White dresses and white sand

Wedding

Our timing to be here in Cancun couldn't be better. It was Amy's cousin Cassandra's wedding and we were ecstatic we could make it. Another all inclusive for the day, wahoo! 

While the brides were busy doing final preparations we were enjoying the pool and the "Hobbie Cat". 

Best drink combo!

Just as the sun was setting the beautiful brides walked the isle.

Marakkas for place setting. Give them a shake

To get to the wedding just outside of Cancun it was easier to rent a car for a few days and drive out. We still had the full day after the wedding to explore so we drove south on the highway ready for any adventure. In awe of the cenotes we had seen on our dive we were in search of some we could snorkel. A short hike and we were not disappointed at all, there were four cenotes in total all unique and equally beautiful.  

Crystal clear water

Chris hiding in the cave

Stalactites 

Fossils

Hold your breath

Bye Mexico

Isla Mujeres

Tourist trap

Checked out of our "all inclusive" resort we caught a bus to the jetty to catch a ferry over to Isla Mujeres. Our first impressions of this tourist trap were realized early. Mexico has been doing the tourism thing for a long time and they sure have it figured out, vendors are pushy and speak English while tours are being offered on every corner. The small island has great snorkeling and on weekends all the locals head to the beach for a BBQ and day in the sun.

The seemingly endless market

Clay sugar skulls

Escaping the bustling market and town center we made a beer cooler and hit the beach

Genius cooler invention

Renting a scooter is always a good idea. Cruising around in style you see so much more.

 On our second lap of the island we managed to find a locals baseball tournament. 

So much fun watching everyone yell, cheer, chant and heckle in Spanish.  

Amy had been looking for somewhere to have her first lobster for a while. Found it!

Suprise at the resort

All inclusive, an adjustment for backpackers

Amy's brother Jeff, his girlfriend Marieka, and ten other friends were settled in at their resort and they had no idea we were just across town. The day had come for us to check into our room and surprise them. We arrived as early as possible to make the most of the "all inclusive". Our room itself felt like "disneyland," after eight months of dorms, bunk beds, shared bathrooms, black mold and bed bugs even the decorative pillows were too much for the nerves to handle. Then there was the fully stocked bar fridge........ "tear". Amy made a call to Jeff and Marieka's room and a sleepy Jeff answered, "hello" quickly hanging up we put on our big sombreros, grabbed our maracas and headed down to their room. Knocking on their door yelling Spanish phrases there was no mistaking us for room service. Marieka answered the door with Jeff close behind and after a long silent moment of bewilderment and confusion they pieced it together. It was so nice to see familiar faces after so much time away. 

Moments after surprising Jeff and Marieka

The beach in front of the resort 

Hit the beach

Swim up bar

The group

Dinner

Lightening storm one day "everyone out of the pool."

Every night in the main lobby there was a Vegas style show with acrobats, costumes and contortionists.  

It was three days of too much food, too many piña coladas and so much fun. The four star "all inclusive" was hardly backpacker budget and before we knew it it was time to check out. 

 Celebrating two missed birthdays

Well....... everything is free! Ready to check out 

Jeff's friend Brian made a video of the week in cancun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIyA3KdRBOk