Another Side Trip

The four of us hired a driver to take us to the ruins of Coba. They are about 90 minutes from here and are not busy like Chichen Itza.

We walked the complex to see the various sites and of course, some of the group had to climb the castillo!

And some of us chose to keep their feet on the ground! I think in this picture I was being used as the "keeper of all things"! Adelle was getting ready to climb the rocks, Fred had already started and Don was on his way.

From there Luis took us to a cenote that we had never been to before. It was an underground cenote and that meant bats!

 The stairs that we climbed down also served as the diving platform. We only took videos of Don jumping [I can't post videos from here] so the guy going down isn't Don but it gives you an idea of what he had to do.

A Tough Night

We were at the marina having a nice evening out when, as Don says "Alfie and Elfie were getting into trouble back home".  Who would have thought!!

They disregarded every rule of partying when your caretakers are out and took pictures....too many pictures! The before and after pictures were everywhere!

Cute little things, but they do have that sneaky look in their eyes! The sombrero gives it all away.

A Little Side Trip

On Monday we took the collectivo to Akumal so Don and Adelle could visit Yal Ku. They snorkelled and we waited at a restaurant enjoying Mexican cervezas....since we haven't snorkelled in a few years this seemed like a good plan to me!

The snorkelers joined us via the beach route!

The walk back to the highway to catch a collectivo.

A First

Fred and I went for a round of golf in the morning and Don and Adelle decided to walk the course with us to get some exercise and to see the scenery. First up was the cenote on hole number one.

The course wasn't busy so the newbies hit some balls...some shots not so good...a lady sitting by her pool was a little annoyed when Don's hit found its way into her yard! 

And some very good shots...I was a little jealous when both Don and Adelle made it over the water on the final hole...Don had a par on that one. Good job!

Birthday

It was my birthday today and we kept busy doing whatever it is we do in Puerto Aventuras! The morning was spent on the golf course with Don and Adelle followed by mimosas back at the condo.

Don and Adelle spent some time at the beach while Fred and I took a break from the sun. After all, they are much younger!

Later in the evening we had a very nice meal at a local Mexican Italian Restaurant with two friends from Saskatchewan.

The evening ended on a silly note when we tried to eat my jello birthday cake that Adelle and Fred bought yesterday [I love jello]. The comments varied from "it is kind of chewy" to "I can't eat this". The cake itself was very interesting...interesting enough that we had to dissect it to see how they made the flowers!!

Regardless, the thought was there and for that I thank them!

A New Adventure

Elfie has never been at a Mexican happy hour so we thought we would give her a thrill and try one out on Sunday.

I think Elfie must be on a bit of a diet as she did not wish to partake in the festivities!!

A Day in the Park

It may look like Fred and Don were trying to get some sleep after a session at the Hippo, but they were just trying to stretch out their backs in the outdoor gym near our condo.

The park is new this year...it includes a dog park, outdoor gym, pickle ball courts [no nets or fence yet] and a running/bike trail. I think this is something we will use occasionally.

Not Who You'd Think

When I got back from the gym on February 14th I found these two beautiful roses on the table. Being Valentine’s Day, I naturally thought they came from my partner of 48 years….but no!

Thank you Alicia, you made my day!

All in all, it was a pretty relaxing day…a few beers on the beach with Mo and then a rest before a musical Cuban Night at the golf course.

BTW, Alicia is our maid!

Beach Time

The five of us took the collectivo to the beach at Tulum and were not disappointed....well, maybe Fred and Bryan were hoping for more. Nude beaches are like magnets and can cause whiplash if you are not careful!

Joking aside, the weather was perfect, the water was warm, the food hot and the beer cold.

I know Diane will not know these people so for her: Brenda and Bryan Somerville, friends from Eatonia; Mo Beisel, friend from Saskatoon and I think she knows Fred!

Tried Again

Last year we attended the chili cook off in Puerto Aventuras and it was not a special event. So why would I go again, you ask! I have no good answer to that, other than curiousity!

This year was a surprise with the event being much more organized and far less crowded...they moved the competitors out of the dining room and we could walk around without running into a plate of chili.

The money raised goes to the school in Puerto Aventuras town...not the resort school but the local school for the Mexican children.

The purple haired Spicy Girls made a pledge that if they won, they would shave their heads for ovarian cancer....I think they were relieved when they came in third.

Supper Out

Last evening we went to a Mexican-Italian restaurant on the marina and had a nice relaxing meal. The food wasn't as good as what can be found in Rome, but no one was complaining..

Our waiter was a true Mayan...he told us that he lives south of Tulum and commutes everyday to work.

A Few More

These pictures are of our visit to Cozumel...last week with friends.

Visitors

Anne and Rick flew into Cancun on Monday afternoon and are staying with us for awhile. We haven't done a lot of touring, but we seem to keep busy anyway.

We have visited the Hippo Happy Hour and even got Anne out on the golf course...as a bird/animal watcher and not as a golfer!

Forgot

I forgot to mention in the last post that after Gary and Brad left,  Fred and I stopped for a bite to eat. Our favourite pizza place was closed so we decided to try a new one and had good food..anytime I don't have to cook, it is a good meal!

The crowds were not overwhelming so the waiters were eager to please and had lots of fun posing for pictures.

The sunset from our condo balcony:

Friends

Fred and I had a productive Monday morning ...first the gym, then we golfed and finally we walked two kms to get a couple of backpacks worth of groceries. It is easy going to Chedraui but a little tough coming home...the packs just seemed to get heavier every step we took.

Our special little bar has a happy hour from 3:00 until 4:00 and puts the price of their beer at 10 pesos when most of the places are charging 40 pesos or more. That was our destination when I recognized someone from home...Terri and Gary Wagner, along with Brad and Barb Wagner. They were staying in Tulum and just happened to be in Puerto Aventuras for the afternoon.

We stopped for a beer at the Hippo [anyone who visits us has to meet the workers at the Hippo] and had a great talk.

For those of you who may have known the Wagners...Brad and Gary are on the left and they are the brothers of Marilyn Hyland, the late Aaron Wagner, the late Kenny Wagner and the youngest Kyle Wagner. The lady at the end is the sister of Bonnie Jurgens while the lady beside me is Barb Rhodes.

What do they say about the Six Degrees of Separation

Made It

It took four days but I think we are all settled in and ready for company...Anne and Rick are first!

The weather in Puerto Aventuras has been an eye opener once again with the heat and humidity...last night was our first bit of rain.  It's not quite the three showers-a-day of China, but getting close!

Counting Down

We left San Carlos on the 7th of January with the thought of spending two days in Tucson revisiting some places that we used to stop at regularly...the Church and the historic downtown came to mind.

But...that idea didn't go far. we were pretty tired after our whirlwind trip to San Carlos so we spent the better part of two days just recuperating in the room. We did venture out for gas and to pick up a few things for Fred's bike!

Yesterday we drove to the Crowne Plaza Golf Resort in Chandler Arizona and will spend two days here before moving the truck to storage and flying to Cancun. Downtown Chandler is a bit of a surprise...it reminds us of a small Banff with local artists displaying their pottery and many restaurants.

We are looking forward to getting back to Mexico for the rest of the winter and getting some real heat. This travelling around with the RV sounded good when we planned this winter but moving from place to place is not easy. If we take the RV again, we will sit in one spot for two or three months and really get to know the area.

Routines

Even when just visiting, it doesn't take long for old habits to resurface. Today the fish truck came through the Park and a purchase was made,,,large shrimp for tonight's supper. They clean them on the spot at no extra cost.

Brunch

We arrived in San Carlos on December 29th, just in time to pay some bills and to pick up our Trust. We had put our RV in a covered storage facility in Goodyear, Arizona and took our truck to Mexico.

Our house is rented out so we have been staying with Gloria for the few days we are staying down here....so far it has been non-stop with visiting, New Year's and birthday parties.

New Year's brunch was at Donna's house and it was a great feast. Good food, mimosas and close friends made for a fun time.

Birthday Party

We were invited to our neighbour's birthday lunch in the new Guaymas casino. She loves to gamble on the machines and when her son asked her where she wanted everyone to meet, this was the place!

Janet calls San Carlos "The Fountain of Youth" and I am inclined to believe her as she is 98 years old today. She lives by herself, drives her golf cart around the park and plays cards...pretty sharp for 98!

I forgot to take my phone for a picture, but she hasn't changed from this one taken last spring.

Trying to Make Midnight

We were invited to a friend's New Year's Eve party...of course we had to start a little ahead of time. A Mexican couple and their son came to Gloria's for a pre-party drink! They take their 15 year old son everywhere so he can drive them home if need be.

We tried but didn't quite make the midnight hour...neither did Angel's dog, Lucky. He called it quits about 10:30!!