Hallo! Sixty-Two

Hola! I'm back from my 62nd birthday celebration. This is me posing in front of Freddy's Bar at Maroma, Riviera Maya, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. I'm on my terrace in front of our ocean view room just steps from the beach.

The beach is where I swam, read and relaxed a couple of hours on Monday and most of the day Tuesday. Under the shade of a big canvas umbrella. I would swim in the sea, dry a bit, gaze at the water for long periods, then go for a swim in the sea, or maybe a dip in the nearby pool. I was SO happy. What I didn't realize until later in the afternoon is that the canvas does not protect from the sun's rays. I got a pretty bad sunburn as I hadn't bothered to use sunscreen. After all, I made sure I was fully engulfed in shade except when going betwixt swimming spots. Our waiter that night gave me a bowl of pure aloe gel, right from the plant. I applied it liberally for the next couple of days. Thereafter, I STAYED OUT OF THE SUN. In fact for our morning beach walk I was swathed in my only pair of long pants and a long sleeved tunic, with my ball cap.

So this became my outdoor haven; the lovely, large pool that was shaded by palm trees and furnished with comfy lounges. Oh, and bar service from Freddy's.

We enjoy Maroma's food, always have. I was perfectly happy to have my birthday dinner in the dining room. I had no idea that Bob had plotted and planned with the chef, maitre'd and our waiter to arrange for a private, al fresco, oh so romantic dinner. It was set at the top of a tower with views all the way to Cozumel. Bob custom selected the courses based on what I like. He and the chef got it so right. I think my favorite dish from this trip was the vegetable stuffed chile rellano...or maybe the carrot puree with carrot soup. So delicious. We dined during dusk, then the sun set and a 3/4 moon glowed above. I shall never forget this meal or the happiness of turning 62 at Maroma.