AMAZING HUES OF BLUE

Our rooftop view from the
Plaza Forum By The Sea
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 28th, 2028

On our second last vacation day in Cancun, we hopped on city transit and headed to the heart of the hotel zone. I know some people might be worried about travelling in Mexico but if you use common sense, you will easily stay out of harm’s way.

For a whopping 18 Pecos, which is about $1.50 Canadian, we boarded an air condition bus and made our best guess where to get off in the heart of the action. Tourist trap/photo op destination - CoCoBongo!

In pursuit of that destination, we came across signage for Playa Gaviota Azul. Trouble was when we arrived at the street level, they wanted to charge us admission to allow us to enter. As cheap as this may read, paying to walk a public beach has always been a hard no for my travel buddy hubby and me.

So, we headed back out to Kukulcan Blvd and kept going. First up was CoCoBongo, and then into the area mall Plaza Forum by The Sea. Though I have never been a shopper for travel t-shirts or trinkets, every once and a will you hit the jackpot.

That day it was entering into a restaurant with a balcony that produced the pic I snapped above. Just look at those amazing hues of blue. One of hundreds of examples of how beautiful the beaches in Cancun proper are - absolutely stunning.

Though we both agree we would never stay at the same resort we are stayed at, we do agree that we would return to Cancun; even for a quick 4-day weekend getaway. 

Clean, friendly, economical, and beautiful beaches. Next up?

A cousin’s vacation (with one of my aunts) at the end of February to Huatulco. Can't wait to soak up the sun and snorkel along the Mexican Pacific coast in Oaxaca; as my cousin and her husband have chartered a 62 foot yacht for one of our excursions!

As I type, I can't help but wonder if our spouses will have a fighting chance that week, to get a word in edgewise!!

#Yagottalaughaboutit

A view of blue from our balcony... 
Having a drink with my DAD!
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 24th, 2025

Even Beatlejuice was blue!
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 28th 2025

TOURING ISLA MUJERES

Lxchel protecting Punta Sur...
As we overlook the Carribean Sea.
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 25th, 2025

After our bucket list trip to Palm Beach in Aruba last April, my travel buddy hubby and I knew our annual fall adventure would need to be a tad less impressive in stature; and all of Mexico has always been good to us!

Knowing we'd flown into Cancun airport about a half dozen times yet had never stayed in the hotel zone in the city, it seemed like a logical starting point. So, in early August we started to look at what a week there might look like.

We are big fans of the RIU Palace, all-inclusive line of resorts. Coincidentally, the one place I have been watching for about ten years went on sale. (I will post a photo of its unique architectural design at the bottom of this offering.)

Part of our decision-making process in the selection of our hotel was its proximity to the Ultramar Ferry dock to Isla Mujeres, which was literally less than a kilometer walk away.

We purchased our round-trip fares to cross the second day we arrived at the resort, that way, we could pick the best weather day for a neat adventure. (Price to go there and back was $98.68 Canadian for the day).

Once we had selected the 25th to cross, our next task was to rent a golf cart to travel the island for the day. (Rental was $117.88 Canadian, as we wanted to explore the entire island, so rented up until 6pm).

We left the public dock at 9am returning at approximately 3pm, so the only thing we needed to buy was lunch. Authentic Mexican cuisine at the Mango Cafe was a 12 out of ten and cost us $42.33 Canadian with a 20% gratuity. 

Our only other expense that day was $6.00 USD for entry into the Punta Sur Sculpture Garden located on the cliffs of the Caribbean Sea, and 30 Pecos to use the Bannos (public washroom). Believe it or not, they gave me a ticket for both, and I actually got a receipt when I used the Bannos in the center of the island!

All and all and excellent day, as amazing memories were made.

Our hotel with a hole in it from the ferry!
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 25th, 2025

Stunning views of the Carribean Sea.
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 25th, 2025

Our YouTube v-log lunch
recommendation was excellent
12 out of 10!
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 25th, 2025

PEACE OUT SUMMER

Peace out summer of 2025
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 2nd, 2025

Though it snowed the day before yesterday, we managed to get the cottage closed this afternoon enjoying sunshine, rather than snow. You wouldn’t know by my layers of attire – but I over dressed for a what turned out to be a lovely fall day.

Closing day is always bittersweet for me and this year was no exception. The ongoing reflection of just how devastating and exhausting a toll the ice storm carnage took on us is still fresh. 

Even though my backdrop shows some impressive progress in repairing and cleaning up, we still have a significant amount of work (about 30%) that will greet us in the spring of 2026.

It feels as if we lost another season this year like we did last, as nothing other than working the property doing ice storm cleanup was accomplished. 

With my travel buddy hubby being hospitalized and off work for over three months in the summer 2025, and the damage from winter storm has us two season behind in maintaining and/or upgrading standard items. 

Our mantra has always been one season inside, one season outside. It is at times of reflection like this that I am grateful for all the seasons that were possible.

 

Anyway, as an aside, I used to think the best investment I ever made for myself here at the cottage was buying myself a full-size washing machine. Though that baby IS sexy, this year I am thankful for getting myself a battery powered chainsaw. 

That said, I will reiterate my sentiments here, as I did last winter when I was given my rechargeable battery powered snow shovel.

Who needs more diamonds and pearls, when a really great battery will suffice?!

#yagottalaughaboutit