I’m so exciting that were all going snorkeling together. I prepared their gear, although maybe they feel a little anoyed at me for fussing over fitting their snorkel gear fitting.

I just want things to go well and for her to love it as I do. If your gear doesnt fit right, your adventure can be doomed.

Got everyone’s gear layed out last night for final fitting this morning. Slathered ourselves with biodegradable, reef safe sunscreen.

Met our Captain Joaquin.

Its Saturday. Ace left early this morning. Chris and Angela due to arrive this morning. I had it all worked out….but the way of travel, don’t always go as planned.

There was so much drama that they almost gave up. At the last minute, Angela had a problem with her passport. Chris is super busy at work. The day they are to leave……She’s sick

They made it to airport at 7:30 for a 8:30 red eye flight. Only to find out the flight was delayed and finally cancelled about midnight. They went home for the night and back at 8am. They have a 11am flight to Mexico City and arriving into Cancun at 6:50 pm. Being picked up by Happy Shuttle…and Puerto Morales, where I am, is about 20 min south.

At least that was the plan. The Saturday flight was late leaving, so they missed the connection in Mexico City. They are due to arrive at 11:30 pm.

I met them at airport after all their travel hassel. It was such a joy seeing my boy walk out of Cancun air terminal.

Took them out for a delicious breakfast the next morning. Everything taste so fresh and homemade

Eggs benedict, tomato and cheddar omelet, and huevos rancheros, with toast, fresh potatoes (not frozen) fresh squeezed OJ and coffee for all….less than $20.00 US.

Today they got to relax.

Spent the day, exploring around town, relaxed in afternoon on the deck with hammocks and a pool….under a palapa, over looking the ocean, while feeling the cool breezes.

In the evening, ate at La Sirena. Lovely dinner, octopus for app, Chris had prime rib with fresh horseradish sauce, Angela had buttery roasted chicken, and I had fish. Plus bottled water and cocktails. Cost for dinner about $80.00..more expensive than usual….because of the prime rib….i encouraged Chris to get it. Good beef is not so plentiful here unless you go to a steak place. Fresh fish can be had here anytime unlike at home in central Texas, San Antonio.

Ace is leaving tomorrow. We want to get in our last snorkel. It was s beautiful one.

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Today we decided to luxuriate on the beach.

Theres a place where we can lounge, snorkel from the beach. Theres a blue hole and cenote (underground river)

We happened to run into Captain Jack Sparrow

Saw a lobster in its hole.

Nice snorkel, visibility not bad. Aces father is a novice. He mostly held on to a life-preserver while the captain pulled him around. Ace needed to help him also, so we stayed close.

We didn’t spend a lot of time in the water because he was anxious to go to happy hour.

This evening we had dinner with Ace and her father at a lovely Mediterranean restaurant, La Sirena, overlooking the town square.

My friend arrived, Angelina….also goes by Ace or Lina. She is editor and associate producer on Night Moves, my radio show.

Surprisingly, her father is here on the last of his vacation. We met up, had breakfast and went snorkeling.

I met what will be our dive master and captain, Joaquin

Captian Joaquin

I went snorkeling in the early afternoon today. Been a little stressed over my son’s girfriends’ passport situation.

More about the snorkel in a moment. I just got back, had my shower, and feel so unbelievably relaxed, just like I had a massage. Relaxing in repose while visions of clear turquoise water with fish and other graceful creatures still swimming in my minds eye.

About the snorkel, lots of seaweed have washed up on the shore and in is the water for a few feet. It affect did affect the visibility a bit, I think.

Here in PM the reef is close, there are boats that take you out to the reef, with a captain and an underwater guide. He leads the swim/snorkel quite briskly, I must say. I was taking underwater pictures  so kept falling behind. Then had to swim hard to catch up. I like to daughtle when I snorkel and take pics. When you swim up, the fish slither into their holes. if you just relax and float for a few seconds they swim back out and you got your picture. However, this snorkel was more like shoot and swim. I plan to find the guy we used last time I was here, I looked but couldn’t find him today. Just went with one of the guys that were hawking the snorkel trips.

With traveling, you learn to roll with the punches or deal with the anxiety of things not going as planned.

On this trip from my home in San Antonio, TX to Peurto Morales, Mexico it all transpired just like you hope it does, but rarely happens. Got to the airport early, flights were all on time, arrived in Cancun, breezed through customs and immigration, right outside the airport door, a uniformed man holding a sign with my name on it for Happy Shuttle. He drove straight to Casa Veleros, the house I rented for a month. The lady was waiting with a key to show me around.

The house is really cute, 2 br, 2 bath, full living, dining room and kitchen. I explored around for awhile.

Unfortunately had to deal with from stress at home. My son, Chris, and his girlfriend are coming down in a week. She still doesn’t have her passport and their trip is in peril. There are many reasons this has gotten me upset…maybe I’ll elaborate later.

Upstairs in Casa Veleros…there’s a palapa and deck with a pool, hammocks, and ocean view. I layed in the hammock, gazing at the blue ocean…Beatles songs wafted in the air, intersected with Mexican tunes, from a nearby restaurant singer.

A found my moment of Zen. Welcome to Puerto Morales.

The first time I lost my hair from chemotherapy. My daughter cut me a cute mohawk…before shaving it off.

The second time my cancer came back….she made me up to be Goth. Scary isn’t it?

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I started this blog to document the dying coral reef around the world, and find areas where the reef is surviving. However, this became my travel blog.

Over the last 2 years, I made a journey that I never wanted to make…..cancer treatment and bone marrow transplant.

Making this journey, from an interesting perspective as a past oncology nurse, there were times I wondered if a little ignorance might be bliss?

Enduring those procedures to save my life…. (scans, biopsies, multiple chemotherapy, spinal tap and so forth), in those worse moments…I imagined jumping into that clear, healing water of the Carribean. It refreshes and washes away fear.

I am leaving this week to spend a month in the Mexican Carribean…. Going to Puerto Morales, Mx.

I’ll celebrate one year from my bone marrow transplant, in remission.

Last day in London town…it’s raining..kinda fits my mood. It’s my last day. Time has passed fast. Now back to the real world, am looking forward to getting back into my little routine and see my family. Traveling around..meeting great people and seeing new sights, and tasting delicious international foods..is a bit of a dream world.

My greatest moments were my interviews. I wondered what common thread all of us have, that work in Sexuality? Would I find wounded souls?? I found lovely creative people that had just enough wounding to make them have compassion and empathy, for others…and by helping others…they’ve found the secret to helping themselves to learn and grow. It’s been a fabulous experience, met friends for life, and plan to return and help document their journey and rebirth.

On a humorous note, for those of you interested..no, I did not find a man. Unfortunately, I return the virgin queen. I so wanted a man to say “I fancy you”….just like in the British movies. But not for me.

Spent this morning packing..getting ready for the morning. I took a long walk to the Baywater area. For my last meal, had Indian. Then a little later…afternoon tea. Perfect way to top off a trip to London.

Now I’m trying to complete my blog and make arrangements to to get to the airport early in the morning. Purchased my train ticket to the airport on line. I have a long hike in the morning with my bags to the train station. The first word in jounalism and tavel..you gotta be able to carry your own bags and equipment.

That evening met a really fun and interesting girl from Sweden. We had lots of laughs for my last night…in jolly old London. And say farewell… hasta la vista…I will return.