Back from Ixtapa to Reality and Year 49!

Happy Belated New Year to all of our blog readers! The last few weeks of December were crazy busy! So busy in fact that I ended up sick right after the New Year. I took a few days of rest in hopes of nipping it in the bud because I new I had an exciting getaway coming up and I wanted to make sure I was in tip top shape! It worked and I was ready and excited for my trip to Ixtapa, Mexico!

It had been several years since I had traveled to Ixtapa so I was really excited to get back there and check out the resorts and all Ixtapa had to offer. Most often when we travel to destinations to experience them as our clients will, we travel with industry partners. I know it sounds crazy but it is hard work! We usually see several resorts each day, experience a few tours and there isn't much down time to spend with your spouse or family. As I was headed to Ixtapa for a week I knew it was a great opportunity to have my husband Bart, tag along with me. He's easy to travel with and is a great assistant! It's so nice to have someone to carry my bags, notebooks and extra camera batteries when going from property to property ;-).

Here's a photo montage of some of the highlights of the wonderful experiences Ixtapa has to offer along with a little advice and a few tidbits to get the most of your vacation experience. It would be entirely impossible to include everything in one blog, so I'll spread it out a bit and do resort spotlights on the individual properties we saw. In the meantime I'll be adding photos to the albums on our facebook page so be sure to watch for those! The internet is such a great resource, but we love to have a place to share with you our personal photos taken from our own travels. We hate surprises that arise when the reality of a resort or destination doesn't match what's shown on the internet.  So, rest assured our facebook photos are the real deal!

We had an early morning (6:20 yikes!) departure and I don't necessarily count the flights as part of my vacation (although, I really believe traveling Sun Country Airlines is the way to go and their 'Hometown' service beats everyone else out there!) My vacation starts once I pass through customs for my resort transfer. I always upgrade to nonstop transfers for my personal travels. The minimal amount it costs to upgrade to nonstop transfers beats spending the first hour or more of your vacation traveling from resort to resort dropping off other vacationers. However, we didn't have the option to do that on this trip so a cold beer - or two - does help the time pass more quickly!

We finally arrived at our resort host for the week, the beautiful Azul Grand Ixtapa!  I'll do a resort spotlight post at a later time with more specifics on the resort, but here are a few photos so you can see we sure didn't have to rough it!! 

I think they have one of the coolest signs...ever!

This was our gorgeous ocean view junior suite!

My favorite part of Mexico and I'm picky!  Let's just say a generous bowl of this 2x day times 7 days and I was happy for the elastic waist leggings I had for the trip home!

I love instagram and the seflies! My poor hubby had to do one with me every night before we went out!  It's not your eyes...one of them is a little blurry!  For more of my completely entertaining photos (ha!),  follow me on instagram.  user name: theresawilliams.

How about these for martini selection! Which one do you try first?

Gorgeous night view from our balcony.  It truly was yummy!

On Wednesday we decided to go into the town of Zihuatenjo.  It's about 3 miles from Ixtapa and an 80 peso bus ride sounded like a grand way to get there!  It took about 30 minutes each way and really was a great way to get a feel for how easy it is to get around and how SAFE it is!  The bus drivers are so friendly and helpful, as are the locals.  I loved smiling and playing peek-a-boo with the little ones.  Of course they all made me lonesome for my Blakeums (my grandson Blake) who was far away in MN!

Loved the sidewalks and streets with hand laid bricks and I love wandering through town admiring the shops and local restaurants and bars.  Of course we had to stop and taste a few beers too!

The marina was full of fishing boats.  Old and new ~ big and small.  I loved them all! 

(I really didn't mean to make that rhyme - it just happened!)

The fisherman just lay their daily catches on the beach on plastic bags and people purchase them right there.  I guess if you arrive at the Marina around the 6:00 am hour, it's a fascinating site to see the boats coming in and the hard work that goes into the whole process.  Maybe next time!

Thursday we decided to walk to the pier and take a water taxi to Isla Ixtapa.  The charge was 40 pesos and it was so cool! Isla Ixtapa is a charming little island off Playa Linda that is known for scuba diving, snorkeling and water sports.  It has quaint little restaurants right on the beach and it was so peaceful to just hang out for the day!  It is definitely a MUST DO!

The beach at the Azul Ixtapa Grand was not the greatest - actually it wasn't at all - so I was excited the pier was just 10 minute walk along the sea!

Of course we had to stop and stare at the little footprints in the sand...another reminder of my little guy!

The Sea Urchins were everywhere and I think they are so cool! Like, what do they do??

One of the hardworking locals holding the boat while we climb aboard

Photo op!

A surprise treat from my hubby and the bar owner!  How did they know it's just what I needed wanted! ;-)

Even the kids are hard workers.  They take such pride in making their home beautiful for us tourists!

Another photo op!

It truly was my favorite day of the entire stay!

Following is a sampling of the different activities/things to see and do for the entire family or for a romantic getaway.  Most of them are in the city central.  I've also included a few of what I think are opportunities to have your whole experience more memorable!  After all, isn't that what we all love about traveling??

There's lots of shopping!  Of course there are 'malls' and upscale stores but I love the local markets best!

Love how the resorts cater to the kids.  What kid doesn't feel great helping him/herself at the child size buffet??

They cater to my sweet tooth too!

They take such pride in their shows!  A different show every night so there's something for everyone!

They know just what kind of show to put on to keep the kids entertained and talking for days about their fav princess or super hero!  This particular one had Batman zipline in from the roof of the hotel! I have to admit even I thought that was pretty cool!

Great teaching moments too.  Ixtapa is a favorite for the Sea Turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs. Many resorts collect the eggs and build temporary pens, like this one, to mark where the eggs are buried and the estimated hatch date. Once they are born they hold them for 1-2 weeks in sea water tanks and feed them before they are released.  They think this gives them a better chance of survival.  How wonderful is that!!!

Tennis seems to be very popular in this area and most every resort we visited had gorgeous courts.  These clay courts at Azul Ixtapa Grand were truly stunning!

Maria was so happy to know I searched out the ping pong tables and many resorts have them!  The activities teams LOVE to put together tournaments too!

Who doesn't love a 'serious' beach volleyball game!

Lot's of watersports and check out that parasail! Anyone?

How about a beach massage?

Or, you can always go for the couples massage at the Spa!

For all you Destination Wedding brides out there, Ixtapa has many venues to experience the Wedding you're dreaming of!  This spot on the boardwalk was lovely!

There's plenty of beautiful beach space too!

Or how about a sunset ceremony?  This is a real sunset taken with MY camera!!

Or just some time to reconnect with your favorite person??

Ixtapa has so much to offer and truly something for everyone.  The locals take such pride in everything they do, as do all of the resort workers who work so hard and go out of their way to make sure your vacation is everything you want it to be and then some!  How lucky are we to know that not only are we experiencing something wonderful, but because they depend on our visits for their survival, we're making their lives better in the process.  It's a beautiful thing!

And today, as I enter my 49th year (yep, it's my Birthday!), I'm so thankful for the many blessings in my life.  I'm blessed to not only experience these beautiful places myself, but I'm also blessed to assist all of you with making your own memories and your own experiences in these wonderful destinations. As I try and take hold of the fact that I have one short year left until I'm 50 (yikes!) I'm glad I was able to take some time last week and remind myself that yes. Life is good.

That's me - pondering in the infinity pool.  Don't you love the difference in color between the pool water and the sea water?

For more info on Ixtapa, feel free to contact me or any of our 'Escape Artists'.  We can't wait to assist you with the trip of a lifetime!

Until next time...

A Bride's Review of Moondance Cliffs

I recently followed up with a newly-married MTS bride and found her glowing review to be incredibly helpful, descriptive and detailed. Krystle got married this past December at the Moondance Cliffs resort in Negril, Jamaica, and she had a fabulous experience which makes me so happy! I asked if I could share her review with all of you and she said yes, so here it is!

I will never be able to say enough good things about MDC. I would recommend it a million times over... They went above and beyond not just for Dave and I on the wedding day, but for all of our guests throughout the entire trip. I few things to back up my claim:

·         When we arrived we were greeted by a handful of people who remained important players throughout our stay, as well as by a board that welcomed our wedding party prominently during our entire stay.

·         The staff helped me stuff, prepare, and hand deliver (allowed me to even go with) each welcome bag to the exact bed of each guest room.

·         They simply took all my wedding materials & inspiration print-outs and I never saw them again until they were perfectly displayed on the wedding day. They asked a few questions, but I didn’t have to lift a finger.

·         Somehow everyone always remembered our names.

·         My mom’s room was upgraded because they worried with her disability she would not be comfortable on the second floor. Before she arrived they consulted me about this and showed me her new room to confirm this was a good idea. It was however, their idea to move and upgrade her free of charge.

·         On Thursday night I had asked for a low-key welcome reception for everyone to get to know each other. They prepared butler passed appetizers and specialty drinks. Everything was so elegant. I had no idea they were doing this, as I just asked for a common place to congregate for a drink.

·         On Friday the boys went on an all-day fishing trip. Since they left before breakfast, MDC prepared a bag breakfast for them to take with at 6 am.

·         Friday night the boys brought home a bunch of fish and the cooks at MDC prepared it many different ways for everyone to try the fresh catch. The leftover fish was prepared for the rehearsal dinner.

·         Friday, a few of the girls went cliff jumping and got their bathing suits dirty. MDC noticed and laundered them (free of charge) to remove the stains.  

·         Friday, I ruined my pedicure. MDC noticed and fixed it so it would be perfect for the wedding.  

·         Saturday, after the catamaran cruise that they organized for us, I returned back to MDC to find that they had setup an outdoor rehearsal dinner. I knew that we were having a rehearsal dinner but I had not made any special arrangements. We discussed what would be prepared and a good time to have it. I knew I didn’t have the budget for anything special so I never brought up any details. MDC brought in music, set up tables on the lawn with flowers and candles and other decorations with fruits and vegetables. It was so beautiful and unexpected.

·         Sunday, the wedding, was beyond my expectations. Everything was well organized (if anything ever went wrong, I didn’t know it), personal, and beautiful. I never felt rushed, lost, or like my guests were not well cared for. The only tears I cried were of joy.

·         Whenever we had an event, MDC informed guests that they could not dine at the restaurant we were using. Our events were always private.

·         The staff was always personable, courteous, helpful, and professional, but fun too.

·         I have continuously heard great things about it and just about weekly someone calls, texts, or sends a message on facebook asking when we are going back. I have had many memorable vacations... Vacations that I loved. I usually say I will return someday, but I am always ready to go home. We weren’t ready to go home.

It was very intimate and felt like a home-away-from-home. With that being said, if a bride and groom are looking for lots of activity on the resort (outside of what they plan and their guests bring), you won’t find much. With all the things scheduled we had just enough down-time by the pool and time out & about that having a quiet resort was perfect for us. It really made things special, but I could see how some couples would prefer a busy resort with lots of people at the bar. If a bride is ever considering Moondance Cliffs and has any specific questions, let me know as I’d always be happy to answer.

Thanks to Krystle for allowing me to pass on the detailed review of this charming property. I am so happy to hear about the fantastic time you had at Moondance Cliffs... Congratulations, once again!

Recommendations For Food & Fun in Saint Martin

My husband asked me to help him put together a list of our favorite places in Saint Martin the other day. His boss is heading there with his wife to celebrate their 20th anniversary, and considering the fact that we've traveled to Saint Martin six times, he thought it would be fun for us to make a couple of suggestions. It got me thinking.... Why not share this fabulous list with our loyal blog readers??

Saint Martin (the proper spelling on the French side is Saint-Martin and on the Dutch side it's Sint Maarten) is an island in the Caribbean about 190 miles east of Puerto Rico. One unique aspect about this destination is that it is divided between two countries- France and the Netherlands. You can pass between the two sides freely and experience an incredible variety of fun, food, shopping and adventure! Five of our six visits were with our extended family members, and the other visit was for our honeymoon. Although we haven't been there since October 2010, I would love to go again someday because it will always hold a special place in my heart!

Here's 'SXM' from the air. As you can see, it's pretty cozy... Only about 54 miles around!

Our 1st visit in January 2006. We look like a couple of kids!

Our most recent visit in October 2010 on our honeymoon.

One aspect of Saint Martin I love is the gorgeous ocean. The sun always seems to glisten perfectly over the bright blue water. I'll admit, I'm not a big swimmer (...or snorkler, surfer, diver, or water-person in general!) but this landscape makes for a gorgeous view while resting on the beach with a good book and a cold Pina Colada! See?

Here's a view of the bright blue waters that I took from the car on our way to Phillipsburg. I swear to you, I did not edit the coloring of this photo one bit. It's almost hard for me to believe too!

Now for our recommendations.... Below is our list, sprinkled with a few additional vacation photos. Such great memories!

La Rosa Too: Like Italian food? If so, you have to eat here. It's on the Dutch side behind Maho Plaza. Unbelievable lasanga and a great selection of wine! And don't even get me started on their homemade bread....

The Pizza Galley: Along with the same Italian-food theme, check out Pizza Galley if you want a casual lunch or dinner. They have the tinnest and crispiest pizza crusts. Yum!

Sunset Beach Bar: This is the bar located on the beach directly across from the airport runway. And I mean directly. As in, watch out for sandblast! This is a fun place to visit at night though once all of the airport-action has subsided. 

Cheri's Cafe: If you're looking for something lively and silly, check out Cheri's in Maho Plaza. Good burgers and fries, and shall we say, interesting entertainment (i.e. Caribbean male waiters dressed as dancing & singing women).

Orient Beach: Looking to do some parasailing, jet-skiing and other water-related rental activities? This is the place to do it! It's on the French side. Just to let you know, clothing is optional so you may want to bring blindfolds for your kids, ha!

Phillipsburg: Shopping in Phillipsburg is the best! There's just about everything you could want to purchase there. Jewelry (go see Neil at Grand Jewelers), purses and accessories, cosmetics + fragrances, home decor, specialty products, electronics, cigars, etc. etc. Note: The cruise ships dock there often so don't schedule your afternoon too tightly!

L'Escargot: Great place to have lunch in Phillipsburg as you take a break from shopping. Right on the beach. Here I am there with my cousin (center) and sister (right).

Karakter: This is in Simpson Bay. It's a bus that was cleverly converted into the most charming beach bar I've ever been too. Get an order of calamari and a Margarita. Perfection.

The Boat House: This is one place we go to every time we visit SXM. I get the scallops every. single. time. They're too good to pass up! Also in Simpson Bay on the Dutch side.

Saint Maarten Zoo: For a good laugh, go see the monkeys at the zoo! We have been there multiple times and they're always filled with the same sass & pizazz. Offer them a peanut and they throw the shell at you. They don't have the best manners but they are seriously funny. 

There are lots of other animals to check out there if you're visiting with kids. The only thing to know in advance is that you can get shockingly close, so watch the little ones carefully!

Marigot: This is the place to shop on the French side if you like handmade items. The open air market is the best! I believe it's open during the afternoon only.

Loterie Farm: Want to zip-line? That is where to do it!

Pineapple Petes: My husband loves the ribs at Pineapple Petes! It's a fun atmosphere with live music; again on the Dutch side.

Toopers: This place is on the same main road as Pineapple Petes and the Boathouse, and it's got a great selection of food. Their house rum is yummy! If you go, would you please bring home a bottle for me? :)

So that's it! I'll sign off with a picture I snapped on an evening walk on the beach a few years ago... Please feel free to email me any time with questions about this destination. As you can see, it's absolutely gorgeous and it's got a lot to offer!