Mexico Madness

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea."
                  -Isak Dinesen



  I recently traveled south of the border to Playa Del Carmen for a friends wedding.  The mission of the trip was simple: wedding, relaxation, water. The wedding was at Secrets Maroma (I know friends who have stayed there and they highly recommend it).  My travel companion (TC) and I were hoping to stay here but with rates of $600+ a night we couldn't see how it would be possible.  I continuously checked the hotel's website, however even with their discounts or "one night free" it was still going to be well over $2,000 for 4 nights.  One night I was searching on Expedia and found the rate for $300 a night! I was thrilled...too bad we waited....and it was gone. Travel tip: never wait. If you see a room consistently at one price and then you see it lowered - book it. Right. Then. Our friends had sent other hotels over, so I took to researching and price comparing. Out of the 5 they sent, we chose the middle of the road price wise (one without a comforter that had palm trees and toucans) and one that was "adults only" (worth it). We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya, an all inclusive resort. We paid extra for the jetted tub. I forget how relaxing baths can be (note to future self: have a bath tub), there were times I took 2 a day.

The food was decent, our best meal was night one when we went to the french restaurant on site. We could never quite find a drink we liked (some too sugary, some too strong, some just too...well...bad).  However, there's no denying the convenience associated with being able to walk anywhere and not having to have your wallet.

We only ventured out of the resort one night (with the exception of the wedding) to go into Cancun (a 45 minute taxi ride) to go to the infamous Coco Bongo.....with people hanging from the ceiling, glow sticks, and drinks included in the price you pay to enter - I was right at home. Well...until around 3 am when it was really just time to go home. My TC had been there before and I think had I been when I was 22 I most likely never would have made it home (did I mention the glow sticks?). Even at 28 though it was fun.... I could describe it more...but really, you just have to go.....

At the resort we played basketball (I won...until I lost), ping pong (I lost...until I made up my own way of playing), and took in the numerous bars. We booked massages on the beach - my TC is used to this sort of thing, me not so much. I loved it. The sound of the ocean and the stillness.  For a girl who loves to talk as much as I do I also find enormous comfort in being quiet listening to the waves. It's incredibly calming.

One of the coolest things we did was put our feet into a bowl of fish and have them eat the dead skin cells off (don't make a face). It sounds gross until you do it and realize how awesome it is. I could have sat there for hours.  My feet felt great afterwards....highly recommend (I know it's a big tourist happening overseas).

I've been to Mexico numerous times - Cabo, Cancun, Acapulco, Playa, Riveria Maya....It's always a great time (except maybe skip Acapulco)....

Mexican food. The sun. The ocean. The south.
The hotel. The company. The stillness.
It's funny how much perspective it can all provide.....in such a short amount of time....