The weather had started to turn, with winds and rains
increasing and it seemed like a good time to run away to the almost guaranteed
sun and warmth of Mexico (Caribbean side). So a last
minute 10-day trip to Iberostar Paraiso Lindo all-inclusive with my trusty
travel companion seemed just the right thing to avoid the blues. Originally I tried for a more Caribbean
location but storms literally blew most of those options away. The Riviera Maya (near Playa del Carmen) however
remained unscathed from the storms so that is where we now sit.
When I started writing this there were a couple days left
before we were to head home to the snow and cold, unprepared to arrive back with
only my capris, rain slicker, scarf and airy runners to keep me warm.
So what did we do while away you ask?
Well let me give you some highlights:
Spa time – completing water circuit, including different hot and cold baths, hot tubs, therapeutic showers, sauna and steam rooms, with fresh pressed juice several times
3:30 pm bingo by the bar - won a medal and water bottle, but souvenir baseball hat eluded us
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| Tubing along the Lazy River |
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| Wandering throughout the resorts (we had access to the Lindo, Beach, Del Mar and part of the Maya resorts) – by foot, golf cart, bike and train trolley |
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| Bike tour around the resort – at high noon (what were we thinking?) |
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| Walking and relaxing on the beach, including hanging out in the pallapas and sunbeds and reading while Conroy got bashed by the waves. |
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| Both of us come out happy with this arrangement. |
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| Practising and using my new full-face snorkel mask (love it!) |
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| Albatross catamaran and snorkeling tour (to Isla Mujeres and reef nearby) |
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| So many little fishes |
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| Isla Mujeres |
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| Scuba lesson, playing Frisbee and just spending time with “pinkie” in the many pools throughout the different resort areas |
Fun day at Xplor Adventure Park where we:
Zip lined from 18 different zip lines from 14 different towers (up to 150 feet off the ground and upward of 40kms/hr), through waterfalls and into caves;
Experiencing some amazing views from the top;
Rode amphibious all-terrain vehicles through 8 kms of trails, over swinging bridges, in caves and through the water;
Rafted through underground rivers (single and double rafts);
Swam through caves with stalagmites overhead and generally kept the adrenaline flowing from 9-5 while having our pictures taken from cameras set up throughout the park.
But we also took a couple moments throughout the day to just hang out at the relax zones with fresh pressed juice and goodies and at the full buffet for lunch.
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| Trying out all the al la carte restaurants |
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Shopping centre and square with old-fashioned carousel and candy bar with fresh chocolate-dipped fruit kabobs, candy and popcorn and fresh crepes and ice cream bar (definitely Conroy’s favourite snack place) |
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| Taking in the cheesy evening shows, and a well done one showing different regional dances from throughout Mexico |
Mainly we just had a relaxing time with me working on overcoming my
underwater fears (taking scuba lesson)and height fears (by literally jumping off the ledge (over and over
and over again) at Xplor),
In other words trying things I would previously have avoided, and loving
it.
It's a new century for me and I am doing my best to not let fear stand in my way!
It was a great time away, with wonderful weather (between
25-35 degrees every day) and only two minutes of rain on the way back to the
airport.All in all an all-inclusive success.
