Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

The next few days were much like the days before. Rather than rinse, later, repeat; it was swim, read, nap. We talked of going to Cozumel or back to Coba. But we enjoyed the time on the beach too much.

One afternoon, we did break away for another visit to Akumal. We thought this would be a good time to capture the hilarity of our rental car's size.







It's amazing he fit.



This is the road from our hotel to the highway.



Once we arrived in Akumal, we had lunch at La Cueva del Pescador. We loved the shrimp tacos, last visit. This time, though, they weren't as memorable. I had fish filet veracruz style. It was very good!





We had to pay to park (only 2 pesos with validation) so we walked around to get the most of it.



We spotted lots of fish and even a sting ray right on the shore.







We did a little shopping at the mart, we stocked up on cigars and bought goggles in hopes to check out the reefs near the hotel.

We went back to Al Cielo. Relaxed in the hammock, it's one of the things we do best, afterall. We worked up a hunger, and had dinner at the restaurant. I had been eager to try the salt baked fish, finally, the time had come.

We started with swordfish carpaccio. It was fine, but not something I'd order again.



The salt fish, though, was excellent. Only downside to these whole fish is the lingering bones you have to work around. The meat was tender and very juicy, not at all salty.





Bellies full, we returned to our room to wash the meal down with a couple cervezas before bed.

Mexican Sunrise

Sunrises are spectacular in Xpu-ha, we caught a few. We'd watch the sun rise and walk the bay end to end. The first one, a dog greeted us, we didn't know who he belonged to, but he followed us. It was like rent-a-dog. By the second sunrise I realized he belonged to one of the employees of the hotel. He was secured much of the day, but free to roam each morning. We were annoyed at first, but he grew on us after that first day. He was by our side every morning.

Getting acquainted.





Chasing birds



Walking along the shore.



This place is shuttered, it never really got off the ground.



We grabbed a bite, here, last trip. It's looks like it's been abandoned for quite sometime now.





















Notice the steam coming off the water. The water was that much warmer than the air.





























These were great starts to each day.

Buen Dia

Friday, we had huevos rancheros and Mexicana in addition to our fruits and yogurt.





After breakfast we swam, then read and simply enjoyed the day.





Later, a family came for photos. Their youngest was super whiney, he hated the water. When the rest of the family played, he sat on the shore and cried. It chased us away.



We drove to the El Centro. I needed warmer clothes. The nights were too cold, my dresses and shorts weren't cutting it. I bought sweats, and we walked the mall. The movie ads outside the theater amused me.



After shopping, we had a late lunch at La Cueva del Chango. We started with cream of Habanero soup, and panela. Yum! Then, Frank had shrimp tacos and I had fish with a black berry chipotle sauce. It was all excellent, except my fish. Well, the fish was good, it was the sauce I didn't like. I ordered it because I'd never seen anything like it on a menu. Guess there's a good reason why.









After grabbing a bite we went to Sam's Club for Modelo Especial (El Centro only had it in cans), we bought a couple twelve packs and toured the store they have lots of fun stuff there, and the candy aisle was wild. You won't find tamarind candy at Sam's in the States, among others.

Back at the hotel we got our drink on, and swayed in the hammock all night. We had pastries (we had bought earlier) for a late-night snack.