Day 2, Friday
Laura and I took a long morning walk north on the beach past Gran Coco. “Oh, Laura, I think that’s a cenote.”
“What’s a cenote?”
“I esplained it to you yesterday.”
I had read Cpfstich’s trip report end to end. I should have known
exactly what I was looking at, but it just didn’t connect. I didn’t read the sign until
after I dipped my toes in the water.
My reaction must have looked comical. I think my head did a Linda Blair looking for crocs. None were to be found and my heart rate slowed. I was still very glad to be with a nurse. OK, a former psych nurse turned administrator, but nonetheless, she had to wear a funny cap on her head in college on clinical days.
More pics from the walk, courtesy of Laura
We met Deb and Annette for breakfast which we thoroughly enjoyed. The array of fresh fruit – best mango I’ve ever eaten in my entire life- was wonderful. Huevos Rancheros was a favorite but we sometimes skipped the Rancheros but ordered the sauce on the side for standard egg orders – good call by Deb, I highly recommend it, that tomato sauce is kick a$$ good. This was the day I laughed so hard at breakfast my sides hurt. These chicas are the best storytellers I’ve ever known.
After breakfast we inexplicably ended up at the pool and stayed at the pool decompressing and catching up with each other’s lives. Oh, and drinking. We were definitely drinking. I had brought my Mapchick maps pool side thinking my friends would enjoy looking at them. Laura had the Riviera Maya map in hand and exclaimed, “Horse back riding!” The exclamation was followed by three enthusiastic “yays” so we booked a 9:30 am ride for our second full day.
Pool pics courtesy of Annette
I can't remember who said what at this point, but it was funny. I was trying not to spew my marg....
I think that late afternoon on the porch is where the hammock conversation started. Deb loved the hammocks and wanted to buy a couple. I mentioned that I love the Mayan hammocks.
“Did you say ham hocks?”
“No I said hammocks.”
“Just like I thought, you said ham hocks.”
Apparently I talk funny.
Hammock pic courtesy of Annette
This sweetie hung out with us on the porch
We ended our first full day by getting off the resort for dinner. I had Depreefers’s restaurant list so I wouldn’t forget choices, but we agreed that we were as hungry as hostages and would eat at the first place that looked good.
We chose Gaia at 5th and 28th. We shared an incredibly smooth hummus appetizer with garnishes, a salad that filled a small platter and was perfect for four, and a beef kebab and a chicken kebob. The beef was a little heavy on clove, but since we were sharing, it wasn’t overpowering. We also ordered a bottle of wine and Annette had two of a delicious beverage that tasted a bit like a mojito without the rum. Total with 20% tip was $400.00 pesos. I recommend Gaia for very fresh & delicious Mediterranean food.
Pic at Gaia courtesy of Laura
After dinner, everyone wanted to get a walk on but not party. We walked through town to 8th then headed back to SLC. We walked
a lot.
Back at SLC I was the only one who felt too wound up for sleep. The bar was still a bit lively with a group for a wedding so I stopped there, planning to get a night cap and take a short walk on the property. Before I could get my drink and stroll, I was invited to listen to a wedding song someone had written for the happy couple. It was sweet and as the palm leaves swayed and the palapas rustled the singer/guitarist segued into a lovely rendition of
A Pirate Looks at Forty. It was a lullaby. After a short stroll to the beach I slept like a baby. Well, a baby who had a margarita night cap, but it was a good sleep.
It’s a good thing we all had a good sleep because the next day…well, if you go horse back riding on a girls’ trip you’d better have all your chicas and Raul with you. We like Raul.
