Our kids live in different provinces so Mexico was the warm choice for an early family Christmas. Three happy, thriving grandchildren and their four hardworking parents having fun in the sun - it sounded like a great idea to us and it was. And the only present this Grandma and Grandpa need this year.
Here are pictures, lots of them, to keep the experience in my memory and also to share with you. A warm little package of tropical colour and sweet smiles on this freezing cold Saskatchewan afternoon.
I've been home just a week and I miss that place. 30 degrees above zero suits me much better than 30 below. Plus my hair looks better with humidity.
We explored four of Huatulco's famous sandy beaches. Chahue and Santa Cruz were just a short walk from the hotel, cheap taxis took us down the road a little farther to Entrega and Maguey.
Lots of Mexican families from Mexico City and other parts of the country were enjoying their holiday on the coast, and I often started conversations with kids and parents as we paddled and floated.
Our 5-year old learned to snorkel and to swim! He did it calmly and naturally, it was his parents and grandparents who felt the joy. He needed no coaxing in the shallow water, then a few days later, was eager to go farther out near the rocks with his dad.
Shady restaurants lined the beaches, and someone was always ordering cerveza or giant coconut drinks, or fried shrimp, and pico de gallo. We were on holiday!
A monster cruise ship moved slowly by and I was glad I wasn't on it. Not my cup of tea.
If we weren't at the beach, the kids were in the hotel pool. The shallow end was just right for our tres nietos and extra cousins and family we met up with.
Grandpa Dave and I got to sit back and enjoy them all. Our patio was the morning craft and coffee centre. Amazing what you can do with a pail full of seashells and some PlayDoh. There was a tiny baby in a scallop shell cradle, and pizza served on an oyster shell, and a birthday cake decorated with circles of tiny shells and stick candles.
Sculptures were created, then disassembled in a flash and became an island full of plastic sea creatures that Sam and Bodhi called their "Science Project".
At Escuela Abuela they all learned a few words in Spanish. The boys did well at Loteria, the Mexican version of Bingo. It kept their attention for one quick game before they hopped back into the pool.
The venue is Villa Blanca, in Huatulco, Mexico, a charming, small hotel that's a favourite with Canadian regulars of a certain age. It provides all the bacon and eggs, tacos, omelettes, papaya, fresh pastries and mimosas you want in the included breakfast, and the restaurant and bar are open throughout the day.
You might want to check out Villa Blanca if a slow-paced, hot and humid holiday in Huatulco tempts you. It's a pretty little place that's tidy and well-managed.
It's not an all-inclusive resort so we had lots of opportunity to enjoy Mexican and Italian restaurants, burger joints and taco street stands, all just a short walk from the hotel into the centre of La Crucecita.
The ice cream stores were a hit - helados, nieves, paletas in exotic flavors like leche quemada (burnt milk) and beso oaxaqueño (apple, carrot, pineapple). Our kiddies always seemed to choose blue bubblegum.
A full Mexican moon over the hotel, hot churros on the street, a little wacky dancing and a bedtime story were enough nightlife for most of us.
What a fabulous family holiday it was!
I'm very aware of how fortunate we are to have a vacation like this. I thank our lucky stars and our wonderful kids for helping make it happen.
Feliz Navidad a todos! I hope you have a lovely Christmas season with family and friends wherever you are, and may you enjoy the peace and contentment that come your way.
Thanks for having a look at this Grandma's photo album.
