Bus Rides, Beaches, and Boating

Four words; Miguel hooked us up!  After breakfast on day two, we decided to check in with the local tour company to see what else Cancun had to offer.  After much discussion and trying to decide on an excursion, because there are about a hundred to choose from, we opted for snorkeling.  Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of very interesting and exciting excursions to choose from, but we opted for something more cost effective and did I mention, the chance to drive your own boat to and from the destination? That was a no-brainer for us! Besides, we think snorkeling is pretty exciting and it gave us a chance to connect with the ocean and all of it's creatures.

Before our adventure, we needed to get pesos so we made our way over to the Plaza Flamingo, think mall-ish, but basically souvenirs around every corner.  The bank wasn't open yet so we decided to cash in at the hotel, the exchange rate wasn't as good but we needed bus money!  Speaking of transportation, Miguel told us to definitely take the bus, $12 pesos per person which is under $1.  A chance to mingle with the locals, count us in!  Forget the taxi's or uber drivers here guys, take the bus!  He also told us about Xcaret, a public beach not far from where we were staying and for $350 pesos, we could get two chairs, a table, and an umbrella and get back $200 in drinks...pesos that is! 

We hopped on the bus and after a short ride arrived at Xcaret. You may wonder why we left our all-inclusive resort to check out a public beach.  Why wouldn't we? It's all about adventures for us.  We paid our $350 in pesos and were set up for the next few hours!  The water here was perfectly clear and it gave us a different view of the ocean.  We sipped on tropical drinks and beer before we ordered the ultimate;  rum filled coconuts with the tiny little umbrellas topped with fruit.  The perfect Caribbean cocktail! After a few hours we were back to our hotel, eating lunch, and preparing for our snorkeling excursion! 

Another short bus ride and we arrived at the Jungle Adventure Tour. We were fit with snorkels, given a few boating instructions, and made our way out of the marina.  The boat ride was really fun! It took about 30 minutes making our way via Nichupte Lagoon through areas of the mangroves seeing the locals in their swimming holes, before reaching our snorkeling destination, the Arrecife Punta Nizuc.  It took me about two minutes to get my gear on and I was in the water.  The guide was awesome as he showed us where to go and led us to some amazing sites.  Colorful fish, coral reefs, sting rays, coastal vegetation, one very large grouper and I even held a spider star fish...after I was assured it was OK by the BF.  We spent about 45 minutes snorkeling, hopped back in the boat, and cruised our way back to land.  

Back at the resort we spent a few more hours at the beach before having dinner and drinking Mezcal.  Tonight the Mariachi band was there and before I knew it I was wearing a Sombrero as they were singing at our table.  We ended the night sipping on cocktails with Chuy, the hotel bartender, and me spinning around on the way back to our room. Because that's the kind of dress I wore.  

It was a good day in Mexico!

Shona

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Passports, Sand, and Salt Water

The title pretty much sums it up...grab your passport, we are headed to paradise.  When we were planning a trip to the Caribbean, we looked at many different resorts before deciding on The Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  The reviews were great, 5 stars, and the place just looked like a great way to escape every day life.  6 days, 5 nights and unlimited food, beverages, and beach time...I couldn't think of a better way to spend a week away and in good company.

An early flight out of KC meant getting to Punta Cana early afternoon and with only one hour time change, we didn't lose much time traveling.  After exiting the airplane on the tarmac, we grabbed ours bags, found our transportation and we were on our way to relaxation.  We arrived and were promptly greeted with two "adult" beverages, checked in, had our keys and headed to our room.  I expected a view, but this view far exceeded what I had imagined.  Overlooking the pool and just beyond that, rows of palm trees, sandy beaches, and the ocean blue.  I could handle this for sure.

After exploring the resort and figuring out where everything was located, we hit the beach and I knew for the next 5 days, this is where I would be spending my day.  We set up camp, literally everyday almost in the exact same location...two chairs, a table, the blue-tooth speaker, sunscreen, shades, and endless beer and tequila shots.  Don't worry, we snagged the coconut water from the locals too...you know, to stay hydrated.

Let me tell you real quick about the food, it.was.delicious.  I am not a buffet type of person, but the breakfast buffet was the B.O.M.B.  Fresh fruit, eggs cooked about 157 different ways, bacon, fresh juices, pastries..you name it, they had it.  Of course it's the most important meal of the day, so we always made sure to fuel our bods before hitting the beach.  I will say the weirdest thing I saw though, hot dogs...everywhere.  Whole, diced, chopped, julienned, wrapped in bacon...it was strange. And no, I didn't have one.  We had dinner reservations every night, which allowed us to get dressed up a bit and then hit the nightly entertainment.  The "Sport Bar"...yes, that's what it was called, was open 24/7 and we frequented there for daily coffee and beverages...and nachos.  Lots of nachos.

Photos are the most important part of this blog...so for now, enough typing for me and enough reading for you. Enjoy...and let me know when you book your next vacation to DR. You are welcome!

  

   

  

It was definitely an unforgettable adventure...

#dradventure16

Shona