Thrifty Thursday #86 The Reef Resort, Yucatan

Hi! It's Thrifty Thursday! I am your host, Leigh. Thank you so much for stopping by and additional thanks to those who also participate in Thrifty Thursday! I am most delighted to have you join in..for it's YOU who makes it a "show and tell party". I also participate in Tablescape Thursday the host of that fun carnival is the Hostess with the Mostess...Susan of Between Naps on the Backporch. That's no lie or exaggeration, each week I visit Susan's porch and just long to be a guest at any of her tablescapes...especially those held on the porch.

(You can click on any pictures for a closer view)


*Thrifty Thursday takes place each Thursday and is hosted here at Tales from Bloggeritaville, but the party is a progressive one, visit the links to see all the Thrifty Thursday links to see the thrifty treasures participating bloggers have to share.



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All this week I have been acting as tour guide by taking you to some of the most interesting places in my ports of call, while I was in Mexico.

What's thrifty about it? I took a five day Carnival Cruise to Mexico out of Mobile (no airfair) for less than $300.00 per person. You will have to check prices for yourself. Prices flucuate with dates, but with some investiagting it's worth it. For less that a family beach trip, we went to Mexico. All of our food and most drinks were included in the price, as well as shows, entertainment onboard. Excusions are extra. But...hey! THRIFTY is the word.


Already we have visited these places along our journey, in case you missed and wanted to get caught up:
Monday: First Stop, Progresso

Tuesday: Mayan Decendant Cemetary (some scenes may be disturbing)

Wednesday: Dzemul-the cultrally rich city tour the Cathedral


Are you caught up?

Wasn't Dzemul such a quaint, culturally rich city....a small town reminiscent of America's 1950 small town. Truly a beautiful place.

And now, onto another as we head down the road on the Explora bus.

Past the naturally wild palm trees.





Beyond the naturally wild iguanas




Right up to the front steps of the Luxury Mexican Resort of "Hotel Reef, Yucatan".




"The Reef" is a beachfront resort. And a surprise for me....the brochure on the cruise ship said we would get a snack on board the bus....no mention of "The Reef".

Let's get off the bus and explore....

Amazing flora of all shapes, sizes and colors....







And the coconut laden palms are plentiful.....






One just has to sit to absorb the beauty. It was almost overwhelming.


"It's all you can drink and eat in the tiki hut. There you will find a traditional Mexican buffet, prepared just for all of you.", our Explora guide Nashella reminds everyone who was on the bus.

I could visibly see Big Daddy's eyes light up...as they do anytime mentions "all you can eat and drink". He paved the way to the tiki hut where we found this:




Indeed, a traditional Mexican buffet, prepared by locals.

Everything you can imagine.... traditional Yucatecan snacks under the Mayan palapa, including: Empanadas, Gorditas, salsa and more.

We made our way through the buffet line....






While we dined under the palapa, we each took in the beauty of the beach resort. The palms swayed in the breeze, iguana's played in the trees....and the lull of the waves breaking beckoned me beyond the vacationers getting massages in the shadows of the footbridge to the shore.













Paradise, discovered!


This was THE place in Progresso to lounge by the pool, walk along the ocean and sip a margarita in a hammock.





The scenery even lulled the children to take it in ...and siesta!

Magic, really.





After siesta's we took a few family pictures



Then is was back on the bus, to board ship for our next port of call.

But not before taking in some final scenery on the route:






...Though scenery for others consisted of the back of eyelids.
It's been quite a day for our excursion. But a fantastic one.




Join me next week! Our next port of call: Cozumel

Thanks to all of you for stopping by and participating in today's Thrifty Thursday.

I am also linking today to Linda's Coastal Charm.

Please use Mr. Linky below to link up your blog. Please leave a comment after linking. I love to hear from you.I encourage you all to spread the love and visit the other thrifty Thursday participants, for that's what half the fun is. Aside from seeing a cool treasure it's making friends!

Thank you, all, FRIENDS! I appreciate YOU!

HUGS!
Hope to see you tomorrow for a little one on one with none other than Food TV Star and Foodie Alton Brown, but not before you leave some "roadmap" love!

Thrifty Thursday participants: