I’m back. Finally. It was a rough fall. Rewarding, in so many ways, but just a little too hectic for my tastes. Okay, okay – a lot too hectic for my tastes. And that’s the reason we decided to get away and do something completely different.

We’ve traveled a fair bit over the years, but we typically enjoy (moderate) adventure. Perhaps wandering aimlessly through the streets of a new city, or even exploring ancient ruins. What we have never done, is simply lie in the sun.

Until now, that is. After our hectic schedule this year, all we just wanted to do, quite frankly, was as little as possible.

Sitting in the shade, reading a book, and sipping a piña colada was about all the adventure I wanted.

As for local culture, this was just about perfect.

And, of course, the coconuts for the piña coladas.

Make no mistake. I certainly wouldn’t want this to be my only view of a foreign culture. And on future trips to Mexico, I will make the effort to visit Mayan ruins in the vicinity. But for this trip, unwinding by the pool was exactly what we needed.