Cage diving with great white sharks at Guadalupe Island with Islander Charters was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. Their beauty, grace and body language are far beyond anything I imagined possible. Continue reading
Tomorrow, I will embark on a cage diving adventure with Islander Charters. I’ve always been adventurous but marine life has been my greatest fear. Even small, harmless fish have made me nervous about being in the water. I’ve come a long way since my days of running from minnows. I’ve had encounters with dolphins, beluga whales, whale sharks, Galapagos sharks, manta rays, sting rays, seals, and reef sharks but nothing has compared to this. I’m about to face my fears head on. Continue reading
I assumed parents sent their kids to the kids club so they could relax and get rid of them for the day. I couldn’t figure out why these parents would have children if they never spent any time with them. Oh how naive I was. I love spending time with Athena. I prefer to have her with me when we’re on vacation, especially if it’s just the two of us. She’s fun to be around and she makes my day better in every way. Without brothers and sisters, though, sometimes I just can’t cut it as a friend or playmate for her. She wants to spend time with kids her age and experience new things from a different perspective. She learns from them and enjoys the same level interaction. That’s what a kids club gives her that I can’t. When we’re on vacation, I try to find a balance between letting Athena discover things for herself and exploring together. The Little Big Club at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun allowed us to have the perfect balance of family time and discovery on our own. Continue reading
Most of my greatest memories as a child and as an adult were at the beach. Well into my adult life, one beach was the main place of joy and happiness for my entire family. Just hearing the name Black Brook Beach in Ingonish, Nova Scotia brings a smile to my face. Boogie boarding in the massive waves there was a huge part of my life. Even my grandmother who is petrified of the water, or maybe more what’s in the water, would join us in the waves at Black Brook. We’d have chicken fights and build sand castles and BBQ hot dogs. It’s my version of the perfect day. When I heard about the death of two of my family members this week, I immediately made my way to the beach. I was more than 2000 miles away from my family but the ocean connected us.
A few years ago, I attempted to swim with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium. I was petrified and without enough warning to do anything productive, I passed out in the tank. My journey with the gentle giants ended in darkness, cut short by my fear and denial. One of the activities offered from Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is swimming with whale sharks in the ocean and I jumped at the opportunity to redeem myself after my epic fail with whale sharks the last time. Continue reading
I arrived at Grand Residences Cancun yesterday and I was expecting a beautiful suite with an ocean view, it is Cancun after all, but I wasn’t expecting the size of my suite, what I found on the terrace or the extent of the vistas. Color me impressed with Grand Residences. The suite is in the top five best suites I’ve ever experienced and the views make me want to stay up 24 hours a day. Continue reading
My recent visit to Club Med Cancun Yucatan gave me an intense workout and allowed me to live an extended weekend of bucket list adventures. While others enjoyed sun bathing on the white sandy beaches, swimming in the refreshing pools, swaying gently on one of the many hammocks, sipping specially made cocktails, or relaxing at the spa, I often missed meals or grabbed something on the go because I wanted to take in as many activities as humanly possible. Have you tried them all? Which ones are on your list? Continue reading
I spent the last three days at Club Med Cancun and there are so many great activities and opportunities that I’ve been going non-stop. I haven’t even thought about posting. I’ve been too busy windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, swinging on the trapeze, dancing, singing, and partying to send a post. There’s so much to come, I don’t know where to start but I wanted to share a sample of my trip so far. In only two full days, this is what I was able to accomplish. What draws you the most? Continue reading
After returning from an ocean view suite at Hard Rock Riviera Maya, I realized that Hard Rock properties are my favorite all-inclusive hotels. It’s simple; they have the best, most friendly service, modern, creative rooms, kick-ass entertainment and amenities, and better dining options than most cities. I thought it was just Hard Rock Puerto Vallarta that I loved, but Hard Rock Riviera Maya is equally impressive. From the time you drive through the gates, you are a rock star! Other all-inclusive hotels should use Hard Rock as a benchmark for hospitality. Continue reading
You’d think drinking and partying all day and night would be awesome and easy but I tried it and failed terribly. Just like everyone assumes I have the most awesome job in the world where all I do it travel, post a few photos, and a couple words here and there and I’m set, the life of a rock star is hard. Two days ago, I had a plan. I was going to drink all day and party all night. Why not? I did it very successfully for four years in university. What’s changed? Nothing, right? I’m at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya and all the essentials are at my finger tips: all inclusive alcohol and whatever brands I want, the best nightlife in the country and at any all-inclusive resort that I’ve visited, a cool DJ, friends, and Heaven bar as the venue. It was the ideal combination for the ultimate drinking party yet I didn’t even make it to the starting point. What went wrong? I got over-confident and not in any of the right ways.
Bucket List Publications 