01
April
2013

Wear Your Seat Belt Road Trips

Seat Belt

I believe in seat belts. It is a rule in my car that anyone that gets in has to wear their seat belt before the car moves. I know that seat belts can be annoying especially when you are on a long road trip. But it is worth it if you are ever in an accident and it’s the law.

01
April
2013

Playa del Carmen Mexico Fish Spa Green Drink Spring Break Beach

We are now staying in Playa del Carmen at the Real Playa Hotel and Beach Club. We are staying with hotel only. They offered us the all inclusive package at a reasonable rate but we wanted to go out and wander the 5th Ave tourist street and beach and eat there. This is an older hotel but the rooms are clean and near the beach. It is crazy with people for Spring Break and the Mexican Holiday as well. People everywhere. We walked to the beach and there were big concert stages set up but high walls around them so you had to pay to go in. The beach was very very crowded.

Spring Break Beach Playa del Carmen Mexico

The worst was the partiers coming back during the night very drunk and very loud.

Guess what we found? A Fish Spa. I did this in Spain with my sister in law and friend. It was a great experience and my feet really were soft when I was done. It was so reasonable that I got dad to do it too. It was $21 for two people of $15 for one. Since it only cost  Gaylan $6 he decided to do it. People would stop and ask how it was. We were such good sales people that the spa manager kept giving us 5 more minutes. So instead of 15 mins. We go to stay for 45 mins. We got them 3 more sets of customers at least. It was great.People kept asking, “What does it feel like?” My answer is it it strange when you first put your feet in and all the little fish attack. It tingles almost like they are spot by spot numbing your feet. Once you get used to it you love it.

Fish Spa in Playa del Carmen

Fish Spa Experience in Playa Del Carmen Mexico

This town is really touristy. There is one street called 5th Ave. Norte. It is a walking only street with shops, restaurants, and bars for abt 30 blocks. We ate at a restaurant called “100% Natural Restaurant” We had fajitas and this fabulous green drink. It was cucumber, spearmint and lime.

Green Juice  Health Drink Mexico

Then we went shopping at the supermarket for snacks and breakfast food. At the bakery they give you a pizza pan and a pair of tongs. You pick out the pastries you want with your tongs and put them on the pizza pan. Then you take them to the counter and they wrap them individually in plastic and then place them in a paper bag with a price sticker on it. It was kind of cool.

We are loving having all these new experiences. I learned watching friends who always intended to experience new things and travel end up with health problems or as they got older their fears prevented them from trying new things. I am glad that we started traveling and having new and different experiences from the first when we were married even if it was a day trip somewhere.

Statue on 5th street Playa Del Carmen
We are going looking at condos and houses today but we think they will be too expensive on this side plus so far here we can’t see ourselves living in this area. Gaylan is a great driver and I navigate. It works out very well.

31
March
2013

All Inclusive Resort Activities [Boomer and Senior Travel TV #70]

Show Description: All Inclusive resorts are all about eating and being at the beach. OK, so there are included activities all day. There are so many that sometimes it feels like you just can’t fit everything in. In this episode of Boomer and Senior Travel TV we look at archery, bike riding, deep sea fishing and ping pong. Join the available sports and activities for a better vacation experience. These activities were from our vacation to the Catalonia Riviera Maya Mexico.

Show Notes:
Episode: #70
Host: Debbie Gerber
Show: Boomer and Senior Travel TV
What: All Inclusive Resort Activities
Where: Catalonia Riviera Maya Mexico
Contents: Joining in activities at an all inclusive resort.
Learn a new sport or compete in one you love.
• Archery
• Bike Riding
• Ping Pong
• Laying out in the Sun at the Beach

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime Version.

30
March
2013

Buying Real Estate in Mexico – the Experience

Coco's Cabanas Jungle Path, Riviera Maya Mexico Resort

We loved the weather and the beach vacations we have taken to the Riviera Maya Mexico so much we decided to come back and look at a place to buy so that we can come for longer relaxing vacations. We have been looking online for weeks and talking with real estate agents from different areas of Mexico. We have decided to focus on Cancun, the Riviera Maya and on the beach areas outside of Merida Mexico.

Buying in a foreign country can sound exciting and scary. With all the shows like “International House Hunters” it can seem very glamorous as well.

We have learned that you need to learn the rules and laws involved before you set out so that you know the true costs and legal implications involved.

If you are buying near the beach (in the restricted zone) you can’t own the property. You will buy it in a trust through a bank called a “fideicomisos.” I also believe that you should always use a local attorney to check everything out on your behalf.

The first property that we are going to look at is a small boutique hotel/resort with a restaurant and bar. It is called Coco’s Cabanas. http://www.cocoscabanas.com Retire steps from the beach with a great income too. Sounds intriguing.

We are excited about this adventure. I will continue to blog about it.