Sunday, August 15, 2010

Part 1 - Akumal Vacation August 2010

Ok, my lovelies, HEEEEERRRRRREEEE we go!  I've got about half of my Mexico photos edited, so I'm gonna have to do 2-3 different vacation posts. Hope you won't mind. I won't talk much, just show you my photos. K???  We left August 2, and flew to Cancun, rented cars and drove another hour or so to Akumal, which is south of Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. Our friends have a luxurious vacation home on Yal Ku lagoon on the corner of the ocean and lagoon. It's beautiful as you'll see and the views are amazing.

Following are photos of our group, snorkeling in the lagoon, laying out by the pool, eating, eating and eating some more, and some of the places we went - our favorite restaurant Lol Ha, also La Lunita, and Que Onda.  The house is absolutely beautiful. If you'd like to visit the Mexican Riviera, please check out their home, Villa de los Suenos (or Casa de los Suenos) on LocoGringo.com.  Its a wonderful vacation spot with lots to do in the area.  There's Xel Ha - a beautiful snorkeling park with all kinds of things to do, the Mayan Ruins at Tulum, horseback riding, diving, etc. ....... More to come in the next post - visiting Tulum!!!








Just being lazy...

Hanging out and sleeping by the pool....

View from the 3rd floor roof where you could sleep under the stars...



Our kids...

Lol Ha Restaurant...

Evening looking out from Lol Ha...

Looking from Lol Ha...

Lol Ha on the beach....

Dusk at Turtle Bay Lagoon...

Walking along the beach (we did alot of that)...

Tuesday is fresh market day!!!


Know what these fruits are?  "Pitaya" also called 'dragon fruits' . They come from a cactus - You peel them and slice them up with sugar and water and make 'agua fresca' with them. They look and taste similar to kiwi except they are white inside with little black seeds.  Yum!

We had lots of fresh avocados, peppers, cilantro & tomatoes and onions for guac, and mangos, limes, pitalla, pineapple and mamoncillos (little grape-like clusters except they had a hard shell and a large pit)


Mamoncillos (source)
"AKUMAL" means 'place of the turtle'.  You see turtle stuff all over Akumal.  Hayley and the others were able to see sea turtles snorkeling in the lagoon (the KIDS were snorkeling, NOT the turtles)!  That was a real treat!

Eating at La Lunita...

Our kiddoes again...

Photo op!
Chili relleno stuffed with shrimp, crab and cheeses!



Gift shop at Akumal community...

This fellow hasn't been eatin' very well...

Sunrise at Yal Ku lagoon from Villa de los Suenos...

My family all tanned, relaxed and happy.  It sure was hard to leave!!!

Next post - the Mayan ruins at Tulum, more beautiful ocean photos AND something special ---- a Diving Adventure with underwater photos of our guys scuba diving!!!!

Thanks for visiting Mexico with me.  It was hard to pick from 719 photos which ones to show you.  I had so many I wanted to show you all.  I only made them Large and tried not to comment much so as to keep it short.  Thanks for hangin' on!!!  See ya next time!


23 comments:

LindaSue said...

Wonderful pictures Vickie - I could almost hear the wind rustling those trees right at the edge of the beach. Cannot imagine a nicer family vacation and y'all look fantastic!

angela said...

great photos, what a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing. you all look so relaxed. Cannot wait for the rest.

Barb said...

Wow - What beautiful pictures! Looks like you had such a wonderful time, thank you so much for sharing, looking forward to 2 and 3!

Hugs,
Barb

Dolores said...

Holy cow, you guys really know how to vacation!!!!
Everything looks so gorgeous and clean. This looks like the perfect vacation to me....
I'm awe struck at the beauty...

Your family is beautiful/handsome! A great family picture...!

Linda Jo said...

Beautiful pictures! I can feel the breeze!

Diana Ferguson said...

Yes, beautiful pics!! Thanks so much for sharing....

Michelle said...

Wow! What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing the photos and I look forward to more.

Ginger said...

It looks like you had a great time. What a fabulous spot to vacation in. Love the house!!

myletterstoemily said...

you look so lovely and tanned. i'm
very happy you had such a wonderful
trip.

thank you for sharing your beautiful
photos.

Debbie said...

I'm so glad you and your family had such a beautiful vacation. It's been 25 years since I was in Cancun. It was a hop and skip from DFW in Dallas; a little more involved flying out of here AND expensive! I've always wanted to see Tulum; can't wait!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Your family is way more beautiful, than all the magnificent scenery.

Gentle hugs...

Vee said...

Oh wow! Another vacation to enjoy. Gosh. Your friends own an idyllic spot of the planet...what a beautiful location to enjoy some time. You all look perfectly content and happy.

Mrs. JP said...

The view from the house is stunning and oh, the napping opportunities!! Lovely, just lovely.
OH, and now I'm hungry too!

Anonymous said...

Girl - If only I could transport myself...absolutely beautiful pictures, especially of you, Tony, and the kids! That house was fabulous! Can't wait to see the other pictures! Tomorrow? :)

commoncents said...

GREAT PHOTOS!

Love your page - keep up the excellent work!

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

Tanna said...

Beautiful photos, Vickie! What a wonderful place to spend time with your family and friends... a great escape for sure!!

Deb said...

now I know I really need a vacation...such great photos...

Julie Harward said...

I got back just in time...love all these pictures! It makes me want to pack my bags and go just where you went...just beautiful! What cute kids too how fun it must have been...so happy for you!!! :D

Cheryl @ TFD said...

These are wonderful pictures! The scenery and the people are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing these with us. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Oh, btw, what were the temps there? (Sorry, if you've mentioned in the post and I overlooked it) ~Cheryl

KathyB. said...

Now this is a real vacation! You all look so relaxed, and your kids are so beautiful ( well, son is handsome). I think the hammock looks like it was well used and it would have been my choice for top spot to rest.The ocean and pool, so inviting and pretty...

Paula said...

Wow, Vickie- that place is aboslutely gorgeous... I can see why it was so hard to leave!

Pamela said...

How beautiful and blessed ya'll were to go! Glad you had such a wonderful time!

Tara said...

OH MY....Did you say you went to Heaven? That is just beautiful. Your pictures are awesome, so I know it must of been even prettier in person. Your family is lovely. I know you are proud. Bet you didn't want to come back from paradise.
Hugs,
Tara