Ever Been to Paradise?

I have.  It's called Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun! I'm certain I have never been to a more beautiful place EVER, not sure one exists honestly.  My brother-in-law treated me (and the hubs) to an unforgettable 40th birthday trip - one I'll remember always.  It made turning 40 a little more bearable. It's been a long time since Matt and I have taken a trip sans kids or even been away from them for long periods.  Matt's parents booked a condo at Crystal Beach and left with the kids early (last) Saturday morning for Destin for Spring Break.  I'm one of those people that waits until the very last minute to pack.  For some reason, I like the pressure of getting it done immediately rather than spreading it out (which makes it stressful but worth it).  I got everything together Thursday/Friday night- all three kids duffles packed and got all my things gathered for our couples getaway. Once we got to the airport, early Saturday morning, the relaxation set in and I could exhale (finally -hah).  We arrived in Mexico around noon and took a 30-minute transfer ride to our PARADISE.  When we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted and taken by golf cart to our Preferred Guest lounge, given a cool towel, Champagne and our bags were taxied to our room #2616 while we got checked in at the concierge.  Paul and Shannon, Daniel and Lisa were there to welcome us too.  We had drinks and yummy appetizers in the lounge and then headed to our room to get changed.  Y'all, I have NEVER stayed in a room like this one - B-E-A-Utiful (as Bruce Almighty would say)! A king sized canopy bed, an in-suite two-person whirlpool tub, a fully stocked mini-fridge, lounge area, furnished porch and swim out access to our own private pool.  I say "private" but it's connected to about six rooms, two were occupied by P/S and D/L and I'm fairly sure we were the only ones who took advantage of the swim-out pool.  It was cozy and UH-mazing.


The stock photo doesn't do it justice at all!  Our suite had a Happy Birthday sash on the door and my very own chocolate cake - the royal treatment!  Since it was lunchtime, we were all hungry.  Matt and I got on our swim stuff and headed over to the pool restaurant area.  I was craving seafood (always do at the beach) so we went to Oceana/Seaside Grill to eat (I got a salad, shrimp tacos and noshed on tortilla chips with the freshest salsa/guacamole dip ever).  After lunch, we headed down to the beach (although the pool area was lovelier than anything I've seen). Bluest.water.ever!  People were kite surfing, the water was refreshing, and it was perfect.  It was also crazy to think 2,000 miles directly north of us that our children were playing on the beach and splashing around in the same gulf water.  Secrets Maroma employees 700 people, meaning there are approximately three servers per guest.  You never want for anything, even for a second - drinks, in a flash, nachos, here they are, whatever you like - exemplary service!  There was a gentleman circulating the beach and scheduling visits for the spa.  Me and my girls signed up for facials (that afternoon) and scheduled couples massages for Sunday.

We headed to the spa late afternoon (Saturday) for our Secrets Exclusive facials.  I love a good facial and Regina Webb Salon gives an Aveda one that feels wonderful.  Shannon relented to going (facials aren't her thang).  In fact, the last one she got was with me in Destin (a thousand years ago) at an Aveda Spa.  It was a treacherous adventure, with body scrubs and exfoliating and Shannon almost got decapitated when the mirrored glass/light above her head broke during her facial.  Jokingly, it wasn't a life or death situation, she simply isn't a fan of them but wanted to go with me and Lisa (and give it another shot).  The spa was gorgeous, like everything at Secrets.  Lisa and I were scolded immediately though for being 3 minutes late - I was a bit taken by that comment but we're on VACAY, come on 3 minutes and we're paying a small fortune for the facial - BACK OFF.  Shannon had arrived earlier and went back first and we followed.  The experience was the same but a little different than other facials I've had.  The one I get at Regina involves lots of creams and cleansing and warm towels.  This one didn't. It felt more like an exfoliating sort of facial - scrubs, hot steam being piped on your face, some cleansing - different but still relaxing.  Shannon's report:  I didn't like it, never again, no facials for me!  Hah.  We all laughed about the steam almost suffocating us and headed back to the pool to join the fellas who were watching the basketball finals in one of the bars.   

Saturday night dinner:  our crew wanted to go to the Italian Restaurant, Portofino, but the wait was entirely too long so we put in a reservation at the Mexican Restaurant, El Patio and got in rather quickly.  I'll admit this...I'm not a foodie.  I was still stuffed from lunch and at home, rarely eat more than one big meal per day.  El Patio wasn't real impressive, and the service seemed slow (even though the waiters/waitresses were incredibly friendly).  I ordered something with crab but wasn't a fan of the odd dish (never seen brown crab meat before). Oh, and they gave us some weird appetizer with grasshoppers in it.  Matt and I were exhausted from a long day of travel so we headed back to the room.

Sunday was breathtaking!  Had to pinch myself - places like Cancun make you do that!  We met our buddies for breakfast.  You have never seen a breakfast buffet - food for a mile and everything you can imagine was available.  Fresh squeezed OJ and coffee are served immediately.  After stuffing myself full of eggs, bacon and other goodies, I was in no shape to wear a swim suit =).  However, it's way to hot to stay in a cover up.

We took full advantage of our swim out suite and hung out in our private pool for a while.  Shannon and I decided to do some Zumba at the gazebo to get a little exercise.  We joined the others in the main pool a little later and did some water aerobics.  The guys had to go meet with our transportation people (which we'd forgotten to do the day before) to plan for our transfer back to the airport on Tuesday morning.  I lounged in the pool - literally feel like I stayed there most of the day.  Matt and I ordered a late room-service lunch because breakfast was so filling.  Sunday night was Mexican Fiesta night, so lots was planned for the evening out on the pool veranda.

 Did you see the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2?  I love the part where Maria and Voula are taking a picture together, and they look at each other and say "pull my neck back on the count of three."  I'm sort of wishing someone had yelled "suck your stomach in" for these poses - feel like I'm looking a little pregnant.  I'm not photogenic apparently because look at this picture....

What am I doing with that eagle?  Am I holding up its wing?  What a weirdo!  I need to go to some photo shoots and learn how to pose.

Maybe I should stick to posing behind wooden cut-outs?  I'm good with those.

We couldn't find Daniel for our Mexican Night group pose, so Lisa found a fill-in husband.

We also had to capture a photo with our favorite employee Moeme (pronounced Mimi).

 

Sunday night was FUN!  There were endless tables filled with every kind of Mexican dish imaginable.  We played games, ate until we popped, and enjoyed entertainment by a live mariachi band. I think we also saw a Poi Spinner/Comedian at the club (but can't remember if it was on Sunday or Monday?).  Meant to grab his card because he was entertaining.

Monday was our last full day in paradise. Breakfast was
phenomenal - there was even a saxophone player circulating the room and playing soft (reminded me of Kenny G).  We had our couples massages shortly after.  I've never done hydrotherapy as part of a massage, but that's an option.  We went a little early and took advantage of it - sauna, steam room, jets, etc.  It was refreshing.  Much like Shannon's disdain for facials, I'm not a huge of fan of massages unless they are by my favorite therapist Heather Foster (at Haute Fringe Salon in BG).  I've had a few different masseuse in my time, and Heather is the only one for me.  I'm not sure if it's sensitivity or what, but I feel like I've been beat up if someone else "works" on me.  This was no different.  I was super sore when I left =(.  That didn't stop me from enjoying my last day in Mexico.  We relaxed by the pool a majority of the day before cleaning up and heading for Himitsu for dinner. 

Me and my twin ready for some yummy hibachi!

 We capped the night off with a live-show (The Beatles) and to the club for some dancing before turning in.  (That evening) There was a Mexican Market (sort of like a craft vendor fair) in the outdoor hotel courtyard - jewelry, ceramics, toys, musical instruments, purses, etc.  I purchased a necklace and had already visited the hotel gift shop to pick up a magnet and souvenirs for the kids.
    Tuesday morning was a whirlwind, getting everything packed up, going through customs, and getting back home.  There was a bad storm in Orlando which pushed our flight back a smidge (not much).  We had a layover in Miami and got to Nashville sometime around 6 pm.

It was the perfect vacation!  Hopeful to have 40 more!