Cuatro cervezas por favor

We wanted to take a family vacation for Eric's senior year so we kicked around some ideas & the only time we could all go was Christmas, which is "we've got them by the balls" season for travel companies. We decided on an all inclusive resort (Barcelo Colonial Beach) just south of Playa Del Carmen on the Maya Riviera. Cool breezes off the Caribbean Sea, lots of sun & not too hot (high 20's to low 30's.) We had a wonderful time.
It's a big complex with pitch & putt golf, tennis, fitness center, shopping, restaurants, plus numerous pools all moments away from white sand beaches. Shannon thought she could use this angel in the courtyard outside our room to help find our way. Turns out they are everywhere! We all had a turn at getting 'lost' at some point.
The outdoor nativity scene with a Mexican twist.
Gotta have a chicken!
It was easy to forget it was Christmas time. An occasional familar tune played in a restaurant or a tree in the lobby. It all seemed so out of place. All we needed for Christmas was our little foursome... leave the trees in the cold north.
Pool-side.
Beach activities include snorkeling, scuba, sail boats, wind surfing, jet skiis, parasailing & kayaking. Extra fees for some of those activities.
Michael gets a tow.

Oh who could be behind the hand? "I'm not too worried about it."
Eric especially enjoyed himself because of his status we had to bring him drinks. Just so you know Eric, I drank out of every single one first (partly so I wouldn't spill on my self stumbling back to the chairs)

I am prone to slurpy headaches & I got one so bad from a daiquiri it went right into my chest... that was not fun. Well, it was for everyone else. I had one afternoon where I got my monies worth out of the bar, otherwise I behaved myself. Turns out that "Your shout" & "Half in the bag" aren't terms in current use. Now you know how we feel Mike, never knowing what you're talking about.


Would you believe they actually left me here "But its still light out!!"

I spent much of our pool / beach time vegetating... which is so not like me. I think it helped though, felt much more energized after the trip. Shannon with her beach book (above)
We did three side trips (blogged seperately) & went into Playa Del Carmen one evening to see what all the fuss was about. Shopping & had a bite at a local restaurant. H1N1 kicked the crap out of them but they are making a comeback after some very slow months. All the locals & resort staff we dealt with were very helpful & friendly. But tourism is the major industry there. They probably laugh about us at the end of the day. "You should have seen that boy eat!"
We ate out at the themed restaurants for seafood, thai, mexican, & steak. The steak place was funny with the waiters dressed up as cowboys & Alan Jackson playing over the speakers. I went with the lamb. This is 'classier' than the buffet so gentlemen must wear long pants, collared shirt, closed toe shoe. "But I'm on holidays!!!" Ladies, just not a swim suit. WTF!!! Anyway, all dressed up for dinner in front of the big gingerbread house display by the restaurants.

All in all we ate like kings. Pineapple with every meal... what's not to love?
Hammock time before heading back to Calgary -18.

A word about the shoot'n. All these shots with a Canon G11. I read the manual & tried a bunch of the features but didn't get too 'into it' on this trip. I think deep down I really needed to unplug, & it helped. But none of these shots are all that great. On a happier note my Rebel is back from the repair shop ready to be picked up so I can start shooting basketball again. Yay! So between the two cameras there will be some better shoot'n soon.