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Another sleep in for myself and the boys, Pete up early.  Us sleepy heads really need to try and get up a bit earlier.

A normal Aussie breakfast of toast and cereal and then ready for a day of exploring Fort Lauderdale.

After a small walk to cross the river we decided to take a water taxi and view the beautiful mansion in the canals. It was wonderful to be out on the water. The canal houses and boats were stunning and BIG!

A stop at number 10 on the river taxi itinerary for some lunch and a quick wander to look at the nearest beach. As it was getting quite hot we did not stop for long and walked back to the water taxi pickup.

Another couple of hours slowly returning to downtown through the Fort Lauderdale canals to Smokers Park, right next to our apartment.

Back to freshen up and then out along the river walk to a casual restaurant for dinner.

Water Taxi Tour

A Fort Lauderdale Beach

Father and Son

Our little yellow transport…

Big Boats

There may be some wealth here?

River Walk

Our River Restaurant

Today we leave Cancun, Mexico for Fort Lauderdale, USA.

Easy start to the morning with packing and washing ready for our 9.40 am airport pick-up.

Another easy check-in with JetBlue and then off, off and away.

Bit of a bumpy plane ride but I survived with all fingernails intact.

A little longer than usual to get our Uber to our apartment (too much luggage for some ‘large’ cars).

Finally an Uber and a short drive to our riverside apartment.

Our apartment is as the saying goes ‘the worst place in the best street’ or canal…

It may be a little older than our ‘larger’ neighbours, but it is clean, has more than enough room and in a great spot for the price.

A settle in and then off for a small walk to explore our surroundings. Found a lovely Italian restaurant for dinner on Las Olas Street.

After dinner, we spent the next hour or so trying to find a 7-Eleven for some breakfast supplies. Eventually found a supermarket, success.

Decided it was best for everybody to take an Uber home.

We were all so tired we went straight to bed.

Our last breakfast in Mexico

Our riverside apartments

An early 6 am start to the morning with our tour to Valladolid.

We wanted to see some of the not so touristy Mexico, if that is possible.

First stop was the quieter seaside town of  Puerto Morelos. This would have been a nice spot to spend a couple of days away from the hustle and bustle of tourist Cancun.  Maybe next time.

Then inland to the very local village of Leona Vicario. It was great to finally see some real Mexico.  Apparently tourist do not often come here, we may have stood out slightly.

Stopped for a fresh tortilla at a local tortilla bakery and then a little walk around the town.

Continued our trip on a local road passing lots of old traditional Mayan towns.

Next stop, the bigger City of Valladolid.  Still filled with tourist but mostly a local Mexican town.  By this time it was getting quite hot. Stopped at an old monastery and then a small walk around downtown. Traditional Spanish style town with a large piazza surrounded by a beautiful church.

Back via the jungle freeway, not much to see on either side, just thick jungle. Most of us managed a snooze.

Early dinner and then back to our room for our last night.

Puerto Morelos

Small local fishing town

Mexican taxi stand

Noah in Leona Vicario

Noah at the Monastery

Get out of my picture!

Valladolid Piazza

Our lunch spot

Tortilla Bakery

Phew, the Easter Bunny found us in Cancun, Mexico.

The boys have been looking forward to going to the Kids Club on Easter Sunday all week, the club has the whole day planned with Easter activities.

Breakfast and then a 9 am Kids Club drop off for Easter cake decorating.

Pete spent the morning reading and relaxing and I worked on my website.

The boys spent the afternoon back at the kids club participating in the Easter activities.

At about 4 pm we all went for a beautiful walk along the beach and then spent some time watching boys swim in the ocean and splash in the waves.

Easter, Mexico Style

Scary Easter Bunny

Playing in the Sea

Our Beautiful Boys

Pirate, Easter Bunny?

Father & Son

Saturday seems to be the check-in and check-out day for most people.  Not for us, we still have a few more days of Mexican sunshine bliss.

Woke early, did our washing, all before 9 am.

Spent the next few hours updating the blog and waiting to change rooms.  Our new room (or so we have been told) is only a couple down, we do not have far to go.

Yes, roughly 12 pm we got keys to the new room.  Exactly the same, just a mirror image.

Decided to spend some time down by the pool.  Can you believe it, free chairs poolside, at this time of day, it’s a miracle!

As per every other beach resort we have stayed in, guests just love to reserve their seats for the day.  Normally this pool seating position would need to be reserved with towels at 4 am.

Had a lovely swim and some lunch beside the pool.  After lunch the boys decided to go to the kids club, we stayed a little longer in our prime position and then we all retired to the room to relax with the beautiful ocean view.

Buffet Dinner, the sports bar to watch some more March Madness (Basketball) and then back to our gorgeous room.

Fun in the sun

Prime Pool Position

My Little Helper

Photography Assistant

An easy start to the morning. Noah and I with room service and Pete and Wes at the buffet.

Schoolwork and work and then a quick swim before lunch for Pete and the boys.

Lunch = food.

Noah and Wes off to the kids club for the afternoon and the gym and peace for Pete and myself.

All showered and fresh and ready for??? Dinner.

Early night, very enjoyable restful day.

Pirates

Wessy

Cute!

Sneaky Pic

Very early (for us nowadays) start to the morning. Up at 6am for breakfast and downstairs ready for our 7am tour pick up.

Originally it was going to be the boys and me on the tour, however, Pete managed to get what he needed finished and was able to come along for the ride.

Our destination today, Talum, ancient Mayan ruins. It was about a two-hour drive and I am glad we left early as not only does the weather get warmer but the crowds expand with the clock too. I was also glad of our nice, little private tour.

I managed to get a couple of photos minus the crowds before the tour buses began to arrive.

Our guide Angel was excellent and it was really good to learn some of Mexico’s history.

Stop for lunch at the Royal Sands sister hotel, The Royal Haciendas in Playa del Carmen and then a nice easy drive on the freeway back to our resort.

We all enjoyed the day and I survived the Mexican roads with a broken seatbelt.

Easy dinner and a few drinks at the buffet and then off for some shut-eye.

Mayan Ruins

Tulum

Waiting for our Tour

Lunch @ The Royal Haciendas

Crowds

Terry Tourists

Our day today consisted of:

Eat – Breakfast

Work for Peter and Kay, kids club for Noah and Wes.

Eat – Lunch

Pool for Pete, gym for Kay, kids club for boys.

Eat – Dinner, sushi, the adults can’t resist seconds.

A very relaxing, tummy filled day. With five minutes of rain and lovely warm weather.

We have a tour booked for Tulum tomorrow with a 7am departure. Our bodies will be in shock.

Who has been at the Kids Club?

No more pics…please!

Down Time

More modelling for Mum

We have been here a week!

The weather is perfect and we are all feeling very relaxed and most importantly, warm.

We spent this morning catching up on school work and work.

Don’t mind this at all with the sea breeze floating through our room and the beautiful view of the pool and ocean out our window.

Buffet Lunch, we all tried to restrain.

After lunch, Wes went to the kids club. Noah refused so was stuck with school work, Pete worked and myself, to the gym. Very easy gym workout, fitness is not great.

Back to the room, boys out for a walk, I continued with work. Pete and Noah back & more work for Pete.

Oops, we forgot one, pick up Wes from the kids club.

All showered and ready for another plate or two of food at the buffet.

Drink at the Sports Bar, a little bit of TV and then time to retire to bed.

Beach Life

Pool Life

Work Life

We spent the morning catching up on the kid’s school work and also some work for Pete and myself.

Downstairs for Lunch.

An afternoon walk to the shops for a browse. I managed a few purchases from Zara.

The weather is glorious at the hotel, a little warm walking in the sun.

Back to the hotel, more work, the kids club for Wes and a nice peaceful rest for Noah.

Downstairs to the buffet for dinner, just a food top-up.

Early night for us all.

Who is this?

Hotel Gardens

My ‘happy’ Model

This is the Life