One whole year ago, Kristi and Patrick invited us on their annual Playa Del Carmen, Mexico vacation. At the time, we weren't ready to leave Kellan to go International because we thought he was to young but more than anything, we were in the middle of selling and buying our house. We couldn't do it all. So, the following summer, we committed. We said, WE WILL GO!! It's not like they were twisting our arm, but we knew that the closer it got, the more excuses we could think of to not go. The cost, the boys, the snow storm of the century and the list would go on. So, we booked it, we booked a ticket for Grandma to come and stay with the boys and we said YES!
We headed out to the airport on a brisk Thursday morning. We were toasty warm in no time as we enjoyed breakfast at the Chophouse in the Denver Airport. It was also the gradual start of leaving our carb/dairy/sugar/fruit free diet that we had been on since January 2 and the beginning of vacation food, which included grande volumes of all of the above.
After a four hour flight, the worlds longest lines at customs (where I ran into someone I work with, crazy, right?!) and a nearly lost bag, we were in the suburban on the way to the condo. After a quick stop at the mini-mart to quench our thirst and ease our so-hungry-munchies, we were well on our way to our condo.
The condo in Playa Del Carmen was AMAZING!!
Keith and Patrick were quick to kick back and enjoy.
In Ham Fam tradition, I took some photos of our accommodations To the left was the living room with the Dudes. To the right was the kitchen area with the cold beverages, protein shakes and bags of chips. We were all set!
Down the hallway to the bathroom and Kristi and Patrick's room.
In the Master Suite, which Kristi and Patrick insisted we take as newbies. It was AWESOME!!
Great chair with great lines. As much as I liked looking at this chair, I didn't sit in it once. It looks like a lot of work to get in and out of. Next Time!!
The gorgeous bathroom that was covered in beach sand within 4.2 hours.
The view of the condos toward the beach on our first night.
On the first night, we went to a great Mexican food restaurant. Kristi and Patrick could tell us the names of all of these places, but I can never remember those details. I just know that this was the place with great food and amazing servers. Check this guy out delivering our drinks.
Kristi, Patrick, Keith and Carrie on our first night out.
No Kids, No Curfews, No Worries!!
Patrick and Keith with a few local ladies.
Self Portrait on 5th Street that made us laugh later that Dairy Queen was in the background. Sometimes, the US isn't as far away as we might think.
5th Street
Another self portrait by an art walk.
After our stroll down 5th Street, we headed down to the beach for our first toes-in-the-sand moment.
From the beach, our condos El Taj was glowing brightly.
Back at the condo, we went to our private rooftop hot tub.
Uh... ya... AMAZING!!
The next morning, we got a glimpse of the beach from our condo. We couldn't wait to hit it.
The infinity pool.
We started the day with a protein shake, a work out at the gym and a Starbucks topper.
Time to grab some breakfast and lay-like-lettuce on the beach.
Breakfast on the Beach.
YAY! YAY! YAY!
THIS, was my breakfast company.
Exhilarating, eh?
Maybe, if you were in the conversation. However, there was no talk of the latest movie star drama, the cute dress we saw on 5th Street or the novel we were about to dive into. So... it was a quick breakfast.
Ahhh.... finally.... on the beach with my belly to the sun.
Kristi and Carrie with our first Vodka Papina.
SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!!!
Even the guacamole was gorgeous and delicious.
The guys taking a chair. This was a rare site. They didn't find the joy in sitting as much as the girls did. It was common that they were off in search of the perfect $1 taco, which they claimed to have found while the girls found the perfect angle of the sun.
That night, we headed out on the town, like every other night.
No Kids, No Curfews, No Worries, TAKE II.
While out and about we found this awesome car and took some fun photos.
Lady in Red!
(Go ahead, try not to sing along)
We stopped at a great pizza place that was, yes, AMAZING!
One thing that Playa Del Carmen didn't lack was great food. We ate great food and a lot of it.
Striking a pose on 5th street with our Red Solo Cups.
(once again, I know you want to sing along)
Maybe it was the carb over load from the pizza, or the cerveza, but this cracked me up.
Drugs, Open... with Keith and Patrick.
Keith signing signals out to Kristi.
Purchase finally made.
Ok, so the Drugstore wasn't really a funny story, it was for super glue to fix Kristi's shoe. The scenario just make me laugh. Probably had to be there to find the humor in it.
The next day, it was similar to the first.
Protein Shake, Work Out, Starbucks, Breakfast, Beach.
AHH!!!
Carrie and Keith in the infinity pool.
SO FUN!
For lunch Kristi and I strolled down the beach to a neighboring hotel with fabulous Pina Coladas.
Who knew that we would have a celebrity sighting?
Good thing those Pina Colados were SO GOOD. I swear my hair looked better than that when we went strolling down the beach.
Girl Time in Mexico.
While enjoying our lunch and Pina Colados, I was highly distracted by someone sitting further up on the deck. Was it? Could it be? Mr Tom Cruise, himself? Be still my beating heart.*
After a fabulous afternoon at the spa and another dinner on 5th street, we were already half way through our vacation.
After two days at our condo beach, where Keith and Patrick had already discovered the best $1 tacos every, we opted to go to a private beach to the south. We opted out of the gym, but opted in for Starbucks.
5th Street was much different in the mornings. It was quiet, peaceful and a great place to take a morning stroll.
Apparently, Keith in Mexico can be translated to Keed with a smiley face.
Starbucks on 5th Street with the sun coming up over the beach just a few blocks away.
Red Solo Cup on a Sunday Morning.
Loved this shot and the humor I found in it.
Back at the entrance of El Taj.
After a short shuttle drive, we were at the private beach.
We LOVE LOVE LOVED it here!
Keith and Carrie at the beach.
Nothing like the view of the ocean beyond your toes.
Keith out in the ocean. Ahhh!!!! Refreshing!!! and SO much fun!!!
Nothing like a day (or four) at the beach.
The boys discovered that there was a kayak and they were in heaven. They spent hours upon hours rolling up and over the waves and tumbling out of the kayak a time or twenty.
There was a great bar with swing seats. LOVE This! We may adopt this on our new deck that we are building this summer.
Keith, Carrie, Patrick and Kristi
Plus, carafe's of cocktails were cheaper than one. 5 drinks for the price of 2, no brainer!
Patrick and Kristi swingin'!
Bottoms Up!
One last photo shot before the end of the day.
Ahhhh Paradise!
Back at the El Taj, headed out for another night on the town.
Kristi and Carrie ready to roll.
The last full day, we went to La Cueva del Chango for breakfast. It was deep in the heart of the jungle, mosquito's and all. Well, it used to be in the jungle. After only a few years, it's now surrounded by houses, condos and office buildings, but it still feels very much like the jungle.
Strolling down 5th Street
Current day and former day transportation.
Really, do you think we would go to paradise only once? For our last and final full day, we went back to the private beach.
Ahhh... life is Grand and my knees are TAN!
The boys were back in Kayak action
Paradise
Toes in the sand and ocean wave
While the boys kayaked, we swang.
This is Manuel. We LOVED Manual. He took such great care of us and we hope to see him there again next year.
Final Photo of Four
at the Beach
Patrick, Kristi, Carrie and Keith
Patrick, Kristi, Carrie and Keith
Good Times!
Final soak in the tub
For our final dinner on the town we went to a great Italian Restaurant and saw our favorite Playa del Carmen performers. This guy was a complete crack up. We LOVED him and his groovy moves.
Click Play and you'll see how fun this guys is.
Our final stroll down 5th street on our way to our final Playa del Carmen lunch.
AHHHH Good Times
A quick lunch before heading to the airport.
What a GREAT vacation!
Thanks to Kristi and Patrick for the invite. We are already counting the days until next year.
HUGE HUGE HUGE Thanks to Grandma for coming to stay with the boys while we were away. Oliver stated "We had more fun than you did" in which I replied "I'm sure you did, kiddo". From what I hear, in his opinion, I'm sure they did. In our opinion.... well.... we don't want to say too much or they won't be so excited for us to go again next year without them. I think you can translate our opinion by the story above.
*Was it possibly Tom Cruise. There was no way that Tom would be casually dining at the beach in Playa Del Carmen, but I couldn't let it go without further inquiry. Kristi didn't think I would do it, but I did. I walked up to him and said "You look just like Tom Cruise. I know you can't be because why would Tom Cruise be hanging out here, but can I take a picture with you to show my husband? He'll never believe me." After some small talk, he agreed. I asked him where he was from (his accent was just like mine and Kristi's) and he said "I'm from here" meaning Mexico. After a bit more small talk I looked him straight in the eye and said "where were you born". People, I would like you to meet Tim from Ohio. Tim, Tom, it's all the same when there's a Tom look-a-like in aviators.
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