Of Fine Sands and Ruins: Cancun - The Halcyon Coast of Mexico

MBG Globe - Cancun, Mexico - October 9-12, 2021

The cold wind blows over Toronto, hinting winter is at bay. Desperate to extend a little bit of summertime, we escaped to paradise and say hello, Mexico! Two years into lockdown, local travels here and there but nothing compares to being under the tropical sky, getting sunburnt, sticky, and sweaty! This trip came out of nowhere, not planned, at least not for me. Marlon just sent through an itinerary, saying pack, we will have sand on our toes! Sandy toes indeed, plus visits to the ruins of the world long ago. 

Chichen Itza

Grand Fiesta Americana Resort

Our trip to Cancun is nothing short of amazing and even more special as it is our first trip outside of Canada. Mexico is just 4 hours away from Toronto, we had a relaxing flight with unlimited drinks at our disposal and in-flight entertainment. We had masked on our faces the entire flight and sanitation kits provided at every chance. Flying to Mexico has no border restrictions, we get in just fine, and just showcased our Covid vaccines proof and off we go.

Unlimited selection of movies and music playlists

We arrived in Cancun with the tropical weather on display. The sun is scorching, the salty taste of the wind, and the smell of the ocean is strong even at the airport. Marlon booked a private coach for us to get to our hotel. It took 30 minutes on the road, but the ride was worth it, I am talking about highways lined with palm trees, beachfront wherever you look, and beaming tourists on foot.

Our hotel is centrally located in the wide stretch of the hotel zone area. We are centered between the nightlife district and the market/ souvenir shops. Coral Beach - Grand Fiesta Americana stayed true to their name of infinite luxury, not only that the hotel boasts elegance, the staff is personable and the overall experience is all worth it.

More so, our room prides the backdrop of the turquoise stretch of the Atlantic, warm sea breeze, busy ocean activities, and a birds-eye view of the many swimming pools in the hotel. Additionally, the all-inclusive tagline is vacation heaven. When I say all-inclusive, that's from the little chocolates in the room's mini bar - free refill as you like and drinks and food in any restaurants within the hotel!

Our room's balcony. The red armband on Gabby is your all-inclusive tag. Lose it then you will have to pay. 

When Marlon says grand... it will be grand!

Mexican platter and cocktails, all-inclusive

all these for 3 nights

Day 1 

We spent the remaining hours of the day till night swimming on the beach, soaking in the pools, and stuffing Mexican cocktails and food. We capped off our first day with an Italian dinner buffet and Marlon booking excursions for the next day.

First-day realization:

The beach in Cancun is amazing. I thought that Phuket takes the cake of beach glory, but the Atlantic waters are just so different. It is captivating!

Mexican food, authentic, is not for us. I prefer my taco shells in Sobeys or Walmart anytime in a heartbeat. Oh, I had my fat pants ready, only to have worn them loose because I didn't get to eat as much as I thought I would.

Mexicans are nice, especially the staff in our hotel. They go above and beyond! Mexicans are nice, especially our coach driver. He markets his countries many tourist wonders in a way that makes us laugh all the way to our hotel. Mexicans are nice, especially our tour guide to Chichen Itza, I would like him to be my history teacher, I bet I will have good marks.

These waters are endless, limewater contrasting the blue sky. Fine white sands, daybeds, cocktails, foods. Oh, to live under the Mexican sky, cradled by the waters of the Atlantic. 

As if the beach is not enough, the hotel has 4 swimming pools. 1 large pool for the adults, alongside the bar, kids swimming pool, toddler swimming pool, and a jacuzzi with a fountain swimming pool. The main pool which is alongside the bar conducts many games for the guests, there are prizes to win too. Night by the poolside is an awesome treat of fire dance, disco, and some wild Atlantic fling. I say this because I've spied on our balcony. What's a disco with a Biw in tow?

We instead spent our first night at the hotel's arcade and had a good Italian dinner, chardonnay, and platters of cheese. Italian, yes. As I said, authentic Mexican food is not for us.

Day 2

We had a full day of activities on our second day.  The second day is the Biw day. A special day on our vacation is allotted, especially for the Biw. We had swimming with the dolphins, a jet ski tour, and a pirate-themed dinner cruise. We walked the streets of Cancun in between these tours, buying souvenirs and feeling touristy.

Oh, that dolphin smooch. Gabby always wanted to experience this. We had our chance in Singapore before but did not really happen. Finally, she had her wish came true.

Look at their happy faces, red days for me so I had to pass up getting up close with the dolphins. I swear I will squish them to no ends, their cute little eyes is begging me to do it!

That's just one of the many tricks of this smart and gentle sea creature. It was fun watching them play with humans. They are your cuddly friend from the sea.

Next to our water adventure is a jet ski tour of the azure waters. It is my first time on a watercraft that I can personally maneuver. It was scary for me at first but taking in the beauty of the vastness of the ocean with a style, nope, never complaining again.

Look at me, feeling the moment.

Their smile says it all. Gabby was scared too at first and ended up never wanting to stop!

After the two water activities, we strolled the streets looking for great finds. I must at all cost have my hands on those popular Mexican handicrafts of colors, history, and quality. My souvenir essentials of a shot-glass, figurine, ref magnet were all accounted for. I had the chance to buy a Christmas tree decoration as well since it is on the shelves already.

Look at that impressive display of handmade pieces. I swear I wanted to bulk up my spending but hey there are more places for us to visit. 

My loot and some took their places at home the moment we arrived.

We had a perfect end to our second day in Cancun with a dinner cruise of the Atlantic ocean aboard a pirate ship. The pirate experience was supposed to be fun for Gabby but the extravagance turned out to be too much for her. She nearly cried but danced the night away as the band of pirates started a tune of ACDC to Metallica. Yes, Gabby is a metalhead like me!

The Jolly Roger ship in the background.

Dinner, band, and cruise. Ahoy!

Tell me who's rocking the ship??

Day 3

Our third day in Cancun is an archeological tour of the ancient city of the Mayan People. The ruins of the ancient world are unparalleled. The richness of the history I can't even comprehend, in each piece of the stone lodge into the great pyramid, is the grand passing of time. We are grateful to have witnessed how Chichen Itza stood centuries so that the new world could see how they were, long time ago. After a scorching walk through the old city, we had a dip at the cenotes of Selva Maya. Our third day ended with a good night's sleep for the next day's flight back home.

The original facade of odd stones makes the great pyramid of the Mayan People.

At the foot of the pyramid, guards Kukulkan of the ancient Aztec Mythology.

The vertical statue of the Mayan

The throne of the King, ages ago

The remains of a sensual history, colors of the past

The Cenotes of Selva Maya is a rewarding dip after the scorching trip to the ancient Mayan City. Cenotes are large caves filled with clear underground water over the passing of time. Taking a plunge into the natural waters of Selva Maya's cenotes is one for the books, clear and cool water plus the beauty of ethereal nature surrounds you.

Steps down the cave of clear underground water

The pool of emerald behind me

Must be nice down there

To celebrate our last night in Cancun, Marlon reserved a romantic beachside dinner of seafood, chicken, tropical salad, and refreshing drinks.

Cancun is a breath of fresh air, warm sunshine, and tranquility. From water adventures to trips to the ruins, it is an altogether great vacation destination. The Atlantic ocean sure is vast, beautiful, and a show-stopper. If you ever dream of halcyon days under the sun, curiosities of the past civilization, or some wild tropical nights, Cancun is the place to be!

P.S. Maybe at 40, Marlon and I may not be too old for some wild tropical nights. We will be back to mark that off on our "next" list.

*MBGXCancun*    *TheMarcosesXMexico*    *21/2Gypsies*