Mr. and Mrs. Teabody Beat the Winter Blahs at Villa del Palmar

Good Morning from Meadow Grounds Mountain where Mother Nature decided to welcome the Teabodys home from Mexico with a smattering of the white stuff. On such a gray and overcast morning, one would think the Teabodys crestfallen but not to worry as they brought sunshine home inside their suitcases, back pockets, and inside themselves, the surest repository for sunshine. Having enjoyed one full week of sunny days, it seems churlish not to share the experience.

To start their journey, the Teabodys booked a lovely room at Aloft Hotel along Nursery Road which is just a mile or so from the airport. They enjoyed a delightful repast at Acqua next door with a young friend before settling in for a great night's rest followed by an efficient shuttling to their AirTran check in spot. A smooth three hour and twenty minute flight took the Teabodys to sunny Cancun International Airport where immigration and customs went without a hitch as did bag retrieval. Stepping just outside the airport they were met by a rep from USA Transfers and in less than half an hour they were being deposited in front of Villa del Palmar in Playa Mujeres, Mexico.

The first thing one notices about Villa del Palmar is its size. It is massive with plans to replicate itself twice more in coming years. Greeted by the doorman, the Teabodys were each handed a refreshing non-alcoholic frozen concoction of layers of mango and strawberry. Everything about the lobby is very modern if a bit jumbly with a raised platform in the center featuring sofas and chairs. Reception is actually quite small but there are TWO tables with plaques reading "concierge." Luckily for the Teabodys, they read reviews and could spot time share salespeople when they saw them. At the reception desk, "Vanessa" handled the room assignment for the Teabodys with great efficiency.

Booked through Expedia for seven days at a total rate of $1350, the Teabodys were promised and given a one-bedroom ocean-view suite approximately 1000 square feet with king bed, two baths, jacuzzi, full living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry. Furthermore a free buffet breakfast at Davino was included. After check in the Teabodys were turned over to a "concierge" who explained the locations of all the features of the property and began to hint at the time share. When Mrs. Teabody said, "Not to hurt your feelings, but we would never return here," the young woman looked shocked until Mrs. Teabody explained that Isla Mujeres is their favorite spot, that they go there for the beautiful scenery and the small intimate feeling of the island. The young woman said she understood and the Teabodys were never "pitched" again.

Room 1508 is located in Building 1 on floor 5, and anyone who can't be happy in this room simply cannot be happy. The view across the lush grounds to the sea beyond was fantastic, and the Teabodys spent many happy hours on the balcony enjoying the sunshine, the warm breeze and the brilliant weather.  The Teabodys enjoyed breakfast daily at Davino, dining al fresco when weather allowed and making good use of the Mexican dishes being made up fresh in the corner next to the fruit. The only thing in a league with the special Mexican dishes was the fruit bar. Mrs. Teabody constructed an artful plate each morning of all the melons and citrus and the ripest most perfect MANGOS ever.

Steak meals at La Casonia were always delectable as were the dinners at Hiroshi. Standouts for the steak  house were the short ribs while the tuna cracker took top honors at Hiroshi. Zama was the least favorite of all the restaurants but it was more an organizational problem than anything else. The Teabodys also made use of  The Market Place Deli for wonderful salads and croque Madame.

The trip was not without its adventures. The Teabodys had transfers to and from Ultramar ferry by using the collectivo "bus" and their day on Isla, their very favorite vacation spot, could not have been more perfect. Mr. Teabody had a disconcerting ride on the high seas bound for Contoy. The mission was aborted some hour and a half out and the hour and half return was not without a cacophony of sobbing and prayers as the craft was dashed about by large waves, but none of these came from  Mr. Teabody who was a paragon of composure.  Truth to tell this was not a trip intended for adventure. This was a trip to relax and the Teabodys did that to a "T" at Villa del Palmar.

The flight back to BWI was short and smooth except for the last fifteen minutes of "weather' and all too soon the Teabodys were on the big highways in pitch blackness with hundreds of other cars and trucks and rain coming down by the bucketsful. They were so happy to exit at Cearfoss Pike and be back on country roads in spite of the rain. As a last little surprise they found the final obstacle to their homecoming was a slick and snow-covered Mercersburg Mountain. Luckily the Teabodys' ancient motor car was a match for the challenge and by 9:30  they were in their nice warm home giving out pets and dances to their beloved Ming and not so much later snug in their bed.

As Mrs. Teabody looks out her snow-filled window she is remembering the warm sunny days and brilliant sea of Mexico and she is thinking that spring is just around the corner, Gentle Reader, and  there is sunshine enough in her heart's core to see her through till then. Soon, Gentle Reader. Soon.