To kick of 2014, E and I met my parents, my siblings, and their significant others on the island of Cozumel in Mexico. It was a big old trip for my father’s 60th birthday and some other family milestones. My dad and I were initially certified in scuba diving several years ago, and this was our first chance to go together in the real ocean! E had also just been certified in Colorado and he was finishing his open water diving down there. (I was really nervous).
We rented a condo on the north end of the island and had a great time. There was a little more cooking than I would have liked (for anyone to do–it cut down on relaxation time!) but plenty of pina coladas to go around. When we ran out of drinks or food, we wandered down to a nearby hotel with an incredible set-up. A favorite moment of my life was seeing dolphins from that hotel at sunset with a pina colada in my hand.
(I’m having a surreal is-this-my-life? moment as I write this. I don’t mean to brag but yes, I saw dolphins at sunset).
I loved the routine of diving in the morning with my dad, E, my brother and his girlfriend, then coming home to my sister’s boyfriend’s killer coladas and some more snorkeling–right off the patio of our condo. While diving in Cozumel was ah-mazing, snorkeling was awesome, too. There was a ladder right into the ocean, and plenty of rocks that attracted fish like eels, puffer fish and a variety of bright tropical fish.
Cozumel is a unique little slice of Mexico. The island is pretty small, and with plenty of tourists, but the windy side of the island (the side not facing the mainland of Mexico, a.k.a. the eastern side) was much quieter–almost deserted. My favorite bar, Coconuts, was on that side (you’ll see my giant pink drink later). On New Year’s Day, a few of us went to a beach on the eastern, drank out of coconuts, and swam in the surf. I remember thinking as I was knocked down once again by the waves, with salt water gushing up my nose, that it was a perfect way to start 2014.
I was pretty waterlogged for weeks after this trip. And salty. Yet my hair was loving the humidity! I mean, it wasn’t more manageable (in my dreams), but it drank that moisture up.
Cozumel, besides a few days on an island in Thailand, was my first true tropical vacation. If I have anything to say about it, it certainly won’t be my last.
^the view from our condo. I know. Spoiled.
^why yes, E and I are adorable even underwater. We know.
^the view…at night.
^the eastern side of the island was pretty windy. Yet somehow our hats stayed on…big heads for the win!
^my dad stole my camera for a fashion selfie. We’re a stylish bunch.
^the view from the east! breathtaking.
^the parentals.
^my dad taking a picture of me taking a picture.
^the water there was unreal.
^my sister is so adorable sometimes I get annoyed. but then I forgive because she’s so adorable. it’s a cycle.
^at Coconuts!
^oh sunny tropical beaches, you have stolen my heart (and so has this guy).
^this made me laugh for about twenty minutes. I wonder why…?
^we rented an adorable white car for one day that I immediately wanted to take home.
^and so we drove across the island.
^doesn’t it look like they’re snorkeling in a pool? (Well, I think my sister was snorkeling…I don’t know where her gear is). But nope…that is really the color of the water! I couldn’t get over it.
^a storm over the ocean.
^I’m clearly a graceful and skilled diver.
^oh, that’s just me, swimming through the coral reefs. Thanks Dad for making me look way cooler than I actually am.
^my brother, our dive captain, and E.
^oh this again.
^sisters in hats.
^I saved the best for last…my famous and most delicious pink drink at Coconuts.
Linking up with Bonnie, Kaelene, Sammy and Van for Travel Tuesday!
