Our week in Mexico flew by. There is so much to see and do on the Yucatan Peninsula. Tourism is the lifeblood of the economy there. And they do a great job of it. Several people asked if we were nervous about visiting Mexico these days. We felt perfectly comfortable and safe the entire time.
This was not an "adventure" vacation where we were totally independent. We went on an all-inclusive vacation to a resort. We just needed a break, Tim in particular.
We relaxed, but didn't sit around too much. This was a new part of the world for us to explore! We took a guided tour of Tulum, a late Mayan town perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Our group from the hotel included both Spanish and English speakers and we were told that we would each have a guide speaking our language. Tim and I looked at the large group of English-speakers and the small group of Spanish-speakers and decided to go with the Spanish guide. Puzzled looks resulted. Speaking Spanish again was one of the most fun parts of the vacation.
We climbed a couple of these towers and surveyed the very flat landscape. Beautiful birds live here and it was fun trying to catch glimpses of them.
I didn't take as many photos as I normally do. My camera is a simple point and shoot and I don't have an underwater housing for it. So taking pictures of snorkeling was impossible.
But snorkel we did - for the first time! Wow! Equipped with life jackets, flippers, masks and snorkels we followed our guide over the reef. It was COLD! After 45 minutes I was hugging myself in the water, swimming with just my flippers, in order to conserve warmth. Several others in our group did the same thing. I declined a second tour over another part of the reef, preferring to stay in the boat and try to warm up.
What an amazing world there is under the sea. Plants and coral of myriad shapes, colors and sizes. And so many colorful fishes. Truly marvelous. We're hooked on snorkeling.
Another day found us swimming in an underground river system, exploring another beautiful world of stalactites and stalagmites. We weren't permitted to take cameras into the caves. But I took this photo showing part of an underground pool (cenote) in another area of the jungle.
And now, we're back to real life, but the break accomplished its goal - we're ready to tackle the every day challenges that come our way.
Something like this so very far removed from the ordinary must do a lot to recharge a person. I hope that Tim also found himself renewed and ready to return to the usual. I can't imagine swimming in underground rivers or snorkeling or even visiting Mexico just now, but I'm so glad that you both did. (Now I'm off to find your tutorial on creating a burlap runner. Don't mind me as I snoop about a bit.)
ReplyDeleteI feel like an idiot. You've made it so easy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely break. I have fond memories of the cenotes and of snorkeling around those same reefs. A jolt of sunshine was just the thing!
ReplyDeleteYou've at least had a lovely break in a warm climate, even if the snorkeling left you shivering.
ReplyDeleteI envy you.
glad you had a lovely time..fond memories..loved snorkling..
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect get-away. Well, maybe a few more days would have been even better!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a lovely time. Love your colour combo in the first outfit. xx
ReplyDeleteGlad you had the opportunity to get away and get "recharged"! We all need that sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI was looking at your pictures the other day, and when I was on the bus yesterday I was looking out the window trying to picture lush green palm trees instead of snow and brown!
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie....sounds like you and your sweetie had a marvelous time! It's always nice to explore somewhere new, isn't it?! I hope you both returned home rejuvenated!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your sweet comments...my Prince and I had a LOVE-ly time away, too!
Have a beautiful day~
;-D Kathleen
I haven't been to Mexico in a very long time. It really is a different world from Canada, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you packed a lot of adventures into your week in Mexico. It must have been so nice to get away and enjoy the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your pictures. Reminds me of my many visits to Mexico when at sea with Alan. Veracruz area in the South on the Gulf.
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