We heard that we could catch our own shrimp near where we live in South Florida. Shrimping comes only in February and March during the full moon. Then there has to be the correct wind direction and weather work together to bring the shrimp into the bay and up to the surface for shrimping.

Watching YouTube & Asking Locals to Learn to do Shrimping

There is so much content on Youtube with instructions to learn how to do almost anything. We searched for videos of people shrimping in our bay. We found several and watched so we could figure out what supplies we would need and when to go. One of our favorite fishing and shrimping YouTube channels is https://youtu.be/PvAUNouXnUU

Shrimping Persistance Equals Shrimp Caught in Net

Then we went up every night for a week during the full moon in February. Finally one night there were a lot of people on the docks with shimp nets and green lights in the water. We learned that that is our best clue as to whether the shrimp are in the bay. Sure enough there were shrimp. We watched as the fisherman dipped their nets into the lighted water when they saw a shrimp drift near to the dock. Then the fun was on as they tried to outwit the shimp and get them in the net.

I had no idea that shrimp had such long feelers (that is what I call them, others call them antennas). They can feel the net near and they literally skip across the top of the water and jump out of the way of the net. Even then many fisherman caught enough shrimp for a nice dinner. We decided we would be there ready to shrimp in March.

I always like to be sure we are doing things correctly. We made sure we had the right fishing license, a proper net size and knew the limits. We again drove up to the bay several nights during the full moon, except for one night when we could not go check. Guess what? That was the big night for shrimping. When we went the next night and heard the fish stories or should I say shrimping stories from the other shrimpers we were sad we missed it. We did get some shrimp that night. Enough for supper. Fresh caught & cooked shrimp have a great flavor.

We removed the heads and then fried them in olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper. Oh, wow they were tasty.

This was our “Doing Someing New Together” Unique Stay Vacation activity.

Doing something new made us laugh a lot. We had something new to study and learn about together. We also had all kinds of new conversations. Having something new to do together is always a great boost to our relationship. We are ready for next year.

Play I-Spy on Vacation and Photograph New & Interesting Wildlife that You Find?

One of the things that we love to do is record & learn about the new wildlife that we see. Most of these are when we are on vacation.

Can you find the iguana hiding in this bush?

I remember the first time I saw an iguana. I thought they were so fun to watch. Then a friend of ours got one as a pet. He had it so tame it would ride on his shoulder. But of course he had obtained it as a baby.

I was so intrigued with it that I had to have one. We had two iguanas as pets. We had Iggy that lived 13 years and the Paco that lived for 10 year. I could never believe how they would show their personality and they let you know what they wanted.

Finding this iguana on our vacation isn’t new to us but iguanas will always be interesting to us. This one tried to hide camouflaged by the dark branches.

I remember the first time we saw one and fell in love. Our iguana had a short nose and was bright green. If I find my pictures of Iggy or Paco I will post them. It was back in the day that I only had a Commodore computer and no scanner.

A note of warning. A wild iguana can bite. We had one steal a sandwich out of our sons hand on a picnic at Tulum years ago. Iggy our iguana was territorial and got made at my husband for sleeping on the bed during the day. (His sleeping place during the day) and Grabbed onto his arm with his mouth. He didn’t let go. We had to pry his jaw open. He wasn’t hurt by my husband still has a scar. Iggy’s teeth were like razor blades. Always assume a wild animal is wild and unpredictable even when they appear docile or friendly.

This cute animal is called a Coati. I loved this guy. He had a tail like a monkey, paws & a mask like a raccoon & a nose like an ant eater. He was looking for food that had been left by vacationers. We was very agile. He climbed trees and ran along the walls. We had a good time watching him. He finally found some french fries & then got lucky with a rib bone. Both of which he guarded from the birds and quickly devoured.

We were careful to keep him away from our table where we ate. He was cute but wild animals are unpredictable and not worth taking a chance over.

We saw a Mexico Blue Crane or Blue Heron on our walk along a rocky shore. There were also a pod of pelicans. A pod is what a group of pelicans are called. I just learned that. Another little fact for your next trivia game.

For more fun vacation ideas: http://www.boomerandseniortravel.tv

Great Resort on the Cancun Hotel Zone: Grand Oasis Sens – My Experience

Here is the review I promised of the hotel we chose in Cancun Mexico.

It was just a short ride from the airport. That is one of the upsides of staying near Cancun is that if you don’t have a long ride from the airport.

When you stay in the Sian Ka’an category you are treated us as VIP’s.

If you have a problem with your room be sure to ask the concierge or front desk to help you. Be articulate and tell them what they need to do to make you satisfied. Mostly be patient.

This is a quiet romantic relaxed hotel.  It’s sister resort the Grand Oasis Cancun which was much louder, crowded & busy.

It is good to know what atmosphere your looking for when you book a hotel. This trip we wanted an adult only quieter resort and the Sens fit it nicely.

Booking the Sian Ka’an Category has many advantages:

The have larger room. I would request one with a plunge pool & deck.

That the specialty reserved restaurants were included if you were Sian Ka’an.

Reserved beach beds with drink & lunch service.

The “Foam Party.” is one of our favorite activities but they only do it on Saturday.

We loved the choices of restaurants all of which were excellent with so many menu choices we couldn’t try it all in a week. Don’t miss out on the Black Hole, Benazuza Specialty restaurants. We also loved the Maki Taco & Hippie Chic along with a lot more.

We loved this resort built on different levels with  lots of stairs, amazing food, fun activities, great beach, large clean rooms, and a relaxed atmosphere.

The beach was good and they had lots of beach chairs.

There were so many restaurant choices, activities & shows. See my TripAdvisor review for all the details, reviews and tips.  My TripAdvisor Review

Camping really??? My idea of camping is staying in a cabin at the very least. I love roasting hot dogs and marshmallows then heading indoors about the time the mosquitoes start biting.

We went camping when we were first married. It was all really fun until it got dark and we got in the tent. Then I just knew there were things moving around in the dark outside and I didn’t trust the tent material to protect us. I felt like bait. I jumped and said “what was that” every couple minutes. I was terrified. About 2 o’clock in the morning my husband gave up, packed up and we went home. I think we only went camping in a tent a couple of times after that.

A tropical vacation home but not just any tropical home purchase. I know exactly what I am looking for I just can’t find it. Some day I will have one of those deja vu moments. We love to go stay on a beach for our main vacations but I am always searching…..

In my dreams I have a vision of a beautiful tropical place where we buy a house on the beach. The back of the house faces the ocean although there is a long  island in the middle of a smallish bay before the open ocean. The water is deep enough to boat between the main land and the island. It is close but not close enough to swim to. It has great snorkeling right off our dock. It is not heavily populated in that area. There is one small resort with a store down the road quite a ways. The house needs lots of work but is in an ideal location. It is so beautiful there. Just the place for us to retire on a beach, at least part time.

I know it is just a dream but every once in a while I will look at maps to see if I can find it. Maybe I just watch too much episodes of “House Hunters International.” Whatever the case may be it too is on my bucket list. If you have been somewhere like I described please help me by sending me the location to look at. If I find a photo similar too it I will also post it. Dreams…..

Does anyone else dream of having a house on the beach??