Hi, friends! After an extended vacation in Cancun, I’m resurfacing in the blogosphere. We actually returned late last Friday but it’s taken me several days to catch up with email and social media. I think I’m back on track now and will be resuming my regular blog rounds. Vacations are wonderful, but sooner or later you have to come down to Earth. I had a wonderful time visiting Mexico. There was a large group of us who went, so we dubbed ourselves the Cancun Nine.

The Cancun Nine
The photo above is before we headed downtown to Carlos ‘N Charlie’s a restaurant/bar, the likes of which I’ve never experienced. That’s me and hubby on the far left (and yes, that’s what my hair actually looks like when I let it dry naturally, LOL). My sister is the one in green.
At Carlos ‘N Charlie’s there is a costumed balloon-maker who visits each table and makes balloon hats for all the customers. Everyone in the place ends up with one of these things on their heads. The photo below isn’t very clear, but you it should give you a good idea of the atmosphere.
We also got to experience the wait-staff doing several dance performances as the music was constant and the energy level off the wall. I’m more of a low-key person, so it was an experience to say the least.
The highlight of the evening for me was when the wait staff passed out softball-sized white balls. I think they must have been made of Styrofoam, but they had a light covering to give them some weight when tossed. We had no idea what was going on, and then—BOMBARDMENT! Everyone in the place pummels everyone else. No one is spared—wait-staff, DJ, bartenders, customers—a freefall of everyone pummeling each other for a good five to ten minutes with white balls rolling around everywhere, on the tables, bar and floor. What a blast! After that, it was across the street to Senor Frogs for a quick stop, then back to the resort. I don’t think anyone goes to Cancun without stopping at Senor Frogs.
Obviously a great vacation. Throughout the stay we got to see a Mayan fire dance on the beach, a Moroccan dance inside the “Black Bar” (our name for it because the bar top was black marble). Below is a shot of the chandelier inside the Black Bar area. I thought it was so different and couldn’t resist a snapshot.
We set one morning aside for shopping—or I should say the girls did, and the guys chilled at some tables in the mall.
The pools were spectacular, one with a swim up bar and one with a walk up bar. Both had food stations or buffets offering a variety of snacks, fruits and meals throughout the day. There were restaurants just a step from the pool, and as the resort was an all-inclusive (all meals and drinks free of charge), there was plenty to choose from. The grouper (fish) was fantastic!
In the evenings we hit the restaurants, switching up between open-air beach casual, and semi-dressy. We got spruced up for the “Members Dinner” in which the women were given roses and the main entree consisted of filet mignon and shrimp. Since I don’t eat beef, they gave me double shrimp. Best. Shrimp. Ever!
Many nights we closed the evening listening to live music or hanging out in the “Premier Bar.” Even on those nights when we headed to our room near midnight, hubby and I would grab a few minutes of unwinding on our balcony. We had a bay view, rather than a Gulf view, but who could resist a few moments relaxing with this breezy vista…
We discovered a mobile passport app which made the return through customs go much quicker. I came home with many wonderful memories, along with an early tan. Of course, Raven had to make her presence known while we unpacked suitcases.
Being away from writing for so long makes me eager to get started on my next project. And to return to blogging and making the rounds of seeing what all of my friends are up to, including those at Story Empire. Today SEer, Harmony Kent, shares how to offer autographs for your digital books using the free service Authorgraph. Check it out!
I had a blast on vacation, but it’s good to be back! 🙂
I bet Raven was standoffish for about 30 seconds when you got home. Then she was ALL OVER you & your stuff & just SO VERY HAPPY you were HOME!!!!
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Hey, wonderful to see you here! Raven was definitely standoffish, but she kept it up for about 10-15 minutes, and then—GLUED to me, LOL. 🙂
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wow – well done and deserved – have a wonderful time, enjoy the vacation…
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Thanks so much. We loved every minute of it!
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Wonderful pictures! Glad you had a good time. My cats are suspiciously watching me pack for vacation next week…welcome back.
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Uh-oh. They know. They always do 🙂
Thanks for the welcome back, and I hope you enjoy your vacation next week. Extra hugs to your cats when you leave and come back 🙂
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Looks like so much fun! I’m so glad you had a blast. You deserve it, Mae. Nice to have you back.
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Aww, thanks, Sue. I missed everyone. It’s fun catching up with all of my friends!
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Looks like so much fun! We’ve thought of taking a cruise down that way. Wouldn’t be hard if we sailed out of Galveston. I’m sure Raven was happy to see you back home. And welcome back! You were missed.
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You’re so close! A cruise would be a great way to go. I loved the resort and all it offered. A wonderful time!
And yes, Raven, has practically been attached to my hip since I returned, LOL
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Tucker hates when we leave town. He clings to me for a while when we get back home.
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Such a cat, LOL!
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Looks like you had an amazing time, Mae! 😀 Good to have you back though! 😉
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Thanks, Jan. It’s lovely to have so many friends welcome me home 🙂
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So jealous but so glad you had a great time!! 🙂
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Thanks. I would definitely go back again. It was so much fun!
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Oh, man, sounds like you had a blast! And awesome weather, too. I’ll bet Raven stuck to you like a shadow when you got home–she missed you 🙂 After a wonderful vacation, it’s tough in a way to come back, but in a way it’s nice to get back into things. Welcome home, Mae!
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Thanks, Julie! And you’re so right about Raven. She was stand-offish with us for the first fifteen minutes or so, and then she became my shadow. My cat sitter kept sending me email updates about her while we were away, so that helped, but the highlight of getting back home was seeing her 🙂
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Good Golly, Ollie! What a great vacation!! And good on ya! But welcome home, Mae. You’ve been missed!!
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Aww, thanks, Marcia. I had soooo much fun and it was great to experience Mexico. A number of the people in our group (including my sister and her husband) have time shares there, so they were really able to show DH and I the ropes 🙂
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What a fabulous vacation!!! Love the pictures and the chandelier in the bar is fascinating. Wish you were here in Atlanta at RT with Linda and I. I am trying to get an appointment with a Kensington editor. Don’t know if I”ll have any luck. 🙂 Hugs! And, Welcome back!
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I would love that chandelier on a smaller scale for my house, Jan 🙂
I’m sure you and Linda are having a blast at RT. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you with Kensington. There are also ways to submit online if you can’t get a face-to-face. K is really a class act. I would love it to be sister authors in the same house! 🙂
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I actually got to pitch to Tara Gavin this morning. She wants to see the manuscript, but of course, I know that means nothing. 🙂
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It’s a foot in the door. I’m not familiar with her but I’m on the digital line and you’re pitching the main editors, I’m sure. You go!!!
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Seems like you had fun, and it looks absolutely lovely. Missed you! Glad you’re back, safe and sound.
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Aww, thanks, Staci. I loved getting away but I really want to dive in and get busy writing now!
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Looks like a great time. Old What’s Her Face is applying gentle pressure on me to take her someplace like that soon. Glad you had fun, and welcome back.
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Thanks for the welcome back! I think you and your wife would love it. We also did an all-inclusive in Punta Cana two years ago. They’re definitely the way to go for that type of resort. We really splurged for upper end everything in PC but Cancun was highly affordable!
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Wow! The resort and restaurants look wonderful. Missed you, but everyone needs to have fun once in a while. Glad you’re back!
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Thanks, Judi. The resort and restaurants were fabulous. I only wish I could have brought back some of the beach and the wonderful meals. They were so healthy and delicious. I need a cook like that, LOL. Thanks for welcoming me back! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing the lovely pics! I think that’s the way to go on a holiday, with a group you’re safer and it’s more fun, too!
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We had a blast, Jacquie. I normally don’t go with a big group, but I have to admit it was a lot of fun. And I did like the security of having that many people while being out of the country. Thanks for visiting!
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Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Wonderful experience. I actually danced naked on a table tat he Carlos and Charlies in Cozumel many years ago…lol while on a cruise (I figured nobody knew me and I’d be gone in twenty minutes so what the heck.)
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Whoa! You’re definitely daring, Susan! A few people danced on the bar but they had their clothes on, LOL. I LOVE to dance, but I’m too old for the bar dancing and table dancing stage now, LOL. I’m sure your C&C stop in Cozumel was highly memorable 😀
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Yep…and I have pics…but not the body I had then…lol
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Let me join the other comments and wish you welcome back!
Thanks for sharing the photos you took from what sounds a great unwinding after all the year’s work and writing.You are the classiest ‘gal”in the group. Your DH, too! A fine pair.
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Aww, Carmen you are so sweet 🙂
Thanks so much for the warm welcome back, my friend. It was indeed a wonderful way to unwind after a busy year and even more on the schedule moving ahead. I had a blast, but it’s great to be back with my friends!
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Glad to hear you had a great time.
sherry @ fundinmental
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Thanks, Sherry. It was a lot of fun! 🙂
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Welcome back, Mae!
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Thanks, Traci! 🙂
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You’re welcome, Mae!
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Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing!
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We enjoyed ourselves immensely. Thanks for visiting, John!
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Love the photos. Looks like you had lots of fun!
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We certainly did, Kim! Thanks 🙂
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Looks like you had a fantastic time, Mae! Almost didn’t see Raven – just the eyes. Looking at the group pic, I figured you were either in green or on the left – funny you said that was your sister. There’s definitely a resemblance.
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Heehee. You definitely pegged us, Teri (me and my sister) 🙂
And Raven’s eyes really do stand out in that photo. But then you know how black cats are!
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Welcome back, Mae. The vacation looked like a blast!!
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Thanks, Stanalei. We had a great time and now I’m slowly adjusting to the daily routine again, LOL!
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Looks like you had great fun, Mae. Shouldn’t take more than a month of R&R and a few sessions of therapy to get over it! Whenever I have thoughts of Mexico as a holiday destination, though, my next question is ‘How hot is it?’ So, how hot was it?
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It was wonderful with lots of time for sun, fun and R&R. The temps were in the low to mid 80s range Fahrenheit. April was an ideal time to visit but I wouldn’t want to be there in the high heat of summer!
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That’s not so bad is it? Glad you had such a great time!
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This is the perfect post to find on Cinco de Mayo, Mae! Oh what a wonderful time you must have had. Raven is clearly glad you are home. Mega hugs.
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Hi, Teagan! So nice to have you drop by. I’ve been thinking a lot about my recent trip given this is Cinco de Mayo, and appreciating all I got to experience. Thanks for sharing in my memories! 🙂
{{hugs}}
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Oh my gosh, Mae. Such lovely pictures and memories with family and friends! Thanks so much for sharing these gems with us. I’ve been to Mexico twice and absolutely loved every minute.
Welcome back! Your presence was missed. Cheers! 🙂
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Hi,Natalie! What a lovely welcome back.This was my first time in Mexico but I would definitely go back again. We had so much fun and I got to experience so much that was new. Thanks so much for dropping in and for such a wonderful “welcome back!” 🙂
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Hahahaha, love the zany atmosphere of that restaurant. You look beautiful all dolled up, and what a great group of 9. Gorgeous place! That chandelier is quite unique and attractive. Most of all, I’m glad you got away and had a wonderful time, Mae. I bet Raven was delighted to have you guys back home.
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Zany is a great word for Carlos’ N Charlie’s, Flossie, LOL.
Thanks for the lovely compliment on the photo, and yes, we had an amazing time. I kept worrying about Raven but my cat-sitter did a great job of sending me emails to update me on how she was doing.The only downside of going on vacation was leaving my precious girl behind! 🙂
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Sounds like a fabulous holiday, Mae Clair. I have never been to either South or North America. We always seem to either end up in Europe or going in the other direction to Oz or NZ. Lovely to read all your fun holiday doings.
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Robbie, I’ve never been to Europe or Oz or NZ, so I envy you those trips. Someday I’d really like to visit NZ or the land of Oz. I bet they’re amazing places. Of course, all vacations are excellent when you can get away 🙂
Thanks for checking out my post!
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It sounds like you had a blast! Thanks for sharing with us. I love the pictures.
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Hi, Lauralynn! Yep, we had a ton of fun. I’d definitely go there again. Thanks for popping in and checking out the post!
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Interesting post , wonderful clicks !!
As for my own wanderlust , well I too visited a beautiful Hill station in north India. And here ‘s a short write up from my recently updated Travel Diary :
My ‘With Family’ story of a near perfect Hill Station !!(Photograph based )
https://the-passport-souls.travel.blog/2017/06/10/my-with-family-story-of-a-vacation-at-a-near-perfect-hill-station/
Hope you find it interesting !! 🙂
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Lovely holiday photos, Mae.
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Hi, Emma *waving* Thanks, and so nice to have you pop in. I hope all is well across the pond!
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