Mexico Trip–First Three Days

THURSDAY

We woke up at 4:50am, left at 5:45am, arrived at the airport at 7:00am, checked in, went through security and hung out at the USO for a few minutes to grab a snack before heading to the gate. We met up with the Jacksons and Richins at Gate A44 and everyone was pretty excited.

The flight was 3 1/2 hours. We switched around seats so that friends could sit together. Dad, Lizzy and Megan – Emily Maggie and Katie -- Luke, Matt and Andrew -- Romney, Megan Jackson and I. Chris slept almost the whole flight. Everyone had a great time. We landed, picked up luggage and shuttled to the rental company with less hassle than you might think for a group of 18. With two vans and one car we headed to COSTCO. We grabbed food for the kids and then shopped for our ‘days’ worth of good for the group. And then we drove 2 hours to Tulum, and stopped at a Mexican grocery store to grab a few more things. Some of the kids and I waited outside.

We continued on the narrow road through the cool resort area of Tulum bright with lantern lit hotels, bungalows and restaurants. And then under the foretold arch which would start our 37 km journey into the bio reserve and down the peninsula. The dirt road was bumpy and therefore slow. No lights, no buildings, just jungle on either side. We crossed the bridge with the ‘no fishing’ sign and saw 60 people fishing… and continued on. The boys were getting antsy. We had Luke, Matt, Andrew, Romney and Jane with us and we had spent the hours amused by Romney’s riddles, but now everyone just wanted to get there. After an hour of slow jostling we turned left into ? to see our Mexican beach house.

The kids were beyond excited. It was dark now but numerous palm trees were lit showing off a swing, a kids playset, and hammocks surrounding the house. They ran around excited about all of it. We went through some rules and listened to Alberto’s broken English as he explained a few things. He told us to stay on the property and not wander into the jungle because of jaguars and scorpions. I looked at Christ and jokingly said, “Where are we?” and then I started to laugh and couldn’t stop. My kids and 6 others gathered around me wondering what was going on. Tears were streaming down my face and I tried to say ‘jaguars and scorpions’ but all that came out was most hysteria. Then Chris couldn’t stop. Definitely not enough sleep. But boy does it feel good to laugh that hard.

We settled the kids in bed finally at 10:30 and then sat around and talked until 12:30. It’s going to be a memorable week – with or without jaguars and scorpions.

FRIDAY

The house reminded me of our farmhouse in Switzerland… picturesque, with unique quirky charm. The kitchen and living room had huge windows open to the outside and was a nice living space. Not a ton of counter space but a nice big table to work on. Four rooms had doors to the outside and two had entry to the Living Room/Kitchen area.

Our Mexican beach house

The kitchen area

The covered porch area outside the kitchen

Our view from the porch

The next door house ruins. The whole property used to be a coconut plantation.

Sandy path to our own private beach

Looking back to the house from the beach

The kids play place

We slept great. I could hear the boys awake in the next room and was aware that they headed into the kitchen to help themselves with cereal. When I finally got up, Amy and most of the kids were already in the ocean. Megan, Jon, Chris and I ate yogurt and granola at the beach and we had the most relaxing day sitting by the water, playing beach volleyball, lying in the hammocks, eating sandwiches for lunch and heading out on kayaks to go snorkeling. It was the perfect start to a vacation void of schedules, phones and even knowing the time.

Love the beach house’s cute green doors.

Getting ready for the first big trip out to snorkel…

Cute Hannah…

Our private beach. Two of the Mexican guys living on the property worked on raking kelp every day.

Hanging out in the hammocks with Emily and staring up at the palm trees

Jane trying to surf

Romney and his kite that he flew and then lost and then recovered and then detangled the string

Hannah time…

Swings, Dad hanging out with Luke (who was starting to feel a little sick) and Matthew holding the big conch that Amy found while snorkeling. We took some pictures and then put it back in the ocean.

Late afternoon card games

We were in charge of food for the day. Sandwiches and chips for lunch, chips and guacamole (made by Augustina – our house cleaner/cook) for a late afternoon snack and chicken tacos for dinner. Then Chris set up the projector so we could watch Princess Bride together, which was really fun.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning we started the day with braid time. I just love how slow and relaxing the days were. We were deliberately slow, and spent time eating and talking and getting ready for the day. We listened to a lot of music, took a lot of picture and had the best time.