Monday, February 13, 2023

Cancun? Absolutamente, Cun...CAN!



Mexican sunshine – aaahhhh!  Yes, after the rain cleared up, it was vitamin D all week.  Starting in Dallas.  Unlike other trips through this huge airport, we sailed through to our connecting flights to and from Cancun.


DFW: Where your plane lands in Dallas and then taxis to Fort Worth.  Then you catch a tram back to Dallas for your next flight.

Lovely shot of the Cancun hotel district, taken by someone with a better view on final than we had.


We did our homework on travel to Mexico. Quintana Roo is a State Department Threat Level 2, the same as France, Germany, and many other tourist destinations. And Yucatan is Level 1. 

With the pleasantries of immigration and customs addressed, we connected with our ride to the hotel zone and our beautiful hotel – Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach. Pretty fabuloso. And, what a view. Beautiful water and white sand that felt like powdered sugar.



Grand Fiesta Americana Playa Caracol

The view from our balcony....

...and from sea  level

One day we took the ferry ride to Isla de la Mujares.  The island is five miles long and the town was very busy with shops and bars.

Our ride for the 20 minute trip to Isla Mujares

Enjoying our mostly smooth ride out to the island. Coming back, a lot more lumpy

There was a prominent police presence, sometimes riding in open armored pickups, long guns at the ready. Did we feel safe? Hmm. No problems to report, officer.


Most Marines wore face coverings to remain anonymous

Miles of shops all selling the same stuff.  "How about a ceramic skull amigo?"


 We rented a golf cart and took off for some places we’d researched on line. We drove to the far end of the island – Punta Sur – the furthest point east in Mexico. 

Where Mexico's day (and marketing) begin


A monument to the goddess Ixchel is placed for all to see. This woman caught the fish to feed her family and had no real protection from the elements and wore a snake on her head. Woman power has always been a force in this world.

Sisterhood is powerful

We stopped at Garrafon de Castilla Beach, a small private snorkeling spot. The bay was peaceful and the water clear. Marine life got to know Tom and he was happy to finally be there.


A small but excellent snorkeling beach we found on YouTube.

Best snorkeling ever. I'm wet and hysterical.

By this time, we needed a snack, so we stopped in to the Soggy Peso.  A beach place, on the beach, with beach visitors and beach people behind the bar.  Talkin’ about a change in latitude and change in attitude.

The Soggy Peso

Back to the resort for a late lunch on the beach. Love the “all-inclusive” feature.

A lunch table with an above average view


Chechen Itza is another dream of a lifetime for Tom. He had a private driver and guide for the two and a half hour drive through the Yucatan jungle. But who was the more informed of the group?  That’s right.

Amazing what can be accomplished with an unlimited supply of rocks and slaves


Plenty of opportunity to pick up a souvenir of the visit


The Observatory

One evening, we had dinner at the Mexican themed restaurant. A lovely room featured artwork projected on the high walls. 




A Mariachi band entertained and stepped to each table for requests. After listening to the second rendition of “La Bamba” from other patrons, we requested the theme song from Disney’s “Three Caballeros”. Blank stares were all we got. We even sang the first stanza for them but to no avail. We then asked for something mellow and romantic and what they sang and played was wonderful. After the band left our table, Jan said we should have requested “The Heisenberg Song” from Breaking Bad, and Tom thought “Poncho and Lefty” would also be appropriate.  However, we didn’t call them back to the table.

After dark, the grounds of the hotel are so beautiful and peaceful. We had good timing for the full moon. There was music and other entertainment on the beach. One night featured a fireshow on the sand.  


Tranquilo


Muchos Gracias Cancun

On the flight home we experienced a beautiful sunset. Probably another gorgeous site on the Oregon coast. We love going home. 



Tasty Travel Tunes:

Mexico - James Taylor
Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang
Toes - Zak Brown Band

Canciones adicionales:

Three Caballeros - Pablo, Jose & Donald
Negro y Azul (The Heisenberg Song) - Los Cuates de Sinaloa
Poncho and Lefty - Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard


And at no extra cost to anyone, a brief, 8 minute video of our stay.



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