I woke the next day to watch my first sunrise. First, Coffee! The coffee in the room was hotel coffee, weak and rather nutty.

It became a ritual to get up and walk out the open door and onto the balcony. I’d sit and watch the sunrise. The moon reached over the building and the sky began to lighten. The hotel lights shut off and the birds began to converse brightly. The sky went through a multitude of blues each brighter than the last, and golds, yellows and pinks trimmed the clouds. The sea was aquamarine, green, blue, and white. And then it was day. White sand, blue pools, green grass, clear Caribbean sea.

I’d have a shower and sit on the balcony to do my eyeliner and mascara. Then I’d do my hair. Brush, add gunk, finger comb, go inside to get dressed. The only time the door to the balcony was closed, was when no one was there. The air conditioning would come on and when the door to the balcony was opened again, it would shut off. The balcony door was left open all night, I loved the sea breeze.

After breakfast at the buffet, it was time for an information session. It was worth the half hour to listen to what they recommend for the tourists, and what you need to know in another country. They told us about the different tours and ways to do things. They also talked to us about tipping and hotel security features. I ended up choosing to do two tours and one without an actual tour.

Some people like to sit in the sun and read and drink all day. That is fine, and that is what it takes for them to feel re-energized. I, on the other hand, like to have adventures I can learn from and feel. 

The first day, was spent in the water for the vast majority of the time.

Then in the afternoon, we had a quick thunderstorm. The clouds for the storm were way above the wind coming in off the ocean. It was odd to see a few puffs of cloud flowing inland, and much higher, there were storm clouds rolling out to sea.

The entire hotel is designed for water removal. The open air walkways and courtyards all have tile and openings to let the water flow outside but should it touch the floor, a squeegee and it is dry. The spouts from the floors and balconies all created a fountain like display into gardens of stone and flowers.

I was taking pictures from the balcony when I turned and saw that the couple from the bus were just a few rooms down and taking pictures as well. I got a shot or two of them.

We met for drinks in the lobby and then off for dinner at the seafood restaurant. Yum, but I was still full from breakfast. Food is starting to look very heavy. My shins have sunburns. It is very difficult to tan legs, and both of my shins are sunburned and hurt. Oh well, a little cream will fix them right up.

After the storm the sky turned into the most beautiful pink sunset.

Big day tomorrow, ATV ride through the jungle, to a Cenote, and snorkel.

Once again, in bed by whatever time it was, (the clock didn’t work, but who cared).