Cancun Adventure Part Two: For the first time ever, I failed at ordering a cocktail

Thursday afternoon

We drop our bags in the room and skedaddle down to the pool pretty fast.  There is a swim-up bar and a dizzying display of liquor.  With the knowledge that I can order anything I want, I go big and order a...vodka tonic.

What?  I felt PRESSURED and I folded.  The idea of limitless/unlimited/anything you want is a bit paralyzing. 

I felt like I needed an iPhone app to help me think of something inventive and out of the ordinary.  I didn't want just any drink.  I wanted a Vacation Drink.  I felt ill-prepared and briefly chastised myself for not doing some research.

Yes.  COCKTAIL RESEARCH.

You're not supposed to go to an all-inclusive and drink stupid VODKA TONICS.  I don't drink liquor very often, so I was feeling a little lost.  I resolved to order something more snazzy next time.  Five minutes later I was horrified to hear myself order another vodka tonic, but with Peach Absolut this time.  I know.  Not much better.  Kind of more sissy, actually.

(Chris was drinking Dos Equis on draft though, so he wasn't much better.  You can get that at freaking ON THE BORDER for crying out loud.)

We ordered some snacks and lazed about in the pool.  I moved on to something called a Lime Daiquiri, which was basically a margarita with rum.  Chris commented that it "aged well" which is to say that as the ice melted it didn't taste like crap.

At dinner that night it's more of the same dazzling array of choices.  Even though I knew I COULD, I don't want to be that obnoxious person who orders 5 entrees just to flex my "because I can" muscle.  For one, that's pretty wasteful and two, our table was totally not big enough for five dinner plates.

I order Provolone Ravioli (along with a salad - I was feeling like a light dinner).  My plate shows up with three silver-dollar size raviolis.  And that was it.  (Damn. I wasn't feeling THAT LIGHT.)  I resolve to be a little more offensive and ordered at least TWO entrees the next night.  

We go to the lobby bar and I order a double Grand Marnier on the rocks.  It's delicious.  I finally feel like I ordered the right drink.

 

But the night's not over yet!  Our hotel has Entertainment de la Noche!  It's something they're calling a "Fire Show" and Chris is eager to see it.

Turns out that The Fire Show is a bunch of scantily clad young women who light things on fire and twirl them around.  Oh, all right, there were a couple of guys but the girls were totally the centerpiece of the act.  It sounds stupid, but it was weirdly entertaining.

 

Check out my awesome photography skillz wherein I do not use a flash, do not use a tripod and I end up with....pretty crappy pictures.  Oh well.  You didn't come here for Fire Show pictures anyway.

Friday

We spend the morning on the beach where a nice lady called Stefanie brings us more lime daiquiris, a club sandwich and a steady stream of chips and guacamole. 

 

There is a man on the beach (employed by the hotel) with a stack of umbrellas and a post-hole digger.  He will put an umbrella wherever you want.  Later, when the sun moves, he comes by to ask us if we need him to move the umbrella.  I die a little inside and think that I never want to leave this lounge chair on the beach where they bring me club sandwiches and lime daiquiris, no questions asked.

 

The water in Cancun was unbelievable.  Really.  People had told us that it was pretty but nothing prepared me for the fact that it was such an incredible shade of turquoise-y/aqua.  It was gorgeous.  The sand was fine and clean and looked like sugar.  I could see my toenails when I was in chest deep water.  It was cool and refreshing, but not brrr-cold like the Pacific.

Meanwhile, back in Austin, Claire is having a Grand Old Time with my parents.  They send us pictures that we pick up on the wireless network on our iPhones.  She is quite obviously not missing us.  I'm a little bit insulted, but the knowledge that she's completely happy makes it easier for us to kick back and not worry.

Comments

[She Likes Purple]

A steady stream of chips and guacamole is pretty much what I think heaven consists of.

[Belly Girl]

I'm not even kidding you, I almost started crying when I read this because I so desperately need this vacation that you are on right now. And seriously, you MUST share the name of this all-inclusive resort paradise.

[robin]

i'm soooo glad you guys had such a good time. can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip!

and, yay...i see jake!

[Mel]

My skin is literally aching reading your posts about Cancun. It is remembering and yearning the feeling of the perfect sun and sand down there. I am so jealous! So glad you guys had such a good time, it was much deserved. :)

We are invited to a wedding in Playa del Carmen next June and I was pretty sure we'd pass, but reading your blog is honestly making me reconsider...

[k dev]

Please let your readers know what resort this is!