Cancun

We stayed at the beautiful Royal Sands Resort.

Matt & I arrived to Cancun Monday, June 2, 2008, around 4 p.m. The weather was raining and humid--so different from Arizona. I had never traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula, so I must admit I was not expecting to be surrounded by tropical jungles.

We visited LDS church buildings and mingled some of the local church members. One of the girls we met was named Abish. Abish is 16 years old, and was accepted to an LDS High school in Mexico City. This high school accepts 4000 students each year from all over Mexico and the U.S. The qualifications are tough to meet since this school receives so many applications. Abish is fluent in Spanish, French and English. Her dad speaks 6 languages and is a tour guide in Mexico.

Shari, Abish, Carmen and Abish's mom & siblings

We were in a city named Tulum. There are so many Mayan Ruins here. Alma is LDS and we hired her to be our personal tour guide for the day. She was the highlight of our trip with her knowledge of Central America. She had an answer to everything!

Matt, Shari, Alma, Carmen & Tim

We had Tacos everyday! We loved the tacos -- especially at El Forgon, a taco joint in Playa Del Carmen.

Tim, Carmen, Shari & Matt

Tim and Carmen have been coming to 100% Natural for the last 10 years and thought we'd love the place, too. Everyone ordered a strawberry-banana drink, except me. I broke from tradition and ordered a pina colada with strawberry and banana (so delicious!).

Matt & Carmen swore their drinks were rotten, and even though Tim ordered the same thing, he still denies that his drink was also disgusting.

Carmen & Tim

Matt holding up one of the ruins in Coba. Well, not really!

Matt and I climbed more than half way up this giant ruin. It was hot and humid in Coba, so when the occasional fresh breeze came our way, it felt so good!

These gypsy-look-a-likes climbed the post, tied a rope around them and hung head down while circulating themselves around the post until they reached the bottom. I got dizzy just watching them. They only work on tips.

Isn't this a great view? Our tour guide told us that there are many more ruins that aren't yet uncovered.

Since we were in the jungle, we had to be prepared to encounter different reptiles. Alma told me that a couple weeks prior to my trip, she saw a boa constrictor in Tulum, and that it's not unusual to run into snakes. Eek! That's not in the travel brochure.

Speaking of reptiles, we saw this creature on the side of the road as we entered Coba.

Q: Can you say "Cenote"?
A: /si-no-tay/

This is a Cenote. A cenote is an underground cave that is filled with fresh water. The water is especially refreshing after being out in the humidity! Sure the water is somewhat chilly, but after being in it for a few minutes, it really did feel great!

Here's Tarzan, I mean, Matt cable riding on the zip lines! This place (Selvatica) is in the middle of the jungle.

Matt, Shari, Carmen & Tim

This was the big reward after riding the zip lines. This is also a cenote, but obviously the cave part is missing. This cenote at Selvatica also had a zip line. You stand on the ledge of the cenote and hang onto the bar of the zip line until you're carried over the water ... then you let go of the bar landing yourself right in the water!

We're leaving the cenote at Selvatica.

I didn't want you to think our vacation was all work and no play. I came home looking like a red lobster.

This is my friend Carmen (cute picture of her).

This was Matt's first time learning how to scuba dive.

This is the real deal! Don't go dying on me!

Matt was painting fish for souvenirs for the girls in the office (just what they never knew they always wanted).

This was one of my favorite activities on our vacation. I painted two ceramic bowls and a lizard.

Call me crazy, but my two biggest fears are sharks and snakes. Luckily, I didn't see either one! The water was so warm and clear--I stayed in for nearly an hour!

Matt, Shari & Tim

We were going to dinner at the El Disterillia -- fabulous food! FYI: For all you paranoid people, we have never been sick from the food in Mexico.

The Mariachi band serenaded us at dinner.

Matt talked about living permanently in Cancun -- he had his tacos, laptop and the beach. :) What more could he want? (Besides his ever adoring family, of course?!)

I think this is Carmen's favorite game "Mexican train dominoes." It couldn't have been more appropriate for the occasion. Ha, ha.

Carmen, Shari & Matt