There was a small group assembled at the Snack Bar when they began serving breakfast at 6 am. All were Minnesotans who were heading back to the Cancun airport for the Sun Country direct flight to Minneapolis. Since the main buffet didn't open until 7 am, I was grateful that the snack bar was available. Our shuttle arrived a few minutes after 7:00 and by then we had finished eating, retrieved our luggage from the room, and checked out at the front desk in the main lobby. Boarding the shuttle were the eight of us who had arrived together the week before plus a few others. On the drive to Cancun, it was interesting to hear impressions of the resort from the group. I heard more than once that those who were in penthouse rooms had to deal with leaks in the roof during the week. They also complained of the stairs going to the rooftop lounge area. Apparently the steps were a little scary to climb and one lady said she feared for her life if she were to slip and fall! Hearing these comments just confirmed my decision to request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor. I also overheard another conversation discussing the fireworks from the previous night. One person had been laying on the beach and when the fireworks started, the sparks and ash were raining down on top of her! Another man said that the sparks were also landing on the thatched roofs at ABBWR and starting small fires. He said the staff were hustling trying to make sure the fires got extinguished. Knowing that parts of the resort burned down a few years ago, I'm sure that must have been a little frightening. There was a line to check in for our flight at the airport, but once that was done, the rest of the day went very smoothly. We lucked out and ended up with an empty seat between us on the plane which always makes the flight more comfortable. As we took off, I snapped some photos of the beautiful, blue water surrounding the coastline.
I signed up for Amazon Prime recently and had downloaded a movie onto my iPad (for free!) that we watched. With a splitter, we were able to both plug in our headphones and a couple of hours of the flight passed by quickly. The flight was to have taken four hours, but we arrived early in Minneapolis and sailed through customs. Once we picked up our car from the park 'n fly hotel, our drive home took just as much time as the flight all the way from Mexico! It was obvious that autumn had arrived in Minnesota during the week we were gone. Trees that were green when we left had now turned shades of yellow, orange and red. Arriving home, we were thankful for God's protection during our week in Akumal and for safe travels. Our next planned trip will be in the spring (Lord willing) when we cruise to Hawaii. Thanks to all of you who have read this blog and "traveled" along with us on this trip. I invite you to check back in April for some more Souvenir Memories...or better yet, sign up on the right hand side of this page to receive an email alert whenever there are new posts added. Thanks to technology I can still get up early and see the beach at sunrise each morning...via webcam. Here is the link if you would like to enjoy Akumal Beach with me! With winter coming soon, I know I will be checking the webcam often! Akumal Beach Webcam Link Adios!
Our last full day in paradise...and also Bob's birthday! After the fun of exploring a cenote the day before, today was to be a "lie on the beach & snorkel" kind of day. It started with my pre-dawn trek to stake out a claim for a palapa and to get my daily sunrise photos. The sun was hidden behind the thick clouds as it came up, but after crawling out of bed, I felt obligated to take a few photographs anyway.
When I got back to our room I found Bob up and on the balcony watching the sunrise as well.
After discussing the weather situation, we decided to snorkel right away and have breakfast later. It was nice being out in the water early while it was relatively calm and very few others were snorkeling. I didn't have my camera, but we did see a turtle and...a first for the week...a lion fish. By the time we were back on shore, the dark clouds were building. Bob checked with German about going SUP (stand up paddle boarding) at 8 am, but with the approaching storm, he wasn't going out. Instead we decided to retreat to the snack bar and have something to eat. The staff was busy clearing all of the tables along the perimeter hoping to encourage people to sit further back and away from the impending rain. (Good move!) The hot food at the snack bar was always served in covered pans which required EVERYONE to open EVERY pan to see what was inside. The usual offerings were two pans of scrambled eggs (one had vegetables added), bacon, sausage, pancakes or french toast, and some sort of muffins. The cold foods always included cereal, fresh fruits, lunch meats & cheeses, and all sorts of Mexican sauces/condiments such as guacamole, pico de gallo, etc. Orange and grapefruit juice were available self serve. The rain was coming down by the time we filled our plates and I was glad we were sitting under cover. The wind continued to pick up with the storm and eventually even our table was getting a bit wet. We ate slowly and although the rain had lessened, it looked as if it might continue for some time. The beach had pretty much cleared out at that point, so we gathered our stuff and went back to the room. As we walked through the main bar area, we were very careful of our footing. The marble floors were slick all of the time, but add a little moisture and it became a skating rink.
In retrospect, we should have just hung out at the snack bar a bit longer because in a short time the rain stopped and the sun came out. Not wanting to waste any of our last day, we headed back to the beach. After lunch Bob wanted to snorkel. I really didn't want to go, but I also don't like the idea of him being out alone (he insists on going out SO far!) I compromised and just floated along with my noodle, but didn't take my mask & snorkel. We went straight out from the snack bar and I was just tooling along when a turtle popped his head up right in front of me! I alerted Bob and he followed the juvenile turtle around in circles for some time. By the middle of the afternoon I knew I needed to face the fact that I had packing to do. I left Bob napping in his lounge chair on the beach and I went back to the room. Once I felt sufficiently organized, I walked back to the beach, snapping photos of the resort as I went.
Jungle area behind our building.
Construction happening behind building #3. Not quite sure what it is.
New covered walkways between buildings had been added since our last visit. This leads from Building #3 to the main lobby area (and also the gourmet and Japanese restaurants.)
Looking towards the buffet from Building #3.
Lobby.
Walkway from lobby to main bar.
Lobby and walkway that leads to Building #2.
Building #2 behind the pool. (Formerly was Building #5.)
Main bar.
View from main bar towards beach.
Walkway between pool and beach.
Pool.
Volleyball and Stand Up Paddleboard area.
New sushi bar.
When I got to the beach, Bob was just getting ready to join a volleyball game and then went out for one last time of SUP.
On our walk back to our room, we saw a small group of people gathered around one of the turtle nests in front of our building. (The nests had a small round fence surrounding them.) Ever so often the sand would shift as the turtles below were trying to escape from their eggs. In talking to one of the "turtle guys" that monitor the nests we found out they had captured a whole nest that morning that had hatched and were going to release the turtles after dark that evening. Our last dinner was in the buffet and after finishing (and having our lemon ice cream!) we joined a small crowd on the beach to watch the turtle release. Any kind of lights cause the turtles to be disoriented so everyone was cautioned to NOT use any flash on their cameras. I knew I would never get a decent photo without a flash, so didn't even try. But...of course...as soon as the turtles were released, someone in the group set off the flash on their cell phone. It was fun watching the little guys scurry down the sand and into the water knowing that those that survive would make their way back to the same beach to nest someday. While we were watching the turtles, we started seeing searchlights flashing across the dark sky. Word from some in the group was that the new Secrets resort next door was having some big celebration. We had noticed them cleaning up the massive amounts of seaweed in front of the resort that day and also a helicopter hovering over the resort...makes me think these events were all related. We ended the night (or so we thought) by sitting in the benches by the main bar watching the light show from Secrets. Our shuttle to the airport was scheduled for 7 am the next morning so after doing a bit more packing, we were in bed early (nothing new!) About 10 pm we woke up to some loud booms. We bolted out of bed and saw fireworks in the sky. I jokingly told Bob that I had arranged them for his birthday! My cameras were packed so I grabbed my phone and took this blurry photo.
We watched the fireworks display to the end and then went back to bed once again. A nice way to end a special birthday, but there is more to the story...be sure and check out the post for our last day!
Today we changed things up a bit. No staking out a palapa...no sunrise photos...and no, not even a latte (although I did manage to get a cup of coffee at the buffet.) Instead, after breakfast we were on our way to visit the Santa Cruz Cenote.
I made the arrangements for a tour online a few weeks prior based on the great reviews on Trip Advisor and the location of the cenote. Interestingly enough...right after I made the reservations, I saw an HGTV episode (Beachfront Bargain Hunters) where a couple visited Santa Cruz!
Our instructions were to be at the Cervefrio convenience store at the end of the main road in Akumal Pueblo at 9:00 am. Akumal Playa is just a short walk down the beach from the resort, but Akumal Pueblo is on the other side of highway 307 and requires crossing over the pedestrian bridge.
Using Google Maps, I had calculated that our meeting place for the tour was about one mile from the resort...certainly a walkable distance...in good weather. Just in case of rain, I had inquired at the resort about the cost of a taxi and found it was 150 pesos each way (around $10 US.)
I had hoped for a cloudy (and hence cooler) morning, but by the time we finished breakfast and started walking, the sun was shining bright. The walk to our meeting place took about a half hour and gave us a chance to see the pueblo for the first time. The little town was bustling with activity first thing in the morning, including various shops getting grills ready to prepare food and lots of stray dogs wandering the streets. Had I not been close to my melting point from the heat and humidity, I would have enjoyed the walk even more. At the time, my primary goal was to get to the end of the street as quickly as possible and find a spot in the shade to wait for our tour.
At exactly 9:00 a car pulled up driven by our guide, Viktor. Inside were another guy and gal whom we assumed were taking the tour as well. Turns out the gal was just a friend of Viktor's coming along and the guy, Charlie, was a photographer who would be taking pictures during the tour.
To reach the cenote, Viktor drove down a VERY rough, gravel road for a couple of miles. Once we reached our destination we were able to use the restroom (very primitive) and then put on life jackets. (We had worn our swimsuits under our clothing and had water shoes.) Viktor also gave us waterproof flashlights. He said it was OK if I wanted to take my waterproof camera, but that I wouldn't be able to take any flash photos.
Restroom
To keep from polluting the cenote, we were instructed to NOT wear any insect repellent or deodorant. Word must have gotten out to the mosquitoes that we were fair game because they were out in full force. Minnesotans refer to the mosquito as our "state bird", but we have nothing compared to what we encountered in the jungle! One swat to your legs could kill several at once!
The caretaker of the property had a gizmo that contained burning leaves. A bellow was attached so that he could blow smoke and he followed us down the path trying to smoke out the bugs. It helped a little, but basically we were still being swarmed. Bob was intrigued by the contraption so took several photos. (We since learned that he was using a bee keeper's smoker.)
We stopped to look at a round rock that Viktor thought perhaps a meteorite and then a weird shaped tree. Depending on how you looked at the tree, it resembled different animals. (I see a giraffe...how about you?)
Fortunately it was just a short distance to where we would enter the cenote. This required holding a rope while climbing down a wooden ladder through a hole in the ground.
Once below ground, we were in a rather large (dry) room full of stalactites, stalagmites, and roots reaching down through the earth above. (And unfortunately...still a few mosquitoes.) Viktor spent quite a long time explaining the history and geology of cenotes which was quite interesting.
As we were looking around, Bob spotted an interesting spider.
From this room, we began our trek through the cave. We walked through water that ranged from ankle deep to waist deep and eventually a spot that was over our heads and required swimming.
The water was extremely cold and shocking when you first went in. Viktor wore a wet suit and Bob was wishing he had brought his as well. Viktor's friend, Melissa, accompanied us along with Charlie, the photographer.
All I could think of in the cenote was "I can't believe I'm doing this!" I have been in tourist caves before that were lighted and had paved paths. Well, there was nothing artificial or man made here! At one point we turned off our flashlights and experienced the total darkness. Bob was a little more at home in the cave. He is an experienced spelunker and actually does cave survey work for the state of Minnesota.
In some areas, the passageways required stooping down to get through tight spaces. I struggle with claustrophobia, but I was so awestruck it didn't even bother me!
Throughout the cenote, the water was crystal clear and small black catfish were visible in the beam of our flashlights.
Here is a video I took as we walked through the cenote...definitely a highlight of our trip to Mexico!
Our walk through the cenote led us to an area of deep water where the roof of the cenote had collapsed and was open above. Viktor called this his "office".
The sunlight streaming through the openings in the cave roof lit up the clear water below. Bob and I took off our life vests and swam around this deep pool.
There was a small set of steps where you could climb up and swing on a rope.
Viktor crawled down these steps and remained submerged upside down for what seemed like a long time...exhaling rings of air!
From this open pool, we climbed up a set of crude, wooden stairs to get out of the cenote and back to where the car was parked. After changing back into clothes (and again battling the mosquitoes) Viktor gave us a ride back to the other side of the highway which made our walk back to the resort much quicker.
A late lunch was in order once we got back and lucky us...tamales wrapped in banana leaves were on the menu in the buffet. Afternoon naps were in order and by the time we went to the beach in the late afternoon, the crowds were beginning to thin and we were able to find an open palapa.
From our lounge chairs we watched a couple of turtles repeatedly popping up their heads fairly near the shore. It was fun to try and guess just where...and when they would appear. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my noodle back in the room, so when we did go into the water, I wasn't able to float. As I was standing in waist deep water, I put my foot down on something...and then it moved. I looked down and saw a small ray scurry off. Oh. My. Goodness. Luckily I didn't get stung, but it did really freak me out.
An interesting thing happened that afternoon on the beach. A lady whom I would guess to be in her 60's was sunbathing topless. She must have been looking for a prime spot in the sun, and ended up pulling her lounge chair across the beach and set it up RIGHT IN FRONT of Bob. But the weird thing was that she didn't have it facing the water like everyone else, she set it up sideways so Bob was left looking right at her! Hmmmm.
There was a nice breeze blowing off the water, so Bob decided that we should eat at Rodizio, the Brazilian restaurant right on the beach. The restaurant was built on one end of the former snack bar eating area. It was not air conditioned, but with the breeze it was more than comfortable.
After getting cleaned up back at our room, we walked to the restaurant. The meal started with a trip to the salad bar (which wasn't near as extensive as the one in the buffet) and then waiters with skewers of different meats...and grilled pineapple...came by the table.
Our late lunch meant neither of us were particularly hungry so we left without having any dessert. That gave Bob a good excuse to stop in the buffet later to get a lemon ice cream cone. (He really did LOVE that ice cream!)
A little hot tub time on our balcony and then we called it a night. Tomorrow...somebody has a birthday!
Bob and I were both awake as it started to
get light. (Leaving the curtains open helped!) The two of us went down to the
main part of the beach together for the morning ritual of 1) claiming a palapa,
2) photographing the sunrise and 3) getting my latte!
A rainbow was an added bonus for the morning!
Bob had an additional reason for being up
early. Since he had been doing the SUP (stand up paddle boarding) class multiple
times a day, the instructor, German, had suggested just the two of them go out
early (7 am) Sunday morning. Bob was tickled to death!
I watched them head out and then went back
to the room to get organized for the day.
I met Bob on the beach as he returned and I
suggested that we do a little snorkeling while the water was fairly calm AND
before the hoards of snorkel tours arrived at the bay. We were fortunate enough to see turtles...and a stingray.
Although we snorkeled for
quite some time, Bob was still not ready to come in when I quit. I headed back to the beach and he took over
possession of the camera.
Bob doesn't usually want to be bothered by a camera, but this time he photographed everything under the water that
moved…and some things that didn’t move. (Thank goodness for digital
photography!! Buying and developing film for that many photos would have cost
more than our vacation!)
Hunger pains were starting to hit, but I waited until Bob returned and then we had a nice breakfast at the snack bar…followed by
lunch at the snack bar just a few hours later! Have I mentioned how handy it is
to eat there? Good food and no need to leave the beach!
Interspersed between Bob’s additional paddle boarding
sessions at 11:00, 1:00 and 4:00 we took a walk, heading south down the beach.
We didn’t go too far, but it was fun seeing all of the turtle nests and
checking out the condos along the way.
It takes me much longer to get presentable
for dinner, so while I was showering and primping, Bob decided to take another
walk…in the opposite direction. He went out onto the opposite point of the bay,
near the cannons. The waves were splashing up on the rocks, but nowhere near as
big as we witnessed the last time we were in Akumal.
On his way back to the room, Bob ran into Marianne...and German...and stopped to get some photos!
We chose to eat dinner at one of the outdoor tables by
the buffet. It was lovely being able to sit so close to the water, but around
dusk the pesky mosquitoes caused us to rush a bit through dessert . That was a
shame because it was so yummy! We both discovered the homemade lemon ice cream at
the buffet and had it several nights! I combined mine with an extra scoop of
strawberry ice cream…a great combination!
Following dinner we sat awhile by the main bar until the smokers got going. While we were sitting there a coatimundi ran right next to us and started raiding the garbage! There was another animal that we saw several times (no photo) roaming around behind the building where our room was. From looking online I think it might have been an agouti.
When the smoke started bothering us, we moved down the beach and just sat and looked at the stars before heading back to the room. (We really are boring people in the evening…)
A surprise was
waiting for us back in the room…a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. I’m
not sure, but I suspect it was because I had mentioned that Bob was celebrating
a birthday while we were there. Or…maybe everyone receives something and we
really aren’t special afterall. ;)
