Back to Minnesota

     Our morning began as usual with three little boys sitting in the warm sunshine playing on their IPads.   A warm breeze off the ocean brings in smells of the sea, the plants and the warm earth.  It is fairly humid again today and promises to be warm.  It is such a dramatic difference from the cold, dry climate we are returning to.  We have spent the week barefoot with just the feel of warm sand under our feet.

    Finding all the clothes and toys that have spread all over this large house is a chore.  We started gathering them up last night, but a few items are still missing.  Nothing too critical.  The kids stuffed animals and blankets are safely stored in their backpacks for the trip home.  Carter says he feels a little silly at 10 years old walking through the airport with a stuffed monkey on his backpack and I tell him to stuff it inside.  He keeps it outside, though, where he can touch it.
    Stella and I each did a round of Albuterol on her nebulizer.  We are both coughing and wheezing.  Kellen is mostly over his cough and no one else has fallen ill.  We are all grateful for that.  I'm guessing that the bug has passed over the rest of the group.

    This has been a magical week.  Our last family trip was to Sanibel Island and Stella was just a baby.  She really doesn't remember the ocean.  This time she spent hours on the beach and in the water.  They will all remember the big house, the chilly swimming pool, the amazing beach, and the time together.  Carter and Bennett are very eager to do more snorkeling.  I think they may be disappointed when then see how cloudy many Minnesota lakes can be.
    As we return we will need to use the strength of our family bond to bring Matt through his next surgery and rounds of chemo.  This week has been a wonderful bubble of freedom from worries; with lots of time to relax and enjoy the value of time together.  It is hard to leave knowing what awaits, but we go back to a large circle of family and friends who will be there for Matt. 
 

National Reef Park, Puerto Morelos

     The Great MesoAmerican Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world.  The largest is off the coast of Australia.  The northern most part of the reef is off Cancun and it stretches southeast along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras for about 600 miles.  Just off the coast of Puerto Morelos the reef is closest to the shore and is a Mexican national park.  Although its only about 500 yards from shore, snorkelers and divers can't swim out to the reef to dive.  They have to get a wristband and dive with a guide who is aware of the safety rules in managing the reefs ecosystem.
    When the big kids did their test scuba dive, they swam in an area just a five minute walk down the beach from our house.  The dive shop has a large reef area surrounded by buoys to keep the dive boats away from the snorkelers.  Amanda packed up towels, sunscreen, snacks, and snorkel equipment for the kids and they all walked down the beach to check out the amazing underwater world.  Marlene and I sat in the shade by the pool and drank coffee and enjoyed the beauty of the day. 
     After an hour or so, Amanda came back.  She had rented a couple loungers under a big umbrella and encouraged us to join them.  She made sandwiches for everyone, then we walked back.  Carter and Bennett were really excited about their snorkel adventures.  They were seeing lots of fish including some big barracuda, and they looked into a cenote.  The Yucatan Peninsula has hundreds of cenotes which are basically sinkholes in the limestone where freshwater gathers.  There are many spots in the jungle where cave divers go to explore and enjoy the extremely clear water that has filtered through the limestone and created pools. Those that are found in the reef are more vertical, water filled shafts.  No one in our group did anything more than look into the mysterious depths.
    Eventually Stella wore herself out and crashed on the lounger with Grandma Marlene and napped.  Her very strong mom had to carry her back down the beach when everyone was done snorkeling.  But not before Amanda and the guys accompanied Rick out to the reef to see the fish.  He is not a confident swimmer and was leary of the current and the possibility of being in deep water and having a problem with his snorkel.  He knew that with Amanda right by his side he would have help if he needed it, and with that confidence, he enjoyed the exploration of the reef.
    After a good rest we cleaned up and went into town to Pelicanos - a restaurant right on the town square and the pier.  We had a big table on the shaded veranda which overlooked the water.  Soon we heard the sound of a conch, then drums and rattles and saw a costumed man out on the square doing traditional Mayan dances. The dances tell stories from the pre-hispanic Mayan culture.  The dancing included fire and smoke and was a big hit with the kids who went over to watch while we waited on our delicious Mexican dinners.  After dinner we walked across the square to a small ice cream shop for homemade ice cream.  It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Croco Cun Zoo

     We lucked out on a perfect day for the big "kids" to go scuba diving.  Earlier in the week Big waves outside the reef had prevented boats from going out for scuba dives.  Today the water was calmer so Matt, Arik and Amanda walked down the beach to the local dive shop.  They had a long session of instruction on the equipment and time in the pool.  Then they went down to the ocean and dove in the shallow water inside the reef.  They saw many tropical fish and a few barracu

.  After a brief rest they took a boat ride outside the reef for a deeper dive.  Matt has always been susceptible to sea sickness so he was glad that he took Dramamine.  It was a very bouncy ride.  They spent about 40 minutes under water with two dive instructors and learned a lot about reef diving.

     While the big kids were away, the little kids went to a local zoo for a guided tour of Yucatan animal life.  They fed parrots and monkeys.  They held snakes and an alligator- except for Stella who didn't want anything to do with either one.  They spent time on the playground there and had some ice cream.  It was quite a highlight of the trip for them and they learned a lot about the local animals.

    After writing in their journals the little kids spent the afternoon in the pool and playing in the sand.  Marlene and I don't like the hot sun so it was nice to go sit on the beach in the early evening when its cool and do some people watching.   Every shape and size body wears a bikini.  Or further down the beach, they wear nothing at all, according to our beach comber, Rick.

    The big kids came back exhausted and sleepy from lots of exercise, sun, dramamine, and a post dive beer.  They want to take everyone back to the same area for some snorkeling tomorrow.  So far no sunburns and no new virus victims.  We haven't had to wash clothes because we spend the day in bathing suits.  I've only had shoes on twice.  Life is good at the beach.

Puerto Morelos

     Puerto Morelos is located between Cancun and Riviera Maya.  It is a deep water port where, in the past, mahogany and bricks of chicle (used to make chewing gum) were shipped to ports around the world.  Although there are more hotels being built in the area, the town is still very much a small fishing village.  There are many small shops and cafes, but no chain restaurants.  Many of the residents are decended from the original Mayan people.  They are very friendly and helpful to us tourists who have only a slight grasp of the Spanish language.

    Amanda has been running a course set out for her by the property manager here, Roberto.  She sees the same local folks out walking their dogs and heading to the grocery store.  They all nod and wish her good morning.   Today when Amanda returned from her run she got the kids to do some yoga and exercise with her.  Bennett has wonderful balance and spent the most time doing yoga poses with his mom.

    The day was cooler and less humid, but that didn't stop the kids from playing in the water and on the beach.  Carter just wants to stay here where it's warm and sunny and he can swim every day.  He is on the swim team at home, but says that swimming indoors isn't nearly as fun.

     Everyone took the 15 minute walk to "downtown" for an afternoon ice cream cone and some souvenir shopping.  Stella bought a little Mayan doll she has named "Rosa."  He took Spanish for several years in school and thinks that it's very cool to hear people speak Spanish in the stores.

    We have been trying to get to the fish market at a time when they are open and have fish, but no luck again today.  We had chorizo and cheese brats on the grill with more guacamole and some Spanish rice.  Delicious!  The kids are mostly over their fevers so I'm hoping to be feeling good tomorrow.  Hate to be sick on vacation.