Save the best for last

Today is our last day in Playa del Carmen.  It's bitter sweet, leaving a place we only just discovered and fell in love with completely.  It's been 2 months here, but the time just doesn't satisfy.  In Playa, you really can melt into the place and not just from the heat.  The place feels small, manageable, warm, welcoming, safe, and familiar.  It's just like I always imagined the best beach town should be. 

With beautiful pool and grounds outside of our balcony, our condo also overlooks the Caribbean.  With a short stair climb to the penthouse balcony you can clearly see Cozumel Island in the distance.  We watched the ferries shuffling back and forth to the Island like clockwork in calm and rough weather alike.  A couple of days during our stay the harbor was closed.  We may not have noticed but the dive shops are shut down for the day and a couple of Andy's dive days were scrapped.  Best to be safe.

As usual when we are preparing to leave a place we do not venture far into the unknown the last week or so.  Rather, we spend the week circling back to beloved finds we experienced along the way.  This past week was no different.  We visited some of our favorite restaurants like Bovinos for a big meal out and De Local for the best, and I mean the best, empanadas I have ever eaten.  (Apologies to Andy's Mom who makes a mean empanada!)  But at De Local, they are special. 

We have also been visiting some of our favorite bars.  We love Zenzi  and found ourselves there with our feet stuck in the sand with a shot of tequila and a beer at least once a week.  We took everybody there that would care to go with us.  The thing about Zenzi is that the food is great.  It shouldn't be.  And the drinks should be expensive, but they never are.  The bands in the evening are cheezy.  And they should be!  I am sure on our return to Playa next year this will be our first stop.

A serious love we will not be able to love on before our departure is a trip to the islands.  Both Isla Mujeres and Cozumel were visits from the mainland that we are so happy to not have missed.  But we have a taste of those and will be back.  And the best for last?  Tonight we will spend the evening at our fave, Fusion.  Everything a beach bar should be, no more, and no less.  We spent at least one evening a week here. And the best for last once again with our feet in the sand, beer, tequila, and a moon rise.  Tomorrow, we will be back in the City.

PRO TIP:  Attached to Fusion is Aloha Paddle Club.  You can rent online and these guys are great.  They offer instruction and also have early rise group for paddle boarding.  Andy did great!  Me?  I need practice.

The great (& practical) gifts for the working traveler in your life

Take it from us.... 

There are lots ideas for the gift giving season for the traveler in your life.  But let’s talk about the practical gifts your favorite traveler will be guaranteed to use and love you for it.  We use these products and have found them to come in handy over and over again as we cross the Americas.  If these gifts are not trending on Amazon, I guarantee you they should be!

PRO TIP     Amazon is great for delivering packages internationally.  They are the most dependable delivery provider we have found to date.  If you put in the address of where the item(s) is to be delivered, once you click on an item the site will tell you if it’s available for delivery to that location!    Also note the additional Shipping & Import fees for the item you selected will appear here.

PRO TIP  Many people don't realize that Amazon does have international sites available for purchasing items your traveler will love.  For example, many times we will order from AMAZON MEXICO  They also offer Prime shipping service and you can forego the import fees here.  Amazon does not have all of the same items on each site, so we normally check both sites to find the product we need and how to get it to us for the least cost.  We own every item on this list and love each and every one.  From big ticket items to stocking stuffers, we know the traveler in your life would love them too.  So here goes the list!

THE MUST HAVES.  IF YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU LIKE, CLICK IT!

If you have any questions at all about the items on this list, just let us know.  We will certainly speak from our experience!