Playa del Carmen and the disco

Pling... Clock the whatsapp when we woke up in the morning yesterday. It was our big little friend Amando. Whether we still wanted to go to Playa del Carmen today. Sí senōr! Was my enthusiastic response. I will be there at 10 am senōr! So that went smoothly.

As we sat in Amando's, now familiar to us, somewhat simple cab .we asked him the question we already thought of in Holland. Amando, due to sentimental reasons, could you please bring us to Riu Palace Mexico in Playa del Carmen. Amando nodded in agreement and there we were suddenly on our way to a piece of the past, a piece of memories for Michelle and a sensation for myself because I have heard my wife talk and tell about this so many times.

After a drive of just under 40 minutes, through super wealthy but certainly less fortunate neighborhoods and streets, we suddenly came to a stop. We looked up, and there were the oh-so-familiar steps. Iconic almost. But there was also security there. And they were less than thrilled that we came to take pictures. We had to buy a day pass of 10000 pesos per person if we wanted to go in. That was not going to be possible for an hour. But Amando didn't like it and made sure that we could take the desired picture. Without a day pass.

After we quickly took the picture and forwarded it to Rob and José, it was then time for Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen itself. And that turned out to be quite a thing. What a huge mix of local restaurants in all colors of the rainbow, and the super sleek designs of the Haute Couture stores of the super big luxury brands in the world. Prada, Gucci, Sisley, Oakley, Cartier, Breitling, they were all there. Piece by piece with prices you won't find in Europe. And all thought out to perfection.

Suddenly it sounded Amigo amigo, come have some food. Before I knew it I was shaking hands with Hector or how he introduced himself /, Hector the Connector. This was a man who was convinced that we should come and see his establishment. After a brief chat, we declined. After all, we were still browsing and were absolutely not hungry yet. So there we went. First to the Ultrafemme so we could buy protection for Michelle's hair which otherwise would have turned a sleek platinum blonde by the end of the vacation. With the help of a very fake but friendly woman named Angelica, it was done in no time and we walked out the door with the needed hair protection...... And shower gel..... And , well never mind.

Either way this was top notch! Darling darling! I suddenly heard. By now we were walking in a small but expensive section of the covered shopping area of fifth Avenue. A Sunglass Island, we'll take a look. I nodded in agreement and we went inside. Both speeding along the rows of Ray Ban and Oakley, Michelle noted that there were some really cool brands in this store. Even Cartier was downright well represented. And just for fun, I had to try those on.

Let's not elaborate on it , but according to Michelle it looked very good. So we browsed stores and streets and soaked up the colors of Playa del Carmen. (We'll upload those photos later!)

Once we were back at the resort, it slowly became time to eat at Kahlo, the Mexican restaurant that operated upscale and ala carte. Just dressed up and once there, it quickly became clear to us that Mexico was more than just street food.

What a delicious food they had prepared for us. Only there is 1 problem..... We are stuck at O'Hare airport in Chicago as I write this. And it's hard to type there. So as much as I would have liked to write.... Here it is very difficult. But I promise, also on behalf of Michelle: we'll tell you all about it when we get back tomorrow!!! Of course also about the other days when we haven't written anything.

In two hours we will finally leave for our beloved Holland. Love you all!!! See you then! 😘