TEQUILA AND SUNRISE (ALSO AVAILABLE AS A COMBO)

After a few years of discussing a potential friend trip to Mexico, we decided to make it happen. As things often go, many people expressed interest, but in the end only four of us made the committment to head off. Dean, Derek, Martijn and I spent an amazing week in Cancun, MX. No worries at all, just sun beach and pool for 7days.

We left Edmonton in -25 degree weather and arrived 5 hours later in beautiful and +30 degree Cancun. We flew with Sunwing and it was awesome. The amount of space on the plane definitely identifies it as a budget flight, but the services was impecible. Hot toilettes, warm meal, champagne and very polite and helpful stewardesses. Once we landed we were ushered through customs where I truly believe anything can get through Mexico. On our arrival and departure, they barely checked our documents (an extreme contrast to our Canadian customs experience). Once we were through customs Sunwing representatives were there to usher us to our appropriate buses which took us to our hotel, Great Parnassus.

15 minutes later we were walking through the open foyer of our hotel to the checkout counter. Martijn and I walked into our room and our mouths gaped open. It was a massive room with a view of the ocean. Two queen beds with a large sized bathroom complete with closets, full bath and WC. The hotel was designed so every room had its own balcony. We met Dean and Derek downstairs at 6pm to peruse the hotel. The 8 a la carte restaurants opened at 7pm, so we sauntered over to the buffet and grabbed a few small snacks in preparation for our choice of meal. Each restaurant was dedicated to various cuisines. Japanese, Italian, Steakhouse, French...whatever you want!! In the hour before dinner, we checked out the theatre, the pool, the adult pool and finally the adult bar where we set up camp for an hour. Before we realized it, we had made tequila our entree for the night. We found ourselves in the karaoke bar where we thought it prudent to begin our water cleanse. However, water = tequila in Mexico, and that is exactly what we received. The night was long and eventful, although not quite as long as the four of us believed. Maritjn and I arrived at our room. As I glanced at the clock, I was shocked to read 8:50pm. What?? Had it really been only 5 hours since our plane landed and the Mexican tequila had already seduced us?! It had. And apart from one 4am desperate room service call, we slept like babies our first night in Mexico.

Most of our days were spent laying by the beach or pool peppered with games of beach volleyball, water polo or tequila volleyball. What a life it is to decide what you want to do when you want to do and drink daquiris and margaritas while you do it. One afternoon, I opted our of water polo while the boys jumped in. I sat in the lounge chair next to the pool with a Sophie Kinsella book and a waitress dropping by ever 20 minutes or so, making sure I had everything I needed. I tell you, that was the life!!

We enjoyed two excursions while we were in Mexico. Our first was to Xel-Ha (Shel Ha). It is a water amusement park about an hour and a half from our resort. It was definitely work the trip. Snorkelling, ziplining in to water, cliff jumping, dolphins...everything!! All in one place. It was spectacular.

Our second excursion was more of an "adventure" feel. We were picked up at our hotel early in the morning and set out on the tour with a small group, about 12. The morning included repelling, ziplinging through the jungle, kayacking and a meal prepared by the people of the small Mayan village. The guide informed us the town we were in was turned around by the tourism of that specific tour group. The tours provided employment opportunities and growth for their Mayan village. They now had certain amenities which were not available to them before.

The nights were filled with great meals at one of the many restaurants and meeting random people. We met a few friends there with whom we spent time with on the beach and in the karaoke bar...and yes, we did stand on stage and sing. What you may ask?? Well with Dean on the trip, there was no question: BACKSTREET'S BACK!! Tequila definitely diminishes the stage fright :).