Xcaret Mexico--AMAZING

 In her STRIPED bathing suit (only wears stripes--LOL) ready for a fun filled day of swimming.

 Just waking up in Xcaret

 Walking to the beach, Savannah spots an iguana.

 This is not Isa from Dora, but a real live iguana.  They were roaming freely and peacefully.

 Made it to the beach and ready for some fun. 

 She LOVED floating in the lagoon on a inner tube

 Seth decided to have an icy virgin strawberry drink instead. He would not go in the lagoon.

 Savannah has her tropical drink at lunch too

 This is where we swam all day and ate lunch.  I never wanted to leave.

 Seth having lunch--cheese quesadillas in Mexico and saying cheese.

 We bought sand toys for the kids to enjoy the beach

 40 minute ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen and 15 minute bus ride to Xcaret and Seth did this the entire time until we got to Xcaret.  An 8 a.m. tour is EARLY.

 Savannah joined Seth in napping on the ferry but woke up when we arrived in Playa.

 Seth is still a little sleepy but Savannah is ready to rock and roll at Xcaret

 While walking to the beach there were Mayan Ruins

 We also cooled off in the aquarium.  It was amazing since there was lots of coral and species of fish we don't see in Mystic, CT.  There were also sharks, sting reys, manatees, turtles, and dolphins.

 Outside portion of the aquarium

 I swear she could have done this all day

 The water was so calm on this side (no waves) that you could just let her float and she did not go very far or fast.  Which was good since Seth did not want to go in the water. 

 Seth holding on for dear life.  I don't know what was scary about this, but he kept saying, "I too scared."

 Savannah was not scared, but loving every minute of it.

 Just put your feet up and relax

 Two very happy girls

 Yes, we have arrived in paradise

 After coming out of the water, she relaxed on a hammock.

 This is as close to the water he would get.

 Seth is looking at the flamingos

 Back on the ship leaving Cozumel, Mexico

Sailing away.  Adios Mexico, Hello Belize Manana.

Our first stop on our cruise was Cozumel, Mexico, but we did not spend too much time in Cozumel.  We immediately boarded a ferry to the mainland of Playa Del Carmen and then a shuttle bus to our 7 hour tour at Xcaret.  This place was more incredible than the description even could reflect.  I was not going to book this tour originally and then read the reviews from past Carnival guests and they all gave it five stars.  I figured if you have enough motiviation to come home from your vacation and go on the Internet and say something GOOD, it has to be incredible and it was.  Of all the wonderful places and excursions, this is top on my list to go back.  Xcaret is 30 minutes from Cancun, Mexico and is a zoo, amusement park, aquarium, beach, 5 star resort and spa all combined in one.  You could easily spend three days here and probably still not see it all.  It is an all inclusive which is like a cruise on land.  In the four hours we spent there, we spent most of the time on the lagoon beach, but we did not see any of the animal shows, the bird aviary or the butterfly house, which I really wanted too.  We also did not get to the zoo side to see the monkeys, tigers, and bears.  We saw the macaws, the flamingos, the sharks, the manatees, the sting rey and the turtles and walked through the air conditioned aquarium.  There were multiple beaches, at least 10 restaurants, a full service hotel and spa, stores and shopping galore and I am sure much more.  I am working on Rich to take us back there this winter when it won't be as hot and when can enjoy the sun and water while it is snowing here.

Our tour to Xcaret was really fantastic.  Seth for some reason did not want to swim in the lagoon, which really surprised me.  He was actually hesitant to go in anything but the pool on the ship all vacation.  Maybe the water was too clean and clear.  He is used to the disgusting and dark Long Island Sound or Atlantic Ocean.  But we bought him some sand toys and was then happy as a clam.  Give that boy a shovel and a bucket and life is good.  Savannah loved floating on the inner tube in the lagoon and we had a delicious mexican lunch right on the beach.  All the water is purified and safe to drink, so we could enjoy frosty favorites to cool off and not worry.  The staff was so nice.  Everyone spoke English. It was a delightful retreat away from it all with everything you could ever imagine right there.  They also had a raft tour of the underground river, but I thought the kids would be scared since it was underground and the water was 75 degrees and you had to get in and paddle your raft.  Also five minutes away they have their adventure park called Xplor with zip lining, canopy and crystal caves.  It is an amazing place and I am so glad we went there and we have a destination to return to for sure.