Mexico – Cancun 29/11/16 – 3/12/16

Nearly 4 weeks in Mexico and we arrive on the Caribbean Coast of Cancun at the top of the Yucatan peninsula. Another 5 hour bus journey followed by a 30 minute cab ride and we got to the Grand Oasis Pyramid resort, and it’s getting hotter, it’s 30’+. Once out of the cab we were shown into an “exclusive” check in desk, our keys given and paperwork sorted all within 5 minutes and then ventured to our room – number 5515. This place is huge, with 5 buildings and where staying in its central and largest building the pyramid. We opened the door and was instantly taken back, as we had an ocean view on the top floor, looking out over the resort and out to the sea. Views are amazing! We knew what we have booked was something special as this week marks our anniversary of 1 years travel. What we booked was a junior suite with lagoon view and somehow we had been upgraded! Our suite was massive and included lounge furniture, dining table and chairs, a huge California King bed and outdoor balcony furniture. Our bathroom, wowsers, had a huge double shower, huge Jacuzzi bathtub, massive vanity sink and bidet, very posh indeed. We even have a well stocked mini bar in the fridge (included). We have booked 5 nights all inclusive at this resort, which boasts 29 restaurants and 18 bars, (including 4 night clubs), a host of organised activities for day and night, and is based on the beach. Pure luxury all for NZ $600 pp, that’s around £300 pp, what a bargain.
When we got over our amazement of our room, we headed straight into the resort, (without even unpacking – and that’s a first for us). Our black wristband securely fixed in place, we headed straight for where the music was coming from, the Beach Club area. There is a hearty breeze blowing but at least that keeps the air temperature down to a bearable 30’, as the sun is strong. Tequila sunrises in hands and we just sat at the beach bar in total amazement, overlooking the azure blue ocean with its waves crashing on the very fine white sandy beach. Everybody and I mean everybody are in their swimwear dancing to pumping tunes from one of the resorts many resident D.J’s, some just relaxing/lying around on the various white sunbeds. When I say sunbeds I mean king size beds with white linen on them, all scattered around the Beach Club area. This place is soooo beautiful. After a few welcome drinks we headed back to our room, rested a wee while then out again. In the centre of the pyramid is a huge 6 story foyer/atrium/lobby with a sunken stage in its centre. When we arrived we were in absolute awe of this atrium as it had tropical “live” plants and trees surrounding the stage, and extending up to the 6th floor, it looked like a giant greenhouse! However once back in our room, we heard some brilliant classical music being played/sung and thought it was just the lobby music. However when we ventured out again, the whole of the inside of the pyramid was lit up in dazzling colours. Looking over our 5th floor inner balcony we could see there was actually a show on the stage with colours everywhere bouncing of the walls and glass ceiling, and the music was wonderful. We had however missed the show and only able to view it’s closing finale. Not to worry as there is a different show every night and its called the Red Circus, so can’t wait for tomorrow. Our evening was spent with pre dinner cocktails and nibbles followed by an Italian restaurant, then a live Latino Cabaret show in the “Kinky Nightclub”, yes that’s it’s name, and 1 of 4… nightclubs in the resort. Fantastic cabaret show with lights, dancing, singing, comedy acts and wonderful costumes. We followed this by going to the Coyote Bar where we continued our cocktail drinking and danced the night away until the wee hours. Blimey our first day here and we had consumed our monies worth already.
We then spent the day next couple of days lazing around the massive resort length pool, hopping on and off the beach and in and out of the ocean. Had breakfast in 1 , lunch in another, then a glorious evening meal in yet another restaurant. One night we went to the steak house, this steak house was like no other I had been too. Yep the salads and veg were buffet style, however the steaks are brought to you on huge skewers and carved in front of you, at your table. Not just steaks, but chicken, lamb, pork, turkey, and sausage – they just keep bringing it. What a great business idea, all you can eat steak house buffet! There’s also free drinks by the bucket load, and a huge dessert table if you can fit it in. We were also able to get front row seats at tonights Red Circus show in the foyer, with bubbles to drink. Magnificent show, lights, costumes, music it was sooooooooo AWESOME. If you can imagine a ballet, Cirque de Sole, traditional Mexican and Spanish drumming music all mixed together with costumes made from every fluorescent colour imaginable and a light show illuminating the entire inside of the pyramid, then your nearly there as to what we witnessed. It was memorizing.
There’s even a coffee shop on site where they make “real coffee”. We opted for a delicious mug of Tiramisu-Chocolate-Coffee, piping hot and so very naughty but very very tasty. This place, is so luxurious, lavish and extreme, it’s like no other all inclusive that I’ve ever been to before.
On our 4th day we decided to take a trip to MUSA so we’re advised to be at Aqua world by 9am. Once there we were given life jackets and snorkel equipment and were loaded onto the Aqua Twister boat. Musa is an underwater museum between the coast of Cancun and the lovely island Isla Mujeres. Our jet boat powered it’s way through the Caribbean Sea for around 20 minutes until we were in what looked like the middle of nowhere. We were then asked to put our fins on and get into the water as we were at our destination. There were 13 of us on this group tour as 1 by 1 we were in the sea swimming around. 2 guides joined us and we had to stay together as we started snorkelling. Wow we were soon above the most spectacular structures ever, even at one stage a full sized submerged VW Beetle car. Amazing, the tropical fish encircling around it in their droves. As we swam further we came across more and more sculptures all lying at the bottom of the ocean, covered in algae with a never ending stream of fish going by. Great fun indeed. Musa has over 400 sunken sculptures forming an artificial reef. Other than our group there weren’t many others so we got a FULL guided tour of its surroundings, which lasted about 45 minutes. Obviously we didn’t get round the whole museum as it is spread over a few kms, but what we did get to see was pretty good. The sea was warm, the sun shining down brightly, making perfect viewing of around 25m distance, and the majority of the exhibits were only 9m down from the surface of the sea.
Once back on the boat our captain sped us to another part of the ocean. This was to the Great Mayan Reef which is an underwater National Park which shelters more than 300 species of colourful fish. Again we got back into the water and spent the next 45 minutes snorkelling with the most amazing colourful tropical fish ever – they were everywhere swimming very closely to us indeed. Back on the boat our captain then took us to the beautiful Isla Mujeres. This small island is surrounded by very clear waters like no other I have seen. We disembarked on the very lovely Playa Notra beach, which is said to be one of the top 10 beaches of the World. Very peaceful and tranquil, just our group and maybe another dozen people or so scattered around. Our group decided to stay in the very warm, pleasant, white sandy beach line, swimming around. It was gorgous and we even got to stay there for about 30 minutes.
The boat served beverages so back on the boat again we had our 3rd beer as the captain made his was back to our base. However he had one more surprise in store for us. As we were on the jet boat, he treated us to a very fast boat ride with many 360’ turns. Wow, Fab, what we were experiencing, we were going to buy tickets for it for tomorrow. No need now as we were racing through the Caribbean Sea at great speed aboard a small but fantastic speed boat, beer in hand, what more could anyone want.
The ½ day tour lasted around 4 ½ hours in total and cost USA $45 pp plus an extra USA $10 pp for docking fees, that around NZ $80 pp or GB £40 pp. What a bargain and with as much beer as you could drink.
Back at our resort we both had a hunger like a beast, so headed straight into one of the restaurant and had a great feast before heading back to our room where we fell asleep not waking for 2 hours. This resort life certainly takes it out of you.
Another night another restaurant and yet another show. Wow again that show was absolutely stunning. Imagine acrobats in very highly coloured fluorescent costumes dancing to sounds not too unfamiliar to Enigma, then your there. From start to finish we were in awe, the light show in itself was very impressive, everything glowing radiating every colour imaginable across the stage, into the audience and high Into the rafters. Tonight’s show represented a jungle scene, with butterflies, birds and even a 6ft iguana frolicking around the stage. At one point 2 performers were dressed as gigantic parrots floated around the stage, brightly coloured yet they must have been 10m tall in their costumes. Very very impressive. We reserved front row seats which cost USA $10 pp and included a couple of glasses of campers, very well worth it. Tonight’s restaurant after the show was a Mexican inspired affair, again another gastronomical delight, washed down with a few cocktails. We were halfway through our dinner and suddenly 4 dancers/singers appeared from nowhere in national costume and gave us a lovely mexican show. This place is amazing, throughout the day and night you turn a corner and there’s something going off, including impromptu shows etc, there’s so much to see and do here.
We’ve not ventured out of our resort except for the snorkelling trip to the museum, but that’s for a good reason. This resort has everything you could ever want for, bars, restaurants, nightclubs even shops. Yes it has a thriving beat 24 hours a day, but there are pockets where you can just sit, relax and chill out without the vibe and pumping music. This place really does have it all. We stayed early Dec, and although it’s classed as a “shoulder season” it was great, it still had the sun and fun but without the hoards of people, and it’s normal hearty price tag. I would totally recommend this resort to families, couples of any age, honeymooners or even solo travellers.