What a wonderful trip we had to Cancun! We got to go for 9 days with everyone except Austin. We didn’t have time to get him a passport and he’s at an age that water is not scary for him but it should be. So, we’re SO grateful that Darrin’s parents watched him and loved on him while we got to go to Mexico! This was the kids first time. Below is the day to day-more of a journal really for us to remember, but for those that don’t want allll the boring details, here’s the gist. We wanted this trip to be all about relaxation and FUN! We didn’t leave the resort once because it had all we needed. We stayed at Catalonia Riviera Maya All Inclusive Resort. We picked this resort because by the time we booked (pretty last minute), it was the best option (price and reviews) with a family our size (6 that went). The only room that would fit our family was called a “privileged suite”. We didn’t know until we got there but this meant that we got a special colored bracelet that gave us access to special restaurants, a private beach, a private pool and our room had an awesome, GIANT tub on the patio which was basically a hot tub that we used every single day usually multiple times a day :). Kids club was included which started out iffy but in the end we all got the hang of it and it was great. We especially loved the activities kids club did at night where parents were invited. They got to do a pinata, face painting, dances, games etc which were a lot of fun. The food was AWESOME-I think a lot of that had to do with the restaurants we were able to go to. They did a great job. The beach area was unique in that there were no waves due to a cement barrier and a calm area. We didn’t get to use the boogie board we brought, but it was clear, calm and safe for the kids! Snorkeling was pretty good, not amazing, but a great location for the kids to snorkel and still see plenty. They also had kayaks, paddleboards, ping pong to rent, rooftop mini golf and rooftop tennis. The entertainment-they can’t sing (they lipsinked everything and not well) but BOY COULD THEY DANCE! That’s really where the entertainment shined if you could get past the lipsinking. We tried lots of different virgin drinks which was so fun and yummy. The pools were great. In conclusion, it was a fantastic family trip that ended up being very relaxing and fun for all-mission accomplished! BUT, I will say that we had to learn our privileges and USE THEM to make it great. So if you go, know your privileges and get out and use them for the best possible experience-don’t just stick with the buffet. Also, for future reference, Here's our list of our favorite non-alcoholic drinks:
Mohito, Miami Vice, Pina Colada, Mango Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, Mango + Strawberry Margarita, Shirley Temple
NOVEMBER 7-Travel went smoothly today and that's a miracle! We ended up parking and paying the $87 for that since it was cheaper than Uber.
We took our private van to get to our resort which was a little over an hour drive. We went through CARM and they were great.
The resort seems really nice from what we can tell in the dark. Our room has a pullout couch bed plus two queen beds. It's a bit cramped but totally doable. The bathroom is really nice and we're on the ground floor with a giant bathtub on our patio. It's fantastic and we already used it tonight. We apparently have "privileged status" which gives us a different colored bracelet and allows us to use the drinks in our fridge, have special restaurants we can go to, Darrin and I get one free aqua massage, and there's a pool and Beach area that's special access. That's awesome!
We ate at the buffet tonight which was fun to try new things and then we walked around a bit before coming back to the room and going to bed.
NOVEMBER 8-Today we explored in the daylight. First, we had breakfast at the buffet which was ok. There was music that was loud and repeated itself over and over and not a lot of options but I didn't have to cook and that's great!
The beach doesn't have waves-like at all because of a large cement barrier but you're able to see lots of fish above water on the clear water. They have kayaks we plan to use and it was really cool how many coral imprintations are in the rocks.
We played at the pool for a while and then the activities team told us to come play volleyball so we did! Darrin and I played 3 games and then Darrin played one more. It was a lot of fun. Darrin is quite good. The kids played on the beach while we played and then we got our first Pina coladas.
We checked out the kids club which was closed for lunch but they still let us register the kids. We also reserved all our dinners.
We got lunch at a crepe place right next to the pool. The ham and cheese crepes and the vegetarian crepes were delicious! The desert crepes were ok. We also tried a hot dog from the hot dog food truck which was ok. We tried a virgin Shirley temple (too tart for Darrin) and a strawberry daiquiri (decent). We came back to the room for a "bath" on the patio and then the kids tried out kids club.
They were the only kids there and they colored and played with some toys but nothing too exciting which I'm bummed about because I was hoping they'd have a great time and really want to go. They were only there for an hour and a half before they closed again for who knows why. I guess one of the workers quit so they're limited on open times.
Today, my expectations of having a relaxing fun time aren't being met due to the kids fighting a lot and complaining about various things and I'm having a really hard time with it. I was reeealy excited to come and thought that without Austin it'd be a piece of cake and we'd be able to relax while the kids played and so far, we've had times of fun but my expectations were too high...
We went to dinner tonight at a restaurant called "Bloved". It was so WONDERFUL. We tried everything in the menu to try which was fun! It had a beautiful view too. They kept bringing the kids large Pina coladas and they kept drinking them all up. I had a Miami vice which was really good. The steak was amazing, the boys loved the white fish and Parker especially loved the raw tuna.
We played Farkle back at the room and then watched the kids do JUST DANCE up on stage for half hour with kids club. Honestly that really perked up my mood in combination with dinner. They were so much fun to watch dance. I came back to put them to bed and then joined Darrin who was saving seats for the show. The show was...ok. they were certainly professional dancers and we're really good at that but lipsinked everything and not very well in addition to inappropriate outfits for several numbers.
Darrin and I went on a long walk ending up at the hammocks where we cuddled and talked and relaxed for quite a while. What a wonderful ending to the day that started out blah.
NOVEMBER 9-We went to Bloved for breakfast today-the same restaurant we had dinner at last night. It was amazing! We tried all sorts of different juices they had, and got yummy entres such as pancakes with Nutella, fries with ham and eggs, French bread french toast etc. Night and day difference with yesterday's breakfast plus we had an incredible view and a dining room to ourselves!
We went to the pool, then to the beach to play in the sand while Darrin played volleyball and there were made sand castles and looked for cool shells and such. After Darrin was done with volleyball we all went snorkeling together which was so much fun! The water was a bit hard to get into but once in it wasn't too bad. We saw lots of fish including a puffer, a huge flat fish, a stingray, and a school of thousands of white/almost see through fish! We also saw a humongous brain looking coral, sea urchins, a crab and lots more coral. It was a great snorkeling venture right off the resort.
We relaxed at the beach for longer and then grabbed some food at the crepe place while the kids played in the pool.
We came back for Rachel's nap while the other kids headed to the kids club.
We had dinner at Tuscan, an Italian restaurant that was pretty good! The clams were a highlight and so was the chicken.
The kids did face painting tonight too which was fun.
What a wonderful day today!
NOVEMBER 10-Bloved for breakfast again today because, it's amazing. Parker, Darrin and I went out snorkeling today for a long time while the other three played on the beach in the sand. We found lots of cool shells and saw lots of fish. We went out quite a ways past the huge barriers. Not a ton to see but still a lot.
We played at the pool for quite a while and then went kayaking. The area that you kayak is really awesome and beautiful. After kayaking the kids played in the sand for longer and then we went back to the pool. We then realized we couldn't find the GoPro camera anywhere. Parker just got it for his birthday and the memory card was too big so Darrin had to reformat the card so this was the first time Parker got to use it and now it's gone with all our pictures. He asked everyone near where he thought he left it and no one knew where it was. He also checked the lost and found with no luck. We're all a little sick about it.
The kids went to kids club for a bit and got to make shirts while I showered and Darrin looked again for the camera.
We played a fun game of Farkle and then had dinner at "The Grill" which is a steakhouse. It was really good!
The kids club night was fun to watch again-they did a game where the kids wore the hat, spun around, passed the hat etc. Until the music stopped and if you had the hat on where l when it stopped you're out until there was a winner. Our kids all got out but it was so funny and cute to watch.
The kids then went to bed while Darrin and I went to the Aladdin show. It was actually really good-they did great! I wished we'd let the kids stay up for it but there was no way of knowing if it'd be appropriate after the last show we went to even if it was called Aladdin.
NOVEMBER 11-Darrin and I got to go to the spa today for an aqua- treatment that was included in our stay. We did this while the kids were at kids club. It started off a little strange but by the end it was incredible in such a fun experience. First we went into a sauna for 5 minutes, then into a cold pool plunge for 1 minute, then into an aromatherapy steam room (the steam was not warm), then into a pool that was nice temperature but that had lots of different stations with water spraying out that would shoot onto your back. It felt wonderful and was such a fun time with Darrin.
Darrin played volleyball again today and was in a contest by the pool with Parker throwing a football into a hula hoop. Fun to watch.
For lunch we went to Bloved which was delicious!
We went to the Japanese restaurant tonight where they cooked the meal in front of us like benihana. So yummy and fun. We had mango Margaritas at dinner yum!
Of course we went swimming today and also swim in the tub on the deck we love that thing!
also tried:
Strawberry daiquiri
Strawberry margarita
Shirley temple
NOVEMBER 12-We had breakfast today at the El Mercado Buffet and it was quite good!
The boys all went snorkeling right off the bat. It was a beautiful hot sunny day today. While they were out they found lots of conch shells, another sting ray, and a huge school of fish among lots of other fish. While out, Caden's snorkel was having issues so Darrin was holding him while going through the cement barriers and a sharp metal peice was sticking out and cut his right hand below his pinky. We got it cleaned out and bandaged and he's ok which we’re so grateful for. It could have been a lot worse.
We hung out at the beach for a while and then found a spot at the pool. Lots of playing catch with the water bouncer ball and swimming. We tried a lot of juices and drinks.
Then we came back to do the bathtub on the patio and then the kids went to kids club. They made beaded geckos. So fun. Darrin and I played Quixx and soaked longer in the tub while Rachel napped.
Dinner tonight was at the Mexican restaurant. It was our least favorite. Not terrible but not that great. I've actually been really impressed with the food here though!
We came back to the room and watched some TV and ordered room service for fun. We got pizza, quesadillas and fruit.
NOVEMBER 13-El Mirage buffet for breakfast, then we tried to get our Covid tests done but then decided to wait until Monday because Darrin only has a picture taken of his vaccination record rather than the actual paper (if you have record of vaccination you can have the test taken 3 days prior and if not you need to do it 1 day prior). The kids then went to kids club and had a swimming party with water balloons while Darrin and I went paddle boarding which was a lot of fun and then we took a walk along the shoreline which was beautiful and fun.
We met up with the kids at the room and did the tub while it rained for a bit. We ordered room service which was glitchy and only let us order 1 of each thing we wanted so that's what I did. We waited for almost an hour and a half and when it didn't come, we had a light lunch at the buffet instead and then kids went back to kids club for a treasure hunt and they did more beaded geckos. Darrin and I stayed at the room in the tub and watched a little TV because of rain. When we came back to the room we were surprised to have tons of food in our room late from room service! And it was a lot more than what we ordered. Darrin played volleyball too.
We met back up and got ready for dinner. We took a few family pictures before dinner at the Bloved. We tried a new drink called the Mango tango which was amazing!
The kids did a pinata which was way fun and then it was time for bed.
NOVEMBER 14-Today we went to the Buffet for breakfast and did a come follow me lesson about the second coming, the parable of the 10 virgins and if we're adding oil to our lamps and prepared to meet Him today. It was a great discussion.
It was really crowded yesterday and today more than any other days. Today there wasn't even any towels left.
We went to the beach and played catch all 6 of us for a long time and then the kids and I had fun taking some pictures in the sand. Then we went swimming and got some drinks.
We played mini golf on the roof which was a huge hit-lots of fun for all. Caden got 3 holes in one!!! Darrin won, then Caden, then Parker, me, Spencer and Rachel.
Back to the room for the bath and we played Farkle on the table IN THE TUB lol.
Kids club and Darin and I listened to a podcast for Sunday school which was good.
More Farkle and then I realized I left our umbrella and tripod along with my Bluetooth earpiece at the theatre last night during the pinata night. Parker and I prayed and the lost and found actually had it!! When we asked again about the camera they said they didn't know and to try again tomorrow... That's what we keep getting. It's so strange-the Lost and found isn't even on the property. The front desk has to call security who are off the property to see if something is in the lost and found and then they have to bring it to you... So so so grateful we got these things back.
We went to dinner at the Japanese restaurant again (YUM!) and then went to the kids dance party and the DISNEY SHOW tonight which was FABULOUS!! seriously I think they did a phenomenal job with it. Very impressed and Rachel's face when she'd see charcters she knew..... SO MUCH FUN!!!
NOVEMBER 15-After breakfast and after getting our covid tests, we went snorkeling (Darrin, Parker, Spencer, and myself). We saw tons of fish at times getting like we were sitting in an aquarium tank and we saw a stingray.
While we snorkeled Caden and Rachel went to kids club.
I took a 45 minute walk with Parker and Spencer to explore rocks and shells which was a lot of fun.
Parker picked up Caden and Rachel and Caden wanted to go a separate way than Parker. He got lost and we searched and searched for what seemed like a very long time. Darrin finally found him and we're all so grateful!
I'm also grateful all our covid tests were negative. Not that I suspected we had it but that false positives are a thing.
We spend hours and hours on the beach burying people, making sand castles, digging, playing catch and doing tricks. We grabbed crepes for lunch and had lots of drinks.
We came back to the room and did our usual bath with Farkle which was fun.
We showered and got ready and watched some TV. Then we went to the burger restaurant for dinner. The service was pretty slow, the food was decent but not as good as the other restaurants, and we went to the buffet after that for water (we kept asking and they didn't bring us any) and dessert.
