Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico

We took a trip to Mexico. My sister, Gloria, and her husband go every year and had been after us for a while to travel with them. Until our departure, I couldn't tell you where any of the major Mexico travel destinations were and certainly had never heard of Huatulco. FYI it is on the Pacific side of Mexico very close to Guatemala. When we departed, temps in Minnesota were on the rise following a couple weeks of below zero and hovering at zero. We were cold to the bone. Now I understand why people love taking winter vacations to spots like this. We flew from Minneapolis to Houston. By coincidence, our seat mates were also from Minnesota and staying at the same hotel. (They are bee-keepers. More on our new "amigos" in a future post!) Following our lay-over in Houston we boarded a smaller plane with just 19 rows three across. It was cozy! A short two hours later and we were HOT and boarding a van bound for our beach-front hotel and seven days of sun and fun, food and glasses and glasses of cerveza.



Mark, Me, Dick and Gloria



I loved being at the beach and playing in the surf. I loved the sounds and the patterns that the surf created. I love the treasures that the waves leave behind.



Most of the visitors at the Barcelo were from Canada. Here's a shout out to our beach neighbors Marla and Pat. :)



Mostly we hung out at the beach but our visit would not be complete without a trip to the swim-up bar. I did not know I liked Mango Daiquiris. (Note to self...figure out how to replicate at home before our deck "opens" this spring! Yum.



I got the hang of shopping on the beach and scored some nice sterling silver and turquoise pieces. I liken it to internet shopping. The vendors bring their cases to you and you shop from your chair! Surprisingly the prices were actually better from the beach vendors than the shops in town.





I loved the little shops in LaCrucecita and love this little girl intent on her school work amidst the produce and shoppers.



Take note of the sign painted on the building "We won't cheat you too bad". Made me smile and be cautious!





I had never stayed at an all-inclusive hotel and it did not disappoint. We came from the experience in awe of the work ethic of those people who were there when we woke up and I'm guessing several hours prior to us even opening our eyes and were there in the evening, putting on a show for the guests. Each day they had a multitude of activities, salsa dancing, yoga, stretching, kayaking, snorkeling...we participated in a water aerobics class one afternoon. It was good fun. The instructors were young, energetic and good looking. You could rent a jet ski, charter a fishing boat or take a seven bay boat ride with locals. My brother in law went fishing one day and came back with four fish which the chef prepared for us that evening. It was delicious and easily fed six of us. Here is a link to the Barcelo´

Every morning we started with coffee on our deck. A favorite part of my day—Mimosas and an omelette prepared by Victoria with fresh green chilies and verde sauce, mangos, pineapples and a scoop of the tastiest re-fried beans. Another favorite was the guacamole and the limes were FABULOUS!




I loved being at the beach and playing in the surf. I loved the sounds and the patterns that the surf created. I love the treasures that the waves leave behind.

If we have a chance to return, which we would love to do someday, we intend to have a better grasp of the language. Before we left, our granddaughters gave us a little cheat sheet of Spanish words that we might need to know. Seven year old Raina said, "Actually, you probably won't need to know this at the hotel, most of them will speak English". Can you tell she is already a seasoned traveler?! They attend a Spanish immersion school so us learning the language would be a fun way to communicate with them as well.



Back home now for just 5 days and Mexico seems like a long time ago. I'm grateful that Mark and I were able to get away from Winter in a beautiful warm place. I'm also grateful to have spent the week with my sister, who is also my friend, and her husband. Ah, memories. I think it's time to go upstairs and have a cold cerveza. Hola amigos!