Riviera Maya, Mexico .. a trip in time

Given what's going on in the world at the moment, it almost feels untimely to write about my recent trip to Mexico. I feel very grateful to have had my vacation when I did, as less than a week after I returned everything was going into lockdown because of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

I think what we need right now is less of the daily negative media reports and more of the fun things in life to think about. Whilst we are unable to go anywhere for the foreseeable future, we can certainly enjoy what we have and have beautiful images to look at and inspire us for when we are able to get away again.

So with that in mind, this post will be a sort of pick of the day album of my time away. The Vidanta resort is so large and spread out, there was no need to venture off site if you didn't want to. There are shops, cafes, artisan stalls, street foods and restaurants and numerous pools to choose from. 


Since I was last here 5 years ago, the whole area has been improved so that it's safer to swim in the sea. With the new piers and rocky breakwaters the rip tide is less of an issue. It's a beautiful wide open beach of the finest white sand and clear Caribbean waters.
My favourite spot was a teepee on the beach with this view. Lots of shade and shelter from any wind.


There were some great restaurants on site which catered for all tastes including French, Italian and Asian, but we chose mostly Mexican cuisine. When in Mexico why wouldn't you?! Tasty dishes made with fresh, healthy ingredients like avocados, beans, chillies, tomatoes, peppers and freshly caught fish, I could eat like this all the time. The Catrina cocktails were made right at our table. Don't worry, the straws were all biodegradable.

This 75 metre pool was great for exercise or just cooling off. Whether you wanted to do freestyle laps or walk up and down with water weights, there was enough space for everyone. Situated right next to the beach, the choice was there everyday depending on what you wanted.

It rained quite hard one afternoon and being warm some people stayed in the pool whilst others ran for cover or a drink at the bar.

Mostly it was warm and sunny with clear blue skies.




This walkway took you both ways - pool to beach or beach to pool. There was a shower at the end to wash the sand off your feet so that the pool area remained clean.

There were also beds and couches tucked under the trees for group gatherings, which was lovely to do at the end of the day, or a chance to hideaway in a hammock reading a book.

The occasional iguana would wander past but they're not interested in humans and weren't a problem.

I loved watching the pelicans fly overhead in formation, or dive into the sea to catch fish.
 

 Every time we were given a menu at a restaurant we were also given a 'drinks' menu. It consisted of numerous cocktails, mixers and beers and after a few meals we asked why there was no wine available. Oh, they said, you want the wine list! We didn't realise that a wine and drinks menu were two different things! We were introduced to a lovely light Mexican rose wine suggested to us by the head waiter in Gong, a fusion Asian restaurant and the only occasion we didn't eat Mexican food. It was surprisingly good and needless to say after that we always asked for the 'wine' list!

I adore Mexican food, and one of my favourites is fish tacos. I first had them years ago in Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast and have them whenever I can.

The dish on the right is mahi-mahi, one of the many fish tacos I enjoyed this trip!

Another dish I absolutely love is Aztec (or tortilla) soup. A wonderful flavourful soup with chilli and tomato, topped with avocado and strips of tortilla.

It's so easy to make yourself and I'm looking forward to doing that when summer comes around and hopefully eating al fresco again.




The Mexican tradition of honouring and celebrating the dead is deeply entrenched in the culture of its people.

La Catrina on the left, symbolises the Day of the Dead and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself.

You see images of Catrina everywhere and it's all whimsically bright and colourful.

"Death brings the neutralising force - everyone is equal in the end."




On the right, an iguana basking in the sun. You won't see them on a cloudy day. They almost blend into the rocks and are sometimes difficult to spot. Lovely to see their beautiful skins so close up.



There are also many images and objects depicting the Mexican icon Frida Khalo, an artist known for her many self portraits, folk art and works inspired by nature.





Whilst at the airport waiting for the flight home, I spotted a shop called Prison Art. I was drawn in by the beautiful artwork on the bags in the window and was smitten by this Frida Kahlo image. I had a look inside at all the beautiful pieces and took this snap as I left. Whilst I sat in the departure lounge looking at the photo, I realised I'd regret not buying the bag so went back and got it. I'm so happy I did. Not only do I love it as a bag, but I love the story behind it. 

Click on the link above to read the amazing story of how this project was started by an innocent man in prison who was released after 11 months. He created a machine that could tattoo leather enabling inmates to produce unique pieces which are sold to help the project and with integration back into society.


At the time of publishing I have no idea when my next trip will be. My annual girls' holiday to Corfu is booked for June but it's looking increasingly unlikely that we will be able to go. Let's hope this Corona virus disappears as fast as it arrived and we can all get back to our lives. I don't think anything will be quite the same again. 

Stay safe everyone .. I'll be back again soon. Until then feel free to follow my instagram account for past vacation pics and current images from my day job.