Mazatlan 2018 with the Cul-de-Crew

This is the first time our family has actually taken a Spring Break vacation together... together with neighbors, too. It all began with a huddle at our neighbor's Christmas party, then a clearing of the calendars, then a meeting about where to go. Mark and I were on a tight budget for travel due to some big upcoming adventures, so I tried to talk the neighbors into a road trip to Seaside, FL. But our neighbors wanted to head far south, closer to the equator, to soak in some much-needed sun. And then I mentioned our favorite resort, the one we visited HERE when the kids were babies, a crazy prize trip I earned playing Wheel of Fortune (HERE).

(The fun Vlog/music video is on YouTube HERE)

A place brimming with old memories...

And new memories to be made...

We booked it, and were giddy for the next few months in anticipation of this siesta in the sun. And yeah, it was pretty marvelous to be with this crew...

... in this magical place, the Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay resort in Mazatlan, Mexico.

I'll let some pictures do the talking--what a gorgeous place to be!

We spent our days stuffing ourselves at the all-inclusive buffets, then lounging at the beach digging holes and splashing in the Pacific...

We celebrated birthdays... Lorelei's, Vicki's and Mark's... with Cumpleanos Feliz and Lang Zal Ze Leven.

Mark got me a full-body-massage package at Armonia Spa, which is voted by Conde Nast one of the five best spas in the world. It did not disappoint. So I booked another full-body couple's massage (and stole these pics from the Internet since cameras aren't allowed, but oh--the spa room, full of different showers, jacuzzis, steam room, rock walk... it had it all!). World's top spa experience - check!

At night, we stayed up playing card games while the kids were all tuckered out. 

Brian (a former navy captain) and Vicki rented a boat, which was a bit of a hassle at the start but turned into one of our most favorite days, and some of the kids' favorite memories. Thanks Vicki and Brian!

Love him!

My dear friends Sherry...

... and Vicki.

And the boys. Tony, Mark, Brian.

We peeked into caves.

We honked at sea lions.

 And we snorkeled in the pristine waters of Mazatlan, surrounded by exotic fish, sea turtles and dolphins. (Imaginary ones. It was pretty murky down there.) :)

 Cheers.

 The Cul-de-Crew was taxied around town by Jose, who was quite a character. He called Brian, his sidekick, "Hose-B." We soon realized that Jose (Hose-A) was really taking us for a ride, pretending to pass money to cops for special parking privileges, promising he'd never earn a commission off the purchases at his favorite souvenir shop. By the end of the ride, someone came up with a new nickname: Hose-You. But it made for exciting travels, and got us into downtown Mazatlan. We visited the cathedral, where Mary takes far more prominence behind the altar than Christ. Oh, how they love Mary here.

 We walked through the park.

Stopped for ice cream.

 And meandered through the market to buy our traditional travel magnets.

We were so sad when our neighbors had to leave on Saturday, but spent one extra day at the resort soaking in the time together as a family, just us.

And that day of bonding was pretty grand, too.

Plus, I made good on the promise to go parasailing with my boy. I was over the clouds he wanted to go! Pure tranquility and bliss! 

That night, we watched in astonishment as a flock of birds hovered over the ocean breeze for 15 minutes watching the sunset, then dispersed one by one as soon as the sun went down. Who knew birds loved beauty?

Adios Spring Break 2018. I'm so grateful for this week of adventures with dear friends who we get to call neighbors. Fortunately, we have more travels together on the horizon... for the next one, our annual summer road trip. :)