The Mayan Riviera...
where it is always warm.
We ended last month and began February at an all-inclusive resort south of Playa Del Carmen.
Sunshine, sand and sea.
The Grand Palladium Colonial.
It was a lovely resort...
...with beautiful pools
...and Spanish colonial architecture.
No need to leave the resort to spot reptiles, exotic birds and animals'.
Iguanas.
Everywhere.
Coati...
roaming in packs.
Flamingos.
Even monkeys and alligators.
And exotic blooms.
There was a lovely Spanish church on site...
...the site of morning mass or afternoon weddings.
A rotunda.
We only left the resort once during our time there...
and that was for an excursion to Rio Secreto.
What is it?
A network of underground rivers and caverns.
This 'secret river' was discovered not too long ago (2004)
by a farmer who chased an iguana into a hole in the ground.
That hole led to the discovery of an interconnected cave system with an underground river...
the longest flooded cave in the region.
It has been open to the public since 2008.
We were given wet suits, water shoes, helmets, life vests and headlights for our underground tour.
We waded or floated through underground rivers for about 90 minutes...
about ten of us with a guide.
It was an incredible experience!
We were spoiled and well-fed during our stay.
The Mayan people are a friendly lot.
Of course we enjoyed the Mexican cuisine.
We had fresh salsa and guacamole for lunch every day...
because we could!
And then we went to the Mexican restaurant one evening.
Our long-time friends and travel mates...Dave and Janet...were there with us.
We realized that it was exactly fifty years since we had first travelled together.
In 1973 we went on a missions trip to Haiti and Guadeloupe...
and then spent a week in Florida together afterwards.
It was the beginning of a lifetime of shared travel adventures...
near and far.
We reminisced on our shared experiences and were thankful!
One night we ate at the Poseidon...
a seafood restaurant on the beach.
A lovely spot.
Although it was always warm...
we had a few storms roll through while we were there.
When it rains...
it pours!
We went for a swim in the Caribbean as the storm rolled in.
Every morning the men and we equipment were hard at work cleaning the seaweed off of the beach.
They do a good job.
Maharachi band...
the music of Mexico.
Love was in the air...
...maybe because of all the weddings that were happening at the resort.
...or maybe because it is 'love month'.
We borrowed their props.
Thankful for a wonderful time in the sun...
on the Riviera Maya!
I have no sunset pictures, since we were on the eastern coast of Mexico...
so let me close this post with a sunrise photo.
I hopped out of bed early one morning and went to the beach to watch the sun rise.
I wasn't the only one there.
It was a beautiful start to the day!
Wishing you all a wonderful day...
filled with love and all thing that bring you joy...
on this February 14th!
Oh, how perfectly WONDERFUL!!!! I loved all the photos especially the ones of YOU!
ReplyDeleteYou have an amazing life and equally amazing long-time friendships! 50 years of travel experiences! Just WONDERFUL!!
Oh, how I loved looking at your photos and reading your comments. This is our favourite resort—we’ve been there four times, the last time in 2020 before the world went mad.
ReplyDeleteThis is Linda from www.lindahoye.com. Not sure why I couldn’t comment as myself!
DeleteYou are the first one that I know of that has stayed at that resort. A lovely spot! There were many Canadians there...and Europeans.
DeleteHow wonderful! We visited the Mayan Riviera and Rio Secreto in 2011 and loved it. Yes to Mexican food and the friendly Mayan people. We would love to return there one day. So lovely to see your photos and read about your trip.
ReplyDeleteFun, adventures and pampering in the sun with good friends, all around wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful spot on earth. (I wish that our beaches would be cleaned up every day as they once were. Now the seaweed piles up and is filled with flies and bees. Ugh. I doubt that Maine is going to hire me as a spokesperson for the tourist department.)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter-in-law just returned from a week in Mexico. She had a wonderful time and it was nice to get away to a warm location. She's ready to face the rest of winter.
I want to go there! It looks and sounds amazing and what a gift to share it with friends you’ve travelled with for 50 years! You take such beautiful photos! Anneliese
ReplyDeleteThat place looks like paradise! Great pictures Judy. I have never seen Coati before. I will tuck away this place - who knows if I'll ever travel again but would sure consider this exotic resort. Those underground rivers and caverns are stunning. What a treasure to have such wonderful friends and travel mates all these years. Memories like these in my own life I cherish more than words.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your pictures. Thanks. Martha
ReplyDelete