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Caribbean Living Magazine goes to the Riviera Maya!!

Live your dreams…

Lorie and Paul’s Adventure with Caribbean Living Magazine continues…

Our last day … maybe?

Paul and I wake up at about 7 a.m. –

It is cold, windy and early.

But as I look outside, I see what looks like a sliver of blue sky.

I’m mostly excited but a little bummed–we are,  suppose to

leave  and fly back to L.A. this afternoon …

and now the weather’s clearing up?!  

Bad timing…

 

We head outside and meet Peta and Andrew

for our last photoshoot of the trip.

Standing outside,  I’m trying to figure

out which direction the weather is

going – is it blowing more clouds in

or is it blowing them away making

room for the sun??

It was hard to tell at this point…

Peta was heading out to visit the site

of  the designated charity for the

Riviera Maya.

{Caribbean Living Magazine chooses a

charity in every location they visit

and donates a percentage of the profits

to that charity .  Awesome!!!!}

 

Paul and I asked if we could tag along, so we

jump in the van and head out to the

site of  Un Hogar Con Amor – which will

be a small community providing homes for

under-aged, at-risk children.

Although the project is not yet complete and

only a few of the houses have been built – we

were able to see  and hear what a wonderful

charity this is and the amazing potential is has.

 

What this group of people are doing is truly inspirational!

 

Once we returned to the Paraiso we had to

pack up and check out – we decided to meet for

some final margaritas before heading to the airport.

It’s about noon and the weather is improving –

(And I’m thinking we should totally stay!!

Skip the flight – and stay!!)

 

Paul’s looking at me, knowing –

that I’m thinking we should stay?!?

(He’s seen this look before…)

 

In the end, the wind finally forced out clouds

and we had a sun-shiny day – at last!

 

Peta, Andrew, Paul and I have a wonderful time relaxing

in the sun and enjoying the final moments of our trip together.

During this time Paul and I (mostly I.. ) decided to

reschedule flight and stay for three extra nights.

 

We just couldn’t leave the Riviera Maya yet –

no way !! Not now that the sun had come out!!!

Lorie and Paul’s Adventure with Caribbean Living Magazine continues…

Day Five:

 

We were able to sleep in a little bit

today before we packed up and checked

out of the fabulous Hacienda Tres Rios.

 

 

It has been a memorable stay and Paul and I

are already looking forward to coming

back someday – really soon!!

 

 

We do have one more night in the Riviera Maya

and we are spending it at the Paraiso De la Bonita.

 

The Paraiso is a smaller boutique hotel located on

right on the water.

 

It’s a beautifully designed hotel –

with a very Balinese feel to it.

 

Unfortunately, the weather had

gone from bad – to worse!!

It was really cold, raining and blowing out!!

 

We had lunch at Kaax, restaurant ( pronounced

“Caash,” which is a Mayan word meaing Jungle.)

I guess this is why there were murals of wild jungle

animals on every wall ?!

Then we spent the afternoon shooting photos on the property.

It was a seriously freezing outside — so we decided to relax

and warm up in our rooms for the rest of the day.

 

The rooms are incredibly designed, the bathroom is especially

unique –he tub is made of stone and sunk into the ground.

Very cool.

 

 

We all met for a delicious meal in La Canoa, the

Hotels premium AAA Four Diamond restaurant –

our last night in Mexico.

 

We ate until we couldn’t move and called it a night…

I think that the week of action packed days had worn us

out – plus we had to get up early for our last photoshoot

of the trip.

 

 

 

 

Lorie and Paul’s Adventure with Caribbean Living Magazine continues…

Day Four:

I woke up bright and early –

I ran out to the balcony hoping to find

a sun-shiny day. But again more rain.

 

This discovery didn’t stop us however,

we packed our wet –weather gear, enjoyed

a quick breakfast and met Itzel in the lobby.

 

 

Today we are heading to Xel-ha, an outdoor-open

sea aquarium – similar to Sea World, but larger

and is set in a naturally beautifully environment.

 

The property is huge! You can walk through

orchids, hang out on hammock island, swim

in cenotes, snorkel, take an inner tube down

a river –you can even swim with dolphins!

 

And we did!

 

In the 5 years Paul and I have been together –this

might have been the coolest thing we have done!

(Years ago we hung out with a huge pod of dolphins

while surfing in Australia. They were swimming under

our boards and surfing waves. Very cool! )

 

But this experience was unbelievable!

 

We were able to touch them, hug them –

their trainer even had them give us each a smooch

on the cheek. This was simply the best part of the

trip so far!!

 

 

We were so pumped up after we left the dolphins –

we just had to have a margarita and recap this

fabulous experience.

 

 

Yes … you can drink at theme parks in Mexico –

awesome!!

 

 

Honestly, we didn’t really want to leave –

Paul and I wanted to jump back in the

water with our new dolphin friends, but

Itzel had planned to take to Playa Del Carmen.

 

 

We did some shopping on 5^th avenue –

it was colorful and alive, the streets

were lined with outdoor bars, cafes and

shops — it had a very European vibe.

 

 

Itzel led us into a jewelry store and in

the back was a Mescal bar. Peta and are

were in heaven – we can buy jewelry and

drink mescal at the same time? Perfect!

 

 

Once the sun set, we made our way back to the

Hacienda Tres Rios – it is our final night.

 

We had our last delicious meal and our last

flaming Spanish coffee (prepared again by

Enriquie and Jessica) and gambled the night

away.

 

 

It was casino night at the hotel and we were all

over it! Peta and I did really well, Paul on the

other hand lost all of his loot straight away –

so we supported him for awhile, until he lost

what we gave him too.

 

 

None of us came out big winners, but it was a

great way to spend our last night at the Hacienda.

 

 

Lorie and Paul’s Adventure with Caribbean Living Magazine continues…

Day three:

Another great sleep…

We had to get up really early this morning,

our bus was leaving at 8 a.m.

I take a look out side –

it’s still raining, and it doesn’t look like these

rain clouds are going any where?!?

 

Itzel, who works with for the Riviera Maya,

meets us at the hotel.

We drive to Playa Del Carmen,

which is only about 15 minutes away.

We make a quick stop at the “All-Tour-native” Tours office and

pick up Emillo, our guide for the day.

 

Emillo is a very informative and interesting character…

he had a book filled with photos and descriptions of

Mexican jungle creatures we might come across while

on our journey, such as, snakes, tarantulas, monkeys –

some creatures none of us had even heard of…

 

This is going to be a serious adventure!!

 

We drive about 1.5 hours to a Mayan community,

Tres Reyes (three kings.)

This is a rustic, traditional Mayan community —

which I found interesting because it was so close to

the city center – but yet so untouched.

 

By the time we get out of the van, it is pouring rain –

and the first activity is rapelling down the side a cliff

in the jungle.

 

I’m freaking out — it’s raining, it’s slippery and now

we have to rapell down into the jungle –the jungle

that potentially has some of those creatures

listed in Emillo’s handbook !?

 

Oh my god…

 

We all get fitted with harnesses and helmets.

Peta and I make Paul go first –

there is no way either of us were heading

down into the jungle pit first!

 

Paul gets his harness secured into a post –

a wooden post, that is going to keep him from

falling on his ass on the floor of the jungle.

Emillo is there to help and guide him down.

 

Paul heads down, trying to act all “Mr.Cool”

(as if he’s not scared too.)

Well …  he might not have been, but I was !!!

 

As soon as he started rapelling down,

the wooden post started to creek.

Ahhhh…

the creeking, the slippery surface, the jungle —

the creatures!!!

 

Now, it’s my turn.

 

There’s no turning back …

 

Paul seemed to land safely, so I just let her rip!

Once I turned around, starting backing down the

cliff and got going — it was great fun!!

 

We all made it down, no problems – so

we were off to the zip-lining take-off pad.

I go first this time. And decide to loosen up –

“Bomb’s away!” (This is a total rush!!!)

 

As I hit the end of the run all of the Mexican-boys

working the zip-line were laughing at me!

 

Andrew (our photographer) informs me that my entire

face is covered with what looks like mud!!

In fact is was rust splatter ?! Yuck.

Because of the rain and braking the zip-line cable,

my face was covered in a mask of rust!!

(I can’t wait to see those photos!!)

 

Paul’s next, then Peta…

oh Peta, sweet Peta.

 

Well, Peta decided to brake a little bit too early!?

She ended up stopped in the middle of the zip-line –

hanging above the Mexican jungle!!

 

Wow!!

It looked scary!

 

Seriously — how is she going to get over ??

 

The same Mexican-boys that laughed at my rust-mask,

decided to get her in they would throw a rope at her –

lasso-style (what, now we are at a Mexican-rodeo?)

I think Peta said “hell-nooo, I’m not catching that,”

and asked for an alternate escape plan.

She finally made it back after pulling herself with

Her hand-brake, a few inches at a time.

(I’m excited to see those photos too!!)

 

Wow. It’s already been an eventful day –

and this was just the beginning!!

 

From the zip-line we took a jungle river ride in a kayak.

Now, the rain is really coming down!!!

It certainly made the kayaking seem more adventurous

And while we were out there we spottedheaps of water lilies –

my favorite!!

 

We tied up our kayaks and trekked through the jungle –

Emillo warned us that the Mayan-jungle snakes come

Out in the rain… “So watch out!”

 

At the end of the jungle-trek

we were greeted by a Shaman.

He was such a little cutie!

He blessed us all during a traditional

Mayan ceremony and then we squeezed

our way into this underground cave,

called “Chi-much” which means frogs-mouth.

 

It certainly was a tight squeeze –

we actually had to back our way in.

Within this underground cave was a beautiful cenote (sinkhole).

Paul and I took a dip — we were already wet, so we went for it!

We emerged from the “frog’s mouth” feeling fabulous!!

 

The adventurous day, the Shaman blessing and the dip in this magical water made us feel so good, and hungry too!!!

The timing was perfect –lunch.

 

And lunch here was a traditional Mayan feast prepared

by some of the lovely ladies that live in Tres Reyes.

The taquitos were to die for!!

 

With our stuffed bellies and soaking wet clothes, we

head back to our hotel. We had one hour at the hotel

to change, grab a margarita and meet back in the lobby,

and make our way to a dinner theater show called ”Xcaret.”

 

We arrived at this huge, amazing, open-air theater –

we sat down, placed our orders and the show began.

The two hour performance included a collection of Mexico’s

traditional dance, rituals, song and “fireball hockey”

(at least that is what it looked like.)

 

It was an amazing evening!!

 

We were so tired after this full day of excellent adventures—

we didn’t even have it in us to visit Enrique for our flaming

spanish coffee?! We’ll have to see him tomorrow night.

 

Lorie & Paul’s awesome adventure to the Riviera Maya with Caribbean Living Magazine

Day Two:

Paul and I woke up feeling great!!

I think the room service we had before bed

may have saved us from a wicked hangover.

The rooms are beautiful, and brand new,

the hotel just opened a few months ago.

Our room is huge, the bed is incredibly comfortable

and we have a balcony with a view of the ocean!!

 

It isn’t totally sunny outside, but fingers crossed

that that we get a warm sun-shiny day!

 

(I don’t think we’ll want to leave in 3 days!?!  I know I won’t.)

 

We quickly get ready to meet Peta ,

Andrew(photographer for Caribbean Living) 

and  Angelica(P.R. for Hacienda Tres Rios)

for breakfast downstairs in the main restaurant.

The food, once again, is so great –

they serve nachos for breakfast! I love it!!

Today is our day to shoot photos on the property,

so we head out in a golf cart (because the resort is huge)

with Angelica, Andrew and Peta.

 

Tres Rios means three rivers. Three rivers flow within this property,

all 326 acres of it – 150 of those acres is a nature preserve. 

It’s huge!!

 

They have used a model of Sustainable Tourism Development

to care for the environment, use natural resources and respect

the land that they have built on.

They actually spent 2 years studying the environment here before

they started the environmentally friendly construction. We were all

very impressed with what they are doing here at the Hacienda Tres Rios.

First stop – the greenhouse, where we watched three staff members

re-potting some tiny mangrove trees. Every plant, tree, seedling is

re-planted in this greenhouse to be used later on the property. 

Such a simple, but brilliant concept.

The sun is still shining !  Life is great in Riviera Maya!

Next stop – swimming and kayaking in a cenote.

Angelica informs us that a cenote is a deep water

sinkhole formed by water seeping through soft limestone.

Paul’s too afraid to jump in, he probably didn’t want to

get his hair wet –so I go first.

What is there to be afraid of?

What could possibly be lurking in an underwater system of caves?

Oh shit – I should have made him go first.

No… it was amazing!

So clean, clear and refreshing 

(We live in California were the water is brown with pollution—

some days you can’t surf because it is too dangerous!)

Paul finally realized he was missing out on some

awesome clean water frolicking, so he cannonballs in –all Mr. Cool-syle.

Ouch!! That looked like it hurt…

We use snorkel masks, and you could see heaps of fish and

crazy rock formations attached to the side of the cenote.

You wouldn’t believe how crystal clear it is down there!

From here, Andrew, Peta, Paul and I took two kayaks down the river.

In hindsight I should have partnered up with either Andrew or Peta,

because Paul didn’t do a damn thing.  He was sitting in the back just

enjoying the ride while I did all the work.  I’ll know better next time!!

The trip took about 30 minutes — we didn’t want it to end. 

Although we were on the property, it felt like we were in

the middle of the jungle. 

( This was the moment I re-named myself “LuluGreen.”)

Both Paul (sitting in the back with his feet up) and I

felt mighty adventurous! Along the way we saw two big,

red crabs – doing “the deed”!!

Yes. In broad daylight! These crabs had no shame…

it was pretty wild out there on the jungle river!

As the river journey came to an end, we realized that were the

river had spit us out about 30 feet from the swimming pool of the resort. 

What?  I really felt like we were in the middle of the jungle!

Now, suddenly, it’s cloudy and windy —

so being right here at the hotel was perfect –

to take cover and grab a margarita.

We had a lovely lunch while the wind moved in some

serious rain clouds – full of rain.

So instead of spending more time outside we had to

resort to plan B – wine tasting.

 

This is an organized activity for hotel guests

(whatever happened to ping-pong, darts or bingo?)

When in Rome … Riviera Maya!

We tasted wine for a few hours. They featured many Mexican wines,

which we had never tried.  They were all,  delicious.

 

Now it’s 5 p.m. – and we’re feeling good.

It is still raining, so Angelica organizes a special Tequila tasting.

Can we do this?? Wine tasting followed by Tequila – yes we can.

We had a few minutes to kill before we met for the tasting,

so we went up to a balcony facing the ocean to watch the sunset.

Although the stormy clouds had moved in so the sun was nowhere

in sight– what we did see was what looked like a funnel cloud.

Seriously, it was scary!

I felt like a storm chaser holding my handy cam trying to get the shot.

Paul on the other hand was getting ready to hit the deck or run for cover.

That possible tornado-cloud, thankfully dissolved after a few minutes. 

Yes — we survived a near disaster (we thought.)

Let’s celebrate with some tequila shots.

Tequila tasting was incredibly interesting with Angelica,

she is a total pro when it comes to tequila.

(I’m not a tequila drinker!  I had a bad experience in

Tijuana once… twice… three times… “Tequila!!”)

 

I did what I could, Paul happily finished my leftovers!?

He’s good like that.

Ok –now, we are really feeling good…

the chef informs us that it is “grill night.”

We feast on steak and lobster and finish it all off with a night cap from our

friend Enrique…  Flaming coffee — of course.

… I think we have to order this flaming coffee

every night before we leave – it is just that good.

Lorie & Paul’s awesome adventure to the Riviera Maya with Caribbean Living Magazine

Day 
One:

I 
was
 so
 excited
 about 
the 
trip 
and 
afraid
 I 
might 
sleep 
in 


and 
miss 
our flight,
 so 
I 
was 
awake 
way 
before
 the 
alarm 
went 
off.

Paul 
Campbell 
(my 
sweetheart) 
and
 the
 reason 
for 
the 
trip
–

 

{Here’s 
some 
backstory….


We 
were 
down 
in 
Fort 
Lauderdale 
Florida 
in

November to promote a film that Paul
stars in,“Play 
the 
Game.”


At a red carpet 
event
 sponsored by
the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, 


we magically met Peta
with Caribbean Living Magazine.



We instantly hit it off,
kept in touch
–


and 
here 
we 
are 
heading 
to 
the 


Riviera Maya
to
hang out for
5 days!!}

 

Back
 to 
the 
trip, 
story
…

It 
was 
early 
for 
a
 Sunday,
but
 luckily 
not 
too 
early,


our 
direct 
flight 
from Los 
Angeles 
to
 Cancun
 left 
at 
9a.m.

We
 fly 
Mexicana 
airlines — 
straight 
to 
Cancun
–
4.5
hours.

Easy 
breezy!!
 Fabulous!!

The
 flight 
was 
enjoyable
‐‐
smooth 
ride 
and 
free 
booze!
Love
it!!

Yes.
 Mexico 
is
 considered 
an
 international
 flight,

so
 the 
cervezas 
were flowing!!

 

As 
soon
 as
 we
 got 
off 
the
 plane 
we 
were
 greeted 
by
 Jeannette

(she works 
for 
the
 Riviera
 Maya 
Tourism
 board) 
and 
Peta

(Publisher/Founder 
Caribbean 
Living 
Magazine).


This was a 
treat,
 we were 
expecting 
a 
little 
dude 


holding 
a 
sign 
“Campbell/Metz.” 



So 
having the
 ladies 
there 
was 
amazing!!

 

And
…
it
 was 
warm
 and 
sunny 
out!! 


Yay. 
It 
was 
cold
 and 
rainy 
when 
we left 
L.A. 
this 
morning!!


Major 
bonus!

Yes… it does rain in L.A.?!

 

We
 drive
 to 
our 
hotel,
the 
Hacienda 
Tres 
Rios.

It
 takes 
about 
40
mins 
to
 get 
there 
from 
the 
airport. 



Then 
it
 takes 
about 5 
minutes 
to 
drive 
through
 the

property 
from
 the 
highway 
to 
the 
beach–


where
 the 
resort
 is
 situated.

 This
 was 
amazing!!

The
 resort 
is
 gorgeous!!! 



The 
lobby/entrance
 was 
a 
simple,
huge,
open

space
 with 
a 
beautiful 
fountain
 in 
the 
middle.


We were greeted
with a glass
of
bubbly as our luggage
was taken away.

 

Jeannette 
was
 going
 to
 have
 some 
margaritas 
with 
us,


but
 she 
had 
to 
call it 
a 
day 
because
 she 
had 
some 


procedure
 done 
on 
her 
foot 
and 
she 
was limping 
around.

As 
she 
went 
home 
to 
elevate,
Peta,
Paulito
(Paul’s Mexico 
alias) 


and 
I,
meet in 
the 
Disco/Sports bar 
in
 the 
hotel 
lobby.

 

This 
is 
when 
the 
party
 started!!

Sweet
 Mario,
head-bartender
, was fixing
up some delicious margaritas!!

 

By 
the
 way
 ~the 
resort 
is
“all‐inclusive.” 


Paul 
and 
I 
have
 never 
stayed 
at an 
“all‐inclusive”, 


so 
we 
were 
expecting 
cheap 
tequila, bad hangovers and “
average
”

service
–
NOT 
at 
the 
Hacienda 
Tres 
Rios!!!




This place was all class!

 

The 
margaritas 
were
 divine
 and 
going 
down 
really 
easy
–


at 
what 
we have
 re‐named
‐‐
“Mario’s
 Bario.”

We
 didn’t 
want
 to 
leave 
Mario,but
we
wanted
to


dine
at
the
traditional Mexican 
restaurant 
upstairs ~

word on the street ~ ”it’s the best!” 


And
 it 
was!!

 

We 
were
 served 
by
 Enrique 
and the lovely 
Jessica.

And 
what a 
team 
they 
made!!

Enrique
 offered
 us 
a 
signature 
margarita
– our response, “hell-ya!”

It 
was 
a 
Tamarind
 juice
 margarita 
with
 the
 rim 
coated
 in
–

I 
think
, sugar 
and
 taco
 spice.

I 
know, 
it 
sounds
 crazy
 and 
a 
bit 
weird, 
but 
it 
was

super delicious!

We
 sipped 
our 
drinks 
and
 snacked
 on 
a 
variety 
of

appetizers
 that 
the chef
 sent
 to 
the
 table.



Among
 the 
traditional 
Mexican 
goodies,
 was
 what looked 


like 
a 
dumpling

‐‐‐
but 
was 
actually
 a 
handful 
of 
crickets, 


baked in 
pastry.
What???

 

To
 be 
honest 
it 
didn’t 
taste 
too
 bad
‐‐

it
 had
 a
 nice 
smoky
 flavor.

 

Following
 the 
crickets 
we 
feasted
on a variety
of Mexican dishes
–

all delicious!

 

And 
to 
finish
 off
 this 
grand
 feast, 
was 
flaming 
Mexican 
coffee,


prepared by 
Enrique.

The
 set-
up 
time 
alone, at least 
15
 minutes.

He 
had
 to 
gather three bottles 
of 
liquor, 
fresh 
whipping


cream
 and an 
element
 to
 start 
the 
fire!!

Jessica was
there to assist with cinnamon-sprinkling for the fire coffee
–

this
 was 
awesome
 because 
it 
created 
cinnamon
-fireworks!!

(Dangerous?? Mabye just a little, but worth it! It’s fun living on the edge!)

 

After 
we 
enjoyed
 the 
BEST 
coffee 
ever!! 

We 
made 
our 
way
 back 
to

Mario’s
 Bario…
because
 we 
promised 
our 
man 
Mario 
we 
would
 return.

 

We
 ended
 up 
drinking
 and
 dancing 
the 
night 
away.

Paul 
and 
I 
got 
back
 to 
our 
room
 and
 had
 room
 service 


delivered
 (also part 
of 
the 
“all‐inclusive” 
package). 



A great
 way
 to
 end a 
great 
night, 

the first 
night 
of 
our 
Riviera
 Maya
 adventure!!