Farsighted Fly Girl

The first time I glimpsed the dots bubbling underneath the ocean on the left, I thought I was hallucinating. I had sailed a jerky, sun-scorching hour to get to the whale shark reserve of Isla Contoy on the Yucatan Peninsula and needless to say, I wasn't in the best mental state.  The dreaded sea-seasickness had kicked in and I wasn't sure if I was seeing things.  When we set off at the crack of dawn for EcoColors Whale Shark Adventure,  I didn't know what to expect. I certainly didn't expect this Mayan warrior above, jumping and waving his talisman on the dock. I think he was wishing us vaya con Dios Americanos estupidos.  It did not feel comforting but what did I know? I was still smiling when I hopped on the boat, excited about this once-in-a lifetime experience. There are only two places you can see whale sharks in the world:Australia and Mexico. And I wasn't going to just see them, I was going to splash down right next to them and snorkel. By...

( Warning: do not read on an empty stomach .) Mexico's regional cuisine offers a rich and varied tasting experience, it goes way beyond tacos and Margaritas.  One focus of my visit to Playa Mujeres was to document the traditional foods and Villa Del Palmar supplied lots of examples.  The state of Quintana Roo, where Playa Mujeres is located, emphasizes seafood from the coast, Mayan cooking techniques and fresh produce.  My first sample was tasty Sierra fish tosadas , pictured above. The fish was fresh and the addition of lime and avacado added just the right flavor punch. Above, mole en pollo features a rich chocolate sauce with chicken, queso quesadillas represent simplicity at its best and barbacoa tostadas  provide a zesty version of Mexican barbecued pork. This plate represents a sampling of all my favorite dishes, above. There's stuffed  calabaza  or pumpkin, chile relleno  or stuffed poblano pepp...

I love the vibrancy of Mexican culture and whenever I visit, I always find a favorite spot to chill out and observe. Typically, it's a local cafe or a bench at a sprawling market. This time, thanks to the beauty of Playa Mujeres and the hospitality of Villa Del Palmar , my hang out was the bed above. Every morning, I sprawled on the cushions and observed the rolling waves  and the birds diving for fish. Does that sound a tad lazy?  Well, I'll have you know that I did get my exercise in. When I wasn't swimming or strolling the streets with the intense Mexican sun beating down on my head, I was flexing my muscles on a swing. Yes, the beach Tiki Bar was adorned with swings and I made sure I took full advantage!  What's your favorite hang out during your travels?

This week I'll be exploring the pristine sands of Playa Mujeres, Mexico, courtesy of a media trip sponsored by Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort. I've visited this region of the Yucatan Peninsula many times before but I'm excited about trying a new adventure--swimming with whale sharks!  Look for my posts next week about the  sharks, food and culture.