With school just around the corner, we headed to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula for a quick vacation on the Mayan Riviera.  Opting for a resort in Puerto Morelos rather than overcrowded Cancun, we enjoyed we enjoy a five night stay at Hotel Marina El Cid Beach Resort and Spa.

I was the only one in the family who had ever been to Mexico, so this was bound to be an interesting trip.  Michelle was terrified after listening to a friend talk about how he never goes anywhere in Mexico without a ballpoint pen in case he needs to stab someone.  As the time to leave got closer she got more nervous despite my best attempts to tell her that this was basically a southern version of Florida, only with fewer people who speak Spanish.

Flying in over the Yucatan after our short layover in Houston, Rylie was in love with the carpet of the jungle that laid beneath us.  She said that this was someplace she would love to live.  I think the houses we saw shortly after may have changed her mind.  Or maybe it was the discussion about the lack of electricity and wi-fi in many places.  But she is right, the expanse of green is almost beyond belief.  The trees are almost the same height, and the ground is virtually flat making it surreal.  Push that green up against the otherworldly blue of the ocean and it truly is a beautiful place.

My traveling companions were a little surprised by our greeting at the airport.  Michelle was horrified at how everyone was coming at us offering things.  The kids were amazed at how nice everyone was because they wanted to help us.  The first steps we took outside the airport were shocking – it was hot.  Oh wait, we live in the desert, heat isn’t a problem.  But it was humid.  Oh so humid.  Boarding our shuttle to the hotel was a welcome break.  We had the entire shuttle to ourselves.  The drive was nothing like what I remembered from my last trip to the area 24 years ago.  What I remember being a small two lane road was suddenly a highway.

Our arrival at the resort was fantastic.  We checked in at the Platinum Desk as we had paid a little extra for a platinum suite because it would give the four of us some extra space during our stay.  After the paperwork was our favorite part: our butler came to pick up our luggage and drive us to our room.  Braulio was a great guy, and was very friendly.  He offered to unpack for us.  He said he would iron anything that needed ironing.  Anytime we needed dinner reservations on the resort, he would take care of that for us.  Need a palapa for the beach tomorrow?  He took care of the reservation.  Is the minibar running low?  Braulio to the rescue.