Wednesday 4th January - Time to go home😥

Wednesday 4th January 2017 - Farewells

Cathy went out for her last run along the Cancun beach pathway in the morning heat then returned for a dip in the pool with Joshua - who by now was inseparable from his snorkel.
We managed to stuff all our belongings back into suitcases and gave the leftover food to Merco, who came to farewell us. As we were leaving at different times and from different terminals, we had to say goodbye at terminal 2. Unfortunately, my long wait felt longer as there was no business lounge for United Airlines and Priority Pass members were not able to get into the Mera lounge until after 4pm. That meant no WiFi and only overpriced souvenir shops to look at. I sampled a couple of tequilas in duty free to pass the time.
Finally aboard my flight to LAX, they took forever to load and then the flight became delayed. This lead to a mad rush as they bussed us to Tom Bradley terminal to go through customs and I had to collect my luggage and run it all the way back to terminal 7 - just catching my flight to Australia! So much for a 2.5 hour turnaround. Not planning to fly United ever again! Their punctuality just isn't up to scratch.

Tuesday 3rd January 2017- Xel-Ha at Tulum for an awesome day

Our attempt to leave by 9 was delayed but we still managed to get to Xel-Ha before the tour groups. First stop was the buffet for breakfast, then we gathered the snorkel gear and headed for the river. Joshua wasn't too sure about the snorkel at first but loved his flippers and mask.


After a few hours in the water, Romi and I headed off to cycle up the river and float down on the inflatable rings. Joshua had worked out the snorkel by this stage and I believe it took another hour until Phil and Sandy could wrench the flippers off his feet and get to a restaurant for dinner. All the food and drinks were included. Romi and I found another place to grab a bite to eat just before it closed as she was desperate for a hamburger after all our swimming. 2 plates of food!!

We wished we'd found Xel-Ha earlier in the week as we could easily have had 2 days there.

Monday 2nd January 2017 - Playa del Carmen and Tulum

Cathy and Phil started the day with a run along to Playa delphines and took a selfie by the famous Cancun sign.

After some difficulties, we managed to collect a hire car to drive south. First stop was Playa del Carmen where I had been told I HAD to try the coconut prawns - yummy indeed.

Phil wanted to check out a resort for a convention so we all had a tour around the resort in a golf buggy. Then we were finally able to head to Tulum to see the ruins and snorkel off one of the "best beaches in the world" (according to Marco). Unfortunately it was late, windy and one of the most crowded days ever. Joshua chose this day to decide he didn't like to walk on sand. We left Sandy with the kids on the crowded windy beach and went off to the ruins. They had just closed for the day but would have a special opening from 5-7pm for triple the usual price. Almost gave up, but we stuck around and were rewarded with a relatively uncrowded chance to explore with the afternoon light highlighting the ancient stone.

By the time we returned to the beach, Romi was digging a hole to China and Joshua didn't want to get out of the water as he enjoyed jumping the waves.

Eventually we made our way back to the car and then found a restaurant for dinner. Wanted to try the local speciality with pork. Instead, I had it with chicken and a tequila (with salt and lime). It was ricissimo! (=delicious).

It was midnight by the time we got home for a shower and bed but we all planned to get up by 8 the next day to go back and do the bits we'd missed.

Sunday 1st January 2017 - starting the new year in ruins!

Well not really in ruins! But visited Mayan ruins at museum in Cancun and learned a little more history. They had beautiful gardens too. We spotted several iguanas which got Romi started on photography. Her next subject was an obliging Joshua!

Approaching midnight

Saturday 31st December 2016 - Measuring up outside the Aquarium

Saturday 31st December 2016 - Which one suits me best?

We've had a fun day. Woke up to rain so decided to go shopping. Phil and kids went to aquarium at the shopping centre while Cathy and Sandy checked out the bargains.

Joshua is getting ready to welcome in the New Year!

Friday 30th December 2016- Warming up after snorkeling off isla muheres

After

Snorkeling in warm tropical waters off Cancun is definitely the way to go. No flippers required as we drifted with the current then the boat came back for us. Lots of fish but coral was not as good as In Australia. After snorkeling we took the boat to watch the dolphins through the fence then on to a Seafood meal by the beach. The wind picked up and we got cold so had to warm up with margaritas!