Family Day 2019

I have been going back through the blog a number times lately.  I always seem to have the token back-to-school pictures and write-up, the major holidays are always accounted for, and I noticed that Family Day moments usually get written up too.  Family Day only happens in 3 provinces I think, it isn't that common.  Regardless it is a day of work and thus a holiday nonetheless.

We started the day lazily around the house and then went out to the farm to check in on it.  To see if it was still in one piece.  Sure enough it was, and we cleaned out the stove and prepped the crumpled newspaper and kindling for the next time we'd be out to stay.  It was minus 3 outside and minus 6 inside the cabin.  Proof that the insulation works.  With the stove readily to be lit, we walked around the perimetre of the field and forest.  The fields were wind swept and snow cleared whereas the forest and trail area had a good accumulation of snow.  Shelly and I marched through it all while the kids rode and were pulled.

We made a deal with the kids - which why we have to deal with them is beyond me, but alas, we said after a farm visit we'd go tobogganing at the golf course in town.  The golf course has 3 or 4 decent descents of varying lengths and steepness-es.  It was quite wind swept as well.  Lots of grass was showing.  But the GTs go over that with out any issues.  What little snow was there was iced over which made walking up the hill a bit of a challenge.  However the kids had lots of fun, and I dare say the two adults did as well.

For extra fun Molly and I went skating too later that Monday afternoon.  We hadn't yet been to the outdoor rink in town, so it was over to Nelson Street for another 30 minutes of fresh air.  Unlike tobogganing, there were a number of families and people enjoying the fresh crisp day.  The rink was in great shape, although I didn't get out and stride my stuff.

 

Occidental Xcaret

Saturday would be our day to check out.  But since the flight didn't even leave Cancun until 9:30, there would be another full day basically of the pool, the great food, the awesome weather, funny laughs, and just a whole bunch more drinks too.  The hack wasn't due to pick us up until 5:45.  

Our luggage was transported to a central room in the lobby and we continued to enjoy all the Occidental had to offer.  By five, it was a bunch of regrettable nods to get back into the clothes in which we arrived in.  The pool atmosphere is usually finished by then anyway.  But it was a tad sad, even though I am sure we all wanted to get back home.

Maybe all of the resorts are like this, but I was struck by the size, and how cavernous some of the buildings are.  The main entrance area of the resort has a roof/ceiling that seemed to be well over 100 feet off the ground.  It was substantial.  In the beach front dining area which became our breakfast spot everyday, the roof and ceiling there may have been between 60 and 80 feet off the ground.  It makes for beautiful space that easily allows air to flow through the rooms, but it just seemed unnecessarily big.  The roofs were covered with thatched grasses, and then black netting .

There were just a whole bunch of wild and native animals on site.  Spider monkeys were basically always to be seen.  The pig-like agouti were very common.  Iguanas were probably the most common to see.  There were also a bunch of raccoon like animals with ringed tails.  The resort had 2 white tailed deer in captivity, but one morning I saw 2 in the resort just walking around.  Whether they were the same ones, I am not sure - but still.  Each morning the resort set out bright red Macaws on perches throughout the lobby.  Maybe they had their flight feathers removed or something, but they just stayed there all day and people would take pictures with them and such.  But there were all kinds of birds.

We saw one lady each day with a pretty big hawk on her arm.  It was a trained hawk like you would see at a Medieval Times show or something similar.  She would set it down, then give it a command and it would retrieve something and then come back.  Other times the hawk had a hood over its head and eyes....  It was always at the breakfast buffet - maybe it was just getting something to eat like us!  

But I mentioned all of the green space in another posting and it really was quite impressive the lengths they took to build the resort with the natural lay of the land in mind.  There were so many trees, that I don't think any of the rooms had a view of the ocean.

There were a few archaeological ruins on the resort.  One was a lighthouse, and the other was once a church.  We didn't really get into how old they were or anything, but I would think a thousand or so....   

Some More Pictures

https://gopro.com/v/eQezX2Q2WRrdk

Chris put together a nice video compilation too.  Click On the link above.

Day 3

We just had another great weather day at the resort.  I decided not to go diving, nor did we drive into Playa Del Carmen to check out the local flavour.  There is a bit of regrets, but nothing I will dwell on too much.  I can always come back! 

This resort does not have much of a beach area.  Some, but not what you would typically think.  There is a lot of rock.  Like heavy bolders of rock.  The other thing about this resort is there is a lot of green space and shade.  The builders did not simply cut down every tree in sight, lay concrete, then put up the resort.  Quite the contrary actually.  Each pool area has a lot of shade and natural cover from the sun.  We have typically just gone to one area, but in the morning it is all in shade.  By mid afternoon, full sun until about four thirty.  By five we have had enough of the pool area.  Back to the room for a bit of a rest and clean up.  Meet for dinner by seven....  That has how most days have gone.

My Monday morning run was dreadful.  I thought I was done for with a pounding head ache and feeling dehydrated and hungover, but I did get a respectable 4 miles in.  On Tuesday I hit 5 and 6 for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday....  Not too shabby.  Better then nothing.

Cancun Continued

The last 2 days here were hideout days.  Hideout from the rain.

On Tuesday and Wednesday it rained very heavily.  Despite it being warm, it was not so nice.  We tried to hangout at the pool, but it just didn't really workout that well.  The only place to find shelter from the rain was under a bridge - although you would still be wet from the chin down.  I guess the thinking was at least your head and hair would be dry.  Tuesday was spent in the luxury suite ordering lots of drink and room service, and having a pretty decent euchre tournament.  The losers would have to tip that night at dinner....  Jamie and I won, Bill and Chris would be laying the gratuities.

Thursday came and it promised to be a spectacular weather day.  It would be to the pool.  I sort of have a wee bit of an itch to get out into Playa Del Carmen for a scratch and a sight seeing adventure.  But since we missed two pool days, that hasn't been taken care of....    On Thursday I also jumped into the pool with a scuba tank on and got a bit of a refresher.  Chris is going out for a few dives on Friday and I am half thinking about doing that as well.  The last time I dove was in 2007.  But the company ran my name into the data base and it is on record that I have my PADI certification, so I am good to go.  Money talks more then anything down here.  They weren't so concerned that over 10 years have passed since being underwater with a regulator in my mouth....  Can't decide what to do.

What is most impressive down here is the friendliness and hospitality of all the workers.  You don't ever pass someone who works here that doesn't make eye contact, then offer a hello and how are you.  The service in the restaurants is amazing.  Top shelf for sure with taking orders and serving the ladies first, topping up water, coffee or wine, pulling plates, and all those go-to things that it takes to get it done in the industry.  Everone is just so nice.  Nobody who works down here is tall.  The average height of the guys is mid to low five feet tall.

But today is Valentine's Day and I have sent a quick message back to my sweethearts at home.  I am thinking of quite often on this trip...

Cancun

On Sunday 6 of us left Toronto, another 2 from Detroit, and we headed to Cancun, and then ultimately another 60km south to Playa Del Carmen....  We are even another 10km south.  The ultimate destination would be the Occidental Xcaret.  It is a huge facility With about 750 rooms for guests.

So the cast of characters included a bunch of high school friends.  They have done a pretty good job over the past 10 years of traveling and meeting up with one another.  Although I have been invited, I haven't gone on any of their winter destination holidays.  This year would be different.  Able to go, I said it would be great to join them.

Chris an I would be rooming in the resorts premier section, and premier rooms.  It is something else.  It isn't so much as a room, but rather a mini house with a huge deck and hot tub, living room, massive bathrooms, a decent living space, and just an all around great vibe.  We checked in with champagne, and an incredible set up including full room service, laundry, different dining and eating areas, private swimming area, and conseirge service.  There would be maybe 50 guests in our somewhat gated area.  It is the nicest hotel room I have ever been in.  The whole resort is wonderful.  The highlight is being with friends however sharing lots of laughs and social time.

It is raining quite steadily today, and I hear it is raining miserably in Goderich.  But the 26 degree celcius rain is much different then the -10 degree rain.