Riviera Maya March 1 - March 5 2013

If you'd rather not ready this long journal from my trip feel free to scroll down to see our photos....


Riviera Maya March 1 - March 5 2013

Friday March 1:

This year Matt earned an all inclusive paid trip for two to Riviera Maya, Mexico. He was one of the top sellers of the year in his business. On the one hand I was super excited to go....on the other hand I was a little nervous about how I'd do away from Greta for 5 days. Greta is now one and in the past year I have only been away from her one night.

Matt's mom, Erm flew in from AZ to watch Greta. James and Noelle are with their mom. Erm and Greta are planning to drive up to Green Bay to hang out with Matt' family. Our flight departed at 5:45am from Madison. 15 minutes into the flight I find myself looking at the 50 photos I shot of her last night in between packing. The bare butt shot playing hide and go seek with Mommy is my favorite. Or maybe the one with her trying to climb into our suitcase. :) Too bad I didn't keep her in there. Surprise Matt!!

Anyway...back to our trip...our gate at the airport was filled with familiar faces. I often wonder how many of them recognize Matt & I. I'm guessing several of them were orthopedic patients of mine. It makes you realize how small a community Madison really is. Well...we are now 30 minutes into our flight...I think Matt and I have talked more than we have in 2 months!!! Without any interruptions!

We had a layover in Atlanta for several hours. Enought time to do some windows shopping. Matt and i aren't so good at the purchasing part. When i looked at the price tag on the sunglasses i wanted and saw $350....I decided to pass. who knows how long they would make it with a one year old around. We arrived in Cancun around 3pm. I was anxious to be there. Matt too. Once our plane arrived we still had customs, claiming our bags and then finding our shuttle to the hotel. Sigma-Aldrich, Matt's company, really went all in on picking an amazing hotel. Once we arrived at our hotel, Grand Velas we had one person after another escorting us here and there. We took another shuttle to our suite. Our private suite leads right up to the ocean. It has a whirlpool tub, a steam room, huge shower (bigger than our closest at home), private outdoor pool, and remote operated blinds. We get free room service (including alcohol anytime of day or night). When we were being escorted to our room we asked about running on the roads around here. We were told ouroptions are y run at the beach or the gym. If we want to run on the roads we have to be escorted by someone on a motorized cart. I think we will stick to beach running :).

We ordered our first room service....wow!!! I got a spinach salad standing on end wrapped in a thin slice of cantaloupe with a side of feta cheese, & amazing vinaigrette. Matt got a sushi plate. We had some time before our Mexican dinner evening reception so we went for a quick run on the beach. Today was a bit overcast....but even the dark clouds against the bright blue ocean crashing up on the contrasting white sand was gorgeous!!

We showered up and got ready for an evening out. I have to describe for you our amazing shower. First of all, it is the size of Noelle's bedroom! The shower heads are 3foot square coming straight down from the ceiling. There are glass doors on all sides of the shower. No privacy here....a little dangerous when the waitstaff here are continually stopping by to freshen up he room, drop off, or pick up more food.

Our reception was one building over from ours so we had to take the shuttle....a little silly in my mind since we easily could have walked. The shuttle drivers won't let you carry your own bag and they put a little step stool outside the shuttle before getting in or out. Our dinner was with his company. I met many of his coworkers I've heard Matt talk so much about. Matt Tower and his wife Kris are super nice. Matt is a lot like my Matt. Funny, outgoing and a good voice (I'll get to that in a bit). His wife is easy going going too...says it like it is. They both live in Oregon and have a 14 year old daughter and 16 year old son. Another coworker, Sonja , and her husband came from Saint Louis. She seems real down to earth too....my guess is she likes partying it up with the guys. Her husband didn't say more than 3 words....then again I didn't say much either....how can I next to Matt? Although i did venture away from Matt a bit and chatted with a wife from San Diego. We got to talking about baking, Pintrist, and her dream to franchise a bundt cake Bakery. Good conversation until she shared her opinion on children. She doesn't want any....takes away from her relationship with her husband, no more date nights, no more conversation about her and her husband's days at work. I can't imagine life without kids???? I guess everyone is entitled an opinion. My favorite couple was the older couple from San Diego. He reminded me of the crazy dad from meet the Falkers and she reminded me of Paula Dean from the food network. Real witty guy with quick comebacks...keeping you entertained.

Matt's CEO.... Is quiet...he and his wife are from India but live in St. Louis. Lets just say she wears the pants. She certainly follows all etiquette rules of social gatherings.....made sure to talk to everyone! Sounds like she has quite the life....travels all over the world with her husband and while back in the states enjoys visiting her 20 year old daughters in Manhattan.

Our Mexican Buffet was to die for....tortilla soup, chicken mole, crab salsa.....just to name a few favorites. The good part....very very small portions so we weren't stuffed. Did I mention all this food and alcohol was covered? Matt took advantage of the free alcohol this night. After our banquet we headed to the karaoke bar in our resort. You know Matt and karaoke.....didn't take long and he was singing Piano Man. Matt Tower did a few songs too...he is pretty good at "friends in low places" by Garth Brooks. The CEO's wife even got up there an sang "I'm all out of love" by air supply.

It was quite an evening...I gave him the nudge at 10pm....party pooper I am. We got back to our room and our sheets were turned over and chocolates were laid out on our pillows. :)

March 2, 2013

Our running shoes were calling our names! But first we has to refuel. Breakfast was rolled in on a expandable round table. Once again....a bit different than what we are used to. I feel like I want to make the food...or at least pick up when I'm done??? Matt ordered eggs and toast with an assortment of pastries. I got a egg white vegetarian omelet with toast, Fruit platter (including papaya), and tea. One thing I'm really missing is butter. They brought us some butter, but honestly I could have used 10 little pretty balls of butter---not one!!! Sounds gross but I ended up eating guacamole on one of Matt's chocolate muffins. Wow was that good!!! Avocado here are so creamy! Another surprising food item on our plate...tofu....just a small slice....was that ever good too!!! After our refueling it was time to hit the sand. We ran down the coastline....not too fast...it was real difficult to run in the sand! We only had 30 minutes to run since Matt had to get to his morning meeting. I keep my running gear on and after he headed to his meeting I ran another 40 minutes. Afterwards I did some window shopping. Not sure I'll get anything here. I found a cute pair of sandles I was thinking about getting for Greta but then I looked at the price tag....$630. Couldn't believe it....then I realized....dah Jill that is pesos. :)

I still had an hour before Matt was to come home so I curled up on a reclining chair on our back porch and journaled. A lizard decided to join me. i got a good close up photo of the foot long guy. When Matt returned we decided to do lunch at an outdoor cafe, The Bistro. I ordered a fancy shrimp salad. Matt got a bean soup. Next we changed into swimsuits and did some lap swimming at the main pool. We weren't the only dorks. There was one other lap swimmer. The water was close to the same temperature as the air....pretty chili high 60's or low 70's. The breeze made it feel even cooler. We lounged by the pool chatting with Matt & Kris until dinner time. A cute 14 month-old baby & grandpa were hanging out nearby us on the pool deck. She had more forearm and leg cubbs than I've ever seen...with cute cute brown curly hair and a big smile!

Tonight's reception was formal. I had bought a black prom dress from Boston Store....halter top, long to the floor with a circle of rhinestones at the chest. Matt wore a suit jacket. We shuttled to the other side of our resort. This reception took place at the Zen. The name says it all. It was poolside with a live mexican guitarist. The pool was was lite with neon lights as were the center pieces of each dinner table. Fortunately the wind wasn't bad given all the lush trees surrounding us. Today i felt like I was on the bachelor. We lounged by the pool in the daytime......and got all dressed up for the evening ceremony (just not the rose ceremony but the Sigma Alrich award ceremony). Our meal was several courses. Fresh green salad with crab and a gelitinatzed block of pin apple with a tofu triangle.....next course was filet minion with sautéed vegetables, carrot puree and a rosemary sprig....final course was a assortment of local fruits in a martini glass. Matt fell in love with the margaritas. I believe he had 4 of them there?? Next was the award ceremony. Each awardee stood up in front of the group while their accomplishments were read off. Everyone at our table had their fair share of alcohol to drink so the jokes were flying. Matt was making goofy faces and his voice got pretty loud. After the ceremony we piled in our shuttle and headed to the karaoke & piano bars. Matt was a good hubby and walked me back to the room. He ordered me room service and made his way back to the group to do some more partying. What happened after that???? Neither Matt or I know. I crashed after indulging in some chocolate croissants $ some creamy guacamole. Matt had fun....we will leave it at that..... I won't tell you about the kiss to the CEO's wife :)

March 3, 2013

This morning was a tough one for Matt. The worst hangover he has had in several years. He started with a blazing hot shower followed by a good long soak in the hot tub. We ordered room service and then decided to do some exercise!! We ran 5 miles this morning along the beach. We saw some interesting people.....all body types in all kinds of swimsuits or no swimsuits!! After our run Jill convinced Matt to do an ocean swim. The water wasn't too cold...maybe 65 degrees. But boy was it salty!!!! Next we freshen up and took the shuttle to "The Zen" for our couples massage. That was the most amazing experience!! It started with hydro stations.....separate rooms with staged hydrotherapy. Sauna, steam room, chilled room with an ice waterfall scented with cucumber, then the massage shower with mud masks and hair conditioner..... Next we we were given free time to enjoy the different pools. I couldn't get enough of the warm jetted walking lane. You walked a pool length with warm jetted water to the level of your knees. All along the way their are aromas....talk about refreshing!!! There was the option of then walking in a cold jetted pool lane....too cold for me. Some of the other pools had big waterfalls to lie under while sitting in cushioned chairs. After our individual hydrotherapy experience we joined together (Matt & I) for our couples massage. That was amazing too! We had a 50 minute session that started with a foot immersion in soft pebble rocks, followed by hot stones, accompanied music, and an amazing massage with scented oils. After our session we were escorted to the hydrotherapy location again. Matt on the guys side and me on the girl side. Matt fell asleep on a lounge chair and I walked the jetted warm scented pool lane the next hour. This experience clears your head more than you can believe!! The session was topped off with relaxing teas, nuts, apples, and pineapple strawberry water.

Our evening plans were with Matt Tower and his wife Kris. We went to an Italian restaurant called Lucca. We walked into the restaurant and the hostess immediately looks at Matt and asks him if he has another shirt with him. Oops!!! Supposedly jeans were okay....not t-shirts without collars. Fortunately our our consiere arranged someone to get his suit jacket delivered from our room. The restaurant was very quant, dark lighted, and elegant. We were told the restaurant was booked yet it was only half full when we were there. I loved the little wine table they rolled up to our table to serve us from. The waiter had you sample your wine before pouring you a whole glass. I ordered a shrimp and asparagus dish and a caprese dish (tomato & motzerella cheese plate with herb infused oils). Matt got a lasagna with cream base. Our bread basket was pretty interesting....I wasn't too impressed....Matt say the rolls resemble a piece of dog poop. Not too tasty. Dessert was by far "to die for" in Matt's lingo. He ordered cream filled cannolis with fresh strawberries and a mint leaf as garnish. His second dessert was the favorite....you guessed it....ice cream a scoop of chocolate and a scoop of strawberry. It was good chatting with Matt & Kris. It's funny that it takes a trip to Mexico to discover who your friends from Oregon, WI are. What I love about them.....there never is a moment of acward silence. There is always a story to tell....or should I say Matt Tower has a story to tell. The best one last night was the boloney & mustard on white bread story. Matt grew up in Bemigi, MN....close to the Canadian border. His mom made everything from scratch. It wasn't until the age of 10 he discovered how heavenly boloney & mustard sandwiches on white bread were when his babysitter prepared them for him. He would race to see how quickly he could devour several sandwiches. After an evening of stories our evening ended early. We were all spent!

March 4, 2013

Breakfast this morning was room service...our usual. Next we threw on our running shoes and took off down the coastline. As we are on our way back who do I see out of the corner of my eye??? Pete Schoephoester......my ex-husbands brother. At first we kept running....then I thought what the heck I gonna say hello. You know Matt....he is comfortable talking to anyone! Crazy to run into him on a beach in Mexico! We chit chatted some and had to make our way back to the hotel to get ready for our catamaran ride with snorkeling. It started out with a 35 minute bus ride to our entry point. Playa del Carmen has some areas that don't look so safe...good thing our event coordinator did his research for our event. Diego was our captain and snorkeling leader....23 year-old local with a dark skin and a hot body! I think he was invited to join our group tonight for some drinks...a few beers and a couple hours in the sun and those single gals weren't afraid to ask! We cruised off to our snorkeling sight while soaking up the sun rays and enjoying the crystal blue colors of the water. Once at our coral site we got our instruction and dove in. The water wasn't even cold! Diego dove down to capture a sea star to show all of us. He made the dive down look so easy. Now it was my turn to try. I made it down to the bottom....maybe 15 feet? Snorkeling is so awesome! We swam right along with schools of tropical fish. I even got bit by something??? Maybe a jellyfish?? No sharks though. Matt said he purposely kept an eye out in the periphery just I case. I'm totally oblivious to the idea of a shark...didn't even cross my mind. After an hour of snorkeling our ride basically became a bews cruise. Loud music, sun, beer, food...good time. We set sail for awhile and later dropped anchor to do some free swimming. People did canonballs of the side of the boat...once in the water Diego tossed everyone beer to drink. Unfortunately our cruise was coming to an end. We thanked Diego and loaded our bus to get back to our resort. Matt and I chilled and swam some more at our resort pool. We ordered some food poolside. I've never seen bars that actually lead right to the water! This evening our dinner reservation is at Frita....Mexican...can't beat that!

Frita was the best dinner by far!!! So rich and tasty! My favorite was my dessert...a roasted corncake in a bed of espresso flavored chocolate sauce topped with liquor infused whipping cream. Matt's dessert was scoops of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream...imagine that :). My favorite part of Matt's dinner....roasted grasshoppers....so crunchy & delicate! After dinner we decided to skip the final drinking/socializing hour....after awhile I just can't socialize any longer.....and I'm not even the one who keeps the conversations going. No wonder Matt comes home from work trips exhausted! Speaking of exhausted....Matt is zonked out in bed now...I'm not far behind.

March 5, 2013

This morning we decided to try Azul for breakfast. It had the biggest breakfast bar I've ever seen. I tried so many different tropical fruits...I couldn't even tell you what they were. We did our last morning run on the beach and packed up our stuff. We flew from Cancun to Detroit to Madison. Today a snowstorm came through the Midwest....Stoughton schools closed today...10 inches! Good thing our flights weren't delayed. We made it into Madison at 10pm. If felt good to be home. I had to peak in Greta's crib to see her sleeping. Boy did I miss the little bugger!!! While I was gone an upper tooth broke threw....Greta now has three teeth.

March 6, 2013

This morning I couldn't wait to have Greta wake up. After hearing her first peeps this morning dad and I rushed upstairs. I wish I could of had videotaped her reaction when she saw us....such a big smile! I gave her the biggest hug & kiss. She saw daddy behind me and reached out for him too. Our trip was amazing....but it is good to be home too. Can't wait to see James & Noelle after school tonight!!







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