Puerto Morelos, Mexico

I had been looking forward to this trip for over a year when my close friend announced she was going to be getting married in Mexico and sent me the website for the resort.  Glistening teal blue waters and sparkling pools with swim up bars beckoned me from the screen and while I would have gone anywhere to see Cortney get married, I was very excited she chose this paradise to say I do!

My cousin and I arrived on Saturday afternoon and after spending an hour getting through customs we were delivered to the Now Jade resort in Puerto Morelos where we got our first peek at the beautiful blues and greens of the gulf through the lobby windows.  The whole week was incredibly peaceful and relaxing, lying on the beach listening to the waves lap the shore and the sound of the seagulls overhead with whatever fancy tropical “drink of the day” in my hand.  The food at the resort was delicious with my favorite being the restaurant on site Spice that had amazing sushi.  Portion sizes at all the restaurants were small but it allowed me to try more things without feeling like I overstuffed myself night after night.  This was a beach resort after all and I’d have to get back into my swimsuit the next day.

We took two excursions while we were there.  One to go snorkeling along the reef off the coast with Snorkeling Adventures.  We arrived to a small eating and lounging area off the beach with multiple boats lined up along the beach.  After picking up our life vests, flippers, and snorkel, we were given a few minutes instruction then it was out onto the boats for a short ride out to the reef and jumping into the water.  We did 3 dives and saw lots of coral and fish along the way with the dive masters pointing out different things in the water enhancing the experience so we got to see more things.  We took a break between dives to go back to the beach and had an amazing lunch on shore with salad, rice, fish, and chicken that was melt in your mouth amazing yumminess!

The second excursion was to go into the town of Playa del Carmen to do a little shopping and exploring.  We stayed mostly on the main drag… The 5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen and explored the kitschy shops and some of the nicer ones as well.  I purchased a spoon rest to replace my favorite one I had broken earlier this year and some little salt and pepper shakers that made me giggle every time I walked past them and knew I had to have them!

The wedding that brought us all to this beautiful place was stunning on its own.  With the gorgeous ocean waters as a backdrop behind them, Cortney and Adam said I do in a lovely ceremony.  It was everything a wedding should be-  A bride and groom very much in love and celebrating their lives with their friends and family and having a great time doing so.  This was my first destination wedding and I hope it won’t be my last.