About a month ago, Darren and I decided it was time for a little rest and relaxation. He’s been working round the clock for ages and I’ve had one cold after the next not to mention I’m pregnant and chasing David around while he explores the world. We first considered taking the little guy with us but after careful consideration we felt he was a bit too young still to sit quietly on the plane. Plus, both sets of grandparents were all too eager to watch him while we jetted off to paradise. We weren’t sure where we wanted to end up but the only criteria was to be in a warm, tropical setting. After much research, we decided on the Excellence Playa Mujeres resort in Mexico for a 6 day/5 night escape.
Sunday morning we headed off to the airport and many hours later we arrived in Cancun. The sun was shining, the humidity was high and the winds were breezy. We sailded through immigration and managed to find the shortest line to clear customs. After a short wait for our transportation van, we were on our way to the resort which was about an hour from the airport and about 20-30 minutes north of the strip hotels of Cancun. When we pulled up we were warmly greeted by the staff with a cool washcloth to wipe our hands and face and a glass of champagne. After a smooth check-in, we made our way to our room, a beautiful swim-out suite with a view of the lazy river and the spa. We had our own private outdoor lounging space with two lounges and a daybed for relaxing. The room was spacious and stocked with all the amenities you would need. Our goal this trip was to relax and have some downtime so I requested a ‘quiet’ room. The hotel obliged and 
kept us away from the hustle and bustle of the theater and bars. While it was a short walk to the restaurants and the beach, it was just what we wanted. Serenity.
We’ve spent our days relaxing either by the pool (of which there are 7) or on the beach. The ocean is nothing spectacular. I prefer the water and the beach in Aruba and St. Maarteen to to the beach in Cancun but it was still nice. The hotel is an all-inclusive so everything is at your disposal. There are eight different restaurants to choose from with a large variety of cuisine offered. Breakfast is buffet style and lunch is an option of a la carte menu at certain restaurants or buffet at the main restaurant. For an all-inclusive resort, we’ve found the food to be better than average in most cases. Breakfast by far has surpassed any other buffet we’ve been to in terms of variety and quality. Dinner options vary and some restaurants are better than others but overall we’d give the food a thumbs up.
The only disappointment we’ve experienced is the weather. The first two days were magnificent. Sun and a few clouds made for perfect days. But today and yesterday there are thick clouds and some spotty rain. It hasn’t forced us inside all day but it has put a damper on our tanning and pool time. Since the weather is less than ideal we opted to play billiards, jenga and chess in the game room and then hit the spa for an afternoon. I even managed to get Darren to try the spa experience. I had a prenatal massage and a facial. Both were excellent. Darren had a hydrotherapy experience which was a circuit rotation through the steam room, sauna, warming pools and various other water therapy treatments. Afterward, he said ‘not a fan’.
Overall, we both would give the resort an 8.5 rating. The rooms are spacious and beautiful with all the amenities you would want. The staff is very accommodating although at times service levels can be a little hit or miss. The grounds are beautiful and meticulously maintained. My only complaint is the mosquitoes. They are out in abundance and I have a ton of bites to prove it. The resort does provide bug spray for the outdoor restaurants but it didn’t prevent me from being bitten alive all day long. Thank goodness I brought some insect creams to treat my bites. Despite the bugs, Darren and I would highly recommend this vacation destination to anyone. It is a great place for anyone wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of their daily lives or for anyone celebrating a special occasion such as a honeymoon or anniversary.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all. Today is the day to spread love to all. I celebrated my second Valentine’s Day with mommy & daddy last night with a special dinner out at their favorite sushi restaurant, Japan Inn in Bronxville. We had to go on the early side because I’m not so good when I’m out too late but that didn’t matter. I was a little edgy and didn’t want to eat my teriyaki chicken skewer but oh well. I think they still managed to enjoy their slightly less than romantic dinner with me tagging along. When we got home we all exchanged cards and Daddy gave mommy a beautiful necklace. Mommy was super disappointed that her gift for Daddy did not arrive on time because the blizzard delayed shipping. But she’s confident Daddy will love our gift when it arrives later this week. Daddy also gave mommy a treat by letting her sleep in just a bit while he got up bright and early to play with me. Judging by the smiles and happiness on their faces this weekend, I think they are enjoying Valentine’s Day.
I’m back after a brief hiatus. Mommy and Daddy took a much needed break from life and escaped up to Manchester/Bromley Vermont for some rest and relaxation while I was spoiled rotten by Grandma and Grandpa. I honestly didn’t miss a beat with mom and dad gone but I did have big smiles for them when they returned. While they were gone, I hit another big milestone….I turned 15 months old. Monday afternoon, Mommy and I went to the doctor for my check up and things are going great although I didn’t want to be there in the slightest. I cried from the moment I went into the examination room until I left. Mom would like to think it was because it was close to nap time but I think I remembered being there weeks before when I was sick. Either way, I was not a happy camper. The nurse, however, was very patient as I wiggled all over the table while she tried to measure and weigh me. In the end, she got what she needed. I grew an inch since my last visit and am now 31 1/4 inches long and 22 lbs 8 oz. Still on the lean side but all healthy and normal. I’m not walking yet but I’m talking up a storm. I have about 8 words now: ma, da/daddy, pa, car, street (for Sesame Street), down, train, and ter ter (computer). I am making strides towards walking but I’m not quite comfortable with it yet. I’m starting to stand by myself without holding onto things so I’m confident a few steps will be happening in the coming weeks. I am sure Mommy is tired of lugging me around all day and will welcome my ability to walk on my own. I am however, going to make her wait just a little bit longer……
Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners’ The Media Kitchen is promoting Darren Herman to the newly created position of chief digital media officer.
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