Adventure #5 Cancun, Mexico

This is probably one of the funnest trips I've been on. 21 of us decided to go to Mexico together this summer. We went July 8-15, a whole week of pure bliss. There's something about Mexico that I just love. It's my home away from home. And with all the border/drug problems I haven't been in several years. I grew up going several times a year. So I just had to go. We actually weren't in Cancun at all. We were about 30 min. South in a smaller beach town called Playa del Carmen. We stayed in some condos in town a few blocks from the beach.

Day 1 - Thursday
Flight and car rental. We rented 3 vans. The one on the far right was our van, "Car Awesome."

We did eat at a pretty delicious taco joint for dinner that night. In fact, it become the favorite for the week. We ate there several times. Can I just say that the tacos in Mexico are delicious! They are all so different too. You can never get sick of eating them.

Day 2 - Friday
We went to the beach in the morning, but we got rained out. We went to Akumal in the evening, where you can snorkel and see sea turtles. Unfortunately, I've never been able to snorkel right and I freaked out. I seem to hyperventilate or something. So I missed the sea turtle. I think it was the incoming waves that freaked me out while snorkeling.

We ate at an Italian restaurant back in Playa that night. They took for-e-ver. Jessica and I got a piña colada, which they tried to sneak some alcohol into, but it didn't work. We called em out on it! Just so you know, a non-alcoholic one is called a piñada, NOT piñata. Haha!

Day 3 - Saturday
Early in the morning we took off to Chichen Itzá (see the very first photo of the whole gang). They are old ruins/pyramids about 2 hrs. away from Playa. They are pretty amazing. Only 3 years ago, they had them open to climb up to the top, however now they are closed due to a death. We had a tour guide here and if you know me I don't too well with tour guides. They have some valuable information to share, but I like to explore on my own. Right, Elise? Hahaha. We also got rained out here at the very end. This is an amazing place though!

After Chichen Itzá we went swimming in a local cenote. The best way to describe a cenote is a sink hole connecting an underground river system. They are only found in this part of Mexico. It was so picturesque and beautiful! There was a ledge to jump off from too, maybe about 20 feet or so.

We stopped in Valladolid on the way back, an old colonial town. I loved it! It was super nice for Mexico too!

Oh, and I had the most delicious meal EVER there! Not even exaggerating! Chile, garlic chicken with a quesadilla and taco. They had pretty good mole too. Mole is a sauce made from chocolate and chile. Sounds weird, but you have to try it! Only in Mexico though. It's good stuff.

We also found our first paletas, popsicles made with real fruit.

While enjoying the paletas we stumbled upon some boys playing soccer. I was dared to play with them and knowing me, I cannot pass up a dare! So I asked to play and they gave me the ball to kick. Well....I accidentally pegged a kid in the head with the ball. Oopsy. The other kids thought it was pretty funny though.

We finished off the evening chilling in the zocalo, central plaza, of Valladolid. Of course, we saw a wedding at the church and got some girls to take a picture with us. What a day!

Day 4 - Sunday
Started it out by going to church. Totally reminded me of Spain and the ward I attended there. I miss those guys!

We went to the beach for a while, then headed to a local bar/restaurant to watch the World Cup, Spain vs. the Netherlands. It was the most boring games e-v-e-r but it was fun to be around the locals and cheer loud. It's the only way to watch the World Cup.

Jessica and I set off to find the local Bomberos, firefighters. Her brother is a firefighter and wanted her to trade shirts. It was successful! Plus we had a nice little chat with Nacho :)

For din din we had a rooftop BBQ back at our condos.

After which we took a little walk on the beach.

Day 5 - Monday
We spent the day in Cozumel. We took a ferry over from playa (we barely made it. We had to make a run for it. Never have I been so sweaty).

We went snorkeling for several hours in a glass bottom boat. Oh man! It was so cool! I finally got the hang of breathing and had no troubles at all. We saw about 3 barracudas, some sweet fish, and coral. I loved it.

I think my favorite part though, was renting scooters. Yeah baby! So here's the story.... I wanted to rent a scooter on the islands in Greece back in 2008. I was super excited. Well, the dude in Santorini wouldn't let me. He said he didn't want me falling over, getting hurt, going to the hospital, and being sent back to the U.S. Can you believe that?! I would think he would want my business first and foremost. I was pretty mad. Anyway, so I was super excited to finally rent a scooter. Turned out to be as good as I expected. We rode them on a road along the beach in Cozumel for a ways. So beautiful, and fun! It's the scooter gang.

Day 6 - Tuesday
A few of us got up bright and either to visit another set of ruins - Cobá. Because everything is so spread out, you can rent a trici-taxi, which we did. These little Mexican dudes just peddle you around everywhere while you sit lazily on a cushioned seat. Oh, the Americans. Cobá is known to be the most hot, sticky and sweaty so you don't want to be walking. I think it held true to it's reputation too.

The best part was actually climbing to the top of this huge pyramid (maybe 150 feet or so) and seeing the view. It was incredible. You were way above the jungle and could really see far.

After Cobá, we met the rest of the gang at Tulum, our last set of ruins to visit. Tulum was by far my favorite. It was so picturesque (man, I'm running out of words to use. Haha) right on the beach.

There were huge iguanas running all over too.

We actually went swimming down on this beach, right below the pyramids. It was amazing to be out in ocean and look back to see these old ruins on the edge of these cliffs. Amazing!

That night we hung out on Avendia Quinta, the main street in Playa del carmen with shopping and restuarants. I had a good time bargaining and chatting it up with the Mexicans. I love it! I miss doing that.

Day 7 - Wednesday
We all branched out this day. There were several different groups doing different things. A small group of us, 4, went to the beach one last time and then hit up another cenote. This was more for the natives and not a well-known one. That's the best way to go. It was a good one! There was a little cave to swim back into and a cliff to jump off of.

We did some more shopping on Avenida Qunita that night. Can't be in Mexico without seeing some wire or rebar everywhere. The sunset is still beautiful though.

The three of us, Jessica, Jeanette, and I went out on the town that night. We decided it was time for some dancing. Booyah! We didn't go out until almost midnight and got back close to 3:00 am. It was super fun though. We went to an open-air club on the beach for some hip-hop and then to another place for some live salsa music. This is our pre-dancing photo. A good way to end the trip.

Day 8 - Thursday
We dropped by friend, Jessica, off at the bus station for her ride back to the airport and then went on a search for some fresh flour tortillas. They all eat corn tortillas so it was a little difficult. After driving around the ghetto for a bit and asking around, we finally found one! It was worth it!

We all flew back to the U.S. that afternoon.
BEST TRIP EVER!!

My Pup Hershey

Yes, my family really likes chocolate. My dog's name is Hershey (also easy to remember she's a girl) and we also had a cat named Snickers while our current cat is Nestle (or Fuzz, but that's another story...). In fact, Nestle just turned 14 years old yesterday. Our pets are getting old. Hershey will still always be my pup though. My parents were just in town for a couple of weeks and they brought her up. Big dogs are the only way to go. Any dog smaller than Hershey is just an annoying yapper. Sorry if you think otherwise, but it's true :) When we got Hershey, she looked like this.

Aaaah, so cute! We thought she was a beagle, but she just kept growing and growing. She's been the best dog ever.

Adventures in Mtn. Biking

As you may or may not know, I love mtn. biking. I acquired this guy just last summer and take it out as often as I can. My favorite trail that I have found so far is the old dirt road along the west side of Deer Creek Reservoir. It's a good workout with some good ups and downs.

So I've branched out the last couple of weeks and have tried some new trails. I was told this particular one we went on just this last Thursday was manageable and not at all hard core. The current state of my body would tell me otherwise. We went to the top of the Alpine Loop in American Fork Canyon and did a trail up there. It was gorgeous with great views and mountain vegetation. The trail was a bit technical with lots of rocks and steep inclines and drops. I was doing pretty good however, that is until I pushed my right brake too hard. This was the result........

Not only once, but twice!! I WENT OVER THE HANDLEBARS. Fortunately I didn't land face first. I feel for this guy. I feel for myself more though. Turns out most bikes have the rear brake for the right hand, but for some reason my right hand leads to the treacherous front brake. Funny thing is I knew that, but that was just my first instinct - to grab the right hand harder. And you think I would have learned after the first time. Most definitely not! Not only did I eat it pretty badly, but my bike also landed on top of me. I have some pretty bad scrapes and bruises as a result, not to mention I'm super sore all over, even still. Nobody even saw me either! That would take the cake.

Either I learned one of two things: Eating it wasn't really that bad and mtn. biking isn't really that scary OR I will never do that again, or at least be less inclined to bike such technical trails. They both have their downfalls - being too risky OR losing out on opportunities for improvement. I would say it's not really that bad, but you should still be cautious. Wear your helmet for crying out loud! I should be the one talking, I never have.....that was the first time. Thank goodness! Have you ever crashed on your bike?

Glow Stick Bike Ride

Check this out!! This is probably one of the funnest things I've done recently. Elise and I had this idea last summer to put glow sticks on our bike spokes. However, I could never convince her to go. She didn't know what she was missing! Ha! So Andrew and I went instead.

We got some rad pics, but I didn't even think to take a video. Once the wheels got spinning, there was much more glow than you see here. Everyone was pretty much jealous too. They all wanted to do it. I think we started a new fad. We kept hearing, "You're guys are rad. That's such a good idea. You are my favorite people ever." We rode them on and around campus and we got lots of comments. A few girls even stopped us to say, "That's so dope!" Haven't heard that one! It was a lot of fun. I think what really made it was the 80s music Andrew had playing on his phone the whole time. You should try it!!