Feliz Ano Neuvo

Happy New Year!

We had a great New Year's here in Progreso since Anne Marie, Mike and Cooper are here to celebrate with us.

They flew into Cancun on Dec 28 and we went in on the bus to meet them. This time we splurged and decided to try the Plantinum Service which is the top of the line service here in Mexico. This bus is very fancy in that there are only 25 seats on the bus each like a huge recliner with your individual tv monitor with lots of English movies and audio.The bus was full with about half tourists and the other half well dressed Mexicans.

We met them at their hotel on the beach in Cancun which was amazing! I have never seen a nicer beach since it was wide, clean with the most beautiful color of water. The hotel was also nice. It was very windy in Cancun so it was too cold to go in the water so we went across the street to a big open air mall which seemed to be full of activities for kids as they were out in abundance. This area of Cancun was definitely not a party spot!

The huge infinity pool...

Cancun beach...

I don`t about this, I haven`t seen sand and water like this before.

The next day we took the regular bus back to Progreso, with Cooper having his own seat and he was very proud of that. Since they didn't have his car seat he gets to sit up and look at everything and he seems quite pleased with himself.

I never want to see my car seat again,this is much cooler!

Once we arrived in Progreso four and a half hours later we took a taxi back to the house. This taxi was made for four but the driver fit 6 of us in as well as all the luggage tied with a bungay cord. It cost us 24 CAD to go over 40 kms.

Now to fit all this in,good thing we have bungay cords...

Since our company has been here we are now on Cooper time, meaning we plan our day around his naps which works for all of us. We get to sit out at the pool with him and then when he sleeps we get to enjoy the sun as well. It has been 30 plus since they came with high humidity so the sun is hot and the pool refreshing.

How about me in my floatie?

The grown ups enjoying the pool as well...

We have also gone to Happy Hour at Bar Louvento, our favourite place. Drinks are cold and cheap as well as always meeting someone to talk with.

Pop and Cooper at the bar. Cooper is dancing to the salsa music..

New Year's Eve we took the local bus into Merida to a uppity store called Liverpool. We looked around, had a snack and then came back on the bus. All we need to do is wait for a few minutes and when we see the bus coming stick out your hand and it will stop. Wish there was cheap public transit like that at home!

Cooper has the back of the bus to himself..

The food court had a French bistro in a Mexcian mall serving Chinese buffet!

This mall had an ice rink,we wondered if it was a Leafs farm team!

We celebrated New Year`s Eve with some drinks and ribs which were delicious ( no photo ). Also some champagne to ring in the New Year.

Don and Anne Marie on the front porch wishing Mary Ellen a Happy New Year!

We may have had a quiet night but not our Mexican neighbours as they love firecrackers, fireworks and loud noises. So all night long there were loud noises, music and parties everywhere well into the morning. We asked about the New Year`s traditions and were told the food most eaten is baccalo,salt fish, and the most popular drink is spiced rum. In every neighbourhood they build an old man out of straw and burn it at midnight to indicate the old year is gone and the new year is here. They also eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month to bring good luck. I wish we had been out around as I would have gotten some pics but not this time.

In Mexico New Year`s Day is a national holiday and most families head to the beach so we also headed down to the malecon and could not believe the people. The vendors were out, the beach was full and the restaurants were crowded. We stopped into Buddy`s for a snack and watched the scene unfold.

Families by the pier enjoying the hot weather...

Even the old ladies were enjoying the day...

This guy was making bracelets with names on them. Seemed to be a popular item and they were quite colorful.

Lunch at Buddy's

Cooper given his blond curls and outgoing pesonality is a hit wherever he goes and today was no exception as he attracted attention everywhere we went. A few pictures to show his admirers...

Look at his blond curls...

Enjoying a laugh with my new friend...