The Annual Trip - Puerto Adventurous

 Our group 

(Dave and Obie not pictured)

Squinting from the brightness of the sun can be so rejuvenating to those of us who live in a constant state of gray in the winter months. A good a reason as any to dash off to the sunny beaches of Mexico for our annual Thanksgiving trip, this year staying one hour outside of Cancun in a small gated community called Puerto Adventurous. Arrangements were much more complicated this year with one child in school, but after the proper forms were filled out Devi was set with an excused absence and a promise that she would write a report about the trip and that mom and dad will plan better next year to have our trip land on “no school” days. 

This being Treya’s second trip, she fell right in step honing in on her own need for a schedule and order. Bathing suit, sun screen, Fruit Loops for breakfast (since Mexico is the only place in the world they are served), followed by life jacket, goggles and the pool. Mom’s requirement of her was a nap in the afternoon, which she quickly decided was best taken pool side rather than in the room. Okay, I have to brag here a little...patting myself on the back. What good travelers we have, with both kids over the years willingly taking naps on a lounger while the rest of the resort children play around them. I am taking credit for this myself, when in truth, the girls play so hard that a nap is inevitable to keep from falling down with exhaustion. 

Treya is still not thrilled with sand or the ocean, but could swim in the pool until long after dark. This trip her big discovery was learning a true feeling of floating and holding her breath. Beaming with excitement at her accomplishment she was a constant chatter “Watch this!” then would throw herself face first into the water in a spread eagle position holding her breath as long as she could over and over. A few rounds of this was followed by the need to quench her parched throat with a sip of Shirley Temple or Strawberry daiquiri. Such the life. Sugary drinks on vacation and all.

Devi found new depths of bravery this trip, trying new foods, and taking on bigger adventures. Called to the lagoon by daddy, I found her climbing into a plastic ball filled with air that was sealed with Velcro as she was then pushed out into the ocean to climb and roll around atop the water’s surface. Can you say claustrophobia? No thank you. The highlight for both of us; however, had to be swimming with the dolphins. I was so proud of her as she followed the instructors strict orders to swim out into the enclosure about 30 yards away from me and hold her arms in a position to grab hold of our dolphin, Sydney’s fins and ride on it’s belly into shore. Dev looked so far away and tiny bobbing in the water. The dolphin was so gentle and aware of Dev’s small 38 pound size and adjusted the speed of the ride accordingly. The thrill of the ride was evident in the huge white grin smile on Devi’s wave crested face as she swooshed towards us. 

Devi and Treya had so much fun playing with their cousins Olivia and Jordan on this family reunion trip. Hours in the pool were spent on the slides, playing mermaids, seal and dolphin trainers, diving for objects and walking to the pool bar to order countless Shirley Temples with extra maraschino cherries or to scoop another bowl of ice cream! On a couple of evenings the girls, under Olivia’s watch, ordered room service and watched movies in their Pj's while the grown ups ate dinner out at one of the many restaurants on the resort.

There is only so much guacamole and chips two small girls can consume in a week; however, and soon it was time to head home, leaving us with a long list of things to try the next time -  hair braiding is on the top of their list. Beautiful carts of poinsettias were being placed about the day we left, a little reminder that once stateside, we would be hitting the ground running preparing for the Christmas holiday...with a relaxed smile and a tan.