Five years ago Eric and I promised to love each other without reservation and we have continued to do so through the 3 moves in 3 years, a yearlong home design and renovation, family health scares and continual additions of job responsibilities and pressures. We decided that our five-year was indeed an accomplishment and worth do-ing up a bit. And while we did have a honeymoon with my family in Taiwan, it wasn't exactly *romantic* so we were determined to go for honeymoon (round 2) on a beach-side and secluded trip.
But there was just one little problem. We only had 2 weeks to figure it all out.
Due to circumstances that I won't bore you with, we didn't actually know that we could take this trip, until the 2 weeks. This is when I turned to Alla for quick advice. We had it in our heads that we wanted to go somewhere with gorgeous turquoise waters. You know, the dreamy kind where the villas sit over the water? Quick searches through the various go-to booking sites, netted out with costs soaring near $10,000 USD and 14-20 hour multi-leg flights. (Btw the booking sites are great for those who are planning in advance and getting inspiration for where to go or stay, but not for folks like us in emergency mode.)
We had to go another route. This is when I remembered that travel agents still existed! I had heard Alla und my mother talk about using them, and imagined it had to because of their connections to great deals and deeper understanding for a specific location. I focused a search around honeymoon beach trips which led me to Nancy Finn who made our last minute trip possible and within budget.
On top of matching us with a resort with the type of secluded vibe that we were looking for, she loaded us with upgrades. A casita with it's own infinity pool in the member's section by the most secluded beach area. Free upgrades of massages on the beach, dinner on the beach, wi-fi, all 24 hour room service, a personal consierge, and all inclusive dining across the 10 restaurants and open bar beach service. After a flurry of 2 days, everything was booked via Nancy and all we needed to do was to show up for a 4 hour flight with car service to get to the Riviera Maya, Mexico. ~ Easy. Breezy.
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And just like that, we were set to spend a week
together at El Dorado Casitas Royale...
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We were greeted by breathtaking skies at our front door
(and...our outdoor shower and...indoor jacuzzi).
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We ate in...and enjoyed the sunrise over
the ever-changing shades of the turquoise sea.
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And we drifted off to the rythmn of the tumbling waves...
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Ohhh... but don't think that lounging and drinking margaritas is all we did ;) We didn't miss the opportunity to also see some amazing and surprising natural wonders of the Yucatan. ~ and I'll tell you all about it in (part 2 - Tour the Underground Marvel of the Rivera Maya : Dos Ojos Cenotes)
• • • LESSONS LEARNED • • •
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