“I have the world’s largest collection of seashells. I keep it on all the beaches of the world… perhaps you’ve seen it.” — Steven Wright, comedían
A short 2 1/2 hour flight brought us to Cancún on the fabulous Mayan Riviera; meeting up with Ginger and Larry from California. Luckily we coordinated arrival times for within minutes of each other. In fact, as we were walking towards baggage claim we could see their plane taxiing just as Larry was texting me. Perfecto!
Our baggage was claimed (we brought our own Tequila bottles) and waited outside for them and their driver since their plane arrived at Internationals. My last trip here was some 20 years ago for a long weekend; just to visit The Mayan ruins at Chichen Itzá and boy, has this place changed!
The road from the airport down to Playa Del Carmen used to be a single lane, pothole-filled country road and now it’s a modern four-lane highway divided by a lush median. Luxurious hotel complexes and a gigantic new water park now dot the landscape.
Our hotel, the Royal Hacienda, is a massive collection of buildings with manicured grounds. Our villa is a two master suites apartment; very nicely appointed, including a wonderful, working kitchen on the ground floor overlooking the beautiful grounds and one of its many swimming pools.
Famished after a day’s travel, we headed into town to El Oasis Mariscos, a restaurant recommendation from a fellow Ajijic’n just off Quinta Avenida. What a shocker ~ Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) on my last visit was a sleepy alley with a few Mexican restaurants and your usual souvenir shops.
It’s now grown into a full avenue, such as Times Square or the Santa Monica Promenade; with H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, etc. and a large variety of cuisines to choose from along crowded pedestrian walkways. Costumed super hero characters appeared for pictures along the way as were vendors hawking everything from Cuban cigars to photos with exotic animals.
Since we have the luxury to prepare meals at our place, the three stooges (Larry, Sir-Joe and David) headed out to the market in search of provisions while Ginger relaxed poolside.
We taxied to a new, nearby supermercado; had our cab driver wait for us (a price was negotiated) and then it was off shopping. Meandering throughout this gigantic warehouse store, before long our cart was filled and time to check out. Then we discovered they no longer give out plastic bags (
) … I asked if they had empty boxes,(Hello Costco!) our cashier just looked at me clueless. Fortunately, our bag person (a retired senior working for tips) asked if I‘d like to buy some bags, telling him, “Claro que si.” He disappeared and reappeared with several large bags costing a whopping 9 pesos each ~ 45 cents!
Our shopping completed … outside the store we saw the taxi parked nearby. I raised my hand to signal him. He quickly drove up, popped open the trunk, we loaded the groceries and then the driver got out of the car to open the doors … turns out then he wasn’t our driver! With quick explanations and apologies our groceries were unloaded and we went out looking for our driver … who was patiently waiting for us at the spot he dropped us off at … we’d entered at one end of the building and came out the other. When I told him what had transpired he chuckled at the three stooges.
… groceries away, we joined Ginger poolside for Happy Hour libations and munchies. We dined at one of the hotel’s many restaurants. My New England clam chowder was a fine example ~ rich and creamy, full of clams that equaled any of those tasted during my recent search for the best chowder on our eastern seaboard vacation.
I‘ve been enjoying cooking morning breakfast: eggs with cheese or chorizo, with a side of sautéed vegetables: Mexican zucchini with onions, thinly sliced, beautifully colored peppers; juicy fresh fruits; sweet Mexican breads (should have bought the “burlesque inspired buns” ~ look at the picture ~ they only need a tassel! And, of course bagels and cream cheese. I also made a roasted tomatillos green salsa and Pico de Gallo.
After breakfast … a brisk walk on the beach, strewn with sargassum. It’s been a big problem this summer along the warm waters of the eastern Caribbean shoreline. Hotel keepers haven’t been able to keep up with the amounts washed ashore. The government finally had to send in the navy to help with the cleanup. We also came across turtle nests clearly marked by caging … ‘tis the season for babies.
We had Taco Tuesday on Monday night – marinating shrimp in Tequila and just before serving, a healthy squeeze of lime made the tacos SING! The resort is actually having a complimentary Taco Tuesday for lunch followed by Tequila tasting … so for dinner we’ll probably scavenge the refrigerator.
Over the last three days we‘ve laughed, drank and eaten our weight by the seashore.
On the Menu … Octopus (two ways: garlic and buttered), seafood paella, salmon, pork chops, mushroom crepes … and Marisa’s fabulous cookies for munching after dinner.
77°F Light Thunderstorms
Solidaridad, Solidaridad, QROO, Mexico
