This would be my first time on the Caribbean Sea; my other beach trips were always on the gulf side.  I had wanted to go to Mexico ever since I was a kid and watched “The Love Boat” on TV each week with my folks.  Playa del Carmen is a coastal resort town located within the Mayan Rivera, which runs south of Cancun to Tulum and the Sian Ka’an biosphere preserve.  We would be staying at a beautiful oceanfront hotel which had condominiums right on the beach.  We arrived toward late afternoon and decided to take it easy and enjoy getting settled in.  The hotel had spacious rooms and suites and my husband, baby, and I were on the first floor just steps away from the ocean.  My mother-in-law and step-father-in-law, who took us, were staying with my grandmother-in-law on the third floor, which was the highest view one could have from one of their two top luxury condos.  This picture is part of the panoramic view we got to enjoy from their two story suite’s rounded balcony.  We all stayed in together the first night and had room service bring us dinner.  I drank in the tranquility of the waves lapping rhythmically at the shore.  Our view below revealed what I always thought Mexico would have … a bar lit with lively lanterns swaying delicately in the breeze and palm trees wrapped cheerfully with strands of white lights.  There were also cool multicolored orbs in the sand that lent their alfresco dining a glowing touch.  I could not WAIT to get out to the ocean (I think I was the only one) to look for shells!  It was the first thing about which I inquired upon our arrival, but I was told there were really none to be found.  I was still thrilled to be exploring some ruins, venturing out to eat, and doing a little shopping.  Something with which I particularly agree after having gotten to spend a little time at the beach is this quote by the English actress Cherie Lunghi:

“I enjoy art, architecture, museums, churches and temples; anything that gives me insight into the history and soul of the place I’m in.  I can also be a beach bum – I like to laze in the shade of a palm tree with a good book or float in a warm sea at sundown.”

I was hoping to get to do some of all of those things during our time in Playa del Carmen.