¡Viva Mexico!

Our eight days and seven nights in Cancun were all we expected and so much more. It was a vacation that was simply out-of-this-world!

I loved pulling out my summer clothes in the middle of December and rather than fight the humidity, I decided it unnecessary to do my hair for the entire week. Delightful!

It was a week of many highlights and so much of which we just couldn't get enough...

We simply couldn't get enough of those brilliant blue waters and powder-soft sand.

The amazing waves lulled me to sleep at night and greeted me each morning. They provided canvas for the most spectacular sun and moon rises. I've never in my life watched a full moon rise like that.

Their salty sting in the eyes was a small price to pay for the thrilling crash against my body which once washed me clear back to shore.

And they gave Jon some thrilling boogey board and jet ski rides.

Though I grew tired of the buffet (pronounced boofette in Mexico), I couldn't get enough flan or guacamole, two personal favorites, which I indulged in every day. They were both fabulous!

This is me with my pick for the best flan of the trip. Actually, this entire meal at Xcaret ranked as the best of the week.

Jon is completely "satisfecho."

Because we fell in love amid the Mayan culture of Guatemala, we both looked forward to experiencing the culture of Mexico on this trip. We couldn't get enough of the many cultural opportunities. An eco park called Xcaret, provided lots of it, as did our excursion to Chichen Izta; a Mayan ruins site that ranks among the seven wonders of the world.

Reinactment of an ancient Mayan ritual to the sun god that we watched at Xcaret.

One of the performers of the cultural night show at Xcaret.

The largest temple in Chichen Itza.

I couldn't get enough of listening to Jon speak Spanish. I was almost giddy listening to him converse so fluently and be complimented by every native speaker on his skills. I was also excited to be able to understand a lot of his conversations. I couldn't contribute but I could listen. My hubby's so cool!

His language skills came particularly in handy when it came to bartering at the markets. He hates the arguing over price, as do I, so we didn't do too much shopping.

The market at Isla Mujeres. They use golf carts to get around this place.

Because we couldn't get enough of our first snorkel trip, we scheduled a second. This next picture was actually taken at an aquarium at Xcaret, but I am posting it because it so closely resembles what we experienced while snorkeling at the second largest reef in the world.

Though I was a bit squeamish at first, in the end, I couldn't get enough of swimming with the Dolphins. Their skin is silky smooth and having them push me through the water was unbelievable! Our time with them ended much too soon.

We went to church on Sunday. I love that the gospel's the same no matter where in the world you venture. The building was tiny but very neat and clean.

As if the fabulous excursions weren't enough, our all-inclusive resort also included treatments at the resort spa. I couldn't bear the thought of letting them going to waste, so I managed to convince Jon to take advantage of his pedicure, manicure and massage treatments. Without question, our afternoon together in the spa is a highlight I won't ever forget.:)

Doesn't Jon looked thrilled to be relaxing with his theraputic neck wrap? Little did he know, the bony elbows of his tiny Mexican masseuse would soon feel like "knives in his back." I don't know what he's talking about, I thought it was heavenly!

Jon did enjoy the manicure, only because it was painless and he enjoyed his Spanish conversation with Yolanda. Svieta, however, was a bit put off by his unkempt toenails and scaly heels and thus handled his feet rather gruffly.

The picture doesn't tell the true story. Svieta actually appears happy, which is deceiving, as does Jon--also deceiving. In reality, Jon displayed a variety of grimaces while he whinced in pain. He may not have been making any actual noise, but his facial expressions caused alarm from my pedicurist who couldn't help but be distracted by his silent cries of agony. This pedicure, he claims, can only be described by equating it to "going to the dentist without novacaine."

I, on the other hand, felt pampered while I laughed at him the whole time. So much fun.

This entire trip would not have happened were it not for my good friend, Nannette, having a 40th birthday. Her husband arranged this giant surprise and it really is a miracle that she did not find out any of us were going on her trip with her. We had to spin all sorts of lies to keep the surprise going for six months.

Our friend, Brian, also celebrated a birthday so we had a fun party with these guests of honor. The girls wore shirts with Nannette's picture, the guys with Brian's.

Our time in Cancun really did end much too soon. When we went to our balcony one last time, I couldn't help but make a pouty face to show my displeasure.

I didn't want to leave that amazing beach or the sparkly clean resort whose staff followed every service rendered with, "It's a pleasure."

And of all the things of which I just couldn't get enough, the best was spending kid-free time with my favorite person in the entire world.

What a vacation!

P.S. Here is the cartwheel picture that several of you requested. I truly couldn't control myself. The sand squishing through my toes felt so good that I needed my hands to experience it too!