Miami Vice

This trip has been - by far - the best, most relaxing vacation we've had in a long, long time. It far exceeds either of our Hawaii trips. I've been trying to really understand why it feels that way - a beach is a beach is a beach, right? I don't know if it's being out of the country? It definitely feels more 'vacation-like' here since it is so obvious we are far from home. So many different languages being spoken; conversion rates for cash; finding the best 'deal' on ATM machines; having no rental car which makes exploring on foot mandatory and part of the fun. It's been so great - and we are having the best time. For me, this will be my favorite beach spot.

Partly, it's the accommodations. The condo is stunningly beautiful - one entire wall is glass and it looks out at the ocean. The floors are all travertine tile, as are all the bathroom walls. Two baths and 3 bedrooms give us plenty of room. This rental also has maid service - every other day, they change the beds, sweep and mop the floors, do the dishes, etc. They also make the most amazing 'sculptures' from the towels - and I know that's cheesy, but it's so much fun to see what they create from towels. Pictures coming soon. It feels so luxurious - and the maid service is terrific. Fresh towels and sheets every couple of days is such a luxury. We never had that at the Hawaii condos. The decor is beautiful but understated. In Hawaii, every condo had a surplus of palm-tree prints and/or fish themes. Here, it's just classic white with a touch of green. It's beautiful. Dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer and wireless internet. A doorman 24/7 who opens the gate for you as you enter or leave the complex. It just FEELS like this is supposed to be a break - and Hawaii never really felt like that for me....though I enjoyed our trips there.

We have splurged for some incredible dinners - and we had a full breakfast this morning...we try to eat one big meal per day and have stuff at home for the other two, typically. Today we had a nice breakfast out - and then a wonderful dinner. We spent $100 on food/drinks/supplies the first full day here and that has lasted us so far...for snacks and drinks and breakfast supplies. We had hot dogs yesterday for lunch and they were delicious - from the Mega Store deli in town.

Everything is an adventure here - we take cabs if we're going somewhere that's too far to walk. Technically, everything is within walking distance - but if we're going to the market for drinks, we take a cab 'cuz it's too much to carry home. If we had a 'shopping cart' with wheels (like we had in our days of condo living), we could manage - but we needed a cab to get us home after our initial trip. The Mega Mart was like a Walmart (and there's also a Walmart in town) but it's less expensive. And tons of fun - just to walk around and explore. Finding grated cheese for nachos was an adventure. The bakery is self-serve - like most panderia's, you select what you want with tongs and put them on a tray you carry around with you. When you're done, you go to the counter and they bag them and put the price on for you. Delicious! It was loads of fun....

I think this trip has given us a new perspective on 'beach-front' property as well. Sure, we'd love to own this condo - with it's spaciousness and beautiful view. But it probably sells for around $1.3 million and is way out of our price range. We've realized we'd love the view - but we don't need it. We could buy any condo here in town - and when the mood struck us to head to the beach, we'd head to the Kool Beach Club down the way - we found this club a couple days ago and it far surpasses the one right here. The chaises are more comfortable and the beach is white sand entirely - no rock. The food was excellent and they waited on us hand and foot. It was a lot of fun....so when we want to go to the beach, if we don't live ON the beach - we would just head to the beach club. It was 70 pesos each, for the day. It was worth every penny!

Tonight, we REALLY splurged and had the best dinner yet - they made the Caesar salad at our table - with 'raw' ingredients, including anchovies. H. and I each had the salad and it was divine. Then steak and lobster for me and H., a Maya chicken dish for J. and cheese enchiladas for B. And drinks. Lots of drinks. And we now have a new favorite cocktail - Miami Vice. 1/2 Strawberry Margarita and 1/2 Pina Colada. Heaven. Our two favorite drinks in the same glass!

Tomorrow is our last full day and we plan to spend it at the Kool Beach club. The boys want to do jet skis again - and I just want to enjoy the sun and surf and being waited on. We also have 1/2 day Saturday - I think if we 'play' until noon, we should be able to get packed up and ready for our shuttle by 2PM. And then it's off to the airport and the five hour flight home. I miss home. But I'll be sorry to leave here. It's been a wonderful week. I can't wait to come back....