Cherry Blossom Candy Leaf

The day after Seema's bridal shower, I made my 3rd trip (Ben's second) to Catalonia Royal Tulum in Riviera Maya. Despite Ben's food poisoning episode and my jelly fish attack, we had a relaxing and wonderful time. Because we stayed at the same hotel and because I brought the same clothes with me this year as in years past, it may seem like the same blog post, but rest assured, this was a different trip. And even though we experienced some discomfort with the food poisoning and jelly fish, I still long for Mexico and it's beautiful white powdery beaches.

And because we booked a very early flight, we were able to enjoy the beach and pool before dinner on our very first day!

I realized, there are very few things that make me more uncomfortable than when people sing to me. I'm never really sure what I should be doing when this is going on. It's kind of like when people sing "Happy Birthday"... What should the birthday boy or girl be doing? I think listening and smiling is your best bet, but it's awkward fro me. So while I listened and smiled, I took pictures and Ben laughed at me...

After dinner, we walked to the beach and came across twig-man on the bridge that cuts through the mangroves.

Because we've been here before, we have a good time seeing how things have changed and what remains the same. This year, aqua aerobics in the ocean rather than the pool!!!

Everyday, we would walk the beach to see my friend who owns a little store right by the water. And everyday, I was disappointed. I could see through the slats that the store was still there, but the doors were always locked. I was hoping to add to my Mexican ceramics collection, but it was not in the cards this year.
We checked out the show directory to see if Lev, a.k.a Michael Jackson, was still around. It seems as though he's gotten work elsewhere after the real King of Pop's death. On our second night, we watched a Mayan show.

The next morning, we got up early to take an excursion to Chichen-Itza. Ever since my sister and I first went to the ruins, Ben has wanted to go, as well. That was one of our priorities this year. The trip started with a stop at a cenote.

This underground cave looks like it is losing part of it's ceiling, so it may not be a cenote for much longer. But the fresh water pool hidden below will still attract visitors!

Colorful lights and water spouts were also added. Neither is really necessary, but it makes for a different cenote experience than I've had previously.

The bright spot at the very top with the beam of light coming down to the water is the place where the ceiling is beginning to cave in. The pink spot just below is where the staircase leads you into the cenote.

The bar on the right side of the screen is an attempt to keep the ceiling from coming down. Not sure how well that's gonna' work.

There was also store that sold snacks and beverages. And peacocks roamed the grounds.

And hammocks were strung from tree to tree. We didn't have time to try them out because we were off to Chichen-Itza!

Since the last time I was here with my sister, they discovered that the largest pyramid was actually built on top of at least two earlier pyramids. With new Mayan leadership, the ruler would build something larger than his predecessor. In the picture below, you can see the excavation of a pyramid base. Amazing!!!

This is the great pyramid with several built within it. From the sky, the buildings form the body of a snake. Everything about its construction has to do with the calendar.

As impressive as Chichen-Itza is, you have to have a major heat tolerance. It cooks out there!!!

After buying the calaveras requested by Ben's brother and his family, we made our way back to the van. I came across these police officers and asked if they would take a picture with me. I would never do that in the U.S. for some reason. As corrupt as the police are said to be in Mexico, they aren't as scary.

We spent the following day at our perfect beach. Of course, we had to get in the water. Ben grabbed the tube and showed me his mad skills.

After a perfect day, we decided to take the hotel shuttle to Playa del Carmen for a change of scenery and to eat and drink outside of the hotel. We decided to head back to the place we went to with Olga and Kari the previous year. I had the margarita special and Ben had a few cervezas. As we were heading to the bus stop, Ben's stomach started to cramp up. Later that night, he threw up for hours. I was really scared. He's never been that sick. I'm convinced he was poisoned by the fish pizza they had out by the pool. He thinks it was the salsa, but everyone eats the salsa and he was the only person that got sick. The fish pizza, sitting out by the pool for God knows how long, is something I would never touch!!!
The next day, I was on my own. Ben wanted to rest, so I brought him water and checked on him and in less than 24 hours, he was a new man. Thank goodness!!! I know he wanted to feel better so badly because vacations are so short.

Ben joined me later that very day, and you wouldn't have known how sick he actually was just a short time before. I'm so happy he made such a fast recovery!

Below on the right is the Brown Bear. It was not as good as last year. In fact it was jello-y and totally nasty! But the mini cheesecake on the left was much better than I remembered!

This is quite a tourist destination because you see tons of marine animals swimming feet from the shore!

They have so many wonderful folk art treasures, and it isn't as expensive as it could be in a place visited by so many people. Everything is tacky and joyful!

After picking out a skull faced mermaid, we headed back to the hotel to relax in the spa.

On our last full day, we relaxed on the beach. It was the best!

I could stay here forever.

That night, Ben bought me an early anniversary present - an amethyst ring I had been trying on all week. On our last day, I watched the sunrise, while Ben slept.