Playa Goodbaya…

The two weeks I have spent in Playa del Carmen have been memorable to say the least…!!

Mario, the manager of the Alhambra Hotel, who was always on hand to ensure that our stay was both comfortable and enjoyable....

My very good friend Roberto Martinez, who provided me with a place to stay and entertained me royally....!!

The weather could have been better, as it has rained for half the time I have been here, but the company I have been in, has more than made up for that…!!

Today I will make a few last adjustments to the Big Fella, replacing head-lamp globes that have “popped”, and converting him back to the tourer he is accustomed to, rather than the stripped down “street racer” he has recently become…!!

As usual, there has been the series of goodbyes to people who have made my stay here unforgettable…

Yesterday, I was invited to a BBQ at Gustavo and Nancy's home, where I was able to say goodbye to many of the friends I have made in Playa....

Roberto was "chef-in-charge", so he got to wear the apron...!!

Peppers containing a mix of egg, grated cheese and spices went down very well....

As did a huge bowl of pasta, which had me smiling of course...!!

Fillets of Wahoo were carefully prepared by Roberto, who took charge of the grilling…

I recall asking him how long the largest chunk of tinfoil-wrapped fish would take to cook, to which he replied in his usual laconic manner,

“Between five and six beers…!!”

That’s Roberto for you…!!

Despite the heavy rain that fell while we were enjoying ourselves, the great group of friends that joined us for the BBQ, kept the proceedings lively with stories of past BBQ’s that had gone horribly pear-shaped when livers eventually gave in…!!

What began in glorious sunshine in the early afternoon, went on until well after the sun had set.... A wonderful evening with the Playa Gang....!!

My final goodbye was at the Skinny Bikini, where we had spent a few evenings in this laid back little restaurant...

Lawrence and "B" were there to bid me farewell.... Maybe see you in Malibu, Buddy...!!

A smiling, happy and beautiful Patricia, on our last evening in Playa....

But my most memorable farewell had taken place the day before, when Patricia jetted back to the Turks and Caicos after a week spent with me in Playa del Carmen…

We had joined Roberto for drinks at one of his favourite hangouts, and then ended up at the Skinny Bikini, where we continued our festivities until the early hours of the morning…

Our partings have always been very difficult for me, and this particular one was no different to the many others we have had over the past year…

It was difficult to keep a smile on my face, while knowing that within a few hours we would be saying goodbye for what was more than likely another three months apart…

We had enjoyed a wonderful week together, crammed full of interesting places we managed to visit and the people we met…

Having Patricia constantly at my side was by far the most enjoyable and important thing for me…

I still marvel at the incredible good fortune that led to us meeting, and the wonderful relationship we have built together since then… I am already counting the days until we see each other in New Jersey again…

Together at Chichen Itza... Sharing our mutual love of all things mystical and magical...

Tomorrow I will make a long ride to Palenque, to see the Mayan ruins where the “end of days” prediction is carved on the walls of the temples there…

It is now common knowledge that the world will not end on the 21st of December 2012, but is just the beginning of the new Mayan calendar… But just in case… I thought I better check it our for myself…!!

See you in Palenque…

©GBWT 2012