I just love reading romance novels because really, deep down, I am quite sappy. I love the tingly feeling I get reading romances and I love feeling swept away in the arms of love.
By the time I close a book I have traveled far far away to desolate beaches in tropical countries, or have pursued spider monkeys through steamy jungles in foreign lands.
I have sipped icy margaritas at hot Mexican cantinas alongside undercover spies with whom I have fallen deeply in love with, and I have ziplined through tropical jungles in search of emeralds and diamond treasures.
Wherever I go I am the beautiful leading lady that the hero always falls head over heels in love with.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to experience these wonderful romantic adventures for real, I wonder…
- Inspirational flash! -
My husband and I have holiday time coming up, so maybe I could ‘write’ my own tropical romantic adventure!
I thought about the holiday we enjoyed so much in Cancun, Mexico 3 years before. It is a great area with so many things to do we couldn’t fit it all in the week.
I searched online for some all-inclusive hotels in the Cancun hotel zone and my head started swimming with the massive array of modern hotels along the strip in Cancun.
There was a thought that kept nudging me and then I remembered a conversation I had with a guy at work who had just returned from Tulum, just south of Cancun.
He told me that on the scenic one hour car ride south from the airport he completely left the chaos of modern day life and entered a peaceful tropical oasis that sounded very much along the lines of the romantic novel I wanted to have for my setting. Still with all the conveniences of the first world, but without the tall buildings and assembly-line tour groups.
I changed my google vacation search to Tulum. I searched accommodations and found a delightful little place called Playa Azul Tulum Hotel right on the beach. It looked like the perfect setting for the romantic novel in my mind. Well, actually I don’t think I could have imagined a place this romantically perfect.
The photos were breathtaking…Wow, I thought, I lent back in my chair and closed my eyes…I could almost feel the white sand pushing up through my toes when I stepped out of our own beach cabin set under the palm trees… Yes, this would be something different all. And so much more of an adventure, too!
I kept searching Tulum on google and found that we could do all kinds of day trips close to Tulum – swimming with the turtles, snorkeling, ziplining, and visiting the ruins with small tour companies that would take us out privately or we could even rent a car and do it all ourselves!
The best part of all is the romance – my hubby and I can sit outside our own little beach cabana under the stars every night, listening to the waves lapping against the shore, a bottle of wine and two glasses…maybe my favourite hor d’oeuvres – maybe a beautiful moonlit stroll along the beach in bare feet hand in hand…. no one around …. mmm – that sounds great, yes, that sounds perfect.
The perfect beginning for my very own romantic novel
Mañana Jueves empezando a los 20:00h fiesta en Playa Azul tulum por el día de la independencia de México. Menú especial con coctel de bienvenida, pozole, chiles en nogada, chongos zamoranos, degustación de tequilas + piñatas, mariachi y Dj Torero! bienvenidos.
Millions of years ago, the peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico, was covered by the ocean.During the Ice Age, the level of the ocean sank, all reefs and marine life that lived over it died, and many of them became marine fossils.In this time rainfall filtered through the ground and flowing slowly towards the ocean it eventually carver out huge Systems of underground caves and tunnels.Once the system were farmed, rainfall would filter through the ground, dragging minerals of the Earth.Dripping down the vaults of the underground caves, this formed stalagtites and stalagmites that in time created amazingly beautiful rock formations.After the Ice Age the water lavel rose again and flooded the cave system with spectacular clear water, leaving them as they are today.
The cenote itself is part of a cave ceiling which collapsed creating a natural entrance to the underground Systems.
The Mayans called these sinkholes “Dznot“ (sacred well), thus the Spanish Word Cenote.The Dznot was considered to be an Entrance to their mysthical and spiritual underworld, as well as the Orly source of fresh in the jungle.
Playa Azul Tulum Hotel is close to many Cenotes, we will love to help you out to find them!
Los habitantes de Tulum son gran amantes de la naturaleza y también en el turismo se refleja este amor y respeto por la flora y la fauna de la zona.
Las playas de Tulum son para las tortugas marinas, un lugar idóneo para venir anualmente a depositar sus huevos, en la playa del Hotel Playa Azul Tulum, especialmente en las noches de luna llena, fácilmente se pueden ver estos fantásticos animales salir lentamente del mar y encaminarse hacia las dunas de arena hasta encontrar el lugar perfecto para dejar su tesoro más precioso.
Las tortugas no deben de ser molestadas ya que al oir riudo o al ser sorprendidas por luces estas se asustan y regresan al mar dejando caer los huevos y haciendo imposible que las crias sobrevivan.
Las playas de Tulum dan la bienvenida cada año a una gran cantidad de tortugas marinas gracias a la conciencia creada por grupos ecológicos y por los habitantes mismos, son varias las especies que llegan a estas playas, entre ellas algunas en peligro de extinción, como la tortuga Caretta Caretta, conocida también como tortuga Caguama, la Chelodia Mydas o tortuga verde y, las tortugas eretmochelys imbricata, que son un poco más pequeñas de las demás y las dermochelys coriácea.
En la temporada de tortugas que es aproximadamente de mayo a octubre son fáciles de ver desde la playa del Hotel Playa Azul Tulum y le rogamos a nuestros huéspedes de no asustarlas con ruidos o con los flashes de sus cámaras para hacer que este milagro de la naturaleza siga ocurriendo año tras año.
En la playa del Hotel Playa Azul Tulum se pueden ver una gran cantidad de pajaros como las garzas blancas y los pelicanos gracias a la cercanía de la reserva natural de Sian Ka´an, también conocido como la Biosfera natural de Sian ka’an, maravilloso lugar donde el mar y la laguna se encuentran, desde el Hotel Playa Azul Tulum, que está a escasos minutos del acceso a la Biosfera puedes fácilmente organizar tu excursión o pedir información para llegar a este paraíso para la flora y la fauna.
Otros animales típicos de Tulum son las iguanas, simpaticas y amistosas se ven por todas partes en las playas y en las rocas tomando el sol, las hay de varias especies, algunas muy grandes,otras mas pequeñas e incluso hay algunas verdes florecente que tienen la habilidad de ponerse de en dos patas y correr como un humano, mientras abren su colorida cresta, definitivamente un espectáculo para no perderse.
Si estais interesados en la bellísima selva de Tulum, no duden en adentrarse en ella con un interesante tour, la flora y la fauna os sorprenderá, en ella viven hermosos venados rojos, tigrillos, varias especies de monos, hermosas mariposas de todos los colores y especies, entre ellas las mariposas monarcas que llegan a Tulum, después de su largo viaje en Mayo y llenan el cielo con su delicado volar, además de una cantidad innumerable de anfibios y reptiles.
Paseando por la selva de Tulum podréis ver maravillosas plantas de orquídeas en flor creciendo en los troncos de árboles como el caoba o el cedro rojo, otros arboles típicos de la zona son el chicozapate, conocido también como el árbol del chicle o del latex, es fácil de reconocer ya que su tronco esta lleno de cortes parecidos a cicatrices hechos por los cultivadores para así poder cosechar si resina y elaborarla. La tierra de Tulum es rica y fácilmente encontrareis plantas de plátano, naranjos, mamey, papaya y otros frutos de la zona.
Definitivamente Tulum es una belleza natural para no perderse y el Hotel Playa Azul Tulum es tu Hotel ideal para comenzar tu aventura en esta tierra de maravillas.www.playaazultulum.com
El Hotel Playa Azul Tulum, celebrará el próximo martes día 15 la independencia de México , con Mariachis, música en directo, Dj’s , proyecciones i piñata! La fiesta empezara a la 1 del medio día y terminará después de “el grito” a la 1 de la noche. Damos la bienvenida a todo Tulum y a la Riviera Maya a disfrutar de un día tan especial como este, en nuestro Hotel y Beachclub Playa Azul Tulum.
At Playa Azul Tulum Hotel, we will celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day this coming September 15th with mariachis, live music, DJs, a video projection show, and a piñata! The party will start at 1 pm and will end after “el grito” at 1 am. We welcome all of Tulum and the Riviera Maya to enjoy this special day with us, at Playa Azul Tulum Hotel and Beachclub.
Aquí les contamos de forma breve como empezó la independencia de México sobre España.
Here, we will give a quick explanation of how México won its independence from Spain.
El 16 de septiembre se celebra el día en que México comienza la lucha por su independencia en 1810, al principio la lucha fue encabezada por el cura Miguel Hidalgo y el general Ignacio Allende, duró aproximadamente once años durante los cuales mucha gente estuvo al frente del ejército insurgente, hasta que en el año 1821 México se proclama un país independiente.
The beginning of the fight for Mexico’s independence in 1810 is celebrated on September 16. At the beginning, the was led by the priest Miguel Hidalgo and the general Ignacio Allende. The fight for independence lasted about 11 years, during which many people were at the front of the insurgent army, until 1821 when Mexico was proclaimed an independent country.
Esta etapa comienza a principios de la década entre 1800 y 1810, cuando los colonos de la nueva España, incluyendo a los ricos, criollos, indígenas y latifundistas ya no deseaban compartir la riqueza del nuevo pueblo con los españoles, al mismo tiempo dentro de la Nueva España había mucha desigualdad social. Este era el pretexto principal para pensar en la independencia.
This stage began in the decade between 1800 and 1810, when the colonies of new Spain, including the rich, Mexican-born Spaniards, indigenous people and landowners decided that they didn’t want to share the wealth of the new territory with the Spanish, and at the same time, in the new Spain, there was a lot of social inequality. This was the main pretext for thinking about independence.
En 1808, Napoleón ocupa España, así que los españoles estaban ocupados defendiendo su país. El pueblo de México al enterarse de la invasión francesa en España, aprovecha para promover el movimiento de la Independencia, por medio de poner carteles en todo el país.
In 1808, Napoleon occupied Spain, and so the Spanish were busy defending their country. The city of Mexico, upon finding out about the French invasion of Spain, used the opportunity to promote the Independence movement, by moving fliers all over the country.
Sabiendo que el pueblo mexicano era un fiel seguidor de la iglesia, Allende propuso que Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, cura de Dolores para convencer al pueblo; Hidalgo aceptó la invitación.
Knowing that the people of Mexico were faithful followers of the Church, Allende proposed that Miguel Hidalgo y Castillo, priest of Dolores, convince the city of the need for Independence; Hidalgo accepted the invitation.
En Dolores, Don Miguel Hidalgo decidió iniciar la lucha inmediatamente. Primero pusieron en libertad a los presos y aprehendieron a los españoles que se encontraban en la población, luego a las 5 de la mañana del 16 de septiembre de 1810, se llamó a misa, el pueblo acudió al llamado y con el grito de ¡ Mexicanos, Viva México¡, ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe ”, ¡ Viva Fernando VII¡ y ¡Muera el mal gobierno! ; Hidalgo incitó al pueblo a levantarse contra los españoles. A este suceso se le conoce como “ Grito de Dolores”
In Dolores, Don Miguel Hidalgo decided to immediately begin the fight. First they set free those in jail and arrested the Spaniards that they found among the people. Then, at 5 am on September 16, 1810, they called a mass, the town heeded the call, and with shouts and yells of “Mexicans, Viva Mexico!”, “Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!”, “Long live Fernando VII!” and “Death to the government of Spain!” Hidalgo incited the town to rise up against the Spaniards. After this success, those calls became known as “the Grito of Dolores.”
Tulum, located on the Riviera Maya of the Mexican Caribbean, has no end of adventure and sights to see. The Mayan ruins around the Yucatán take you back to a different civilization, and you can plunge into the Mayan jungle to see wildlife you don´t normally see at home! A Tulum vacation package can be the way to go – stay at a terrific Tulum beach hotel, with a free continental breakfast, and choose between various tours in and around Tulum on the Riviera Maya. Your experienced guide can take you to Cobá, Punta Laguna, some beautiful cenotes, Chichen-Itzá, the Tulum ruins… pretty much anywhere you would like to go! Tulum vacation packages can also be a great deal, especially in the low season; for 7 nights, including breakfast, two people can enjoy two different tours around Tulum and the Riviera Maya, for as low as $699 usd!
Playa Azul Hotel in Tulum is the Hotel in Tulum that specializes in these kind of vacation packages. For those looking for a romantic adventure on the Mayan Riviera, Playa Azul´s “Te Amo” package includes a 7 night stay, a romantic sunset cruise to view the Tulum ruins from the ocean, and a romantic dinner for two cooked especially for you by our chef.
If you want to do a little exploring in the jungle of the Yucatán, “Monkey Business” is a great package deal. It includes a tour to Cobá to see the Mayan ruins there, a trip to the spider monkey reserve, Punta Laguna and going for a swim in the cenotes that the Mayan Riviera is famous for, plus another tour to either the Tulum ruins, or to snorkel in more of the crystal clear underground cenotes. ”Monkey Business” packages for two, for 7 nights, start at $699 usd.
“Mayan Adventure” takes you to Ek-Balaam and Valladolid for some first-hand experience with the Mayan culture. View some Mayan ruins, and sit down for a Mayan lunch prepared using the ancient customs of the local people. One other tour is also included, to the Tulum ruins or to go snorkeling in the local cenotes.
All of Playa Azul´s tour packages include a 7 night stay, free continental breakfast, and two tours for two people. They start at $699 usd. For more information contact Playa Azul Tulum Hotel at www.playaazultulum.com or playaazultulum@gmail.com
Nuovi pacchetti per viaggiare a Tulum e alla Riviera Maya
Tulum, localizzato nella Riviera Maya, nei Caraibi Messicani, ha un sin fine di avventure e bellezze da vedere. Le rovine Maya dello Yucatán vi faranno viaggiare a una civilizazione deversa e, potrai avventurarti nella giungla per vedere flora e fauna mai vista nella vita cotidiana! Un pacchetto vacanza a Tulum potrebbe essere la cosa ideale, alloggio in un meraviglioso hotel nella spiaggia di Tulum, colazione continentale compresa e lebera scelta su varie gite nella zone di Tulum e della Riviera Maya. Un guida specializzato potrá portarti a Cobá, Punta Laguna, a vedere alcuni dei bellissimi Cenotes, Chichen-Itzá, le rovine di Tulum… dovunque vuoi andaré, ti porteremo! I pacchetti vacanza aTulum sono una ottima offerta, specialmente nella stagione bassa, per 7 notti, con colazione compresa, due persona possono deleitarsi con due gite diverse per solo $699 usd!
Playa Azul Hotel a Tulum é l`hotel che si specializza in questo tipo di vacanze pacchetto.
Per quelli che stanno cercando una aventura romantica nella Riviera Maya, il pacchetto TE AMO, comprende 7 notti, una romantica gita in barca per vedere le rovine di Tulum dal mare e una cenetta al lume di candele cucinata dal nostro chef.
Se volete splorare un poco la giungla della Yucatán, “Monkey Business” è il vostro pacchetto ideale, comprende la gita a Cobá per vedere le rovine Maya e una gita alla riserva delle scimmie ragno, Punta Laguna e un rinfrescante bagno nei cenotes della zona, famosi per la sua belleza, piú un´altra gita a scelta; le rovine di Tulum o, fare snorkel in uno dei cenote sotterranei piú cristallini. “Monkey Business”, pacchetto per due persone, per 7 notti, dai $699 usd.
“Mayan Adventure” ti porta a Ek-Balaam e Valladolid per una sperienza única con la Coltura Maya. Vedrete alcune delle rovine Maya e vi porteremo a pranzare un pasto típico Maya, preparato secondo le tradizioni di questa coltura ancestrale. L` altra gita a scelta potrà essere o alle rovine di Tulum o a fare snorkel in un fantástico cenote.
Tutti i pacchetti di Playa Azul comprendano, alloggio per 7 notti, colazione continentale, e due gite per due persone. A partire dai $699 usd. Per piú informazione contatta Playa Azul Tulum Hotel alwww.playaazultulum.com o playaazultulum@gmail.com
Playa Azul Feed- Spring Break in Playa Azul
- Romance in the Riviera Maya
- ‘Tres Leches’ – Three Milks – Cake Recipe
- The Perfect Wedding Day in Tulum!
- The Making of Pulque – An Ancient Mayan Drink
- HORCHATA – A DELICIOUS RICE DRINK FROM TULUM
- ‘The SECRET AT CHiCHEN iTZA’ – A MAYAN HISTORICAL MYSTERY WRITTEN TO INTRIGUE YOUNG ADULTS
- PUEBLOS AROUND TULUM – THE HEART OF MEXICO
- MEXICAN LABOR DAY – DIA DEL TRABAJO
- 5 de Mayo, celebration of faith and bravery