Mexico Vacation - Day 5

On day 5, Popo and Kong Kong decided that they were going to show Tyler and Cody the real Mexico since they've been out exploring the local sites on their own for a few days.

They decided that the local tourist market would be a good place to go. I decided to tag along for some cheap shopping experience(how wrong was I!!)

So, we hopped on the local bus, meandered around with a vague map and finally arrived at the Mercado 23(or some other random number). We spent the next few hours looking at more crafts and knick knacks and bargaining and arguing with vendors, trying to find the best deal.. and in the end, we still overpaid by a bunch! ha!! I guess, they do work the tourists everyday and we are seriously of no match to them.

I managed to pick up some bead bracelets, a cute wind chime, a top for Tyler and a hat for Cody. The kids were quite good and didn't throw any tantrums about buying anything. Years of NOT buying them anything is finally paying off!! :)

They finally did whine about being tired which seriously, i agree too!! Anyways, we did a last shopping stop at Walmart for some last minute grocery and headed back to the hotel.

It must have rained the rest of the day because there was no pictures/recollection about it!

All excited to be on the crazy bus

Tyler.. not so much

Cody and his Mexican hat

Stopping to fuel up for more shopping

Mommy, can we go yet..

No, we haven't checked out ALL the stalls yet

Going to catch the bus

Mexico Vacation - Day 4

Since the waves on our beach is too rough for the kids, we decided to check out another resort that we were originally going to stay at(they "upgraded" us) - the Royal Cancun. Because of where it is located in Cancun, it is known for its really calm beaches. And they were right!

 Royal Cancun is a little more low key and less swanky but is really nice and peaceful. They kids were so excited to see the calm sea that they waste no time running into it and saying "wow.. look, you can see the bottom!!!" 

Tyler immediately put on his snorkeling gear and was off. Cody who at that time still didn't quite get snorkeling(he said he can't breathe) needed a little more coaching and finally cracked it and enjoyed it after that. We also convinced Popo and Kong Kong to go snorkeling. We saw quite many schools of fishes and some rather big and colorful fishes and also some smaller baracudas!

It was a super hot day that we didn't get to use the other amenities like sailing etc. We stopped for a bit for lunch and after lunch the kids went to swim in the pool. We left about 3 pm for daily nap time.

And for staying at the resort, we got some free tickets to go see a dinner and show. Alan and I were supposed to go with the kids but Cody who had a little too much sun couldn't get out of bed in time. So, Tyler was pleased to be hanging with Mommy and Daddy for the night. The show itself poor and the food terrible, but it's free!! Tyler seemed to enjoy himself and still talks about the two clowns from the show.

View of Royal Cancun

Popo and KongKong

Didn't take them long

No waves to hit us!!

Enjoying the calm water with Popo

Trying out snorkeling gear

Me and my little snorkel buddy

Quite the pro

Giving it a thumbs up

Alan coaching Cody to snorkel

  

I love this picture of us

Finally cracked it

The boys!

Kong Kong in snorkel gear

Making sand castles

Kong Kong.. wait!!!

Showing Kong Kong where the Baracudas hide

Popo joins the fun

New buddy

Lunch time

Tyler and Daddy at the show

Dinner.. 

The clowns

One of the better acts

Tyler mesmerized

My way.. way.. (inside joke)

Another character in the show

Mexico Vacation - Day 3

After the hectic 2nd day, we decided to take it easy and hang around the beach and pool at our beautiful resort. No point going to a nice resort if you're not going to spend anytime there, is it!!

We just hung around the beach making sand castles, played a little in the water. After we find out that the sea is REALLY rough after being thrown about a few times, we decided that maybe the pool is a better choice. So, we head to the pool.

It was then the perfect opportunity for us to try out our spanking new water camera which turned out to be faulty!! :( I did get a few pictures of the kids in the pool but not great ones.

And to encourage the kids to eat, we introduced a new eating arrangement which is to eat lunch in the pool at the pool bar. They were plenty excited and thought it was the greatest thing!! It was great timing that we decided to stop for lunch as the skies just opened up and poured!! We were perfectly covered under the pool bar!

After lunch, we swam a little more before going down for a nap.

Popo and Kong-kong spent the day exploring the city of Cancun and came home with some prawns and fish!

Cody getting water for his sand castles

Kinda unexpected, but he decided to bury himself in sand.. all by himself.. all his idea

Trying out the sea

Wading in with Daddy, playing Bingo Waves

Picture with the boyx

Tyler trying out his snorkling mask

Splashed by water

Selfie

Here comes the wave!!!!

Cody so happy to be at the beach

Cody in the water

Alan and the boys

Tyler and I

JUMP!

How Cody looks like after a jump

Waiting for food at the pool bar

hello mommy..

Food's here!!

Relaxing by the pool

Building sand castle with Popo

We found these giant chairs while exploring the hotel grounds