When we go to EPM, we stay for a relatively short period of time. The first time was three nights only. We knew that wasn’t enough… The next two were four each. That seemed about right, but we never left the resort.

This time, we went for four days and decided to do an excursion. There was only one day that all of my friends would be there, too, so we set the excursion for our first full day. In retrospect, three full days is not long enough when one of them is an excursion day. That said, if you’re going to do it at all, doing it on the first day is the best time.

We had heard great reviews of M & M yachts, right at the marina next to the resort. I debated whether to walk over there in the morning or to take the transportation. It was definitely better to take the transportation because it was confusing to see where the boat was, and how to get into the marina without someone there to greet us. (I like to have things planned), and at $10 a person round trip, why not! If you’re taking an excursion, you can check at the bellhop desk at the front, and they’ll lend you towels for the day. They’re free, you just have to sign for them.

Day 2 was just as windy as day one. We considered rescheduling. M&M was great to work with, but Friday was the only day all eight of us would be there – so we decided to go. The trip was $150 per person for a 4 hour trip which included drinks and made to order ceviche and guacamole. It could be as much or as little of a booze cruise as you wanted it to be.

The boat holds 14 people plus the three crew members. Still, many of the 8 of us are not small people, so I’m glad that we didn’t have anyone else. Eight was the most that fit on the outside of the back of the boat comfortably. We could have gone downstairs, but you can’t really see much from there. It’s a perfectly comfortable boat. It has sofas, a kitchen, and a small bathroom. Plenty of places to be for a few hours.

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None of us are HUGE snorkelers, nor did we really want to spend the day on Isla Mujeres, so we just decided a 4 hour boat ride was plenty. In the end, it was A LOT choppier than we were anticipating. And, because it was so choppy, there really wasn’t a chance to do any snorkeling.

Still, for me? I thought the day was GORGEOUS. Windy enough that it never got hot, and it made for a fun and wild ride. For those with motion sickness issues, though, not quite as glorious… We took the ride out to Isla Mujeres to where the water is so strikingly blue and clear all the way to the bottom (about 15 feet).

Eventually, we found a place smooth enough to jump in. It’s been YEARS since I jumped off the back of a boat into water. I forgot you kind of have to swim to get to the top… BUT after a minor moment of panic I resurfaced!!! The service couldn’t have been better the whole trip. The ceviche was fresh caught grouper, and the drinks were great. We road the boat back into some glass smooth inlets where they bring all of the boats in case of a hurricane, and we saw some of the big gorgeous houses of the rich and famous (Kenny Chesney’s was one.)

Since our trip was early we got back pretty early, too. When we returned, we could see Diego at the martini bar, so we made a run for him.

Dear old dad made a run for him, too and had his own personal wipe out down those famous lobby stairs. Hopefully his first will also be his last. We all have to fall at EPM at sometime, right? This was the first time I got medical insurance specifically for the trip, and I suggested to my parents to get some, too. They did, and I’m glad that no one had to use it.

It was only 1 o’clock or so, and I hadn’t been to the beach yet, so I decided to get a few hours in. It was almost deserted. Only one bali bed was taken. I loved sitting there with the wine whipping around for an hour or so.

After a bit, my mom came to join my husband and me. We wandered around the resort for awhile and took my mom to see some of the nooks and crannies. We had a mojito tasting scheduled, so we decided to get a quick bite at aroma before going back to the room to get cleaned up. I love their little snacks and sandwiches when you don’t need a whole lot.

We had done the tequila tasting before and the mixology. They’re $25 per person added to the total, and they are always so fun and informative! I learned about Sir Frances Drake beginning the mojito and also about Hemingway mojitos… which are now my new favorite. They are made with sparkling wine instead of club soda.

Now, I’m no quitter, but there is NO WAY that I could have made it through ALL of those mojitos. I think it was six each? In the end, we got to choose our own mix based on the ingredients. I had an apple, ginger, Hemingway mojito made with Captain Morgan rum. I recommend it! It was fantastic!

From there, it was time for dinner. Six from our group chose to go to Flavor Market. Last time we were there, we just asked the waiter to keep bringing us his favorite. That probably would have been a better bet this time as well. It was a wonderful dinner, and plenty of food, but I’m not sure that all my choices were the best. I did a TERRIBLE job of taking pictures, but the charcuterie board may have been my favorite of all. The octopus was good as was the Spanish omelet. I didn’t dislike any of it, but I was disappointed in the potatoes and the paella. I also think my question about the gorgonzola filet special was lost in translation. Still, it was good. We also ordered a Mexican wine that I hadn’t had before which we really liked: the Duetto. I think it was about $125 on the list. I’ve been able to find it for around $80 on wine searcher, so not a bad markup at all. We like to buy wines that are harder to get in the US if we choose off the list. (We buy A LOT of wine at home.)

It seemed I was actually about to make it to a show! I went with my parents to the circus show, and I was REALLY impressed. I thought the acrobatics were great, and the costumes wonderful as well.

It was silent party night, but that’s not really my scene. Besides, the next day was my first full day AT the resort, and I definitely had a sunrise to get up to see!