A Great Day

While any travel day can be a long day, and sometimes a very long day, if the purpose is beginning a vacation, then it is a great day. Nicole and I were up around 4am, to motivate and take a car service to LaGuardia Airport. We were heading off to the Riviera Maya, Mexico, specifically the Fairmont Mayakoba just north of Playa del Carmen. The occasion? Celebrating our first anniversary, escaping one of the snowiest winters in New York City history, recharging our batteries and having a fun filled week together.

When we arrived, we dealt with the typical international travel items... waiting in long lines for immigration, luggage, hitting the green/red button to pass easily through customs or get searched, finding our rental car company, and then navigating our way to the hotel. We finally checked in around 2pm Playa time (1 hr behind NYT), and went for a bite to eat at the hotel restaurant - La Laguna Grill & Bar (grilled fish tacos and ceviche) - which overlooks the mangroves and fresh water canals that stretch throughout the property. Finally we stole an hour or two by the pool, as the sun gave way to clouds and then dusk. While tired from a day that began very early, we motivated to go to the gym. On our walk back from the gym, we realized that the forecasted rain would come true, and that it was possible our next couple days could be marred with overcast and dreary skies.

For dinner, we stayed close to home and went to the Rosewood Mayakoba, one of the three hotels in this Mayakoba region, a unique coastal stretch of a carefully maintained ecosystem of dunes, mangroves and freshwater lagoons. While staying at the Fairmont for four nights, we would be transferring to the Banyan Tree Mayakoba resort for our final three nights. So we went to Rosewood to see this third spectacular hotel in this Mayakoba complex. And as we arrived in the Agave Azul Raw Bar & Tequila Library, the winds picked up and rain came in sideways flowing sheets. We took cover just inside an open air balcony stretching lengthwise in the bar/ restaurant, enjoying a margarita and a little tequila for sipping. We tried the Milagro Select Blanco and Resposado Select Barrel Reserves, each served with a spiced tomato juice back, to balance the strong tequila flavors between sips. It actually was some of the best "bloody mary" mix we've ever had. The waiter told us it included tomato juice, worchester sauce, lime, salt, pepper, hot sauce, soy sauce (really?) and cilantro. It had great kick. Anyway, after enjoying tuna tartar, some sushi rolls (including an interesting thai spiced roll), we trekked thru the rain by golf cart then car to return to our signature casita at the Fairmont to end a great first day of vacation with a good night's rest.