Americans in Mexico

Imagine Dragons performed at the Grand re-opening of the Hard Rock in Baltimore, Maryland last week (which I will blog about soon) and as payment we were able to stay at their Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun. From the moment we found out, we were so excited for our tropical vacation but as we continued to tour and became more and more sleep deprived, we started to wish we could just stay home (wherever that is?) and do nothing for those 4 days. 

We flew out of Salt Lake City on a 6 AM flight (which meant we woke up at 4 AM) and I have to admit, after getting into our hotel after midnight the night before, we were considering sleeping in and skipping the whole thing all together. Looking back, we were being whiny brats (really exhausted brats) by complaining about this trip. This opportunity was so incredible and it turned out to be an absolute dream...and pretty much a second honeymoon for us. 

We always joke that we didn't have the best honeymoon (mostly because of rain and a super stinky hotel room) but we feel like we finally got that honeymoon 2 1/2 years later! I fell in love all over. 

Upon arriving at the hotel, we were were greeted by our VIP coordinator and a team of bell hops in full KISS makeup and wigs (We thought this was customary because it was a Hard Rock but would later learn that this was special just for us). It was awesome and a little terrifying. We sat down on a velour couch while they checked us in, photocopied out passports and told us about the amenities. The KISS look-alikes brought us mock-tails and appetizers while we waited. 

Our room was perfect. Not too big not too small, ocean views, an enormous tub and a photo of Brittney Spears on the wall, what more could you ask for?  We were given a "butler phone" so that we could get in touch with the servers that were assigned to us during our stay, but we only used it once. We were most definitely treated like royalty during our stay with our own oceanside cabanas, food and drink constantly being brought our way, VIP seats in the hotel's show and our own private area next to the pool open to only us. 

You could tell that none of us really knew what to do with that kind of service/attention but we did our best;) I tried not to get used to it but I'm at the airport right now and I don't understand why no one is bringing me a virgin Miami Vice? Oh well. 

**BTW: I think I drank over 4 of those a day. Oops. I road that sugar high from dawn till dusk. 

Our Room:

^^Our view

 ^^Dinner our first night

Playa Del Carmen

We took a day trip to Playa del Carmen with Imagine Dragons' manager Mac, his beautiful wife Julie and their two adorable littles. So much fun!

 

                                                     ^^Gelato! 

Xel-Ha

On our third day, we went to Xel-Ha, an aquatic theme park and an archaeological site of a pre-Columbian Maya civilization (or so it says on wikipedia). At 7:30 AM (if you haven't caught on yet, we are not morning people), we loaded on huge bus like cattle and headed to the touristy location. I know, sounds like a nightmare. We were skeptical to do something like this, but we wanted to snorkel, zip line and swim with dolphins while we were and Mexico and this seemed like the place to do it. 

YES, it was touristy but absolutely amazing. We road bikes through the jungle, rafted down the river, zip-lined into bath temperature water, snorkeled with all sorts of exotic fish and stingrays, ate ate and ate and SWAM WITH DOLPHINS!!!!! 

                  

**Fun fact about my husband and myself: We both wanted to be Marine Biologists when we were little. Maybe that's not too crazy because a lot of kids like sea animals but we both took it pretty serious...until we didn't and became a musician and a ballerina. 

Excuse our cheesy pictures. We couldn't help ourselves!

^^I loved this experience so much. If you ever have the opportunity, DO IT! 

                                                                                          ^^Check out this butterfly- evolution at work!

                                                                                                        ^^Mid-day hammock nap

When we got back to the hotel, the staff set up a romantic dinner for just the two of us in a secluded spot by the pool. The pool was completely empty and it felt like we had the whole resort to ourselves. There was a lantern, rose petals and delicious Brazilian food. We swam and ate and snuggled. Perfection.

The Last Day

On our final day in paradise, we took it e-a-s-y. We spent 50% of the day actually in the ocean and the rest of the time eating:)

^^Huevos Rancheros brought out to us on the beach

                                                                                               ^^Rain out over the ocean

 That night, we awkwardly sat  alone in the front row of the Michael Jackson show. The show was pretty entertaining to say the least. The MJ impersonator was fine and appeared to have a prosthetic nose and chin but I respect his moon walking skills. 

The real MJ can't be matched. 

Oh yeah, Platzman was dragged up onstage for a dance competition at the end of the show. It was one of the most amazing thing I've ever seen. 

I have video footage but that's classified.

Or blackmail if I ever need it;)