lifestyle

summarizing an escape to paradise (aka. Tulum, Mexico)

Earlier this summer, we were offered the opportunity to escape in September to somewhere we’d probably never adventurously venture on our own initiative… and we jumped at the chance to enjoy a week of relaxation and nature. We expected heat, sand, beer and the company of good friends, but we got so much more.

Tulum, Mexico is about 120 km south of Cancun… but it in no way/shape/form even resembles the beach towns that the Yucatan Peninsula is famous for. It’s truly a sleepy little coastal community with amazing stretches of white sand beaches, insanely good food from around the world, and a true eco-friendly vibe that permeates throughout. I tried to take pictures that would show just how “small” it is, but I think you really have to be there to realize the true scale.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

This pretty much sums up a good part of our days in Tulum. Sun, sand and gently rolling waves in the clear blue sea.

Wonder where we were sitting? Under these shady palapas…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

And we slept in the far building on your right…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… and woke up daily to this amazing view!

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

But we didn’t limit ourselves just to pure relaxation 24/7….

We went on an adventurous trip, which led us to happen upon Cenote Zaci…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… and we stopped for souvenirs on the way back.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

We watched 121 baby sea turtles hatch and be rescued from their nesting hole and carried out to sea…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… and avoided blue crabs at every turn each and every night.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

We rented Jeeps to go on an adventurous trip through the Sian Ka’an biosphere

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… where we chartered boats to get a closer look at the sea turtles, dolphins, and even got to snorkel on the 2nd longest reef in the world.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

On our final day, we headed just up the road to explore the Mayan ruins.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

The rest of the trip was just us relaxing…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… we mostly had the place to oursevles it seemed… as slow season was really slow…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… and each night we’d invariably end up at the Sand Bar next door for a cocktail or treat.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

We also got in quite a bit of celebrating in honor of the birthday girl turning 30… like Mayan coffee all aflame…

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

… but mainly just good times and giggles 24/7.

2011 - September - Tulum, Mexico

Uber thanks to the lovely Miss Cathy for the invitation and allowing us to spend her 30th birthday party in pure sweaty bliss. There are not enough words to thank her for her friendship and generosity and kind kind soul.

[photos courtesy of my camera and that of so smithy design]

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