In this post I will talk about a trip I took to Cancun Mexico in 2016. This was originally supposed to be a Girls Trip that turned into a solo adventure. At the time of this trip I belonged to a social club that was designed specifically for bringing together African-American women for friendship, fun and community service. The group routinely did an annual trip. I had only been a part of the group for a short time but since I’m always down to travel it sounded like fun. I know you have heard those stories about planning the trip and in the initial planning stage everyone is on board but when it comes time to pay the money and finalize the plans people begin to trickle off. Well this is what happened. I talked to the organizer who assured me that the trip was definitely going to happen so I went ahead and paid my money.
Fortunately I was able to make the reservations directly through the travel service that she had selected. I even got a small “group discount” since I was going to be traveling with this group and the organizer had made the arrangements under the group name. I believe there were at least a dozen participants going initially but it eventually decreased to around 7-8 people, which was going to be the core group. I was excited. Me and the organizer communicated by phone and email several times throughout the planning of the trip. She was the only person going that I had previously met, as I had participated in other activities with the group. Although, I was excited to meet the other ladies and hang out, I always get my own room, so that if someone does back out it doesn’t put me in any financial hardship or cause me to have to rearrange my plans. Plus, I enjoy my Me Time and privacy after a long day of hanging out.
During the few weeks before the trip I had an idea that this could turn into a solo trip. First a few other people dropped out and to my knowledge there would now only be four of us. I’m not sure what the rooming arrangements were for the other three but about a week before departure the organizer told me that the third person in her party whom had been invited by her “friend” couldn’t get all the days off from work therefore her friend was going to delay her flight and fly in with the other girl the following day making their trip one day shorter. So of course the organizer changed her flight too so they could all arrive together. I told her I was keeping my original flight and would look forward to seeing them when they arrive the following day. A few days before the departure I get a call from the organizer stating that someone had taken her name off the room that they were sharing and had added another person’s name to the room…presumably the person who had delayed the flight. Anyway, now the organizer was frantic because she didn’t have a room or roommate and could not afford a room on her own. I told her how sorry I was to hear that and I felt bad for her…but I went on the trip as planned.
The trip turned out to be a fun filled solo vacation. I was a little concerned about what the accommodations would be like since I was not the one that had originally chosen the resort. The organizer had set things up through Funjet Vacations, I had never used their services but it was a package deal that included the flight and the all inclusive accommodations. I stayed at Riu Palace Peninsula in Cancun, which turned out to be a nice resort that had several nice shops and restaurants. The beach was nice as well. I also spent some time away from the resort participating in a couple of excursions.
I laid out by the pool and relaxed.
I also kicked back and relaxed on the beach
My room was nice and had a great balcony where I spent some leisure time.
I went for a camel ride. I believe my camel’s name was Clara. We also made a stop and fed the camels some grass and leaves. I was little hesitant about that but the feeding went ok. This was a group excursion and there was one camel that was not very happy and kept stalling and making some funny noises. The girl that was riding this camel was looking very nervous but the tour guide assured her all was ok. The tour guide spent a lot of time scolding and coaxing the camel to get in line and participate. I was glad my camel was in a good mood.
Lunch at a quaint little Mexican restaurant was also included in the excursion.
I spent a day at Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park.
I also spent a day at a local Marina where I participated in riding the JetPack. Since I love being in and on the water, I am always game to enjoy some water sports. I found the JetPack excursion while searching online for things to do in Mexico. The videos looked very exhilarating with individuals rising high up in the air. They were all smiling and seemed to be having great fun. I thought Oooooo this looks fun so I booked it. The video said you would get instructions and have someone there coaching you, so I was really looking forward to this adventure. So I get there, they show me a five minute video about what to do and then give me the equipment. Then these two instructors take me out on a boat, when we get to the spot one stays on the boat and the other gets off. He is my “coach”. So he proceeds to tell me to do. He is telling me which controls to push, etc.
Well let’s just say I overestimated by agility and athletic skill on this one Yall. There are two controls; one on each side which you have to push that will propel you into the air. You have to get just the right momentum on each side, and hold the pressure steady on the controls while you maneuver. You also have to “steer” this thing and know how to go straight and make turns. So my coach is instructing me….I am having a hard time with this thing. No matter how hard I try I am not getting out of the water. After several attempts I ask my “coach”, “why am I not going up in the air”. He says to me, “because you are not listening”🤣😂🤣. I’m like okay let me listen harder🤷♀️. I eventually get a couple of inches out of the water and then I fall, repeat this several times and then I’m done. He’s like, “you want try again”( in his Mexican/Spanish accent). I’m like Nah. It’s a wrap….this is one that you have to practice for awhile so maybe I’ll try it again some other time. I gave it my best shot yall 😁. I think I did pretty good for my first time.
They had several other activities so I decided to try “The Screecher”. This was a small submarine type vehicle. That went in and under water. Now before I got in there, the driver told me that it was going to be “warm” on the inside and that it was a “tight” space. So I get in this thing and it is very small. I was crammed in there and I am not tall. I’m about 5’2″. So if you are tall I don’t recommend this one. So I am in there and it’s not warm it’s HOT. I was sweating profusely. They give me a headset to wear so we can communicate while under water. This dude is showing off doing all kinds of twists and turns in the water. He was just a giggling and having a good time. I mean he was having big fun. Meanwhile, my po lil head is just banging up against the inside of this “Screecher”. I can’t wait to get out of this thing. Oh well, that was my adventure for the day. I love a great adventure. I can say been there, done that on this one, but I don’t think me and “The Screecher” are going to see each other again. After this excursion I took my lil butt back to the hotel and laid out on the beach.
Overall it was an amazing trip and I enjoyed myself. I love to get out and challenge myself to try new things.
