Cancun Mexico Hola….

After a long cold spring, we have arrived at Sandos Playacar, 1 hour west of Cancun airport. The purpose is two fold, get some much needed sun and heat and to finish some dental work. The best kept secret in Mexico is dental vacations.

The resort has come through the most difficult time, a pandemic which devastated the tourism industry. But I must say, we are really impressed with the resort. They not only have persevered but they have excelled in staff, service, amenities, technology and customer service. It is our pleasure to be back.

First full day we spent some morning time at the Elite pool. It was peaceful and we got some laps in. Enjoyed some refreshments and kicked back for a few. The Caribbean sea is the most incredible azure blue framed with white sand beach and lush palm trees and vegetation. Beach volleyball starting up on the beach and for the the less adventurous its yoga stretching by the adult pool.

Salad lunch and back to the hacienda for a little siesta.  Oh did that feel good after a 20 hour day the day before.  Tonight in the plaza will be the Mexican Fiesta with a mariachi band and local dancers. There will also be several artists and performers in the market square. The costumes, music and artistry of the performers is not to be missed.

As an appetizer at dinner the waiter made guacamole by our table. It has been a long time since we enjoyed the presentation so I commented to the young man that they did not do it in November and it’s nice to see the tradition continued. He looked at me confused and said “avocados are out of season in November so they could not have done it then”. Oh, said I. While making the guacamole, I noticed the stone bowl was lopsided and asked if there was a specific reason for the design? “No he said. The dishwasher dropped the bowl and it became chipped”. I asked the waitress for a refill of wine and sat back quietly. None of my curiosities were coming to a successful conclusion tonight.

Bottom line it was a great day and I am looking forward to tomorrow when we explore more of the resort and take a walk into Playa del Carmen and 5th Avenue along the the ocean.

Friday the 13th.

A great day. Michael had a dental appointment and then we headed into Playacar to walk and do some shopping. The weather is wonderful and we sauntered down 5th Avenue in and out of the stores. “Hey ladies, remember me? I was your waiter at Sandos last night. Yeah, right. I’m not buying your silver, leather or hats today.

Back at the resort we headed to the Asian for dinner. It was good but not quite the same standard of Thai that we enjoy during other visits. A bit more work needed fellas. As we strolled to dinner there were several weddings taking part in the little corners of the grounds. It is done very well as you can hear the music and festivities but the party is secluded and private. Well done. Michael took a picture of one of the electric wedding cars for the  bride and groom.

The after dinner show was amazing. It was the reenactment of the movie Coco.  Music was great. Gonna make it a short day today as Michael has a final dental appointment in the morning and after he finishes we will walk back to the resort the long way. We are trying to stay out of the fray and still get our steps in. A total of 8674 steps or 6.54km. Maybe tomorrow afternoon lounge at the pool.

Saturday May 14

What a gorgeous day!  Walked into town and snooped around and sauntered back at our leisure. After a salad lunch we are experimenting with drinks, which are really colored ice. Started with Pina cold, flavored white ice, strawberry daiquiri,  flavored pink ice and below, a Riviera Maya, meaning flavored green and red ice. Tastes like strawberry, or cranberry or grenadine? Michael says there is a bit of alcohol but I’m not sure. Anyways it’s cold and refreshing.

I didn’t realize time passed so quickly when conversing with fellow travelers and enjoying refreshments at the pool. It’s nice to meet people again! The modern day version of communicating information and news between communities and across villages. Globally, we all have similar stories. Price gouging  on food from East to West to North and South. Price of gas, building material, groceries, not being able to buy commodities such as baby formulas in mid USA. Empty shelves. The abysmal antiquated air travel regulations still in place for the purpose of social safety. People are tired.

Then out of the blue comes a bride and her wedding party toward the beach. A symbol of new adventures and a couple stepping headlong into the unknown. People around the pools join arms and rock back and forth to the wafting music and you can see a look of happiness and best wishes on all their faces.

Oh my goodness, dinner was fantastic! Italian tonight: ceasar salad,  minestrone soup, lasagna and parmasean chicken. All portions were appropriately sized. I am always amazed how portion sizes in NA are so large. A slow saunter back to the hacienda and a night cap before turning in. Tomorrow’s another day. Today was 10,200 steps or 7.5km of walking. My feet are tired.

Sunday May 15

A quiet relaxing Sunday. Morning air is cool, birds are singing and palm trees wave in the breeze. What’s your pleasure for breakfast?

Spent a few hours by the Elite pool with sunshirts on, obviously. The sun is hot down here and there are some very silly people who seem to convey they are immune to skin cancer. Not worth the risk I think. At the best they are really burnt and stay in the sun wanting more. At noon the waiters bring around some excellent appetizers. Chicken satay with mango drizzle. Oh goodness, delicious!

Back to the hacienda for a power nap and a book by the pool. Dinner is French tonight and the main show in the centre area is Guns n Roses and Led Zeppelin.  Well, let’s see how this goes. Michael likes LZ.

Monday May 16

Just a comment of last night’s Guns n Roses and Led Zeppelin show. Not my gig but I get it for some. Michael wasn’t impressed. We started at the front of the venue and quickly moved to the back by the coffee shop. This was a case of farther back the better. It was hilarious to watch the 60+ year olds lip syncing, playing air guitar and violently shaking their bald heads (which probably once upon a time held a full mane) all the while with their granddaughter’s pink Barbie back packs on their back. Had to laugh at that one.

Today’s game plan is: psychotherapy, hydratherapy and physiotherapy. It’s pretty hard to get stressed in a surrounding such as this. There is more than enough space for everyone to find their little place to chill whether by the pools, the beach, the lounges or under a palm tree on a hill. The temp is 32C but there is no humidity so unless you are standing out in the sun for a length of time you don’t feel it. Inhale and breath, close your eyes and sway with the palm. Time is slow and is just what the Dr orders. If you are in knots, try a massage by the beach.

It’s important to stay hydrated. The start of the day is a fresh fruit smoothies made to order from the smoothie bar at the pool. Delicious fresh fruit and vegetables. When Lizzie and Mack come over, going to set them up with a smoothie bar outside by their pools. Should be interesting. Throughout the day the ritual continues albeit with different ingredients.

Each day starts with long walks down garden paths. Feels good on the legs. At 09:00 still an empty pool so manage to get in several laps and some exercises while it’s quiet. Sunshirts on, its a relentless grind of pool, laps, smoothie bar, washroom break and back again. Oh how do we stand it?

Dinner tonight was El Goucho, an Argentinian steak house. Excellent. Michael had top sirloin.  I did roast chicken which was tender and juicy.

The show was ABBA. Who doesn’t like ABBA? As the show progressed the crowd became the entertainment. The arm whipping and flailing going on, you’d have thought they were at Madison Square Gardens  on gold tickets. Surprisingly it was the guys leading the way and when Dancing Queen started, there was no “putting the genie back in the bottle”. All you could do at that point was watch and be amazed cause, “nobody puts Baby in a corner”.

A slow saunter back to the hacienda, a night cap and lights out. Tomorrow will be another equally exhausting day!

Tuesday May 17

The word of the day is BLUE. It’s the color of the Caribbean.  A rinse and repeat day today. Going into town later to snoop and check out the harbor.

Tonight’s show is Lady Gaga. But as a pre-show it is Disney movies and their hit songs. Under The Sea, Moana, Frozen etc. This is the time when every little girl shows up on stage like little fireflies, to dance to the well known music. It’s great to see the little dollies dance and twirl. Ewwww, the pre-show set is Super Heros. The boys have a kick at the can now.

Wednesday 18th and Thursday May 19th

We have nothing specific planned but are just kicking back, relaxing and doing lots of walking. We average about 8km a day which is pretty darn good in the heat. As I mentioned in an earlier post it’s average 32C, very sunny and “muy caliente”!

Speaking with Americans yesterday from MA, PA, TX, IL, OH. Lady from Maine asked “where y’all from? “Toronto, Canada” said I. “Oh, is that the west coast by California”? Really? Thought I. “North of Buffalo”, said I. “Oh, then it must be Quebec” she proudly says and wanders off. This lack of geography is a common thread amongst Americans. They are proud to advertise that they carry concealed weapons in a grocery store but know little beyond their own acerage.

Couple from TX asked if prescription meds are cheaper in MX? Recent white collar retirees, in order to continue their company medical insurance coverage they were paying USD$1800.00 PER MONTH. Economic reasons made them reduce the plan to almost no coverage for a reduced cost of $900.00 per month. Health insurance is only available to the rich.

UK talking about the horrendous price of of decent food. They don’t have shops like Walmart or Costco so depend on small quaint shops in the area. There may be a butcher or baker in one small village but you have to go elsewhere down the road for veg, fruit or tinned goods. It’s easier and cheaper to buy “chippies” and fast food.

Tonight is Mexican night. Pre show was the mechanical bull. Lots of laughs. The entertainment was a ladies mariachi band and local dancers. The costumes are amazing and the music is toe tapping and happy. Always a great evening under the stars.

Friday May 20

We have a request from the crowd. Nick wants the theme to be the color green so just for him here we go. Started the day with cantaloupe and celery juice. Yummy and so healthy. Ross I’m sure you would not agree but that is the way it is. You get chocolate day when it rolls around. The weather is still hot and the humidity is starting to roll in.

I had my big day at the dentist this morning. 4 implants with crowns and 2 additional crowns. No freezing or grinding. I love the results, they are perfect!

My dental homework was to go eat nachos and raw carrots. She says there is nothing I can do to damage them so knock myself out, come back Monday and let her know if there are any high points and she will sand them down slightly. Wow, I didn’t realize that over the years of missing some molars that you actually forget how to chew properly. I am learning all over again.

Sat May 21

Nick wanted a yellow day but we kinda landed on yellowish brownish greenish. You’ve probably been hearing about the sargassum (seaweed) that has been washing up on the shores of all 44 Mexican Beaches. It is a huge pain for the tourism industry not to mention the wedding crowd. Not pretty having a band of brown seaweed framing your forever photos.

There are various theories about the cause of the nuisance but a guy speaking with some fishermen, when you go out and pick up some of the seaweed in the water, it is teeming with little fish who use it for cover and food. Nonetheless there are workers all day and night cleaning it up by the tractor and dump truck load. They apparently burn it at depots way down the way but what does that do to global warming?

It started out overcast this morning but the cloud cover was a welcomed relief. We had winds and a few minutes of light rain, not enough to get people out of the pool but it was quite refreshing. Apparently the crashing waves are good to drive the seaweed onto the shore so it can get cleaned up quicker. After all wedding are still on the schedule and it is important the beaches are pristine.