Riviera Maya Sunday 19 Feb 2012

Celeste and I were up at 7 and found the others for the breakfast buffet at 9. The resort has three buffet restaurants and about five a la carte restaurants where you order from the menu. On a seven day stay we were entitled to three restaurant reservations. I was going to hold off making these until the Vancouver crew arrived, but we decided to get in early and work around whatever we were able to get. That turned out to be the right strategy, as we had a hard time getting reservations for our party of ten. We were able to book the Oriental restaurant on Wednesday at 7:30, the Brazilian on Thursday at 9, and the Argentinian steak house on Friday at 8:30. I had hoped for earlier times, but that was all they had available for a party our size. I was hopeful that Justin and Cameron would be able to make it, since they were on Vancouver time, which would make it two hours earlier for them.

After making our reservations, we went to the orientation by the on-site representative of our tour company at 10:30. She gave us a few good tips about the resort and outlined some of the excursions that were available. From there we went to the beach until 2:30, except for Carla who was still a little under the weather. We went to the Italian buffet for lunch at 3. This became one of our favourite places. Laura and Brett went back to the beach, Carla and Tyler to their room for a nap, and we wandered around exploring.

Celeste and I took in the movie “Captain America” at 5:30. It was shown on a screen that was covered by a roof and enclosed at the back and sides, but mostly open in front of the screen. People sat in patio chairs which they arranged however they liked for the movie. They served popcorn and drinks – nice treat! The sun was already going down when the movie started, and it was quite dark by 6.

Based on our experience the day before, we were expecting Darren’s family to arrive about 7:30. But, at about 7, Brett and Laura came up to us. They had arrived at the movie after us and were sitting somewhere behind us. From where they sat, they had spotted Sue in the reception area. We all jumped up and rushed over to greet the gang. Carla and Tyler arrived soon after. Celeste and I took the boys for something to eat, while the others escorted Darren and Sue to their room. We were surprised at how quickly Cameron warmed up to us and went along with us. They all joined us later at the snack bar for drinks.

The boys had not slept on the airplane, so Darren and Sue took them back to their room for a rest while the rest of us went to the buffet. There we were all treated to Tequila Boom Booms. This is an elaborate ceremony in which the waiter makes a hat out of a napkin, places it on your head, covers a Tequila shot mixed with something else with another napkin, bangs it on the table three times, causing it to froth, brings it to your mouth so you can chug it, then rubs your face with the napkin, all to very humorous effect. Here are pictures of everyone but Tyler. His performance was a movie.

After this adventure, we all went back to Darren and Sue’s room to gather them all up for another round of drinks at the snack bar. On the way back, Justin stopped in at the disco for a dance.

Here we are at the snack bar.

They soon went back to bed while Laura and Brett shook a leg at the disco and the rest of us watched the action.