Gran Bahia Principe and home

We awoke, dressed and showered quickly before running to the buffet! We met my Aunt and Uncle for breakfast in our hotel, to discuss the wedding plans for the evening. For those who are unaware, my cousin Liam and his fiancé Maggie had their wedding in the Mayan on April 28.

While they went off to prepare, Joe and I headed to the pool for some much needed R&R. We swam, lounged, and swam again. We opted not to use the swim up bar (seats in the water at the bar) as it was a little early to start boozing it.

We met friends and family at 2:45 and headed down to the beach for the ceremony. Many people took off their shoes as we walked to our seats, white chairs neatly lined in a row, white decorations flying in the breeze. Maggie looked stunning in her flowing dress and updo, while Liam was quite the hunk in a beige suit. The ceremony was romantic and fun followed by pictures and dancing with the Mexican trio band.

We all did our own thing and met up for dinner at 5:30 in one of the seafood restaurants. I had prawns, while Joe had brie stuffed chicken. It was really great to meet Maggie's family from Ontario and to join in the festivities. We followed dinner with a poolside party with many margaritas and pina colada’s for this gal. We danced and talked, speeches were given and tears shed. We finished off the evening with snacks and more drinks at the snack bar. It was truly a wonderful day.

The next (and our last) day on the resort, we spent lounging on the beach and swimming in the crystal blue waters after we dragged ourselves out of bed at 11:30! I borrowed snorkeling gear and was amazed to see so many fish near the shore. It is so sunny here, truly a tropical paradise. More margaritas followed.

The staff are really "nice" and helpful although I feel somewhat uncomfortable with the obvious classism that exists on the resort (or Mexico in general). They even have sand ashtrays that are stamped with a pattern every day. Our room is cleaned to perfection every day, once with an elephant made out of towels greeted us after a long day out!
The food is uneventful and plain, but I believe that is most likely the tourists fault than theirs.

The swine flu epidemic is apparently growing and everyone seems to be going into a panic. The photographer informed Liam during their couple photos that Air Transat is pulling everyone out the country by May 3. Not exactly what the newlyweds wanted to hear considering they were supposed to spend another week honeymooning in the sun. We recently found out that all the Mayan sites nearby have been closed. We were really lucky to have gotten in on the 27th considering two days later all tours appear to be cancelled. I think the whole swine flu is a bunch of BS, as no one appears to be really sick and no one outside of Mexico has died except a Mexican child in Texas.

Our last night there, we bribed our way into the Mikado, a Japanese steak house. DELICIOUS! We enjoyed sashimi and sushi appetizers, soup, fried rice, filet mignon and seafood all cooked before our very eyes. Our chef was amazing, spinning plates, throwing eggs into the air, etc. Entertaining and fun, it was a great way to go out in style. We finished off dinner with drinks and good conversation on the outside patio at our hotel.

We departed our five star living at 9am and took a cab to the airport. We were prepared for long line ups and tough interrogation. What we got was a regular check-in with only a small questionnaire as to whether we felt sick, symptoms we felt, etc. There were many people in line with masks on, many who were wearing them around their necks and others who moved them to talk and kept wiping their eyes, ears and mouth. I was enjoying myself pointing and laughing. A few goobers were covering their mouths with their sweaters and looked really ridiculous! It was a fun farewell from Mexico. We have enjoyed our two weeks immensely and are going home tanned and relaxed.

Soon we’ll be home!!!!!