Monday

 After going back and forth about heading back home early to help out the family dealing with the loss of Mom, Caro and decided to stay until our scheduled return on Dec 4th. Pat and Dad had told us there was no reason to come back anyway.

We had a typical day at the beach and pool with family members coming and going as they wished.

Tonight Mike's family, Lisa, Caro and I went to the Mexican specialty restaurant. 

The meal was pretty good.

Caro and I walked back  via the beachfront walk; probably a kilometer-this is huge resort and honestly tòo big

And good news from Vanessa

For the Record Sunday Nov 26/2023

 Today started off like any other day here at resort with beach and pool as needed.

At 2 PM I called Dad to ask how he was doing.Turns out Mom went into hospital yesterday and Dad didn't have an update for me. I contacted Pat and Sam with Pat Facetiming from the hospital.

It is obvious Mom was in very poor condition and the outlook was  grim.

We had a previously scheduled family meal together at the Japanese specialty restaurant. 

Pat Facetimed me again with more grim news and some time later  with another FaceTime session from the hospital we called the kids into the room and with Pat placing the phone near Mom's ear they all said some words to their grandma.

Mom died shortly after 10 PM eastern time (Cancun time), We were on FaceTime when the doctor pronounced Mom's passing.

Huge thanks to Pat and her family for holding the camera and allowing everybody at our end to witness our communal loss.

Saturday

 Today we waited for Ruben,Tete and Hector to come (Lisa had gifted them the day pass for resort entry).

Because of the large amount of people here at the resort I knew that standing in line at 0900 for catamaran sailing reservations would be necessary so off I  went. Meanwhile Lisa grabbed seven beach chairs and placed them in our usual area. There would be someone from the family there throughout the day to make sure nothing happened to our stuff. We haven't heard of, or seen anything to indicate a beach theft, or "reallocation " of beach chairs however with so many people in our group today I didn't want to take any chances as we would need them all.

The day passed in typical fashion with kids and grandkids coming and going as beach time, hunger, and nap requirements changed priorities.

I was watching and hoping for a bit of wind to occur and by 1600 there were whispers of wind so Caro, Hector and Ruben went,

 

Overall the sail was a bust. Bad luck : (

Later, most of us were  together at the pool. I really enjoyed my time there ( I think I have only been in the ocean once this trip).

Hector drove Vanessa,Michelle and Lisa to the nearby Chedraui store for various medicines for all the kids and ,snacks/ noodle cups  for Vanessa (she is having problems finding food she likes right now because of her pregnancy), 

After a very late buffet meal with the just us "oldies" we said "good bye" for now until we see them next Wednesday

The kids had a game of tile rummy going on in our room upon our return so that was nice to see.

Beach day again

 After a great sleep last night I got up and went first thing to book an afternoon catamaran time slot. Upon returning to our beach area I found three  unclaimed beach chairs and a prime spot on the beach for the family so miracle of miracles the wifi was strong enough for me to send out a text to all the family,  It wasn't long before all the family showed up.

After a couple hours on the beach various families/adults went for lunch before we all headed back to our rooms for quiet time,

In mid afternoon Vanessa, Nathan and I went for a sail with Caro staying behind looking after Beckett,

Hannah and Will are still suffering with heatstroke/colds so Caro and Lisa were helping Mike and Michelle as needed,

(Random photo of stunning Beach at this resort)

For supper Lisa, Caro and I headed to the seafood restaurant. It was good but we enjoyed last night's better.

After supper we spent some time at the pool with Vanessa and family before coming back to the room for tile rummy (Lisa, Vanessa, Mike,Nathan, Caro and I all playing at various times)

A Great day in Paradise

 Today,we spent the morning on the beach. The routine seems to be, beach in the morning, followed later in the afternoon by pool time.

First thing this morning (at 0520) Caro was texted by Mike asking if she could take Rachie, which of course Caro did. Mike's family is getting very shortchanged on sleep because our little monkey is FULL OF NON STOP ENERGY. Apparently they walked , and walked, and walked. I have to take Caro's word for it as I stayed in bed and went back to sleep!

After a breakfast with some of the family a spot was found on the beach where the next two ish hours were spent with everyone except me enjoying the ocean and lounge chairs. I, instead, went walkiing to the far end of the Barcelo resort grounds to see what there was to see.  Lots of beach and other Barcelo hotels!

After some time had gone by Mike,Michelle and I went to the water sports area where we went sailing on a small catamaran boat ( with a Barcelo employee doing the sailing for us). I had previously booked the time slot with the only cost being a tip to the captain for taking us out.

Mike's kids were with Caro and Lisa for a good chunk of the afternoon. Due to the overwhelmed wi-fi our ability to communicate by texting was extremely limited. I believe that the hotel is very full due to a lot of Americans coming down here on their Thanksgiving break. Anyway we eventually caught up with each other at the pool near our rooms.

Supper tonight was at the specialty Brazil restaurant (which was really a pasta and  steak house). The food was amazing and service great. All of us made it there with Nathan being a real trooper as he is suffering through a cold. 

Look at the size of my ribeye steak!

After supper we settled down in our rooms for a bit before Caro,Lisa,Vanessa and I walked to the Maya Market (the Barcelo shopping center). It was a nice walk, enjoying the beautiful evening breeze and wonderful 25 degree night time temperatures.

Another awesome day!!

Wednesday in Porto Morelos

 I had a lousy night but was able to sleep in until about 0715. Caro stated that she ws up at 0500 and went to watch the sunrise at 0600.

Our transportation picked us up at 0900 (same Sprinter type van with driver as picked us up at airport last Sunday night)

The drive to Puerto Morelos took quite a while with lots of traffic and some occasional flow stoppages.

We got to Hector's place and met with Hector,Tete and Ruben. Some of the family went shopping while the others stayed behind just chatting.

Upon returning from shopping we were happy to see Mirna (Hector's girlfriend)

Fernando,Edu and Fercho then arrived from Play del Carmen where they are vacationing.

Hector had arranged  for a taco food truck to bring over and prepare a complete taco meal. Everyone loved the food with Nathan and the grandkids enjoying this type of traditional Mexican Fiesta for the first time,

Afterwards Fercho toòk Mike and family to the local beach for a break from the busy family goings on.

While they were gone Vanessa noticed some monkees in the trees nearby. I got a nice photo,

Just before our return ride showed up we snapped a few photos of the family. Unfortunately there is a reflection in the photo but that is the best shot there is.

Tuesday, Mexican family arrives.

 Today was a special day for us as Hector,Tete and Ruben came to visit. It cost them $US 125 each (!!!) for a day pass. Holy Cow!

We passed the day either in the pool or at the ocean. The heat got to various people at times but all in all it was a great day

At 1700 hours we had a photographer booked for family photos which were taken either at the beach or at a scenic building  on site.

We were able to take some photos with our iphones however the photo of the family group will have to wait until we buy one from the photographer

Most of the family were able to make supper (Nathan and Beckett down for the count).

We sat around the buffet table for almost two hours and then carried on our conversations in our room with Lisa and Vanessa joining us.

Around 2130 we walked the guests back to Hector's car in the parking lot. Tomorrow we are going to see them in Puerto Morelos at Hector's house.

Monday First day at Resort

 Today was a day of discovery as we all looked around the resort with the grandkids enjoying various pools and the ocean.

All the kids had too much excitement and heat at various times and needed naps, or time away from everyone else. Considering the long day yesterday and the long,hot day today they were really good!

Meals were more or less spent together at buffets ; there are three here serving different types of foods and open at different times of the day,

Lisa and I watched Monday night football in her room while Caro, Vanessa,Nathan and Michelle went to the 2130 show. Lisa and I had the monitor for Beckett. Mike crashed with his kids. Honestly we are all tired.

First photo is from yesterday on the plane

The resort is stunning and we will have a wonderful time here I am sure

Cancun Nov 19/2023

 For several months we have been planning for our whole family to come to Cancun. Michelle selected Barcelo Maya Palace near Tulum ( a five star kid friendly resort).

We all came down on the same Westjet flight, direct from Edmonton and at about 5:45 PM local time we were on the ground.

After quite a bit of waiting everyone retrieved their luggage and so we went to the appropriate location to get our private transportation. Before leaving the area we asked the driver to please take us to another part of the airport where Hector,Tete and Ruben were waiting to be introduced to Nathan and all the grandkids (they had met the rest of our kids on other trips).

After lots of hugs and kisses we said our temporary goodbyes and were off to the resort.

First impressions are WOW! What a place! We are in the section that allows us access to all of the  various hotels,restaraunts and facilities. The people in the other sections cannot come to our area (apparently).

We arrived quite late so with everyone quite hungry (and getting very tired) so we quickly found the buffet.

After that it was lights out for everyone!