FAMILY REUNION MAYAN STYLE

(no sacrifices were harmed)

I'm way behind so I'm going to start at the beginning. Kate and Co arrive in the US. Mike and I left our respective families and drove down to Phoenix and meet them at the airport. My tummy was all aflutter in anticipation and excitement. After 2 years Hal is taller than me, Sophie is as cute as ever and Kate and Duncan are just wonderful. Many hugs and happiness all round.
It's like we were never apart, funny and familar.

We flew to Cancun on Monday morning. Two easy flights and got there mid afternoon.

Stood in line at customs for 2 fracking hours...the longest wait I have ever had in all my travels. Lucky we maintained good cheer and eventually walked out to the darkening humid skies of Mexico.Shopping in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

I booked a 7 seater van and somehow we ended up with a 12 seater for the same price, which was pretty nice. Lots of room and no one was squished.
Drove down towards Playa Del Carmen looking for the 'Ocean Maya' sign.

Swim up bar, Ocean Maya resort. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

The whole coast line is a succession of resorts, each vying for the worlds biggest entry gate.
When I went to Mexico the first time with Rob's family we stayed in a all inclusive resort down near Tulum called 'Freedom Paradise', it was one of the smaller more basic places, but totally adequate and fun.

We got a awesome deal on the trip and the reviews at Trip Advisor were mixed so we really didn't know what we would get.The gang at Muyil, Mexico

Mike and I were expecting something fairly low key, but Ocean Maya was a step or two up from that. Huge front foyer with massive Mayan glyphs and fountains. We got VIPed without asking or paying, not sure why but hey it got us better rooms and top shelf booze.
We had Iguanas and Coatis outside our front door. We all wanted a Coati to take home.

Coati

The main nom options is a huge all you can eat and drink buffet. The kids went wild. The food was good and fresh and neverending. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Mike's uber Spanish skills helped alot all throughout the trip. We could have gotten by without it but it did make things easier.
The kids picked some words up and started using them quite naturally, which was very cute to see. They still say 'Hola' 'Si'.
The first day was a rest day and we spent it hanging out. Though a word of advice. Buy sunscreen at the resort even though it costs $20. We all got sunburnt and paid for it for the rest of the trip.
Snowpea spent most of her free time in the pool with my snorkle and ordering strawberry Daquari's sin alcohol from the swim up bar.
The beach was nice( the Carribean sea was warmer than the pool) , we used the kayaks and Mike took the kids out on the Catamaran.

Kate amongst the ruins. Muyil, Mexico

The second day we headed south to a little Mayan ruin called Muyil, we were the only people there and got to climb the temples and explore the jungle.

Temple kids. Muyil, Mexico

One of the main reasons we came to Mexico was to see the history of the place. Its very evocative to walk through the jungle and see a grey stone structure hidden in the undergrowth. After Muyil and pirate tacos for lunch, we went to the ruins at Tulum.

Tulum, Mexico

We got there late so it was a whirlwind trip. It is a stunning area. They built the town on the coast and the views are spectacular.

Ruins with a view, and Snowpea. Tulum, Mexico

It was then I decided that I had lost my passport and green card.
That saga is for another day.