una semana en playa del secreto

it has been a good summer around here. After graduation we decided a little vacation was in order, so we pulled out our handy CDC global pandemic map, and picked somewhere that that looked exciting. Always trying to be on the cutting edge, we couldn't resist a trip to swine flu central, Mexico!

It was awesome, and cheap, so here's the tip for all you would be world travelers... contagious diseases = fantastic bargains (and maybe a horrible horrible death, so check to see if people be droppin' before you book).

We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya in Playa Del Secreto... it was really fancy. They greeted us with drinks at the entry, and gave us a free room upgrade.









The grounds were awesome and very well cared for.



This place was crawling with these guys. We usually saw 2 or three walking between the room and the pool.


Us at the pool... it was HUGE.


and because everyone thought simply stepping foot in Mexico was sure to kill you, it was almost empty most of the time.


Shopping in Playa Del Carmen... it was fun to haggle with the vendors. I got a lot of Spanish practice in.


My boss hasn't been happy with my decision to wear this look to every client meeting since we got back. I think it adds a little pizazz to the office, so I'm sticking with it.


Playa was crazy. Because there are entrances to caves and Mayan ruins mixed in with the shopping. Right under this balcony there was a deep water filled cave (cenote) that you could go down to for some swimming/ cave snorkeling.




So, We were driving back to the hotel from Playa del Carmen when this car pulled in front of us. Mexico is nuts. Yes, that sweet music is coming from the bangin' system in the back of the car in front of us. Yes, we are on a freeway. Yes, it was much louder in real life. and yes, the speakers are held in place by a broom handle and bungee cords.



We were walking along a dirt road to the ruins in Tulum when we saw this sweet Nacho Libre bike.



Me at the entry to the ruins.


Ya, the ruins were pretty awesome. Seeing them was definitely on my life list. There was a little beach right below them that you could go down to.



Sitting on the ruins. I was so tired, because Mexico is so incredibly hot. Go there, but go in the winter. Summer in Mexico = sweaty all the time.


At the beach in Tulum.




This is Akumal. Akumal is soooooo cool. Definitely more low key than Playa del Carmen. The snorkeling here was so great. Right off the beach we saw a bunch of giant sea turtles, an eagle ray, and lots of fish. The turtles were munching on sea grass in about 10-15 ft of water, and would swim right by you when they came up for air. Incredible, and totally free other than the snorkel equipment rental.

I went in another area away from the turtles, and there was great coral, with a wall of little fish like 10 ft thick. I got a tip that there might be a barracuda in the area, too, and sure enough, after checking under two or three boats, I stuck my head under water and was face to face with a massive scary looking one. I was only like 2 ft away, and it was really ugly so I was a bit shocked. It was about 4 ft long, and just sort of floated there staring back at me. creepy but cool.





We ate lunch right on Half Moon Bay in Akumal. Life is hard.


Kristie got a tattoo.



This monkey was pretty cool.



Until he totally felt Kristie up.



Kristie and the (much more respectful) iguana, Maurice.

All in all it was a pretty relaxing week. Full of just what we needed...








Thanks for reading... I really do plan on being better about this.

Here is a slideshow of the rest of the photos.

- Scott