Time away at Cancun - Day 4 - Xel Ha

Xel ha.... Amigos....

Decent sleep, grand start

For the first time in the trip, with 6 hour sleepy previous night felt much better, I am sure many within the group were equally tired or better due to some reduced physical activity the previous day or some good sleep relative to previous days.

In addition to the breakfast today we had the additional task of checking out the hotel, 3 day period at marina gets over today and we transfer to Marriott at Cancun main city. We had clear 15 minute to have breakfast, had decent varieties today and we were already half Mexican, in explaining the dish we want or give the raw materials ourselves. All that I get reminded about when I try to explain why dish, is the famous interview question ` How do you explain computer to your great grandma` . Credits to the staff, Awesome smile throughout the day and peaceful which ultimately translates to customer delight.

Long ride...Anticipation of unique rides

Today we headed to xelha a forest range with natural setup of water resources which is considered mammoth and monumental aqua set up in the world which i believe based on my guesstimate figure of more than 1500 acres. The wait to witness the marvel and solace the anticipation was a clear 1 hour and 15 minutes from our hotel. After a short pit stop of 5 minutes in a gas station we reach the destination at 9:45 am. It was already blazing sun and humid enough to persperate already.

Register, plan and accomplish

Honestly speaking we had no clue how big the park is and wasn't even sure if it's feasible to cover all the activities in a day, but upon the briefing in the bus through a video and the explanation given by the guide post arrival made us realize it was really a big park to cover in a day. We had reservations for Dolphin ride and other basic packages from the park. We did register with the basic protocol of having the all family photograph package covered which lets us take unlimited photographs throughout various locations in the park.

We had the exclusive Dolphin package paid for and some additional tweaks for relevant photos and videos. Just to mention that the dolphin ride is one in 2 places in the world where they let you be along with the dolphin, cheeking, kissing, playing around with your family for various poses, more importantly, having an almost 100 meter push by two dolphins. The more we hear the more we were excited and were looking forward to the 1:10 PM appointment with the Dolphin Family :)

Adventure Ride, Zipping…….whoosh past the water

The first ride was the adventure ride along a cable which lets you get a dip in the water, with two varieties, with a variety to sit in a fibre rope and you zip along a cable and you have your legs dipped at the end, and you end up swimming a bit to the other post. It was less risky fun activity, which also had the second variety of hanging to a pull up bar and swish along the cable and have a similar dip. It was a mediocre fun activity for adults, but kids enjoyed a lot, our junior most fellow around 3.5 years enjoyed as much as a 6 year old and a 36 year old :)

I was waiting for rest of the folks to have the ride, while I was snapping photos of them in either directions and for somebody to take over the camera and the bag that I was holding up to. I am sure all of us in the group had mixed experiences and few had delightful experiences along the adventure ride.

Short Lunch and Dolphin Experience

We had our dolphin ride scheduled for 1:10 PM and we had a clear 30 minute pit stop for all of us to finish off the lunch and head to the ride. We managed to get a decent so called international restaurant which served a majority of Mexican varieties and few of Italian. We managed to find some rice again and managed to survive with the same and topped up with our hydration pack of fruit salads, we were few minutes past the time when we huddled to the start point of the dolphin ride.

Upon arrival, were we handled the life jackets based on our sizes and had a quick 5 minute orientation about what the dolphin ride was all about, stressing the importance of living with the nature and how natural a predator the dolphin is and how much can it be domesticated enough to follow your instructions. It's amazing to hear to the fact how hard is to breed them away from their natural environment. This is one in 2 places where you are allowed to play around with the dolphins per the instructions from the trainer.

All seven of us ventured into the water on a platform to stand on for the swift sweet swimmer to swish past us and greet in all of us. It was an exhilarating experience on its first sight coming from nowhere swizzing past us. Every one of us got to interact with the dolphin, they do have standard protocols and signs to interact with the little kiddo swimmer who seem to behave as in it was super excited. You hold on the platform with crossed hands which indicates it cheek with you. Palm on palm with it facing upward indicating it to kiss you and your elevated hands for it to stand vertical and try touch your palm. Hear what… you also get to dance with the dolphin holding its fins, few were super excited and enjoying the experience thoroughly and few of us were super nervous and few crying. The first feel of the sweet little swimmer and interactions was nothing short so…… lovely.

Few of us from the group get to swim to the middle of the dolphin area swimming toward the centre and our entertainer of the day comes plays around you, making circles around you, creating whirlpool around you when all of the family holds a big circle in the middle of the water area and the most exciting part of the whole dolphin interactions is not started yet until we get on to foot push by the dolphins, One would not believe that the dolphins can be trained to do custom made things for any of the visitor beyond the usual activities that we see in some demonstrations. You get to the middle of the water area and keep your legs straight and you facing forward, and with a blow of a whistle from nowhere do these great little 2 creatures come from under water and precisely pushes from behind both your foot and accelerates at least to a 30 to 40 kmph speed for over 60 meters, what an experience was it, just short of words of the experience for myself and what it takes to train those little sweeties. You lock your knees and legs straight you get pushed for a distance and it drops off just before a bridge and you get to reach shore yourself. I am super satisfied with the overall dolphin experience myself and so were even more satisfied all among the group. It’s a definite try and NOT to me missed activity, just for the scarce availability all over the world and the unique experience the whole activity has for you.

Snorkel underwater photos, kids time…potential attempts, snack

After an awe-inspiring experience with the dolphins, we got to see the photographs taken and videos recorded during the activity, was super funny to see few of the snaps and awesome performances looking at the video. With the satisfied experience we did get the photo purchased and move onto the next activity, we were headed to snorkel photos underwater, looks like the fishes were fed with corn bits a lot and we got on to our snorkel outfit and headed into waters for photos underwater, alone and with family. There was a stationery boat just adjacent to the place, accidently went near that and witnessed a huge burst of multi-coloured fishes of all sizes, that was an awesome experience indeed.

We headed out to let have kids have some of their natural games come in, with water splashes, usual kids games, kids were stuck with the water games,  I was sitting there watching the kids play and how excited they were for some trivial activities, just make me wonder how much expectations we build up for what it means by excitement as we grow, feels so natural to have very basic and mundane expectations. We were a 50 minute away from the reporting time to the return travel, we were headed towards our locker rooms, based on the previous bad experience on missing dinner , we sneaked into one of the restaurants, fed ourselves with  enough snacks and nice latte, with all of us loaded enough with energy, went onto have our shower and dressed up and we were spot on at the bus pick up area at 5:55 PM. To sum it up it was a relatively less active yet super fulfilling day for each of us.

Travel back and share of bitter experience at the end of day

It was a hour and half ride to the hotel and it was comfortable, with filled in stomach and cool temperature was relaxing ride back to our hotel, just before we headed out to Cancun hotel to the next hotel, we had a sip of super awesome double shot lattes at the bar and we had set on a taxi with all our luggage headed to Cancun city, it was an 45 minute ride to the city, seriously discussing about the various happenings over the last few days and what to expect at the new hotel, and huge plans to eat what, relax in what ways and what not, as we speak, over a period of time, we arrive at the hotel at the Marriot in the Cancun city. Having shelled out all their energy and being fed with more than enough food, kids were fast asleep as we arrive at the hotel.

Not knowing what was in store, we were eagerly getting to the check in process at the Marriot, having the kids asleep, put them on the sofa and started the check in process, after the first few minutes, did we were informed about the coverage off costs were just for the hotel room alone and it’s a not all inclusive package, which was not what Costco Travel had promised, we went on with back and forth arguments with them at the reception, had  more than an hour worth of call with Costco travel and finally nothing came fruitful, we had to settle with just the room and the whole food from the night on till we leave had to be billed separately, much beyond the surprise, it was the feel of potentially being cheated on that too by the famous brands of Marriot and Costco, I am sure to go public and blatantly review for the worst of experience we had, with no options left since the remaining trip was scheduled from the very hotel, we settled in for the same hotel, checked in and had some rest before we head to Xichen itza.

Time Away at Cancun - Day 3 - National Reef Park Garrafon

After a super tiring day and a super late dinner the previous day, all of us were super tired and I am sure all of us were not even wanting to wake up. We had to start off the hotel at 7:45 hence all our stuffs had to be planned backward and we were done with a light breakfast and headed out to see the flora and fauna in and around the super blue waters of isla mujres at the Garrafone island

Commute to Cancun and ferry ride

We were spot on with reporting timing and we had a 50 minute commute to  the main city of Cancun. Though the seaside looks royal, the 30 km ride from our hotel to Cancun city seemed to me as any Indian suburban ride through a four lane highway connecting cities, well including the vegetation's along the route did seem to resemble in the sub-continent, maybe because of the similar temperate climates. After a 50 minute long ride we did reach the tour operator and we were right on time for the ferry to leave. While we were trying to negotiate some deals for the rides at the Garaffon, we were forced to board the ferry and speak about the deal on-board

In the first 10 minutes of the 40 minute ferry ride did we see the super alkaline super blue clear water along the ocean, we could witness the super luxury ocean view hotels with their own private beach and folks enjoying a sunny morning. It was blazing sun at around 90F and we were on top of the vessel, with abundant wind we could still feel the burns, we were asked to get to the base floor so that the ferry could cross a bridge were it was barely grazing to the top of the bridge. It was after another 30 minutes that we reached the Garaffon, we could witness from distance the folks zip lining and super crystal clear water where we could see the coral reef from a far distance underwater

Much awaited Zip Ride and few more

The main attraction at the resort being Zip ride on 3 directions right on top of the crystal clear blue waters over the reef, snorkelling, kayaking, kids pool overlooking the ocean. Far from a photogenic view it's an awesome place to be in, but the overall experience could only be rated average for the occupancy through the day and variety of activities. The first activity was to register for the zip ride for all 5 adults and a grown up kid ;) based on height measures were allowed to register for the ride. We again had to take turns per family just to make sure that each of us had enough photo and video coverage of the once in life time experience to be snapped and recorded. Though the first set of 2 of us had a long wait in the queue and unfortunately made the others wait , after over half hour wait in the queue in the blazing sun, we two started to zip past the tall trees in the first ride, second zips past over the crystal clear blue water and the third one coming along back to the spot where our friends and family were waiting for us to snap and later on take up their chance and we switch roles. It was quick but one in kind of experience, awesome view with a rush of adrenaline.

Lunch and a break..

By the time all 5 of us were done with the zip ride, it was already around 12:15 PM and it was right in time to have our lunch, then get onto the water activities for kids, women and the those daring fellas to venture into the sea for some serious inspection of species underwater :) . As usual finding some vegetarian dish to eat is a great challenge wherever you get to dine and all of us feast for a majority on the fruits to keep our body temperature down and filling with enough fluids. After a reasonably contented lunch due to some availability of edible rice with some salsa and avocado adding spice we head down to the lawn with some shamrock to leisure out and having the kids have the trampoline jumps in succession, with the kids satisfied with their hunger and wish to take onto the trampoline, we brave souls headed out to the much expected snorkelling in the fresh crystal blue waters while kids and ladies except one minding their jobs in the small pool.

Snorkelling and Kayaking

Me, Sathish and Rithvi, ventured into the snorkelling arena, trying to repeat the previous day activity and with much anticipation, today we got a wide stretch of water we could cover snorkelling, with much anticipation and excitement all 3 of us venture into the waters, after few yards we witness few fishes, but not as much as the previous day, again it was crystal clear to view till the ocean floor, but was super salty, with water oozing through the wind pipe of the snorkel and at times through the eye view, had to take too many stops to clear it on both ways. We finally reached the turnabout point near a pier were we finally witnessed quite a bunch of yellow striped fishes, when there are so many of them underwater, you feel you are part of their family, just trying to reach out to few of them and feel as part of the ecosystem, unique feel which cannot be matched. After a brief stay there, we got back to the start point after around half hour.

After that we turned in the snorkels and headed to get a kayak for each pair, I and Sathish ending up making 3 trips , covering all 7 of us for brief rides on the kayak. Kids had their first ever experience in serenity in crystal blue water on a sunny day with mild breeze with their dependable friends and parents along with them. I wish I had any such experience early on. Glad that they have a good experience and memories to cherish as years pass by. With all of us done with our turns on kayak, we had just enough time to get shower and dress and be in the queue to board the ferry back to Cancun city.

Ride back and dinner and siesta

We had to hire a taxi with not so great negotiation with overrated rental by $30, we did not want to argue with kids

 and grown up kids being tired and wanting to take some refreshment and rest. Just to rub it in, we made the taxi driver to take a pit stop at Starbucks, yeah you heard it right :) stopped to get the refreshment lattes for all who wanted, soon we started the ride , relaxing a bit with folks getting their much desired Chai after few days , I am sure it would be of some content or respite, discussing about various happenings and narration by kids on their Candid conversation through the day, we reach the hotel at 6:30 PM

With continuous overload of Mediterranean/Mexican food menu for all consecutive sessions, tried to sneak into Italian restaurant on premise which needs a reservation. Our multiple arguments and discussion did no good to us, had to settle in for the usual buffet which had limited choice for past 2 days. Luckily today's was a much better experience with having rice and getting a custom preparation of Vegetarian pasta with added spice, all of us were happy with the comparative treatment of taste buds today, with less sleep over the last night and early rise today, all hit bed early on except this night owl author who wanted to record in the experience and share it with friends

and well-wishers :)

Time Away at Cancun - Day 2 - XCaret

Having spent a leisurely time last night, all were looking forward to the eventful day, though we had a look at videos of rides before, nothing can match the true experience itself. We were all page planned for a 8:30 am start. With the planned time we were up to a decent breakfast and all set for timely start. Man.. It's a pain in the neck to explain the Spanish speaking folks anything in English, leave about explaining the ask for vegetarian food. That's a big lowlight of the dining experience

Start of an eventful day

Will all done breakfast sharp by 8:30, few minutes after we were out, came the so looking dog truck alike bus. All clipped with bands we boarded the bus and with bilingual explanation about the trip by the guide we reached the xcaret park

First of a water activity experience

With so many rides planned for day, got ourselves registered for one in world experience underwater tours and photographs  all along the route. We set om to the first ride, a underground river which goes all around the park, with all of us dressed up with life jacket and fins, we set out for the self-motored ☺ ride. Though everyone had inner fear, many of us tried to give it a try and few super hesitant to even step into the water, with a group picture after venturing into the water and there we started gliding through the flowing waters of the river solely powered by leg kicks.

With kids hanging on to the back or along the adults, we kept having the first such unique experience. After around a hour of wading through water we got to the exit returning back the swimming apparel and we were headed for yet another rarely available ride.

Sea trek it is.. Yeah baby

With kids with us, who aren't allowed for the next ride we split into two groups with different timings. One getting to finish lunch while the other group to have the unique under water experience.

The ride is called sea trek, here is how it happens, there is a 32kg weighing glass mask kind of apparatus that which is connected to oxygen supply through wires which goes on tip of your head resting on your neck with rest of the body free open to water. Slowly being taken to the world of awesome experience, you trek along a underwater iron lining, going up to 600 meters down gradually, with fishes, turtles, stingrays going around you as if they are your next door neighbour and you get to see a underwater museum along the route. Man i got to say that was one unique experience in a pristine clear water on a sunny day under water. A definite and no miss activity.

With the second group now going to the same ride, we get to manage the kids and have our share of lunch.

What next in the day?

While we were having our lunch and second group arriving after their share of unique experience, we quickly chat try decide the next activity and we head on to   spend some time off water to visit the Mayan architecture, special multilevel aviary, a unique of its kind, was merry spending time with unique of birds and water bodies along the bike within the aviary. Commendable effort put in by the real restate folks of the park to set up the unique aviary. Unique experience guaranteed, nature lovers make merry here.

Humid and back to some water activity

With the walk around the park being humid and sunny, we took some short 5 mins break and we huddled along to our next activity

Kids adventure and snorkeling

All of us being super tired, few decided to relax in the wooden chairs, kids venturing into the water instantly with their life Jacket on. After watching the kids women folklore in our group stepped in to the beach and had some fun time with their kids. With me and Sathish trying the rope walk across the beach, we were already ready for our next activity

Snorkeling and the paradise within

I am sure many of us have heard about snorkeling, but our first-hand experience at it was nothing short of awesome. Kids were super hesitant and ladies backing out of the activity, spent some time convincing Medha and trials with rethink, the remaining three of us had a beautiful view of coral reef and fishes snoozing past you, at a very arm distance. The breathing by mouth was an experience to be learnt. It was 6 pm already, time to turn in the snorkels and get ready for the magnanimous performance on local dances and skit of various Mexican cities

X caret experience in the huge amphitheater

After a daylong water extravaganza, we quickly had shower and in batches had some rest time on a shamrock for some time and headed to so called dance, but what we experienced in person was stupendous. The skits dance and oral singing was in a huge stadium that could easily accommodate a 6000 fellows. Fully light up, super awesome sound quality, the experience of the local theatre and art fellas was astonishing. There were performance from every city in that 2 hour time period which had a 10 min interval as well. We sneak out at around 8:45 , a clear 15 minutes ahead of finish time and headed slowly to our bus, we got dropped by the bus at 10:45 pm . Man a tiring day indeed!

Time Away at Cancun Day 1 - Marina El Cid

Start of the Mega Vacation

With all due credits to sathish who put in 99% of the efforts to look up for a place, consult people, draft out a plan, reserve tickets, and all till the execution, have to truly appreciate the commitment in there and the interest

Here we go , all 7 of us as one family were all set on to a long vacation out of the country for the first time, yes, its yoyo mexico ;)

Early…. Start for all the night owls and 8 hour sleep owls

With flight at 5 AM and parking at a private parking, had planned for a 2:45 AM start, which ended starting at 2:57 and in 33 minutes we were at the private parking stall near the Seatac.

With sleepy yet happy faces, right from kids to the night owls, all were set on looking forward to the great trip.

With the shuttle taking time, sathish start to get worried for not making it in time for check in, but soon the shuttle arrives, speedsters in the group, smallest and second oldest rush to the check in counter and have us seamlessly checked in and we are ready for security check at 4:15 AM.

Take of..

Take off… here we go!

Its beginning to lighten up in the pacific northwest as our we take off sharp at 5 AM, I am set up for a long 2 hour siesta, the only thing that I could hear in between was the notorious sounds of Rithwin and the grand mas.. Rithvi and Medha, they had so much to talk that they did not have a blink of eye to sleep in spite of a short sleep, in 2.5 hour time we land in Phoenix, we had to be super patient with we being at the tail end of the plane, finally we gust out to only feel as if we were tamed in that small coach for 2 hours…

Second leg…

By the time we get out to switch gates, the only feel that came to my mind first was the density of folks in the airport, just literally reminded me of rythu bazaar :), it was so crowded that suitcases had to be manoeuvred with so much of precision :). All were super hungry, again the hunt for something to eat for a vegetarian with no meat or egg, was still a bigger task… leave alone the options to eat, finally managed to get some bagel and cheese and latte, we were already strolling to get into another 4.5 hour long flight to Cancun..

There we come, yo yo, Magnanimity of options tour options

With a 2 hour time zone change, we land in the land of cancun, with a super long queue for immigration, with that long a queue in Seattle I would have expected at least 2 hours of time spent in Immigration, there were thoughts at the back of my mind as to what to expect in terms of visa, since we all went in with the word of mouth that mexican visa is not required.. Finally we got through the immigration seamlessly and got out after getting one of the checked in baggage

Oh my goodness, the airport was flooded with tons of tour operators and placards and for a major bunch it was tour operators waiting to lure in folks to their package, with more than half hour of discussion with one of the tour operators, realized that there was offers for more than 50% down of what he had heard over the phone, but leave it to your folks imagination as to how much is true.

We got to the island marked for our tour operator, we got our own shared vehicle, shared by one and only two families :), we were ridden to our looked forward spa center and hotel.

Resort…Spa..Hotel…

After a hour ride through roads which seemed to feel as in India, streets being super small, shrubs grown along the road giving a feel of a typical country side ride, with the mexican driver trying to communicate and our famous mex orator sathish trying to not let the driver ride and bombard with questions with neither probably got half of it.

We were quickly checked in and appraised of facilities available at the Spa, with the co-coordinator refusing to accept for the fact that I was married :) had to convince hard to prove it ;) had quick sugar doses of desserts and we walk to our sea view rooms, along the way we saw a super big water activity area, which we decided to get back in few minutes

Quick Munch and dip and big munch :)

With every single of us not having eaten much solid for a period of over 12 hours, we were desperate to much at least a bit before we set out to get to walk, leave alone to get into water and get to some activity. Got the very super limited veggies options ordered to the room, quickly had a the tasteless bland food, quickly, dressed up into our swim attire, here we go, speeding to the water activities.

With over 2 hours spent at the pool side, with every single folk having a great time at the pool, with me going cross across the 120 yard pool with my garmin or rithvi, rithwin and medha sliding into the waters from a slide climbed upside down to tamil of bala getting to the pool with so much hesitation and finally enjoying every bit of it, we were in the waters even after an hour past dusk and all were tired enough to get out to munch again

With a quick shower, we all set to the only restaurant available without reservation to get to a mexican buffet dinner, again super limited options for vegggies , grazed on too many things to remember, loaded with desserts, we set off to a so full dinner and awesome sleep, looking forward to the surprises and feasts for the next day the real activity to being…