the seaweed to prevent any rot and stench. After a delicious breakfast it was back to the room to get some more sleep. It's a guilty pleasure for that after breakfast nap. It's so good! We were back at the pool for the afternoon and floated around until nice and pruned fingers. By 4pm the volleyball courts were gathering for a game, and Simi and I played for about 90 minutes with other guests and resort workers. It was great to get out and play in the sand again.  A shower to wash the sand, it was to the Mexican themed restaurant for dinner. We were then blessed with clearing skies and viewed the lunar eclipse / blood moon from the beach in hammocks. It was quite nice!

Another early morning on Monday and found our reserved pool side cabana. Ocean breeze and the shade of the cabana really was perfect. I don't mind pool days, but just the brutal sun shine can really get the skin nice and crispy. The pool was hopping and the grill at the pool was serving hot dogs and burgers. A tasty meal prepared us for the hydrotherapy and massage session Simi had booked us. First room was the sauna. Temps were in the 150s and sweat was dripping like a broken faucet. The spa worker then placed us into the steam room. It was around 110, but the humidity was at like 99%. It was a small room but the cloud of steam so thick I couldn't see my own feet.

We left the steam room and took a dip into the hot tub. The jets were so relaxing. Then it was a just go for it dip into the cold tub! This was just like a giant bubbling hot tub, but with cold water. It was very refreshing. There was a final pool with water jets designed to blast your back with pulsating water for a brilliant aqua massage. Our final exercise at the spa was a 50 minute back / neck / shoulders massage.  This was excellent, and I felt like my bones had melted away and I was a blob of total relaxation.

Dinner that night was at the Japanese Steakhouse on site. The food was excellent and it included the show famous for the onion volcano, and flipping the food all around the hibachi. The resort put together guest entertainment by building a stage in the middle of the pool where a group preformed The Fire Show. Burning batons spun their flames as the performers danced and did gymnastics with the flames.

Tuesday we had breakfast at the VIP lounge and then met up with the wedding party. They were at their resort that hosted the wedding while we stayed at our resort for our quality time. Met up, we were a  group of 6 people strong, we boarded a van and headed south for the day's excursion by our guide David. David took us to the beach were we slapped on flippers and snorkels and waded out into the water. About 100 yards out there was a protected turtle sanctuary. Giant sea turtles were feeding and seemed at home with the people swimming around them.  The clear warm waters were also home to a gigantic barracuda who didn't care we were there. There were some beautifully colored fish, and coral, and right near shore, we caught a glimpse of a sting ray chillin' in the shallows.

The tide was coming in and blasting our group with salt water waves. Swallowing the salt water isn't recommended and there was a general sense of upset stomachs within the group. It had approached lunch so within our excursion package was a free meal. Local chefs had BBQ chicken, beans, rice, salad, and pop awaiting. This got everyone rinsed of the salt water taste and recharged.

Our crew then went with David to the ATV center. Our adrenaline junkie crew then blasted the jungle in four wheelers. We crossed streams, and traversed hills and valleys to arrive to our first cenote (sea-no-tay). This is a fresh water filled pond inside a cave. The water is ice cold, but so refreshing in the heat of the day. The depths of the water are a challenge as the rock that looks like you could stand upon is actually 30 feet down, while the one you don't know about stubs your toe.  Leaving the cenote we were zooming along and stopped to check on the train of people. No one was behind me! A bit of panic as David then began to run back. I ran back with him to find some of our group and my wife had stopped for an ATV that stalled out possibly from a water crossing.  Crisis averted.

More zooming around the jungle in the ATVs and back to the center. Our second visit to the cenote was a hike to a walk to some stairs and down into the cave we went. David offered us a behind the scenes experience which some people (Simi)  said "nope!" to the challenge. David guided us in the murky waters under a low crawl to a cave that's never seen the light of day. Standing in pitch black, muddy cold waters took a few deep breaths to keep the nerves at bay. David pointed to a dim glow and said that's the way out. Our group of brave morons then crawled thru the murky water on knees and elbows with the ceiling just inches from the water. The crawl was about 15 feet of self preservation testing fortitude. I'm glad I did it, but I don't think that is my cup of tea.

The standard tourism visits another cenote that's well lit by underwater lighting. Here you float out and bob along with stalagmites just inches from the water. Floating the maze it opens up to another cenote that's about twice as big as the one we first entered. I was very proud of Simi challenging herself to float along with David's guidance. Our group then enjoyed the refreshing water in the caves. There are small blind catfish that roam the waters eating the bat poop. It was quite an experience!

We crawled out of that cave and our trip was just about over.  We bought the CDs of photos the excursion people snapped so copies could be made for the whole group.  Stopping at the first resort our trusty van dropped off some other guests. Departing that resort a lady on the road side was selling homemade tamales. I love tamales, and David was more than happy to stop. Possibly one of the best parts of the whole trip was sitting in the rain at a road side tamale stand. The homemade tamales are wrapped in banana leaves and just 10 pesos  (60 cents) each. They were so good and there was something special about just enjoying the locals with the local cuisine. It's difficult to get those experiences safely in some third world countries, but they definitely make some of the best memories. David dropped us off at our resort, and that night we showered and went back to the resort's Japanese steakhouse just because the food was so good.

Wednesday morning brought upon our goodbyes from Now Sapphire. There was a little bit of remorse packing the backs with the mindset that the vacation was over. It was a nice slice of happiness remembering that we were now just going to another location! Vacation wasn't over yet!

Our taxi took us to the new resort called Azul Beach. Upon arrival we smelled scented stones to help us pick the scent our room would be, as well as the pillow menu. Which pillow do you like? We met up with our friends who were staying at the wedding hosting resort for lunch, and various stories to tell. That afternoon there was a welcome party in a giant gazebo for the guests as Wednesday was the official arrival time for most everyone coming. We had a group meal that night and turned in early.

Thursday Simi and I booked ourselves onto an adults only sail boat. The boat can hold about 35-45 passengers but ours only had 15. This allowed some spreading out and soaking up the rays. The sky was as clear as the waters we sailed across. The sail boat left Cancun and made its way north towards an island called Isla Mujeres.  The south side of the island had great snorkeling, and geared up we were back in the water, and swimming with the fishes. There was a VW Bug at the bottom of the sea floor as well as some statues of humans, and giant coral reefs. This bit of snorkeling had just amazing clear waters and schools of fish everywhere.

Our boat then sailed up the west side of the island and we made port near the north side. We were docked right in the heart of the town with shops everywhere. The main method of transportation on the island is golf carts. They outnumber the cars 10:1. Simi and I walked north to the North Beach. This is one of those spots that they take photos and print on postcards. Staggeringly beautiful beach had me sitting at a cafe while Simi went into the waters. I was just tired of feeling soggy and finally had dried off. Our sail boat departed and we made a nice cruise on the calm seas back to Cancun and back to our resort. It was an epic day for sure and that evening we had some quality Italian food with friends.

The shows in the evenings at both resorts were pretty good, the fire show at the first resort was executed over water, at the second resort it was done on the sand. There was also a circus act that all the performers demonstrated incredible agility and balance skills.

Friday was the big wedding day, but it involved more sleeping in, and then some pool side lounging. The weather was a little iffy as some distant thunder echoed around and big thick gray clouds were overhead. The showers then came and went as quickly as a traffic light changing from red to green. We spent the last few hours before the wedding swimming in the resort's pool - even during one of the heaviest downpours.

Friday morning we also attempted kayaking in the ocean, as we will be super close to a large body of water at the future home, we figured it would be a good idea. It lasted about 10 minutes and consisted of Simi leading us into going in circles ... lets just say Simi is going to need a lot of practice before we adopt that sport.

By the afternoon the weather had cleared, and the rain helped to carry away most of the humidity. It was very pleasant conditions, and we were seated to watch Ryan and Kelly tie the knot right on the beach with waves crashing in the back ground. Post wedding was cocktail hour, and Simi and I and a friend sneaked out and went to the sushi place. We sampled some of the tasty bites, of which I like, but I don't love. I still have mixed feelings in regards to those little rice nuggets. That evening was dinner at the main hall for the wedding party, and then hours and hours of dancing. I don't dance. At all. Ever. Simi and I then went and took a nice walk on the beach, and got away from the loud music for a bit. The whole party got shut down around 11, the latest we'd stayed up in over a week!

Saturday brought upon some groggy faces at breakfast that morning, and Simi and I departed the resort, saying our goodbyes around lunch time. A quick flight to Atlanta, then from there up to Columbus landing and heading home. The fridge was empty so I grabbed some milk, and Simi and I shared a couple bowls of fruit loops. We slept in on Sunday, got breakfast, and then started the mountain of laundry. Back to the grind begins!

We had a great time, and found the resorts to be very very nice. The food in them is a little bland, but I think that's just to serve to hundreds of guests with varying taste buds. What the resorts offer are similar to a cruise ship. Lots of activities, and food options, and a general relaxation event, and while the cruise travels to different locations, the resorts offer the same, but via the various shuttles and taxis. The weather was excellent, even if I did complain about excessive heat from the sun. I'm super happy for Ryan and Kelly having a picture perfect wedding on the beach surrounded by their friends and family.

As always, thanks for reading! 

If you prefer the cliff notes version take a gander through the photos: 

https://picasaweb.google.com/106913679852802708833/MexicanVacation

https://picasaweb.google.com/106913679852802708833/RyanKellyWeddingWeek

https://picasaweb.google.com/106913679852802708833/ATVSnorkelingCenote

Day One:

It was early Tuesday morning flight to Fort Lauderdale with a long layover there until we ended up in Nassau that evening. A cab ride from the Fort Lauderdale airport took us to an awesome restaurant called Gilbert's 17th Street Grill. We had lunch there. We then walked 2 miles to get the first feel of the many times our toes would squish in the sand.

It was a good way to burn the long layover, so then it was a cab back to the airport to catch our evening flight to Nassau. Once on the island, we took a $20 cab ride and dined at Luciano’s of Chicago. It was more great food and the patio looked across the bay to the massive and illuminated Atlantis Resort and Casino. It’s the Vegas of the Bahamas.

Day Two:

Still in Nassau, we took a $1.25 bus ride downtown. The locals use the bus, and $20 cab rides everywhere just weren’t practical. We toured the hand crafted local gifts and trinkets of The Straw Market, then made our way to “Da Fish Fry”. This is a strip of local restaurants in Nassau that cater to feeding the masses of residents as well as those fresh off the cruise ships.

That evening we were back at the Nassau airport, but this time on the tiny domestic flights area. We were walking down a runway and aboard a small 15 seat prop plane that took us to Eleuthera Island. (Pronounced Elle-YEW-thrah)

There we landed on an air strip of Governor’s Harbor, the capital of the island. The man we rented a car from flagged us down, and handed us the keys to a Chevy Malibu. It was in dire condition, but had four wheels and an engine. Eleuthera is 100 miles long, and no more than a mile wide. In some places the island is much less wide.

There is a single, unpainted two lane road runs the stretch of the island, and only has “driveways” that split off it. Some leading to run down shacks of the locals, others giant gated areas were celebrities are known to reside.

We took the squeaky brakes and blown suspension Malibu rental car to the Sky Beach Club were we were going to call home for the next 4 days.

Dinner was had at the Bistro at the Club. The bistro had a one manned, tiny little kitchen, but a cook that turned out some of the best food ever tasted.

Day Three:

A morning worth sleeping in, and had breakfast at the Bistro. We then concluded that we were the only two on the resort and all the workers had left for the night. We were likely the only two souls in a 2 mile radius, enjoying it all to ourselves in the dead quiet, beautifully starry skies of our own little section of tranquility. The Sky Beach Club is carved out of a Cliffside and the area looks over the roaring shores of the Atlantic. We took our morning to spend it down at the beach, frolicking in the crystal clear warm waters, realizing that in either direction until as far as we could see there wasn’t a single person to be found.

Deciding that we’d explore with our less than trusty Malibu, we ventured north. The internets told us the Laughing Lizard was a great local grub spot, but upon finding it, it was closed. So we continued driving until we found the Glass Window Bridge.

This is a single lane man made bridge that connects parts of the island. One side is the vicious Atlantic with 10-15 foot swells pounding the cliffs, and on the other side is a shallow glass smooth Caribbean sea. All split by this bridge. The bridge had a blow hole, were a 10 inch hole was connected to the ocean swells, and regularly water would spew from it 20 feet into the air.

After checking out this cool spot, we continued further north to the smaller North Eleuthera airport and by the time we made it there we were starving. Across the building that was the airport was a shack full of locals. There we ordered up and devoured possibly the best burger I’ve ever eating. Homemade, fresh, prepared on the spot burgers. Amazingly good. We departed and returned to the Sky Beach Club for the evening’s dinner.

Day Four:

Complete and total relaxation was the name of the game for this day. Slept in, had breakfast and lunch at the bistro. We spent most of the day lying on chairs zoning out listening to the waves crash ashore. Then to the infinity edge pool were Simi read a book and I napped. Dinner at the bistro, completely and utterly relaxed. We did nothing that day and it was everything it needed to be.

Day Five:

We opted to find a local bakery. It was recommended by the Sky Beach Club, but was practically impossible to find. No street names, no signage, just a small white building were an old lady pointed at when we asked after giving up our search. Homemade pastries were our breakfast of choice, and we opted to explore the southern bits of the island.

Long spans of nothing but the single road, zero cars and no speed limits we shot way south. We would only slow for the tiniest of fishing ports that dotted the shores split off from this main artery. Eventually we made it all the way to the fishing town of Cape Eleuthera. We spotted all new accommodations and big boats resting, waiting to be rented out for some deep sea fishing.

In the Bahamas’ Coffee Company Restaurant for lunch did we see the hundreds of images of car sized fish people caught and hung for all to see. We left the cape and took the long road back to the Sky Beach Club for our final night there.

Day Six:

We packed and departed the Sky Beach club. Car rental returned at the airport, and aboard the same little plane that dropped us off. No shoe removal, no metal detectors, and in fact we were headed down the taxi way before everyone was even seated. It was a skip back across the sea and we back in Nassau. We took more bus rides around, shopping and answered Simi’s craving the whole time for some coconut ice cream.

That answered, back to our Sheraton hotel for quality R&R time with a hammock. Then a nice walk a couple blocks to an Italian restaurant. It was OK, as my lasagna tasted like Chef Boyardee made it.

Day Seven:

We booked a beach day at the Blue Lagoon. About 30 years ago a massive storm split this little island creating a lagoon between the shores of the Atlantic swells. A forever influx of fresh water crashing over the rocks and into the calm, warm waters of the lagoon was perfect for someone to monopolize into a resort. They trucked in tons of sand, inflatables, beach chairs, and even went so far as to make it a dolphin sanctuary. For $200 a head you could swim with the dolphins. .

Neither Simi nor I were interested, and we opted to find a couple plastic Adirondack chairs on a sand bar of the lagoon. There the two of us sat in 6 inches of bath water with the occasional 12 inch sea surge as everyone but us enjoyed their dolphin time. We left the chairs and found another shaded hammock as the crowds then raided the beach. The peace and quiet was gone. We had lunch and spent a good 8am to 4pm at the lagoon. Manmade relaxation. Still just as good.

Day Eight:

It was an early morning trip to the other end of the island on a bus for a day of snorkeling. On a boat and out into the ocean with our guide, we jumped into the waters to snorkel around a massive reef. There were the thousands of fish, coral, and such. It’s so cool seeing everything so vivid in the crystal clear waters. We were there for about 45 minutes then the captain took us to shallower waters were we were up close to a plane crash. There we were face to face with a lackadaisical barracuda. He was just putzing around and never got close to anyone. I did have an underwater camera (film is getting developed) and took some good shots of the spiky teeth on the barracuda so big it didn’t even fit in his mouth!

Then the excitement began as our captain read us our dos and don’ts and we were in Caribbean reef shark territory. They sunk a bait box to the 30 foot deep ocean floor, and the sharks went down for feeding. I jumped in, Simi didn’t go for it, and 20 feet below were a dozen sharks all circling the bait for their turn in feeding. Once the sharks got enough they began coming to the surface. That was the queue to get the heck outta the water. The captain pulled the bait back to the surface and the sharks continued nibbling at the surface. It was awesome!

We had lunch at the docks, and headed back to the hotel. We then took another bus down to the water taxi. $4 a head to head over to the Atlantis resort were we stumbled around the massive complex, checking out the aquarium and in a glass tunnel with the same reef sharks swimming over head in the aquarium.

A taxi then took us back to Luciano’s of Chicago, as the food was good enough to return too.

Day Nine

It was a quick bus ride to downtown Nassau for last minute gifts, and then a cab ride to the airport, a series of plane rides back to Columbus, arriving home around 11pm to unpack and get back into the groove. Feeling so refreshed, nicely tanned as well. It was a great trip to zero out the blood pressure for the holidaze approaching and an awesome vacation. As always thanks for reading.

If you're interested in more pix, they are available here in the first four albums:

https://picasaweb.google.com/106913679852802708833