Xcaret, Mexico--"Just Do Eat!" (Part 1)

The quote in the title for this entry was taken from a huge Burger King billboard we passed on our long and bizarre shuttle bus ride to our resort in Xcaret, Mexico. And, I think the message stayed in our subconscious the entire vacation, because we definitely did just eat...and eat, and eat, and eat! BURP!

This was a vacation of firsts for the kids. Neither had ever ridden on a plane. Ryan was an excellent flying companion, staying busy looking at the clouds, playing on his Leapster, and coloring in his new Star Wars coloring book. Natalie...well, she did all right! The next time we fly, we will most likely get her a separate seat, because she did the Hokey Pokey, Shifty Seaty on Jimmy and I most of the flight there! But, she wasn't loud or crying (much), so I can't complain!

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort that had a wildlife park attached to it, so there were all sorts of first-time experiences in spotting and getting so close to the wild animals. The hotel buildings were nestled in between tropical foilage where you'd find all kinds of wild animals living. While there, we spotted deer, amazing looking birds including macaws in our lobby, monkeys, and lemurs.


Deer roamed freely in many areas at the resort. 

Oh, and let's not forget the honkin' big iguanas who blended in so well with the surroundings that a few times we almost sat on them, walked into them, or touched one by accident. These were NOT small lizards, my friends! And they roamed the streets as if they owned them!


Ryan poses with a REALLY big iguana! 

Outside our balcony (and all through the night!) we could see/hear pink flamingos as well.


Pink flamingos out our balcony window 

The food was amazing at this place and I am refusing to step on the scales for several weeks as I hope by some miracle all that I ate disappeared on the flight on the way home!


Before one of our big dining experiences... 

And, we learned something interesting about Ryan on this trip. While he has suffered from stage phobia at school programs in the past, he does like to disco! The resort had a nightly "Kids Mini Disco" that we discovered about halfway into the trip. After one night of being on stage dancing and doing musical chairs, our shy boy was hooked. He participated for three nights. His Dad and I got a kick out of watching him. He definitely enjoyed himself, but still had a hard time looking up as he was so nervous!


Ryan surprised us with his love of the stage... 

Because this update is so picture-laden, I'm going to close for now but come back to see part two of our adventures in the Rivera Maya!


Jimmy, Nat, and Ryan pose by the bear sign that Natalie was facinated with most of the trip.