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!
Looks like fun! I LOVE Cozumel too, it’s so beautiful and there’s a ton to do!
Yeah it’s so fun! 🙂 and just the perfect little paradise, I think!
“TAKE ME DRUNK I’M HOME” — I was actually thinking if I’m reading it right. Maybe I’m drunk haha! And you do look cool on your diving suit. 😉
Hahaha I definitely had to reread it a few times…and that was before I had my pink drink 😉 and thanks! I’m not sure how cool I actually look but I can pretend!
So beautiful! Those views from your room are amazing. And that sign had me laughing as well ha.
Haha I’m glad someone else appreciated it! And I know, it was so gorgeous. I wish I was there right now!!
Gorgeous pictures!! They’re truly amazing! I would love to see dolphins (or whales for that matter). Sounds like you had a lovely family holiday! 🙂
It was lovely! Thank you! The dolphins were surreal for sure…and at sunset!
The color of the water is incredible. Sounds like a fantastic trip! You captured some great pictures.
I know! I think I said “is this really the color? It looks like a pool!” a million times 🙂 and thank you! I didn’t have to try too hard in a beautiful place like that!
Wow! Amazing!! The fact that you snorkel is WAY cool!! 😉 Beautiful photos, I want to go!!
Thanks! You should go, and give snorkeling a try yourself 🙂
so, now your dad is my favorite and im jealous of your big heads 😉 i always have dreams of donning hats only to remember ev.er.ry.time that my tiny head hasn’t grown. this vacay looks like a total dream!!
Hahahaha big heads DO have their pluses…and drawbacks…but with those floppy hats they are definitely helpful! My dad is always stealing my camera and taking selfies, and they’re always a funny surprise when I find them later 🙂 and it was a total dream! Thank you so much for stopping!!
That is just too cool! I know those “surreal is-this-my-life?” moments you mentioned–I had one one time when I stayed up till midnight on New Year’s Eve and rung in the New Year dancing on a beach in the Indian Ocean….you really gotta have moments like that once in a while! It’s so cool to have the chance to go on vacation together with your family as an adult!
Dancing on a beach, in the Indian Ocean, on NYE? Sounds like a dream! Surreal, too! Those moments are some of the best 🙂 I was a little nervous about going on vacation with my siblings because we still fight sometimes (I thought that was supposed to stop when we grew up, lol) but it was great!
Your photos are so pretty – I can’t believe the color of the water. So beautiful!
I know! It looks unREAL. and thank you so much, for your comment and for reading! 🙂
You’ve got me dreaming of a tropical vacation! This all sounds so perfect. I want that pink drink in my hand right now, por favor!!
I have myself wishing for another one, too :). I’ll go ahead and overnight you that amazing pink drink and you can pretend you’re in the tropics, how does that sound? 😉
I always, always wanted to go scuba diving. Until next time, I guess!
Characters & Carry-ons
Someday, you should! It’s unnerving but amazing 🙂
Seeing dolphins at sunset would be such a magical experience (especially with cocktails in your hands 😉 ). Adding Cozumel to the long list of places I’d love to visit in Mexico one day!
It was one of the most magical experiences of my life! And Cozumel was one of my favorite vacations 🙂
Oh gosh, Amy, I am DYING to go to Mexico… and this just made me want to visit even more!! xx
It’s really wonderful! Well, Cozumel is at least 🙂 one of my favorite vacations!