Secrets Maroma Beach .. here we come!

Several months back, I came up with this idea... which became a plan .. and now a reality. Bringing together many of my friends/peers that work together at some level, and head to Mexico! Many know I go there often, many have never been. Well, we just changed that! Seven of us (couples) jumped into the fray; game on! Picked a nice all adult AI (All Inclusive), everyone locked in their vaca' time, got a travel agent to coordinate this for the whole group. Fourteen all together rolling in. Looking forward to meeting some of the wives I've never had the opportunity to meet prior. Viva la' Mexico! Secrets Maroma Beach, here we come.....

Paradise!

Two days prior. Mama picking out bathing suits and dresses. Me, I'm counting bills for tips ($2 bills) and for downtown to 5th Avenue (Pesos and more Pesos!). We've been doing Airbnb's now down there for quite a few years, so I've gotten more accustomed to bringing down Pesos (though USD works as well). When on the resorts, normally just used USD. However, had a stash of pesos tucked away from the last few trips. Score!

Cash is King!

Thursday is here.... less than 24 hours to go. Lucy and I head out for mani/pedis which has become part of our pre travel routine. Head over to the barbershop and Carrie trims me up. I haven't even started packing yet. But tonight, we're planning on dinner at Molinas for Mexican Food and margaritas. Yep, another pre-Mexico routine!

Traveling with the Fosters this trip and Darla had a brilliant idea about custom gifts for each. Lucy comes up with idea of customizing "Yeti" cups for everyone on the trip so today is the day they are done. Darla's daughter Kailynn has knocked it out of the park again, as always. Now the question is, what's the best way to get them there? We don't check in luggage, so it's not a simple solution. We shall see! Turns out in a simple Secrets bag from a previous trip. They don't question the 'third' carry on bag. When we get there we hand them out to all the folks coming in. They are a big hit and it's sets the tone for the rest of the trip We traveled down in First Class as did all the others. Again, sets the mood/tone.

First Night.. this place is beautiful

It's Friday and we are all checked in at various times. Dallas folks get there first with Rob showing up last. We're all doing different dinner locations at the resort, but it all works out. Seaside restaurant it is for group I'm in! Steaks... rocked! After dinner we all connect up as much as possible. In the end, we're all beat from a day of travel, great dinner, few drinks.

Dinner is Served! (Seaside Grill)

Saturday. We wake up in our awesome swim out Suite. Then some room service for breakfast that I've come to truly enjoy at these AI's. I've been upgraded to a Presidential suite, Riss has been upgraded to 'front' row Swim-out in building 17 and all the others are next to us in building 16; swim-out suites. I was concerned they would have us spread all over the resort but the resort folks had their act together. Best they could do was two buildings. Can you imagine if we'd all been in one? Well, we head to the the larger group and we're swimming in their pool. I wasn't aware of it at the time, but it'll turn out to the be the warmest body of water at the resort due to the positioning for max sunlight. We've soon got all 14 of us in there, with a surprise visit by the folks in room 1614. They are into 'less is more' and the wife is in a skimpy thong and topless... their whole trip. I've experienced the topless thing before, but she took it to the next level flauting it in the pool... their back patio area.... both undressing completely with curtains open. We've all decided they are swingers, but ....... barking up the wrong tree(s). We'll see her later on the property walking around topless; this is a first. Problem was (besides the obvious) she wasn't really pulling it off. Her body has seen better days but she was trying hard. Good news is, they left the following day. Us, we headed to the main pool area for an outside dinner for all, with awesome Mexican music and a full-blown show. . Follow on to the Preferred club for drinks and socializing.. .then ... pulled the plug

Morning #1

View from our room's "backyard"

Sunday is here and we opt for the building 17's pool What a gorgeous morning. I snuck over to the Preferred Beach club for an incredible breakfast by myself. The view and service is over the top. Breakfast is "Texas Eggs." Killer steak and some over easy Huevos! Then back to the room and most make it over for the group swim. It had the best view facing the ocean/ beach, but damned that water must have been 3-5 degrees cooler than the previous day! Still we make it work and stay in there upwards of four hours. Then we all break off into dinners at different restaurants, mine being the Seaside Grill that evening for some awesome steak dinners. We head to the theatre for some Jersey boys and then once again we'd find ourselves at the preferred club.

Hanging out in 16's swim out pool

17's pool. Someone say Mango Margarita??

Monday, we change it up. Three of the guys head out early for some golf, while the rest of us headed downtown to Playa for the walk down 5th avenue. After 90 minutes of shopping and a quick stop for a marg (hey...it's my thing!), found ourselves at Mexico Loco for tacos and seafood. We were here back in '16 and knew we were in for a treat. After some great drinks and food, worked our way out for some more shopping and back to the resort. After a dinner with the Fosters we make it to "The Rock Show" at the theater on site that was nothing short of awesome! Dave really got into it all (he plays the drums) setting the mood! From there it's the upstairs Lobby where we stumble into "silent disco" which seemed really dumb at first but had EVERYONE dancing and singing .... to themselves with headsets, with us all listening to different tunes from three different sources; you had to see it to believe it. Hot and Sweaty .. we call it a night.

Tuesday we take it to a new level on the beach. Monday the Foster's had discovered the Bali beds, getting a few hours free. Today, we both got one enjoying the whole day with a nice breeze, sunshine and shade as you wanted it and great service. Spoiled! Rob and Carolyn found us and joined the mix with a third Bali bed. They were smiling like the rest of us. Eventually it's time to clean up and grab a bite; tonight is the Hibachi where all but two made it. Food rocked, atmosphere was spot on and a good time by all attending. Beautiful night out so we spend it at the lobby bar's outside patio. Perfecto'.

Wednesday is upon us and we're headed back to the beach where we'll have three bali beds in the nix and others joining us on the loungers. Lunch will be at the Preferred Club beach club which has become an awesome place for breakfast and/or lunch. This is our last night and we'll spend it on the beach with all 14 of us in attendance for one last hoorah. The moon is out, breeze is making itself known but the champagne is flowing, wine is being poured and a great meal is being served even with Lobster for those that chose it. After a 4 course meal, we finally hit the wall. Exhausted, Lucy and I head back to the room.

Time to leave. Thursday got here way too soon. Clear out the room charges, head to the lobby where we meet up with the rest of the Dallas folks and we're on the way to Cancun to fly out. It was the fastest trip there traffic wise I've ever had. There were no lines inside for the ticket counters to check in luggage. No lines in Security. No wait at Air Margaritaville.. Could it get better? Why yes, we're loaded up into a 787 with true first class seats for all and we're headed home.

Another awesome trip in the books. This one is one of the best trips I've ever had to Mexico. The bar has been raised!