Mexico Day 4 Seafood

February 17, 2015 Tuesday

[If you missed the earlier part of my trip, click to catch up]

Mexico Day 1 
Mexico Day 2 – Swimming underground
Mexico Day 3 – Chichen Itza

Mexico Day 3 – Part 2 Dinner in the city

10:23am
Good morning from Mexico! 

11:32am
My Mexican morning! 

 Room service breakfast
 Hot chocolate in a very Mexican mug
 Sassy toes in the sand
Sassy toes in the surf

3:15pm

 Lunch by the lagoon at El Fritanga – my favorite restaurant all week

 Mangroves and the marina
 Shrimp cocktail, which was more like a virgin bloody mary with shrimp and avocado
 Fantastic seafood risotto
8:30pm
Dinner at the Crab House

 Sunset over the lagoon
 Seafood ceviche
 Another seafood risotto

Chocolate mousse

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I’ll post a few trip photos every day this week. If you want to jump ahead and see all my trip photos in one place, click over to Google+ for either: 
1) The Mexico trip highlights album (46 photos)
2) All the Mexico trip photos day by day (scroll down about 3 screens to February 2015)

Mexico Day 3 Part 2 – Dinner in the city

February 16, 2015 Monday continued

[If you missed the earlier part of my trip, click to catch up]

Mexico Day 1 
Mexico Day 2 – Swimming Underground
Mexico Day 3 – Chichen Itza

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6pm
We took a walk around the hotel pools and beach before dinner


9:15pm
We took the bus (80 cents!) and found our way to a delightful Mexican restaurant in city tonight at La Parilla, complete with mariachi.


 Mariachi tuning outside the restaurant
 Shrimp ceviche with a huge lemonade
 Mixed grill – chicken, steak, shrimp and Lobster
Mariachis singing just for us (for a small fee) 
 Table tiles
 Flan and chocolate mousse cake
Creme brulee

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I’ll post a few trip photos every day this week. If you want to jump ahead and see all my trip photos in one place, click over to Google+ for either: 
1) The Mexico trip highlights album (46 photos)
2) All the Mexico trip photos day by day (scroll down about 3 screens to February 2015)

Mexico Day 3 Chichen Itza

February 16, 2015 Monday

[If you missed the earlier part of my trip, click to catch up]

Mexico Day 1 
Mexico Day 2 Swimming Underground

6:21am
I’m awake at O’dark-thirty. Oof. Off to Chichen Itza to see Mayan Ruins. Whee!


For a primer on what the ruins are all about, click over here. 

9:30am
Good morning from Chichen Itza!  Flowers… outside… in February!  Whee! 


9:49am
The temple. More massive than any photo conveys

9:58am Phil
Impressive

5:35pm
More photos of the grounds

A map of the grounds









Our van with a tour guide

Iguana! 

 The ball court for religious rituals

 The south face of the temple with snake mouths open at the bottom – 34 meters high. You can’t climb it anymore – closed in 2006 to preserve it.

The vendors set up along the way

5:33pm
We had a delicious buffet lunch in Piste at the gorgeous Hacienda Xaybeh Dcamara with many Mexican delicacies and a dancing show!

5:34pm

 We went on to Valladolid “a real Mexican city”

Headed home.  Easy roads to drive and no traffic!

6:23pm Phil

Great shots! Looks like such fun and better weather than New England!

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I’ll post a few trip photos every day this week. If you want to jump ahead and see all my trip photos in one place, click over to Google+ for either: 
1) The Mexico trip highlights album (46 photos)
2) All the Mexico trip photos day by day (scroll down about 3 screens to February 2015)

Mexico Day 2 Swimming underground

February 15, 2015 Sunday

If you missed Mexico Day 1 – click here

8:39am
Good morning from Mexico!

1:29pm Phil 

[photo of the backyard of the model house like his]

My new backyard

2:08pm

Where?

We’re at Xcaret today – huge nature amusement park.   I swam the underground river!  And ate ceviche at the beach.  I couldn’t take my phone so I pulled these photos off the web.

They give you a pink life vest, so you can float along. They also give you flippers so you can move along faster. You can either put all your stuff in a locker you have to walk back to (what they recommend) or in a bag that will meet you at the other end (that I recommend).

The caves are 1/3 natural and 2/3rds constructed, but it is tough to tell the difference.


For lunch, we had a corner table on the lower left looking out over the ocean. The buffet is up the stairs in the middle of the building. The chicken lime soup, papaya and the shrimp ceviche were my favorites. I also tried the pork tacos, shrimp taco, cheeses, spaghetti, pasta salad, beets and flan. Lunch was free with the upgraded park entrance fee.

I rested in one of the hammocks on the left after lunch and listened to the waves for at least 10 minutes.

2:30pm Phil 

Cool! So glad you are having fun.

The new house, that’s the outdoor patios

2:37pm

You dreaming or decided?  To buy or build?

3:04pm Phil
Gonna build. I like the house. Housemate is a pain in the ass but lots of room to get away


4:51pm
This would be funny if it weren’t so close to the truth.


6:18pm
Mexican buffet @ Restaurante Mexicano La cocina, Xcaret 

Map of the place.  HUGE!  So bizarre that when we were here in the 80’s there was nothing but a beach and some palm trees.

 Macaws just hanging out in a tree along the path.
 Make your own street corn.  Yum.
Buffet! Outside under a thatched roof.
Buffet seating area right next to the horse show arena.
“Horse Spectacular!”  
Live horse show with a band on the platform across from us.

7:34pm 
Incredible day at Xcaret, the nature theme park – swam for an hour down an underground river, ate ceviche at the beach, saw a horse show and scarlet macaws and bought stuff.  Photos are not great but you can get some idea.  Thanks to everyone posting snowy photos from home so I appreciate it here even more!  

This is the first real vacation I’ve had in… forever.  I don’t have to plan or drive or pay, just sit back and go along with whatever Sis has planned!  

=====

I’ll post a few trip photos every day this week. If you want to jump ahead and see all my trip photos in one place, click over to Google+ for either: 
1) The trip highlights album (46 photos)
2) All the trip photos day by day (scroll down about 3 screens to February 2015)

Flying with Jim

February 14, 2015 Saturday 
To: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 8:48am
Message
Hiya Jim! I’m through security and waiting to board, feel wonderfully 
naughty writing to you amidst my family. 
Have you always lived in NH?
What color are your eyes? 
What do you have for breakfast? 
Gotta run! Mwah!
=====
To: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 11:49am
Message
on the ground in Charlotte! No snow. 
Reading your great messages! 
More later if I have internet. Mwah!
=====
From: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 11:58am
Message
If you have Internet on the plane we can join the mile – high club 😉
=====
To: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 12:13pm
Message
Hee! There was alleged wifi but it didn’t work. 
You’ve given me something interesting to think about. 
You hunkered down for the storm?
=====
From: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 12:16pm
Message
Yes, indeed. I am prepared for, and exasperated by the snowfall!!
I’m thinking of the weather that you are about to enjoy.
Is the trip a Valentines gift for you?
=====
To: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 12:54pm
Message
My sister invited me to tag along with her husband and my niece. 
So I get a free trip for their school vacation! We planned this in 
September with no idea how much snow we’d need to escape. 
Do you have to shovel? Hope it’s not as bad as they say!
=====
From: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 1:20pm
Message
Oh, that sounds like fun. 
Are you on the plane now?
I have shovels and snowblowers so I should be fine. 
I do miss condo living in that respect!
Are you a sun worshiper?
X O
-Jim
=====
To: championsheep
Date: Saturday February 14, 2015 at 1:34pm
Message
We’re about to take off. 
I have a condo with underground parking – never 
appreciated it so much! I’m not a beach person at all. You? 
Thanks for making this long travel day more fun!
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 1:44pm
From:  championsheep
Message:
You are turning my dull day into something exciting! 
I confess that I hoped hubby were with you. I think that 
would be exciting! I promise not to mention hubby again.
This is our thing! 
Be safe. Have fun. Contact me anytime this week.
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 2:39pm
From: championsheep
Message:
Happy Valentines Day XO -Jim
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 2:41pm
From:  Sassy
Message:
I got the in flight wifi to work! $2 and here I am. Glad to excite you.
 Will hope to use more tactile methods soon. It’s okay to mention 
Hubby now and then. He doesn’t fly so I find others to adventure with. 
I was raised in upstate NY, came to MA for school and stayed. 
Blue eyes and long silver hair, also former brunette. You can run 
your fingers through it and wrap it around. 
My favorite breakfast is a diced ham & cheese omelet, English muffin 
with raspberry jam. And OJ! Do you cook? I don’t, but I make great 
reservations. Ha ha. 
Have you been to Mexico or the Caribbean? 
Happy Valentines to you! You’re making it much better than usual. 
Thanks! 
Hugs with groping and an ear nibble too!
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:02pm
From:  championsheep
Message:
…I needed a few minutes to compose myself. You’re words leap 
out of the screen and grab me. You are an amazing communicator. 
I love it!! The thought of your breath in my ear has my spinning!
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:02pm
From:  championsheep
Message:
^head^
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:10pm
From:  Sassy
Message:
switched to Yahoo… hope that’s okay
=====
From: Sassy
To: Jim
Date:Sat, Feb 14, 2015 at 3:11 PM
Subject: connection
Tap…tap…does this work?  J?  
I like to check before I launch into a real message.  
-S
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:15pm
From: championsheep
Message:
Sure yahoo is fine. [his yahoo and gmail addresses]
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:19pm
From:  championsheep
Message:
Let me know when you send something to Yahoo. 
Sometimes there is a delay. I want to make sure 
I don’t miss anything.
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:20pm
From:  Sassy
Message:
sent a test message… reply there if it arrives?
=====
Date:  Feb 14th – 3:25pm
From:  championsheep
Message:
Got it!
=====
From: Jim 
To: Sassy
Date: Sat, 02/14/15 at 3:25 PM
Subject: Re: connection
perfect! Wifey is right next to me talking.
=====
From: Jim 
To: Sassy
Date: Sat, 02/14/15 at 3:42 PM
Subject: Re: connection
I am happy to cook omlets for you. It’s been a while but I think I can handle it.
I have not gone to the Caribbean. I went to Mexico a million years ago, 
but Tihiuana doesn’t count!
=====
From: Jim 
To: Sassy
Date: Sat, 02/14/15 at 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: connection
BTW I can still chat with you. 
=====

From: Sassy
To: Jim
Date: Sat, 02/14/15 at 6:08 PM
Oh my!  Please don’t get caught.  
Hiya Jim.  🙂  I feel like I’m living in the future.  This is my first time emailing in flight.   Whee!  What else are you curious about?  
-Sassy

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

=====

From: Sassy
To: Jim
Date: Sat, Feb 14, 2015 at 7:48 PM
Subject: Re: connection
We made it…it’s warm and beautiful. Soothes my soul.  
Here’s one photo of the beach

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
=====
From: Sassy
To: Jim
Date: Sat, Feb 14, 2015 at 10:49 PM
Subject: Re: connection
Hiya Jim!   I can’t quite take in the distances I’ve traveled today – both in miles 
and getting to know you.  Hope it was not too weird to go along with me to Mexico.  
We had a fun dinner and now I’m watching my little niece sleep.  And wondering
what you’re doing.   I’m curious about your voice, looks, goals.  
But there’s time.  
Sweet sexy dreams!
-Sassy
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

Off to Mexico – Day 1

February 14, 2015 Saturday

8:08am Phil

Happy Valentines! Have a great day!

8:37am
Happy happy day!
I’m thru security, waiting to board.

8:46am Phil

Safe flight! Enjoy!

9:23am
We’re on board! Snow escape plan – so far so good!

[selfie of Sis and me on the plane]

12:36pm
Southern fried chicken lunch in the Charlotte NC airport

4:39pm Phil
Love Bojangles

5:56pm
Mexico! 

6:30pm
Checking in


6:56pm
This is what I came for

7:10pm Phil
Gorgeous

7:21pm Phil
Get in the water! Have a Margarita for me!

7:32pm

Teppanyaki!  It was so incredible to walk to dinner without a coat, or hat or mittens or a scarf!  And no head-high piles of snow!  Everything is so green and blue and beautiful!  I feel so free!  
 Miso soup
 Edamame
 Chef putting on a show
 Soft-shell crab tempura hand roll 
 Shrimp and swordfish teppanyaki combo with fried rice 
 Chocolate ice cream and vanilla creme brulee
=====
I’ll post a few trip photos every day this week. If you want to jump ahead and see all my trip photos in one place, click over to Google+ for either: 
1) The Mexico trip highlights album (46 photos)
2) All the Mexico trip photos day by day (scroll down about 3 screens to February 2015)

Boat in the snow

February 11, 2015 Wednesday
            
8:58am

Flurries (because the radio announcer is afraid to say the s-word again)
[photo looking out my balcony window of more snow coming down]

11:44am

Had to send this to my favorite NCIS fan.  These make sense to you?

12:00pm Phil

Love it. Good advice every single one

2:04pm

Gibbs is the best.  Are you still watching?
I lost track of the series awhile back.

2:36pm Phil
Every week. One of my favorites!

4:11pm

It’s getting really silly now. Great photos of the boat stuck downtown!  Got hung up in the snow on the way to the Boat Show.


http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/02/11/foot-long-boat-blocking-traffic-downtown-boston/yYEb4xYvh01ZZqSbIFXfBN/story.html

8:47pm
Hearty chicken parmesan and penne @The Ninety Nine, Somerville

Snow day dance

February 8, 2015 Sunday
12:49am
Gorgeous ancient tile
The video is stunning… they swipe gently with a sponge and BOOM
11:04am
Sunday morning snowscape. It’s stopped momentarily.
[photo looking out my balcony window at the snowy world]

6:42pm
Woot! *does the happy dance* 
I don’t have to try to cheat death driving to work tomorrow!
“Office closed Monday!” 

Cindy Lou Who

February 7, 2015 Saturday

8:51am

Wow.

8:54am Phil
Huh?

8:55am
Reading over last night’s messages.

8:56am Phil
Oh

8:57am

Good morning!

9:03am Phil
Good morning

9:24am

Wonder why I feel like eating sausages for breakfast?

1:45pm
Onion soup with Mom at The Ninety Nine


11:48pm

It’s snowing again. Supposed to stop…Tuesday? Another foot or so? Eep.
[photo looking out my balcony window of the snow coming down]

11:59pm
I did another Facebook silly quiz.  What else is there to do on a snowy Saturday night? 
http://www.playbuzz.com/williambaggins10/which-dr-seuss-character-are-you
I got Cindy Lou Who. Is she the one Horton the elephant saves? And she helps save everyone? Or the one from the Grinch?  I suppose either works on a Seussian level. Heh.