Wednesday, October 13, 2010

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.



*Don't forget to copy and paste the Thrifty Thursday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Thrifty Thursday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Thrifty Thursday.




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:

17 comments:

The Charm of Home said...

That looks fantastic. What a nice time you had. Beautiful Photos. Thanks for hosting.
Sherry

Unknown said...

There are some great deals on cruises out aren't there?! My family and I took 2 cruises in the span of 10 months because we found such good deals. I love Mexico. It looks like you are having an amzing time!

Leanne said...

It looks like an amazing and relaxing time. Beautiful too! Thanks for hosting again.

Unknown said...

I want to go back to Mexico! I cannot believe how cheap that cruise was... I will have to look into that option.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing your vacation with us! Looks and sounds like you all had a great time.
I need a vacation, but don't know where I want to go.
Thanks for hosting again this week.

Christie said...

Well, I just closed my eyes, took a deep breath and had a little mini vacation in my mind after seeing all those GREAT pix! Thank you so much for sharing!! So lovely!~Christie at Three Pixie Lane

robyn said...

hello bloggeritaville!
Nice to meet you Leigh! Thank you for the party. HOpe you like my thrifty projects!

Betty said...

I have really been enjoying your travelogue. You take wonderful pictures. It's obviously been a great experience for your whole family. Thanks for hosting the party again :)

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

Thanks for hosting this party!

Justabeachkat said...

Great photos! I've enjoyed traveling along with you.

Hugs,
Kat

Barbara Jean said...

Leigh
thanks for hosting.
your vacation looks ownderful!!
we get a week in November, but in Oregon you will not find any scenes like that!
Still grateful for the week away.

blessings

barbara jean

aspiritofsimplicity said...

wow! that is the ultimate of thrifty. Looks like you are all having a great time.

AllieMakes! said...

Wow! Alton Brown? How did you score that?
Thanks for hosting!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

B said...

Hello Leigh! I am a new follower of yours. Thanks so much for hosting today!

~ www.billiemonster.com ~

Carrie said...

Leigh --
How great to vacation among such tropical lovliness!
I am glad to be participating in Thrifty Thursday after so many months. As I indicated in a few posts earlier I have been ill after suffering a small stroke on April 2. I'm just trying to get back into a blogging routine again.
Carrie

Arabella said...

How beautiful - looks like you guys are having a fabulous time...

Can't wait to read about more of your adventures ;o)

Anonymous said...

Great shots, really makes me want to head south before winter gets here for real, lol!