You guys. Spring is FINALLY here! I know I'm not the only one who is completely thrilled at the fact that our days will soon be filled with sunshine, fresh blooms, and cuter outfits :)
After a grueling winter, Chris and I were desperately overdue for some serious downtime. Luckily, we had randomly booked a group getaway during a dinner party several months ago. Best wine-fueled decision ever! We zipped down to Mexico and spent a week far away from all the chilly nonsense. It was a short but sweet escapade with some close friends, and soo good for my soul.
We stayed in an all-inclusive resort called Secrets Capri Riviera. The luxurious adults-only resort provided a quiet, relaxing atmosphere to thoroughly unwind. There were also plenty of organized events keep us active and entertained. And let's not forget about the FOOD. Delicious snacks and meals everywhere, all the time! I must've eaten my weight in ceviche and fish tacos. We did not have a single bad meal during our entire stay.
Our days began with a run on the beach for Chris, and some oceanside yoga for me. We spent a good amount of time just lounging around the pool, and I did my fair share of just doing absolutely nothing at all. Paddling over to the swim-up bar counts as exercise, right?
I also found some solid alone time for myself where I could just sit by the water and reflect on what's been going on in life. There is something about spending time with the ocean that restores me with a profound sense of peace, joy, and inspiration. Oh, and I got to hang out with some pelicans, which was pretty neat :)
By the way, I am totally having a mini love affair with tropical plants at the moment. Their rich colors and lush textures were such a sight for sore eyes in the middle of such a crappy winter. I am definitely going to find some similar greens to bring into our home.
A huge highlight was the excursion we booked to visit an underground cave. Rio Secreto is a natural reserve located in Playa del Carmen. We had to take a long, bumpy ride through a desolate jungle to reach the sunken cave entrance of Ox Bel Ha, but the beauty we found inside was simply astounding. Here are some of my favorite shots from Emilio, our tour photographer!
We had to be careful not to disturb the delicate balance of the natural cenote sanctuary. This meant thoroughly washing all products off our bodies (makeup, lotions, hair gel, insect repellent) prior to entering the reserve.
Ox Bel Ha is the seventh longest cave in the world. It is about 112 miles long and over 98 feet deep. We hiked and swam through each cavern, being extra careful not to touch and disrupt the fragile limestone formations that surrounded us. Our wetsuits kept us buoyant and warm in the crystal-clear underground rivers. Neoprene is so hot this season.
Once we reached the main labyrinth of the cave, we turned off all our headlamps and spent an entire minute in complete darkness and silence. All I could hear was an occasional drop of water, and my own heartbeat. The experience was out of this world.
Still, the best part of this trip was the people we shared it with. I felt truly blessed to be able to savor moments of laughter, heart-to-heart conversations, and breathtaking adventures with such special, loving friends. I have officially snapped out of my funk. There are so many good things coming our way! More later :)
{Photo credit LittleBunnyNomi}