7-20-09 Welcome to Paradise sign
Friends:
My family and I arrived safely in Cancun, Mexico. We left New Orleans at 6:00am and arrived in Miami for our connecting flight (Don’t you hate those early morning flights?!). Unfortunately, we had a lengthy layover so we explored the airport a bit. I discovered something I had never seen before – service that wraps your suitcase in cellophane for an extra measure of security.
7-20-09 Miami Airport - wrapping suitcases in cellophane
The floor of the Miami Airport in Concourse D is beautiful. It has art inspired by undersea life.
7-20-09 Eliana stands on the artsy floor of the Miami Airport
After a severe weather delay (it was raining coconuts & bananas) of an hour, we were off to Cancun!
7-20-09 Leaving Miami
We arrived in Cancun in the late afternoon.
7-20-09 Eliana rides the suitcases in the Cancun Airport
Since we reserved and paid for transportation ahead of time, it was smooth sailing in an air conditioned shuttle to our hotel about 10 miles away. On the way, we drove through Punta Zona Hotelera, the hotel zone. We even passed Chocolate City! (Eat your heart out, Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans!) hahaha
7-20-09 Chocolate City
We are staying at the Dreams Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive luxury resort on the tip of Cancun, surrounded on three sides by water. The hotel staff was so friendly and accommodating. The open air lobby is gorgeous.
7-20-09 Dreams Resort Lobby
Our room overlooks the hotel’s Dolphin Lagoon and the gorgeous Caribbean sea. (Bringing to mind the crooning of 80s pop star, Billy Ocean “Caribbean Queen… now we’re sharing the same dream…”). LOL
7-20-09 Amazing View from room balcony
Here’s a picture of me with my gorgeous girls!
7-20-09 Eliana, Dianne & Soleil on balcony of room in Cancun
Our room is very pretty with marble floors, a banana tree bas relief and Carribean turquoise and white decor.
7-20-09 The bed with robe and slippers awaiting...
Even our bathroom is beautiful!
7-20-09 The bathroom in the deluxe dolphin lagoon room at Dreams Resort, Cancun
We decided to take a little nap to sleep off the travel weariness. When we woke up, it was already dark. We rushed to dinner and ate at Himitsu, a pan Asian restaurant on the grounds. The food was good. I did, however, cry at dinner. I ordered spicy tuna rolls and were they spicy! The waiter told me, “Oh we make them with Mexican habaneros. But it’s only the juice. No big deal.” Fortunately, the coconut ice cream and pink panther daiquiri (pina colada, grenadine & Malibu rum) helped immensely.
7-20-09 Dipping Toes in Caribbean Sea
After dinner, I decided to walk along the beach. The family wanted to return to the room so I explored solo. I had to take my traditional toe dip in the sea (I do this at every beach I visit around the word). The water was warm. I can’t wait to swim tomorrow! I discovered some ancient Mayan ruins too…
7-20-09 Mayan Ruins sand castle, washed away by time and tide
Now it is time to dream at Dreams. Tomorrow (July 21) is Soleil’s 19th birthday and we have a full day planned, including beaching, shopping and a dinner show. It should be fun!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Dianne,
I enjoyed your pictures and the description of your trip. I also went to Cancun with my family in June to celebrate my 70th birthday. We did many of the things you did, but we went to Chichen Itza. It’s really too bad about the flu. Here’s wishing good health to you and yours.
Cancun is a great place to vacation.
A Fellow Muser,
Barbara Bockman
Good story and nice photos. I like 7-20-09 Dipping Toes in Caribbean Sea very much! Great traveling experience!