Africa...Mexico 2009...
We left London early on Wednesday 11th of March, flying from Gatwick to Cancun. On arrival we transferred to Riviera Maya which was just under an hours drive down the coast.
Our Villa
We were staying at the Banyan Tree Resort in Mayacoba. It had only opened the week before so we were able to get a nice discount. To make things even better we had upgraded from the Garden Villa to the Courtyard Villa but on arrival we were further upgraded to a Spa Villa!
Our Villa
The villa was great and we spent a lot of time around the pool and jacuzzi.
Our Villa
Our Villa
Our Villa
Our bedroom had one set of patio doors leading out onto a deck area and another set into the pool.
Our Villa
Our lounge area.
Our Villa
Our en-suite leading through a set of patio doors to the outdoor bath and shower area.
Our Villa
Outdoor bath and shower area.
Our Villa
Outdoor bath and shower area.
Our Villa
The roof of our villa had a spa treatment area complete with massage tables, day bed and shower.
The Beach
Thursday 12th. In the evening we took a buggy and ventured to the beach for dinner at the Sands Restaurant.
Boat ride to the Beach
Friday 13th. We took the boat to the beach where we spent the afternoon reading next to the pool.
Boat ride to the Beach
We passed our villa.
Boat ride to the Beach
The Beach
We spent the afternoon next to the pool reading.
The Beach
We walked along the beach past the Rosewood & Fairmont Resorts.
The Beach
The Beach
Playa del Carmen
Saturday 14th. We again spent the afternoon next to the beach. In the evening we took a taxi into Playa del Carmen for a walk along 5th Avenue and a few cocktails at this bar.
Playa del Carmen
Reflection Pool
Sunday 15th. We spent the morning next to the Reflection Pool (the resort's main pool), which we mostly had to ourselves.
Reflection Pool
We had a 2 hour massage and spent the rest of the afternoon around our own pool.
Reflection Pool
Cenote Ik-Kil
Monday 16th. Following a prompt breakfast we left the resort and took a bus trip to Chichen Itza. Our first stop was at Cenote Ik-Kil, a natural freshwater pool with underground caves/caverns.
Cenote Ik-Kil
Cenote Ik-Kil
Cenote Ik-Kil
Chichen Itza
We stopped for a lunch at (with some traditional dancing!) and made our way to Chichen Itza. This is "El Castillo", the main temple.
Chichen Itza
El Castillo
Chichen Itza
El Castillo
Chichen Itza
El Castillo
Chichen Itza
El Castillo
Chichen Itza
Sports Arena. It is thought that teams of 7 played against each other – attempting to pass a rubber ball through the stone hoop without using hands or feet. It is also thought that the captain of the losing team was beheaded after the match.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza
The Observatory
The Oriental Restaurant
Dinner at the Oriental.
The Oriental Restaurant
The Beach
Tuesday 17th. We spent the morning next to the beach before having another 2 hour massage in the early afternoon.
The Beach
The Beach
The Beach
Guacamole (and a $15 bottle of mineral water!) by the Reflection Pool and an afternoon at our villa.
Lobby
We had planned to go back to Playa del Carmen for dinner however we thankfully heard that the Saffron restaurant would be opening that evening. It turned out that it was not due to open until the following evening, however they were offering a tasting menu. We ended up getting 3 starters, 4 main courses and 3 deserts... all for free!
The Banyan Tree
A view of the Banyan Tree in the main reception area.
The Banyan Tree
A view of the Banyan Tree in the main reception area.
The Reflection Pool and Banyan Tree
Wednesday 18th, our last day in Mexico. Following an early morning dip in our pool we had breakfast and spent the morning next to the Reflection Pool. We had a final Strawberry Daiquiri and left the resort at 1pm, travelling back to Cancun for the flight home.