Showing posts with label Happy Place. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happy Place. Show all posts

Saturday, November 29, 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

Friday, June 23, 2023

FROM FEAR TO FEARLESS

As I mentioned in my A-Z Challenge posts, my husband and I had a milestone anniversary to celebrate the first week of June, so I booked us into a boutique hotel close to the airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

In years past we had spent a week in Negril, and a couple of years later a week in Runaway Bay, both over an hour from the airport. The last thing we wanted to do on a romantic four-night getaway, was to spend time riding an overcrowded resort bus. 

So, we both agreed Montego Bay was an experience we hadn’t had, and with our excellent flight times and the super cheap price tag, it was a travel no brainer.

Anyway, because we were staying at a 140 room hotel that offered very few resort-like activities, it would be on us to amuse ourselves. Because we both love to snorkel that was an early morning given. I love kayaking so I was pumped, however, my husband had never had any desire to try... So he was left to sit on the beach.

 For 90% of our visit the sky was overcast, and it was perfect.
(As we ran 40+C with the humidity without direct sunshine.)
TAKEN: JUNE 9th, 2023

Day one, out I went. It is hard to describe how amazing it was with the planes flying over me while I paddled. When I returned in, I asked if he wanted to try and he worried he would lose his new glasses. (Lamest excuse ever but I respected his decision.)

Day two, out I went again. When I returned, he commented on how fast I was paddling and how far I was going (code for me to tell him more so he would have the confidence to try). I explained that they weren’t tipsy at all. If he kept his core in the centre of the floating plastic entertainment center, he wouldn’t fall out.

Day three, he decided to try. By now, I knew when most of the planes were overhead to offer him the best experience. I brought my phone in my waterproof camera case that morn, as I knew this was a pretty big milestone for him. Before we knew it, over an hour had passed.

I don't know about you, but I love trying new things (except when it comes to food). I won't put myself in harms way but I definitely like living in the travel moment. So as silly as this may read, I am proud of my husband for going out of his comfort zone.

Kayaking may not be a big deal to most... But I love that we both had a blast touring around in the clear waters of Montego Bay!

Monday, April 24, 2023

T IS FOR TRAVEL

 

Believe the hype. It really is..."Better in The Bahamas"
TAKEN : FEBRUARY 8th, 2018
Melia All Inclusive Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas