The first month is confirmed, the deposit was mailed out on Tuesday. Xcalak is an exciting destination - about 20 years after I spotted it while studying the details of the map of Quintana Roo, when it was only accessible by boat. When I first went there 12 years ago, there was still no road and it took 3 days for the boat to gather enough people to make the trip from Chetumal, capital of Quintana Roo. I spent an amazing day snorkeling with Heather, my sister in law. It was her birthday, a beautiful and memorable one! So yes, I am looking forward to going back with my little family.
From Xcalak we will be heading inland to the state of Yucatan, to a horse ranch close to the town of Izamal. It will be a 6 hour drive and we might decide to make it in 2 days - with a pit stop in Felipe Carrillo Puerto - the home of the Yucatan peninsula Maya resistance. Still very much Maya to this day, I will teach the boys to properly greet the locals in their language - I'm sure it will earn them many big smiles.
The ranch is an 800 acre property owned by the Cervera family. With the growth of tourism in rural Yucatan, they decided to build a rental house on their land. It has 4 bedrooms, a pool, and a game room with pool table and ping pong. They have bikes, and of course the main attraction is the horse back riding available on the property. I am hoping that the boys will get comfortable with the horses, and learn about life on a farm. We will also work on our music while at the ranch - the perfect environment to play and write. The quiet rural Yucatan is what I seek when I go to Mexico, and this will be my candy. It is perfectly located, right in the centre of the state with fabulous sites to explore all around us. From archeological sites, to colonial architecture, cenotes and caves, wild life and the Rio Lagartos biosphere reserve, Merida, and so much more. Yay!
What's next? Telchac Puerto!
Somewhere between Izamal and Sudzal, Yucatan.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The journey
I am an optimist and I truly believe that if there is a will, there is a way. Most dreams can become reality, with much persistence and patience, one step after another. And so we are about to begin a new phase of our family life, firming-up our own set of rules, to own our chosen lifestyle. Our life together - this is it, there is no time to waste.
This long escapade is a great opportunity to improve many things - we are purging the house of the old and unwanted, planning some renos and improvements in preparation to sublet the house while we're away. We also have a new accountant who will help me set-up a sensible system to manage the businesses from Mexico. We will also improve our eating habits as our remote locations will require good food management - I am looking forward to that. I will explore local cooking and I might share a few yummy recipes on this blog as I go along, that would be fun.
So on the practical front we are at the house purging stage, and waiting for our contractor's quote for a new kitchen. Still so much to do just to have the house ready to welcome someone - there is also a lot of painting in our forecast! One step after another. We'll make it.
This long escapade is a great opportunity to improve many things - we are purging the house of the old and unwanted, planning some renos and improvements in preparation to sublet the house while we're away. We also have a new accountant who will help me set-up a sensible system to manage the businesses from Mexico. We will also improve our eating habits as our remote locations will require good food management - I am looking forward to that. I will explore local cooking and I might share a few yummy recipes on this blog as I go along, that would be fun.
So on the practical front we are at the house purging stage, and waiting for our contractor's quote for a new kitchen. Still so much to do just to have the house ready to welcome someone - there is also a lot of painting in our forecast! One step after another. We'll make it.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Here we go!
So it's all confirmed, our flights and car rental are booked ! (Kayak.com rocks - the car is only $12 a day). Arrival at the Cancun airport on November 14, and our first destination will be a quick 2 day stop at Playa del Carmen... a matter of necessity. Playa is home to the biggest grocery super store on the coast and since we have to stock-up for one month, it makes sense to make it our first pit stop. We will take the time to celebrate our big arrival, explore the quaint and touristy 5th avenue and enjoy the beautiful beach with our boys. A friend might lend us his condo... that would be nice. If we have to go to a hotel, it will be Riviera Caribe Maya on 10th ave., away from the crowd but walking distance from everything, nice pool and very friendly crew. Small and simple, I like that.
On the morning of the third day, we will go fill the car with food, and head down South to beautiful Xcalak. The little beach house we have rented is in the Xcalak National Reef Park, and it is fully equipped with kayaks and snorkeling equipment. The MesoAmerican Reef is the second longest reef in the world (724km), and its unique and shallow section called 'La Poza' is sitting right in front of our little house, about 300 meters from the beach. The house is off the grid, solar power with generator, and that is where we will adapt to our escapade lifestyle... the four of us, and the sea.
On the morning of the third day, we will go fill the car with food, and head down South to beautiful Xcalak. The little beach house we have rented is in the Xcalak National Reef Park, and it is fully equipped with kayaks and snorkeling equipment. The MesoAmerican Reef is the second longest reef in the world (724km), and its unique and shallow section called 'La Poza' is sitting right in front of our little house, about 300 meters from the beach. The house is off the grid, solar power with generator, and that is where we will adapt to our escapade lifestyle... the four of us, and the sea.
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