To Mexico - Part 2 - Cozumel

 After 5 days in Cancun, we headed to our next location, Cozumel.  This was the part of the trip I was most excited for.  We rented what looked to be a phenomenal airbnb and I couldn't wait to get there.

However, the logistics of getting there were extensive!  We had to pack everything up, lug it all back down from our condo.  And when I say everything, I mean, a full-sized car seat, huge suitcases, diaper bags, computer bags, grocery bags, and on and on.  Then we had to wait and trust that the cab company would actually come and get us and get everything squeezed into this little car that drove us to Playa Del Carmen which is supposed to take roughly 45 minutes but took us 2 hours because there was extensive construction to get there, and then dropped us off at a tourist port to board the Fairie.  So, we had to lug all of our stuff through the blocks of tourists to get to the ticket desk and finally to the port to board.  And then, down this long harbor to actually get to this big ol' yellow Fairie.  So, finally we got in the Fairie and I was so excited for the Fairie ride.  I haven't been on one besides the one in Seattle and that was what I was anticipating.  Except, this was more of just a taxi ride over choppy waters that left me super motion sick.  The waves were incredible, and the ride was rocky to say the least because of all the insane wind that they were having, and I almost threw up.  I was so glad to get off that Fairie and on stable ground but then, we had to lug everything through the next harbor, find a taxi, and then get to our final destination.  On the ride there, Quincey was screaming and bawling because she had to go potty so bad.  She was so upset that the taxi driver pulled over so she could just pee on the side of the busy road, but she wouldn't, so we strapped her back in the car and just listened to her cry while I tried to coax her to just pee in her pull-up.  As we pulled up to our Airbnb she finally peed.  There was so much that it leaked out of her pullup and all over her and me.  So, once again, navigating the logistics of traveling with a little one in a different country proved challenging but sooooo worth it once we got settled into our new location.

Our new spot was phenomenal with a private beach and the most amazing snorkeling right off our beach.  It was completely different.  It didn't have nice white sand that Quincey could just play in but instead was full of rocks and small seashells.  Quincey seemed to love the change and spent her time watching all the super tiny crabs in the tide pools and finding super cute tiny seashells. 

We again also had our own private pool that we enjoyed swimming in and, oh ya, there was no wind in Cozumel!!!!!

 And this place had restaurants right next to us, so we didn't really have to worry about securing food as much as we did in Cancun and were able to just order food right from our private beach.

The best part for me.... the massage that Dessa bought me for my birthday.  It was glorious.  The best massage I had gotten to date!  It was right on the beach, and it was absolutely perfect.  And, for my birthday, Joe got me a day at a nearby spa.  So, the next day, I walked to it and got myself another massage which was just as fantastic; however, after only spending a couple hours there, I walked back to our condo because I was bored and wanted to be with my family.  But I will be pining after those two massages for years to come.  Absolutely amazing!  Best birthday gifts EVER!!!!

Our place also had what is called a palapaya (spelling?) which is the roof of the condo being converted into this amazing area.  It had hanging bar stools and hanging couches that rocked back and forth and it had a table that lit up with fire in the center and fans that blew cool mist onto you and hammocks hanging everywhere and surround sound speakers.  It was so fun to spend some of our afternoons just chilling up there.  

Those are all the pictures I have from the papalya

And it was so nice to be in a place that felt American after feeling like we were in a foreign location for the last week.  The place had all the amenities that we have here in the state and take for granted.  I particularly loved having a nice clean big shower to wash up in every night after being at the beach.  I savored those showers.  

We slept like babies every night.  Well Joe and I did but the actual baby never did.  Every single night of our trip she would wake up in the middle of the night and come find us.  Never once did she sleep through the night but instead would have to cuddle up to us.

So, although we didn't do anything phenomenal at this location either and we never did make it to see any Mayan ruins or anything, we absolutely enjoyed doing just that, nothing!  

I was worried going that we were going to be gone for too long and I felt that it should be a shorter trip. I'm always pretty ready to get home after 5-7 days but even after being gone for 12 days, I didn't want to leave!  Neither did Joe or Quincey.  

It was probably the best vacation I have ever had besides Costa Rica.  We just had such a good time having no plans and doing nothing but having fun together. 

And finally, it was time to go home.  It was not fun to reverse all the travel we had done to get there and lug everything back to the harbor, get back in a taxi, drive back to the airport, find a hotel, and finally check in for our early morning flight.

The final hotel we stayed in though was super cool.  On the roof it had an outdoor pool that was like a running track.  It was just a long circle to swim in and we had fun.

Finally, the next day we boarded our first flight and made our way back to America.  We had one exhausted baby.

But we were stuck in Houston in layovers and didn't get into Denver until late.  I guess it didn't matter because by the time we got to Denver and to our car it was late and there was no way we were getting anywhere anyhow because the road to home were closed!  But finally, after one more hotel stay, we were able to thread the needle just barely and get home within the 4 hours that they opened up the roads from Cheyenne to Douglas.  Just as we passed Douglas, we watched the barriers go back down on the road for closure.  

It was an amazing trip but it was good to be home!

Quincey still asks when she can go back to Mexico :)