I don’t know if it was the lack of time or motivation, but I finally booked trip without an itinerary. Summer had started quick and hard this year and just kept going. Another house move. A new job. Summer photography class and daily swim team practice. The thought crossed my mind to plan more ahead of time – book excursions, see the sites. Really though, sipping pina coladas on a chair, toes in the sand, was all I could focus on.
Central America has been a common theme for our summer vacations (Costa Rica, Belize). Summer vacation this year was no different, as we headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. From Denver, the airfare is quick and easy. (Way to go, Southwest!) The July weather is a little more unpredictable, hot, and rainy. But the hotels and cities stay a little less busy. Apparently, we crave hot and humid summers (Japan, South Carolina) – you’ll never shake the Florida out of this girl.
I would definitely classify the bulk of our trips as more for “travelers” than “vacationers”. I am not a good sit and relaxer. What I can do well is wake myself (and everyone else) up real early and start my 20K step mission… only on vacation though. Normally, 7K is a real struggle for this sitting, spreadsheet wizard. But everyone’s got to mix it up a little because daily grind keeps grinding. Down time and resets are always good – and something we’ve been trying to be more intentional in planning. (Scottsdale Spring Break).
Naturally, a pseudo itinerary was formed…
…Just at the concierge desk with the help instead of my very curated and overly researched itinerary.
Yachting and Scuba
In the spirit of resorting we did book an excursion for a yacht ride to sea and included some snorkeling. Snorkeling escalated to a real quick upsell and a five minute scuba lesson and dive. The photo package was the upsell to the upsell. I am not great with heights, and apparently negative heights also scare the heck out of me. Everyone else was in to do it though, and stronger than my fear of heights is my FOMO. Spoiler alert: for a relaxing trip, this would not be the only thing that gave me nervous tummy.
It was awesome though and another check for something new to try as a family together! I was mostly able to calm the nerves quickly and we saw a once a giant sea horse. Our guides were very excited under the water about this, and we really didn’t know why until we surfaced…. Apparently, that was a once in a lifetime spotting, and upsell not required! After the dive, we were taken back to the yacht which had docked in a serene cove. I wouldn’t be able to say on a map where we were but the area was beautiful. Having endless activities for the kids was also a huge plus!
Golfing with Crocodiles
Luke has become quite enamored with golf the past couple years. Bragging mom moment, he did make the varsity team for his high school this year. It’s also been a great (albeit expensive) motivator to get good grades at school. Jake loves to play with big bro, so he has joined in on the golf love too. Now Chris and the boys have golf outtings, and I apparently need a new hobby for supposed quiet time.
As a result there always seems to be a request to go play a round of golf during our travels. Going to Mexico, was no different. But, when mom is the itinerary planner golf doesn’t seem to show up often in the plans. Advice would be, come more prepared than we did to play some golf. Even if you have to rent the clubs, bring your own gloves and tees! And if there is only one thing you can fit in your bags from home, bring balls! There was a whole lot of water traps, filled with a whole lot of crocodiles on this course. We were not looking for balls in those waters!
Bioluminescent Kayaking
There was this one thing I knew I really wanted to do before we left home. It was the Bioluminescent Kayak Tour to Los Arcos. And the workout completely justified the next few days of beach-chairing. But what I thought we were doing was something completely different from what actually happened.
First, they insisted we take the kayaks instead of the paddle boards. I pouted a little, puffed my chest and said we would be excellent on the paddle boards. They again insisted and I finally agreed. Real quick my ego deflated, because had we paddle boarded I may still be somewhere out to sea. This was not a casual stroll 100 feet away. It was far and it was windy to this very beautiful natural park in the sea. It was so worth it, but it was work!
Kayaking with a a goofy teen is quite the experience. Luke and I, really struggled to get a good rhythm, or any rhythm really. But I loved being trapped on a plastic boat in the sea, with no phones and no where to go. He had me cracking up the whole way. And then, that sunset through the rocks was amazing. The scenery all around was stunning. Move over sea horses, we saw turtles! Something I’ve always wanted to see in the ocean and in all my years of beach living, never have!
Yes, the pictures were stunning! (All credit to our tour guides because I took none!) But, the sunset quickly turns to dark while you wait for the bioluminescence. Nervous tummy vs strikes again, but that was the main event.
Setting – still far out in the ocean in a tiny plastic boat. With dead and tired arms while the lightning starts rolling in. The real kicker was going back into the pitch black caves another time to see the magic blue glowing ocean. As cool as it was to see, the poor weather limited how much ‘glow’ there was. Other kicker to our plans – waiting for the hipsters to finish their night snorkel, we left no one behind! Then began the long paddle back. Luke had no more ha-ha’s for me, just a mission to find the shore while waving metal rods. To our surprise, our tour guide did have a walkie-talkie on hand to order us pizzas. I think it was a bribe to make sure we made it back without them having to pull me…
The Adventure in Resorting…
Yes, this was still fully loaded vacation. Yes, there was still days of beach chair-ing and enjoying the resort life. We’ve never done the all inclusive thing with the kids. Also, we’ve never done it just a a couple. Most trips we burn 5000 calories a day in stairs and walking. This trip I may have consumed 5000 calories a days in mango smoothies, pina coladas and chilaquiles. Being with these boys is my favorite thing and I am so grateful and humbled for all the things we’ve been able to experience together!
Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort ; Bioluminscent Kayak Tour; Luxury Yacht Tour; Marina Vallarta Club de Golf
And just a little throw back to when we made Mexican Tamales!
