The Season’s Best in the New Phoenix Desert

We were snowbirds in the Phoenix area for three years before we bought a home base at the Viewpoint Golf Resort two years ago. In all that time, we had confined ourselves to festivities at the Resort during this Merry Season—the Christmas Décor competition, the Christmas Train and Golf Cart Parade, the Christmas Bazaar, the Hillbilly Christmas Party, and the New Year’s Eve Glamor Ball. This year, besides these activities plus the usual neighborhood and friend’s private parties, we ventured out to the Phoenix area and found three events of distinction that make the Phoenix desert a special place for the season.

Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

the Frog Dome by night

Every second Tuesday of the month is Community Day at the Garden. That is when the general admission fee of $34.95 is lifted. So, on Dec. 10, we put on our walking shoes and spent six hours on my first visit to the famous Garden that showcases the beautifully unique plants of the hot and dry deserts of the world. There are several trails: the Sonoran Desert, Center for Desert Living, Desert Discovery, Desert Wildflower, and the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert. There is also a Garden Shop, a Patio Café, and Gertrudes, the Garden Restaurant where we had an early dinner to wait for the sun to set.

the Frog Dome by day

I was thrilled that, when we went, the Wildlife Rising by Cracking Art straight from Milan, Italy was being exhibited. 1,000 animal sculptures made of recyclable plastic—frogs, fish, birds, pandas, rabbits, foxes, and alligators—were on full display. It gave a wonderful burst of colors to the plants in winter. When dusk fell, the annual Las Noches de las Luminarias, the southwest region’s holiday tradition, was also on. The 140-acre garden was lit with 8,000 luminarias that are hand-lit. It was a day I will never forget. And we vowed to go back on one of the Community Days in spring to discover more.

the Tumbleweed Tree

Tumbleweed Tree in Chandler

The Christmas tree has been a hallmark of any holiday celebration. But at Chandler, Arizona, one of the cities around the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, it is uniquely special. Standing over 50 feet tall, the Tumbleweed Tree has been a Chandler tradition since 1957. This ‘holiday tree' begins with 2,000 tumbleweeds assembled into a 35-foot tall wire framed Christmas tree, painted with 25 gallons of paint dusted with 65 pounds of glitter and adorned with thousands of holiday lights that give it a spectacular look, day or night.

We made it a point to see this tree personally and took pictures from all imaginable angles. But we were not able to go to the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony. Accompanied by a charming lights parade, it is held on the first Saturday in December to usher in the entire holiday mood. It’s too bad we missed it because of a special event we had to attend. Already a  unique southwestern tradition, the ceremony also features many lively entertainment sideshows and a diverse array of specialty food vendors.

Lights of the World in Phoenix

map of the Lights of the World Spectacle

Would you believe the largest holiday lights show in North America is in Phoenix? It is located in the huge Arizona State Fairgrounds. Over ten million lights and lanterns are put on 65 dazzling displays in several exciting themes—Trek Across Europe, Isles of Oceania, Dinotopia, Christmas Dream, Animal Kingdom, America America, Golden Castle, and Oriental Aromatic. It opens at sundown and we were able to spend all of the four and a half hours until it closed at 10 pm. There were so many photo-ops and food options that kept us busy all night...all for the discounted $14.99 for seniors.

the entrance to the rides

But it is more of a kids’ haven because there are plenty of rides at the Children’s Playground and the full-fledged Carnival. On special nights, there are even Shows like the magician Marrl Lemm’s Show, “The Man Behind The Curtain,” the Puppetone Rockers' Show, or the Acrobatic and Sea Lion.  

Holiday Balloon Glow

There are more such events. We did not have the time to see the Holiday Balloon Glow where more than ten huge hot air balloons are flown over a shopping village complemented by 80 vendors and food trucks. The Phoenix Zoo, on the other hand, sponsors Zoolights with millions of lights in 700 dazzling displays, music and light shows synchronized with 15,000 lights, and wildlife that glow. We have them lined up for next year plus the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Phoenix Zoolights

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Prepare to Be Dazzled at Mazatlan’s Carnival

…and Witness Mexican Culture at its Best!

This is my third time in Mazatlan but I always went in the Fall. Luckily, we came in winter this time and ran right smack into the Carnaval de Mazatlan 2019.  It is reputed to be the third largest carnival in the world, after Rio and New Orleans. We have been in Mazatlan for ten weeks by this time so it was but natural for us to have learned a lot about Mexican culture. But at the Carnaval Parade, it was encapsulated in dazzling hours of pageantry from 5-10 pm. We saw the best of Mexican culture.

dramatic sunset

This year’s theme was Equinox and the Parade started near the Diver’s Point on the Malecon. It traveled along the Avenue del Mar that hugs the long boardwalk. We watched the Parade from a raised platform built by the Hotel Hacienda, almost where it started. Jutting out from the hotel’s façade, our front row seats were a strategic spot from which I could take pictures of the floats and the people with the glorious sunset glowing on the ocean as a backdrop.

During the whole night, it became obvious that Mexicans enjoy music. This includes traditional Mariachi, Norteño, Ranchera, and Corridos. It was in Mazatlán that the loud, booming Banda music was born. In fact, bands are a regular feature at Mazatlan beaches. But at the Carnaval Parade, it was front and center. One of the most applauded floats regaled the crowd with Banda music played by a band from a gigantic platform on a very tall float.

"bullfighting" at the Parade

prized seafood on floats

The national sport of Mexico is Charreria, which consists of a series of equestrian events. But bullfighting, a tradition brought from Spain, is also popular. In fact, Mexico has the largest venue for bullfighting in the world, the Plaza México in Mexico City which seats 48,000 people. There is one in Mazatlan but the city has banned the sport due to the urging of animal safety enthusiasts. At the Carnaval Parade, the penultimate showcase was a surprising and entertaining mock bullfight of a matador and two huge “bulls.”

Mazatlan’s economy is built upon the strong foundation of agri and aquaculture. Being next door to America is, in fact, a major stimulus to the country’s economy and Sinaloa is so close to Arizona that it is even more pronounced here. The city is extremely proud of its seafood. On this previous post, I wrote about Mexican food and mentioned that Mazatlan is the “shrimp capital of the world.” Many floats featured the prized seafood: pulpo (octopus), langosta (lobster), delfines (dolphins), etc. in contrast to the others that put Mexican beauties on pedestals. 

Mexican beauties on pedestals

Of course, Bill preferred those ladies to the bulls and the seafood! But both will not win against the favorite drink. Pacifico beer, the most popular Mexican beer, was founded in Mazatlan in the 1900s by German settlers. At the Parade, there was a special viewing platform for their people. In fact, because they partly sponsored the event, it was a huge Pacifico float that started the parade.

The dancing horses of Mazatlan ended the Parade. That’s when we started to walk back to the hotel as there was no taxi or pulmoniya around. It took us about an hour to reach the roundabout where the Carnaval Parade was just turning right at Avenue Rafael Buelva to go to its end point, Old Mazatlan near the Catedral. On the walk, we saw hundreds of thousands of Los Mazatlecos, families having spontaneous parties with food they had brought (or bought from the many street food kiosks on the main avenue and all its side streets), senoritas and senoritos dancing to the loud Banda music on the street, children collecting confetti so they can throw them again, and chairs seeming to float on their own as they were being carried on shoulders back to the cars.

picking up confetti to throw again

The Parade was well staged and directed. It brings to mind Mexico’s outstanding film industry that has produced Oscar winners in the Best Director category like Alfonso Cuarón who just won for Roma (which also won the Best Foreign Film category). The outstanding color and creativity all along the Malecon also brought to mind the famous  Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Mexican History on a Float

Mexican culture reflects the country’s complex history: the Aztec and Mayan roots that became an important cradle of civilization, the 300 years of Spanish rule and influence, and the turbulent road to independence. In one night, the warmth and expressiveness of the Spanish and the creative and artistic bent of the indigenous were meshed and on display. We were prepared to be dazzled at the Carnaval Parade. And we witnessed the best in Mexican culture.

POSTSCRIPT

One of the floats seemed to caricature the President of the US with whom Mexico seems to have a tenuous relationship. You be the judge!

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A Different Kind of Christmas Not Very Far from Home: Tucson, Arizona

Exterior of the Mission

We are going to spend three months in Mazatlan, Mexico, from Dec. 29-April 1 so we thought driving there would be better than taking a plane. We stayed at the Star Pass Golf Suites in Tucson, Arizona, two hours south of Phoenix, to reduce the 17 hours plus time at the border driving time. But this meant we were to spend Christmas in Tucson, not very far from home, and cross the border on the 26th.

We know that the Season is much better spent with family. But, with our children spread out across the world (Melbourne and Calgary for two of my three daughters) and around the US (Alaska, Idaho, and Colorado for Bill’s three children, and the Bay Area, California for my eldest daughter), it is seldom we can have the luxury of doing this. The last time we did that was 2016.

altar of the Mission

Actually, this year was better than most. After Thanksgiving, we had a Palm Springs Reunion for my two daughters in North America. We also flew to Boise and then Denver for Bill’s children. Even my sister Cherry, who has moved to Showlow, (three hours from Phoenix) with her husband Rick, had an early  Christmas dinner with us.

Christmas Eve

We knew it would be a special experience hearing Christmas Eve mass at the oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the Mission San Xavier del Bac. Located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson on the Tohono O'odham Nation Indian Reservation, the Mission was founded in 1692 by Padre Kino but was named for Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order) in Europe. The original structure was razed by the Apaches in 1770 and the current one was completed in 1797.

The temperature hovered around the mid-40s (Fahrenheit) and we were packed for the warm Mexican sun. The church didn’t have any heating so Bill and I, dressed in layers with light-weight jackets on top, shivered inside until we found seats at a hidden corner away from the door. About 200 communed with us that night; a Filipino couple was by our side. We felt 300 years closer to the Reason for the Season.

at Denny's

After the mass, we looked for a place to celebrate His birth. It was traditional for us in the Philippines to have Noche Buena on Christmas Eve. But there was absolutely nothing open at 9:15 pm. We remembered the plight of Mary and Joseph and the relief they found at finding the inn. Finally, we found Denny’s, that classic American Diner. I ordered a turkey dinner and Bill ordered breakfast. 

Christmas Day

giant "tennis court" on the Star Pass Trail

Our casita was so comfortable, all 900 sq. ft of it!  Yes, it was huge and we had such a good night of rest. In the morning, we woke up to the tantalizing view of the Tucson hills at a distance. Almost everything is closed on Christmas Day, we thought, and there was the Star Pass Trailhead nearby. After such a meaningful Christmas Eve, we decided to soak in more of His Creation.

view of Tucson from the Star Pass Trail

The Star Pass Trail was a 2.4-mile moderate walk. With a water bottle in hand, Bill guided me through the trail that displayed the desert ecology. There were also many points that offered stunning vistas of a peculiar facility that looked like a giant tennis court, the neighboring vacation facilities around Star Pass Trail, and the mesmerizing city at a distance. We did only about 1.5 miles. It was a good start for me.

Saguaro National Park

a young crested saguaro

Then, even with the partial government shutdown, we drove through the 8-mile Saguaro National Park to look for a rare and precious crested saguaro among the normal ones on the desert floor. It was too bad the Visitors center was closed so no one could direct us. With almost just two miles to go, we spotted one at a distance. The day became, like our meaningful Christmas Eve, a special Christmas Day!

We wanted to see some of the dazzling Christmas light shows in Tucson like the Desert Nights Downtown Lights, the Winter Haven, and the once-in-a-lifetime Season of Lights but it rained on Christmas Night. We stayed inside and kept ourselves warm and cozy by the fireplace. After all, we no longer needed the bright lights to tell us how meaningful this time of the year is.

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Turning 70: What Growing Old Means to Me

in Sedona, August 2018

When I turned forty, I thought, "Oh no, soon I will be old." Now that I am turning 70, I say, "Oh no, I am NOW OLD!" It is a good thing family and friends will be with me in Indio, California at a Club Wyndham Resort to "celebrate" with me this week. In addition, I found out that the average lifespan of a female in the Philippines is 72; in America, it is 84. Since I have left my stressful life in the Philippines and migrated to the US, I may have added twelve years to my life, just like that! 

back in Manila, August 2017

But it also means that somewhere about ten years before the average lifespan, your body begins to break down. Mine started to do so at age 62, in the middle of our RVing. First, I had a two-year case of hives after the stress of Bill’s heart attack. Then, I began to have strong bouts of acid reflux and other digestive problems. I changed my eating habits, put back rice and seafood into my diet, control my portions, and exercise daily. With this change, I hope there are twenty years left in me, at least.

The main thing that changed, however, is the mellowing and the balancing of my life. It used to be that I had huge goals that I strived for. Imagine studying until you finish your Ph.D., giving birth to pioneers in information technology in the country, contributing to industry and country goals, and bringing up three children singlehandedly all at the same time.

in Seattle launch, June 2015

But now, I have simpler goals on top of everyday life: see the world and take pictures of and write about our travels. The most stressful thing I do is when I combine those hobbies with publishing and promoting a book. Playing scrabble and poker and singing karaoke and dancing in parties relieve me of stresses. I love cooking and nurturing plants, too. It is a good thing that my husband does not mind housekeeping. But my husband disagrees. He says my goals may not be as big as before but they have now become bigger than when we first met. Oh well, life cannot be boring anyway.

The relationships I keep have become simpler, too. There is my beloved husband. He and I take care of each other. Then there are our children who have all grown and do not need much from us anymore. Then there are our grandchildren who give us so much joy. Finally, there are our friends, some neighbors, some who visit us, and some whom we visit. Of course, we have people with whom we still keep in touch.

In general, therefore, I may be becoming weaker and less healthy but these are accompanied by less striving and more peace. In my book, Carolina: Cruising to an American Dream, I write about how my contact card has changed from the corporate Carol as Carolina Esguerra Carreon, President/CEO, to the more colorful Carol, Carolina Esguerra Colborn, Wanderer, Writer, Wife.

in Ensenada, Mexico, August 018

Life has come full circle. It is now as basic as when we were children. How do we then travel past 70? There are times in the past when I have flown thirty-six hours instead of eighteen, chosen cheaper lodging even if it's far from the city center, and eaten street or fast food to save travel dollars. I submit that now we will probably travel less, but more slowly, and definitely, more comfortably, even if not more stylishly.

What I write about has also changed. As much as our travels have steadily become less, from twelve to eight, to probably four months a year in the next few years, I will probably write more about lessons we have learned, insights we have gained, and AHA moments we have relished. After all, getting old also means becoming wiser, having experienced much and understanding more. As we have accumulated the years, it is good that we have collected neither debt nor enemies, and not yet many wrinkles!  

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MAKE YOUR ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME DREAM LUXURY RETREAT A REALITY

Ever dreamed of a vacation that would give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience? For me, it would be a family reunion in a luxury dream house at a wildly extraordinary setting. We are an international family. My eldest daughter, her husband, and three children are in San Francisco; my second, her hubby, and three boys make Calgary their home; and my youngest, her husband, and a toddler-son have just migrated to Melbourne.  My husband and I live in Phoenix so when it gets too hot, I visit my daughters. On the other hand, when it gets too cold for them, they visit us.

Sometimes, when our schedules conflict we get together somewhere else in the world. Once we rented a 4 BR home in Calgary. Another time we spent in two 2 BR units at our Phoenix timeshare. Most recently, we booked four rooms at a Las Vegas Hotel. We like to step our reunions up a notch each time. This year, turning seventy, I am reminded of the average lifespan of an Asian-American female in America is eighty-nine. It’s absolutely time for an unforgettable upgrade.  

That’s when this link to twenty-one exclusive villas gave me a great idea.  I am sure my family would love a well-deserved holiday in one of these grand homes at the fabulous Lake Como in Italy. I have been to Italian vineyards, coastal towns, and culture hubs but not to the Italian Lakes District that stretches across Northern Italy in the Lombardy Region. I heard it is quite spendy so I previously thought it may be out of our league.

The most famous of the lakes is Lake Como which begins relatively flat at its southern end, becoming more mountainous as you head northwards into the Alpine foothills. Views are dramatic with some peaks towering slightly above the tree-line. It is one of the deepest lakes in Europe since its bottom is more than 660 feet below sea level. The absolutely charming town of Bellagio is at the intersection of the three branches of the upside-down Y that is the shape of the lake.

Bellagio at nighttime

Lake Como’s beauty has been loved since Roman times when Europe’s privileged few started setting up castles and villas. These are now the settings for films like Casino Royale, Star Wars, Julia & Julia, Ocean’s Twelve, and Man on Fire. Many of them are now owned by heads-of-state, wealthy businessmen, and celebrities like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Helen Mirren, Woody Allen, and Donatella Versace.

Villa Oleandra, George Clooney's villa

In 2014, The Huffington Post called Lake Como the most beautiful lake in the world for its microclimate and environment with prestigious villas and villages. The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote in 1818: "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty, with the exception of the arbutus islands of Killarney. It is long and narrow, and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests." Indeed this is the extraordinary setting I have been looking for.

Bellagio at daytime

I imagine the whole family going up the funicular in Como, marveling at the spectacular view, going up to the beautiful mountain town of Brunate, and hiking over to the Volta Lighthouse for an even better view. The men will have a round of golf at the Monticello Golf Club, play tennis at the Villa D'Este, engage in other water sports or even rent boats to fish. My pilot husband can even fly a seaplane over the scenic lake. The women can take a leisurely walk on the 10km walkway on the west side, stopping for outstanding mountain vistas, fabulous lake views, and picturesque hillsides covered with elegant villas. I see us stopping at every little town to sample each gelateria we find (and every shop, of course).

Villa Carlotta

Old villas like the Carlotta in Tremezzo are must-sees with their views, sculptures, and artworks. They have admirable gardens that thrive in a climate that can even host tropical plants. But of all the twenty-one luxury retreat villas I looked at, Villa Bianca is ideal for my family. It is 60 minutes from the airport, a short drive to Bellagio, and a 3-minute walk to the local Catholic Church. Como, Lecco, Milano, and other resort towns are within an easy 90-minute drive or less. Superb location.

Villa Bianca

The formal dining table seats twelve so the three kiddos can just have their meals at the small table nearby. There is an ensuite master bedroom for my husband and me. Three other bedrooms with double beds would be perfect for the three couples, sharing three bathrooms with the three rooms equipped with twin beds for the grandkids, except for the two-year-old who'll sleep with Mom and Dad. There is a heated pool on the large terrace with fantastic views of the lake. We can also gather in the living room with a fireplace and a large satellite TV with Sensurround sound. Wifi is available throughout the house. There's a fitness room with a treadmill, ping pong, and billiards tables.

Surprisingly, it is affordable at five thousand dollars for 3 days and two nights.  This luxury retreat in Lake Como is only a couple of hundred dollars more than the regular increases we have convinced ourselves to pay each time we stepped up our reunions from the Calgary house to the two 2br timeshare condos in Phoenix, and then to the four Vegas hotel rooms. This time, however, the step up in quality would be huge. We will become an aristocratic family for once!

It was Mark Twain who said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.” I may not even have twenty years left in me. It is time. Whether you are a couple, classmates, officemate, friends, or a big family like us, it is time to make your dream come true. The luxury retreat you've been dreaming of is out there. Realizza i tuoi soani!

Note: Photos lifted out of Wikipedia and Wikitravel

A Christmas Holiday in the Caribbean Island of Cozumel, Mexico

a public beach along the eastern shore of Cozumel

We were looking forward to celebrating Christmas in our brand new Arizona home. Having spent lots of time in Australasia this year, however, it is no wonder that El Cid, where we own a timeshare, called to tell us that we would lose 4 weeks’ worth of points if we didn’t use them by yearend. Bill couldn’t be happier. He loves Mexico and would have retired there; Arizona was a compromise.

So, we flew to Cozumel, Mexico for our Christmas Holiday 2017-2018. Just a 35-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is a much-sought-after stop on a western Caribbean cruise. It is entirely flat, about 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, and is Mexico's largest Caribbean and largest permanently inhabited island. Its population of 80,000 is concentrated in San Miguel de Cozumel in the middle of its western shore.  

Downtown San Miguel

downtown's Main Plaza in San Miguel, Cozumel on the western shore

archway near the ferry terminal  

What a town, especially with the cruise ships and ferry boats lined up along the shore at any given time. To protect the environment, public transportation is nonexistent. The only means of getting around are walking, taking taxis or renting cars, scooters, and bikes. We would take a cab to run errands but frequently, Bill would walk the 2+ miles! San Miguel is an excellent place to shop, dine, visit the Main Plaza, hear Mass, walk along the Malecon, and imbibe Mexican culture.

International Cruise Terminal

seven ships in a row right outside our resort

Filipino restaurant

La Ceiba Resort sits right beside the island's International Cruise Terminal. On any given day 2 to 6 huge cruise ships dock there seemingly right at our doorsteps. I was impressed by the many shapes and sizes of these luxury vessels. During our stay, the world's first, second, and third largest vessels docked in front of us! It was exciting to mingle with cruisers as they swarmed the shopping villages around the terminal. But it was finding YES, a Filipino restaurant catering to the thousands of Filipinos who expertly man the cruise crews from around the world, that got me!

Punta Sur Eco Beach Park

Laguna Colombia

One day, we drove our rented car south on Avenida Melgar, the only road that circled the island. There were many inviting beaches but we chose to go to the 247-acre ecological park that covers the reefs, beaches, lagoons, and low forest of the southernmost part of Cozumel, part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. They make Cozumel a highly sought-after world-renowned diving destination. Included in the $14 entrance fee is a host of features that small vehicles can access via a dirt road that cuts through the low mangrove forest.

Caracol Ruins

Celarain Lighthouse

Right after entering the Park, a wooden Observation Tower lords over bird watching and crocodile sighting. Just southeast of the Tower is the Caracol (Tumba del Caracol), a Mayan building erected during the post-classic period. Legend has it that it acted as a weather alarm to warn about a hurricane’s arrival. At the southern promontory sits the Celarain Lighthouse and Nautical Museum. And just a few minutes more of driving will get you to the two Beach Clubs and the Laguna Colombia, where four hundred crocodiles live.

The Papito's Beach Club Restaurant/Bar and the Punta Sur Beach Club were great places for chillaxing, especially on the colorful hammocks. But what I treasured most was the deep fried grouper, reminiscent of a favorite Filipino staple, deep-fried Lapu-Lapu, that I have sorely missed. After lunch, we made it to the last guided boat tour at the Laguna and spotted six crocodiles and the ubiquitous swallows, the origin of the name Cozumel.

Tequila Tour     

                 

Hacienda Antigua

agave plantation

We turned north after Punta Sur and turned left when we got to the Carretera Transversal that crosses the island’s center. We were going to spend some time at a bar we were eyeing downtown but a bright yellow fence with the sign “Tequila Tour” caught my eye. You know how I am with the color yellow! Bill gladly stopped, wanting to add tequila tasting to wine and beer tasting as a favorite thing to do. The tour is free but, since tequila thrives in higher elevations like in Jalisco, Cozumel doesn't have production facilities. It was all just show and tell. But there were rows of blue agave, replicas of the 10-year old huge agave fruit that produces the drink when cooked, the equipment used in the process, and many samples of different grades of tequila: blanco, oro, reposado, anejo, and extra anejo.

Chankanaab Park

Chankanaab saltwater pond and Dolphinarium

the sea lion and me

The other famous Park in Cozumel is Chankanaab ("little sea"), just 2 miles south of La Ceiba Resort. It lies within the National Marine Park of Cozumel, ideal for snorkeling and diving.  And there I found the Sea Trek Adventure and SNUBA diving. Both will offer any participant not only the gorgeous underwater flora and fauna but also the submerged sculptures, including one of Jesus Christ! Bill, a certified scuba diver egged me no end to try one. As usual, I, not knowing how to swim despite my island upbringing, chickened out. It would have been my first underwater experience. Crocodiles, manatees, and dolphins to swim with took my mind off the missed opportunity but my greatest thrill was to be kissed by a sea lion at the Sea Lions Show!

El Cid's La Ceiba Resort

morning scene right outside our door

every morning, a new towel/flower  creation

But what makes a holiday extra special is getting a home away from home. La Ceiba Resort is an 85-room boutique hotel that is part of the El Cid Vacations Club. Every morning upon waking up, we stepped outside to a bright new scene with new cruise ships lined up along the pier. Every evening I delighted at the unique sunsets carved behind these ships that also lit the dark waters with multi-colored reflections. During days when we didn't go on a tour, we had plenty of ways to spend the day:  the salt water pond, a regular pool, a large hot tub with a swim-up bar, two restaurants (Mexican and Italian), a small beachhead, a volleyball beach area, a diving, snorkeling, and small docking area, a tennis court and table, and a giant chess set. For the easily bored, there were Spanish, cooking, and handicraft classes. The evenings were either movie, barbecue, or Mexican Show night.

evening scene without the cruise ships

rocking the night away

Extremely friendly and helpful staff made La Ceiba our home away from home. The Christmas Party on the waterfront was a blast. Even the New Year's Eve Party at Hard Rock Cafe Cozumel truly rocked. Facebook and smartphones helped us connect with our loved ones but the island and the resort offered us many ways to forget the absence of familiar souls. And it even turned out to be our nth honeymoon! But if ever we go back to any of the El Cid resorts during this time of the year, we will  bring family and friends to complete the scene!

La Ceiba Resort