To get a feel for The Fives resort, the following is the map of what it looks like. Notice how many swimming pools are located all throughout the villas. The brown area that divides the villas is the common area where there were stores, bars, dining tables and chairs, where the nightly performances were held, and where they set up the evening fiestas.
The villa we stayed in the first night was the first one off the common area toward the bottom of the map. We got moved the second night and stayed the rest of the time in the first villa off the common area toward the top of the map.
Lynn was so much happier with the first location because we were on the side facing the swimming pool. In the second villa, we were on the side facing the bar and it was NOISY way into the late hours of the night. Glen was able to sleep through it. I had earplugs, so it didn't bother either of us like it bothered the Maughans.
The wooden walkway through the forest in the middle of the property was where we saw the wildlife--although the critters were spotted in other places around the resort.
To get to the beach, we walked down on one of the paths at the bottom of the map. In the green space area along that route there was a tennis court, a basketball court, a large game of checkers, a large game of chess and several hammocks hanging around between trees.
The swimming pool at the beach edge was an infinity pool with a round bar in the middle. Just beyond the pool were rows of palm trees all along the beach. That was nice to provide some shade for those of us who aren't huge fans of basking in the sun.
There was a small pier going out into the sea.
After seeing a bird's-eye view of the property, here are now some people's-eye views of the resort. I still continue to marvel at the many pools snaking all throughout the villas.
Some of the villas were so close to a swimming pool the occupants could walk out onto their patio and step right into the water.
The building has different restaurants in it and overlooks the main pool by the beach.
This is the round pool bar area.
This is the infinity pool that looks like it goes straight out to meet the sea.
I spy a working man again. Poor guy had a zoom call every day while we were there. One day he had a call in the morning and then again in the evening.
We ate pizza for lunch our first sit-on-the-beach day. Funny story about that...
Both of us ordered an individual pizza and we watched the woman making our requested pizzas. She is making our pizzas in this photo.
We walked over to one of the picnic tables to sit and wait until the pizzas were done baking in the big outdoor pizza oven right behind the woman.
After patiently waiting for what seemed a very long time, Glen went to check on our order. The woman didn't know what he was talking about. There were no pizzas ANYWHERE!! How did that happen??!!??
So, once again our order was given and she made them up, baked them and gave them to us in a few short minutes. Still shaking our heads unbelievably over that little incident.
Our favorite place to sit on the beach was under these palm trees.
This was a fun vine-covered walkway where you could see Glen the Caribbean Sea at the end of the tunnel.
Another delicious dinner at one of the restaurants. YUM!!
We heard some mysterious music and looked over the railing to see a tiny little house nestled among the vines.
Reading from the nearby information marker we learned about the Alux--a Mayan tradition.
Aluxes are small beings, the Mayan equivalent of a leprechaun, elf or troll which should be left in hidden places to protect properties or crops.
People used to pray to them and give offerings in belief that they would come alive. They are faithful to their owners and mischievous with strangers.
These mythical beings were placed in a small cave or in a hollowed house for seven years. It is said that they make the corn grow, summon the rain, and watch over the land at nights whistling to frighten away animals or thieves.
To make aluxes happy, they are given food, cigarettes, honey or pozol which is a typical drink made of corn.
Only few people have seen them because they are skillful and light as the wind. If you respect them, they will protect you and your properties.
Oh happy day when we took our forest walk and saw some more coatis.
This poor, unsuspecting girl was walking along, munching on something. When the coatis heard the rustling of her hand in the bag, they came running!!!!
She dumped out all the food and instead of them leaving her alone, they charged after her, jumping up onto her legs and begging for more. As she was trying to get away from them as fast as she could, we could hear her yelling, "Go away!! I don't have anymore!!"
This was the most sightings at one time. It made my day!!
Glen was observant and spied this hog-like animal curled up in the dirt. It blended into the surrounding area and to me looked like a rock.
It got up and moving around when Glen started throwing Fruit Loops down to it. He had intended to be swarmed by coatis, but that particular day we saw nothing but the hog.
Massages were offered up high under the hut.
This was our beach lounging view one of the days, looking out at the small pier. There were huge black barriers out by the pier to mark the safe swimming area. People were always climbing or walking on them.
We saw a double-seated parasail hovering over the water. It was interesting that the sail was let out like a fishing rod line. The boat didn't even move. The wind kept the parasailers up in the air.
There were several shrines set up around the resort. They were elaborate--especially this colored-rice artwork. We saw someone working on it almost all day long.
Alas!! One evening we stopped by the villa and heard dripping coming from the toilet area. Upon investigation, we saw there was a lot of water on the floor and the constant dripping was coming from the ceiling. UGH!!!!!!!!
We thought it was coming from the room above ours, but after the worker came, got up into the ceiling and did some investigating, he discovered it was a problem with condensation from the air conditioning.
All I know is when I saw all the water that came down out of that ceiling, I was just hoping it was clean water and not sewer water. It was a big mess for him to clean up and it was late at night by the time he was finished fixing the problem and cleaning everything up.
I was so happy to get back in our room so we could get some sleep.
After breakfast the next morning, we went to a specified room at one of the villas and got our Covid tests. I was wishing with all my heart for negatives for us all. Hurrah when we learned the next day that we were all four cleared to go back to the United States. RELIEF!!!!!
The Maughans were eager to find a good lounging spot by the water. We had other plans. Glen had another zoom call.
This time he had the dressy beach look going on. He, too, was eager to get out to the beach after our relaxing afternoon the day before.
Finally we were out of the room and enjoying the great beachy outdoors!!
Glen was beginning to realize that just relaxing was actually relaxing. He has a hard time relaxing on vacation--especially when he's working while on vacation. But, he came to really appreciate the beach afternoons we were able to enjoy the last three days of our trip.
We had a fancy dinner at another of the restaurants.
When we finished up with breakfast the next morning, it was pouring down rain. Not just a rainstorm, but a torrential downpour. It was crazy!! Glen and Michael walked in the rain over to the front desk to check on Lynn's Covid test and returned with an umbrella.
Success!! We walked to our villa under the umbrella, grabbed the umbrella from our room and walked it back to give to the Maughans so they could have some cover from the wetness.
Thankfully, by lunchtime it had cleared up and we were able to go eat a hamburger/hot dog lunch on the beach.
We enjoyed a few hours of good weather before the clouds came rolling back in.
This was my favorite palm tree on the beach. It has character.
I also enjoyed seeing this hanging bunch of coconuts.
On our way to dinner we had a monkey encounter.
The long-tailed animal had a little sit-down moment to plan its next move.
The monkey walked over to the ice cream/smoothie shop and stood at the door begging to be let in. As soon as the attendant noticed the monkey at the door, she ran over and tried to shoo it away as she stood barricading the door.
That was a good move as the monkey was doing its best to pry open the door. Finally it scampered (or however a monkey moves) away.
It was an especially entertaining experience for us as some people have previously shared with us about how when they were sitting on their patio, a monkey went to their friends' patio door, opened the door, went inside and got a banana. When it left, the monkey came and sat by them flaunting the banana it had just absconded.
It is a good thing we took our umbrellas to dinner with us because it was another torrential downpour that evening as we walked out of the restaurant.
I had planned to go back out to watch the evening entertainment while Glen had a zoom call, but decided I didn't want to brave the rainstorm to see a program that might just get canceled due to the weather.
On the day we went home, we were able to eat breakfast and take our usual morning walk around the resort. We walked out onto the pier to take a final look around before going back to our room, getting cleaned up, packed up and ready to go.
It was nice to take in the beach view before heading to the airport. Glen drove the Marins' car to their home where we visited with their family for a few minutes.
We swapped our luggage to the van and President Marin drove us to the airport. We were very grateful for his kindness and generosity to us.
Adios Mexico!!
We were anxious to get home. There were lots of things we enjoyed about the trip, but also lots of things that were not our favorite.
Thankfully, Glen came to the realization that we were blessed to not be called to serve our mission in Mexico as he had been so sure would happen.
He also finally declared emphatically that he NEVER wants to go to Mexico again. Ahhhh!! Now we are on the same page!!!!
The irony of this trip is that I celebrated my 63rd birthday while we were there. Never in a thousand years would I have even wished to spend any of my birthdays in Mexico.
I had to laugh at Mark's birthday greeting to me. It was so hilariously appropriate!!
I thought the birthday greeting Natalie posted was sweet.
When we arrived home Friday evening, there was a line-up of birthday gifts and treats for me. Also, birthday cards were collecting in the mailbox. Sure made me feel loved.
I do have to say that it was a very memorable birthday!
