Back from Mexico

Our trip to Mexico has come and gone, and qualifies as one of the greatest trips we have ever taken! Devin and Shane drove us to the airport at a very early 4am, and we were very grateful...thanks guys! We checked in for our flight and got through security with no problems, so we had a quick bite to eat and boarded the plane for a short 5 hour flight. Matt and I arrived in Cancun to the sun shining and quickly grabbed a taxi to our hotel, not before stopping for a few cerveza's for the road!

The Riu Yucatan is located in Playacar, just outside of Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Coast. After checking in and getting comfortable, we went for a walk to check out the property...absolutely beautiful! The grounds were beautifully kept, the food was great, and the drinks were fantastic. Our room was on the second of three floors, about 1 minute from the beach. We had a beautiful garden view, and each morning we got a new piece of 'towel art'. The first few days were spent laying in the sun, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying a few beverages at the swim up bar! Each day on the beach we enjoyed a local band that played for a few hours. Our evenings here were pretty quiet filled with long dinners and great conversations. We took a little trip to Playa del Carmen Tuesday afternoon for some shopping and were sitting in a sea side pub having a margarita when Matt got a spanish harpist to serenade me...how romantic! We bought a few gifts for our friends and family back home, and enjoyed the leisurly walk through town. Wednesday, Matt and I decided to get our Level One Certification from PADI for scuba diving. We watched a video, then took safety training in the pool before going for our first dive in the ocean! We went with our instructor and two other 'first-timers' to Baracuda Reef, which is just off the coast of Tulum. I was very nervous, but the instructor put us both at ease. Here we dove 12m deep to a beautiful reef where we spent the next hour exploring. It was amazing to see baracudas and many other tropical fish in the wild! Diving is something that I'm sure we will continue doing on every trip that we take. Matt insisted that we purchase the video that was taken of our dive, and I'm so glad he did. We've already watched it 3 times since we've been home! Each night, the animation team at the resort preformed for all of the guests. The nightly entertainment was such a nice way to end the day. A storm was moving in Thursday night, which made the ocean so much fun during the day. Matt and I found ourselves playing in 10 foot swells for most of the afternoon. We took the water-proof camera into the ocean, I can't wait to get the photos developed!

Friday found us in another taxi heading back up to Cancun. We stayed at the Riu Cancun in the heart of the hotel zone for two nights. The property is magnificent, but maybe a little too busy for our pace! It definately felt like a high rise hotel in the centre of a busy city. It is in a great location, and there is lots of different things to do during the day to keep people busy, but a beautiful beach if you want to spend the day soaking up the sun. The property boasts a beautiful infinity pool where we usually spent the afternoons. They also have an activity pool, and a swim up bar in another pool that is filled with tables and chairs! The pools overlooked a soft white-sand beach and teal-blue ocean. We swam everyday, and Matt even snorkled right off the beach. We did some shopping in Cancun, but those markets can get really hot so we usually only lasted about an hour before heading back to the hotel. While in Cancun, we also took the opportunity to experience the nightlife. We went to a few different clubs within walking distance of the hotel and had a really good time. The Cancun area has a substantial amount of damage remaining from the hurricanes in October, and it was sad to see that many of the shops and hotels have yet to recover. Hopefully by the time we're back with all of our friends and family next year, things will be in better condition.

Matt and I really enjoyed our time in Mexico. We had the opportunity to get some much needed R&R, as well as spend some uninterupted time together, neither of which we seem to get much of anymore. It is nice to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life for at least one week a year.

We got as much done for the wedding as can be done at this point, but we will be sending out little updates within the next few weeks. Nothing will be confirmed until July or August as the airline will not release their packages until this time. We will keep everyone as informed as possible, but feel free to call us if you have any questions about the wedding!!!

We'll put as many pictures as possible online, and hope to talk to all of you as soon as possible. Thanks to all who helped us make this trip possible (Devin and Shane for driving us to the airport, Mike and Caroline for watching our house and fish, and of course to Mom and Dad!!!).

See you all soon,
J

2 more sleeps...

Well, Matt and I leave for Mexico in 2 days. I can hardly wait. We spent last weekend doing our last minute running around for the trip, although we did get sidetracked by the fantastic weather and a few beverages on the Ship & Anchor patio! I have an appointment tomorrow for a pedicure, thanks to Mike and Caroline, and Matt's got a couple of things to do before we leave, but other than that, I think we're ready! Laundry and packing aside, of course!

This weekend finds Devin and Shane coming to stay for a few days to go snowboarding, as well as Amanda coming to interview for a summer job here in Calgary. The weather has been really cold these last few days, but this weekend is shaping up to be great for the mountains. Devin and Shane will be boarding for most of the time that they are here, so hopefully we will find some time to catch up. Amanda is interviewing at a law firm here in Calgary, and if she gets the job it will find her relocating to Calgary for a few months. We're definately rooting for her! Sometimes I forget how much fun it is to have everyone around, and how much I really do miss everyone. Last night found us with a flat of Kokanee and a little Cranium. Needless to say, I was the only one that got out of bed this morning before 6. I believe that scene will be repeated again tonight...

Thanks to all of our friends and family for coming to visit, we miss you lots and you need to come out more often! You know our house is always open, and we love having you! I'll post pitures after our week in Mexico!

Adios,
Jenn

Viva Mexico!!!

Well, the countdown has finally begun. In less than two weeks Matt and I will be laying on the beach enjoying a cerveza or two! It seems like so long ago that I booked this trip, and in no time it will be here. We will be staying at the Riu Yucatan in the small town of Playacar on the Mayan Coast from February 19 - 24, and then travelling up to the hotel zone in Cancun to stay at the Riu Cancun from February 24 - 26. We are planning a snorkeling trip to Tulum, as well as some shopping in Cancun. We are looking forward to having some much needed time off, and time together without the daily grind of school and work.

This trip is not all rest and relaxation. While in Cancun, Matt and I will be scoping out our wedding site. We are thinking of a beach ceremony at sunset, but we want to make sure this is the destination we want to get married in. 11 months and counting!!!

Matt is really enjoying his job at the hospital, and I feel like I am settling in at Tristone. Very glad to be finished at the travel agency, and things here are great. Matt drives me to and from work most days, but I have taken the bus and it's not too bad. Parking downtown is well over $500 per month, something that Matt and I can't even consider at this point! I'm trying to find more people to go for lunch with, as an hour can be a really long time when you've got nothing to do!

This weekend found Aaron and Karen in Calgary for the night. A gathering at the Ship & Anchor was all it took to get them into their car and driving here from Medicine Hat. It was really nice to have weekend guests, and we hope their next visit is sooner rather than later.

Devin, Angie, and Shane are talking about coming to Calgary to do some snowboarding this month. Devin got some new gear last time he was here, and he's dying to try it out. Hopefully things work out so that we are actually in town we they come out and not in Mexico! I would really like to get another day of boarding in this month!

We are also getting very excited about the upcoming wedding of Mike and Caroline. It is set for the long weekend in May and Matt is the best man. They are all heading to the mountains for a weekend of boarding and poker for the bachelor party, and we think that's a great time to plan a bachelorette party/girls weekend as well. A whole weekend without the boys, what will we do........

I will try to post again before we leave on our 'pre-weddingmoon' but if I don't, we'll have many great pictures for you when we return!!! Hope to see everyone very soon,

Jenn