Week #1 Blog Update Ending November 28th, 2020

 Week #1 Blog Update Ending November 28th, 2020

 We are back to paradise for our

 2020/2021 Winter Get Away!

The decision to come to Mexico this year was a difficult one in the beginning with COVID being the number one concern, but our minds were set at ease when we were assured  that people here were adhering to the rules. The rules are listed in  one of our favourite Blogs, "https://www.inpuertomorelos.com", on the bottom right there is a list of posts, click on November 2020 and scroll down to "COVID in PM and what you need to know. 

This Blogger posts regularly and keeps readers up to date with accurate information about Puerto Morelos. Following  is an excerpt from the November post telling us what to expect when coming to Puerto Morelos during COVID. 

• You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when you are within 1.5 meters (5 feet) of other people.
• You must wear a mask when you enter and are inside any business. 
• When entering a business you will have your temperature checked, gel your hands, and wipe your feet on a disinfectant floor mat.
• You should practice social distancing as much as possible
• You must self isolate and get tested should you come down with any of the symptoms of Covid-19.
• You must wear a mask inside public transport (ie Taxis, buses, collectivos) 

Mexico is one of the most popular travel destinations right now because it is one of the few places in the world that you can travel to with relative ease since COVID. Puerto Morelos is no exception.

When you arrive by plane you will have to fill out a Health Declaration Form, but there is no legal requirement to quarantine.

Quintana Roo has been working very hard to stop the spread of Covid-19. Case numbers are posted at noon daily (local time) here on Twitter. As we write this, Puerto Morelos has had an official total of 30 cases. Most of the cases occurred in the first few months of the pandemic. 

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Allan and I have chosen to do the 14 day quarantine on our own and are able to do so because we are blessed with friends and neighbours who are running erands for us. It is so nice to be back, and it appears the neighbours are happy to see us as much as we are happy to see them - when we are outside they yell from the street saying in Spanish, hello, how are you! We really feel a part of the community.

So much for COVID I will move on....

Thursday November 26th we left home and made our first stop in Espanola where we had to make a purchase at The Source, while in the mall we had the opportunity to say our winter farewells to friends and  Islanders Larry and Shelly Killens and Roy Lumley.  Elliot Lake was our next stop to attend the funeral visitation of my aunt Sonya (Eloise) McLennan, she is the wife of my mother's youngest brother, Glen McLennan. As funerals go, you get to visit with family you haven't seen in ages and as always, promise to see each other more often, but life has its way of changing our well intended plans. I am sure many of you readers know exactly what I am saying.

Our next stop was Sudbury, we had a few errands to run  there also. The most important was meeting up with Brooklyn (our oldest Granddaughter) and receiving  several masks she made for us to bring and use while in Mexico. Brooklyn has become quite the little seamstress - she is doing very well - we are so proud of her!

Friday, morning, after spending a short night at the Fairfield we were on our way at 3:45 am to the airport to park the car for Logan's (our oldest Grandson) later pick up and get our luggage into the receiving line for Air Canada. We did have concerns about airports, planes and COVID so friends suggested to reduce some of the personal contact with others by purchasing meals from Tim Hortons before leaving Sudbury, which we did and that was a fantastic idea. It worked out very  well.

Airlines never cease to amaze me  with those last minute surprises. At check in we were advised that we had to complete a COVID health form on line for the Mexican government. I asked "What happens if we don't fill it out on line?" The response - "Well they just won't let you in!" I hadn't had my morning coffee yet - it is 5:00 am - I was in a tizzy but managed to get the forms completed before take-off. Phew!

We both felt safe with the COVID regulations on our flights and at Sudbury, Pearson International and Cancun airports. Our flight was full and all passengers were elbow to elbow but everyone wore a mask and was conscientious of others. When we arrived in Cancun our shuttle "Canadian Transfers" were also very COVID regulation conscious. We were given hand sanitizer to use and our luggage was sprayed with disinfectant before it was put in the van. We were also sat appropriate distances from the masked driver.

Kris and her staff - Fatima and Erica had our house spotless and ready for us. It is so nice to enter your home and have it completely ready for you. Amazing! However it didn't remain tidy for long as we opened suitcases and settled in. 

Our friend and Neighour Claudia and friend cooked dinner for us - we were able to remain masked and social distanced in our back patio. What a treat! 

Saturday was our true settle in day - unpacking and putting things away - that is worse than packing  I think. 

Oh, I forgot to mention - since we lost our luggage last year I took photos of every item we packed this year. I wanted to make my job a little easier  should we loose luggage again.

Something interesting - when we collected our 2 pieces of checked on luggage from the luggage carousel in Cancun we noticed dirty dog paw prints on them both. We chuckled and thought of the dogs scurrying about looking for contraband, well  to bad so sad for them - we had none.  The joke was on us - when unpacking we found notices in both pieces of luggage saying they had been checked in Toronto Pearson Airport, thankfully the little box checked said "Search conducted. No item removed." My thoughts are the dogs noses indicated there was something suspicious in our bags. I may be guilty of purchasing used books at a local rummage sale (not saying where) that were donated by a marijuana user. Just a fun thought - lol

An interesting insect was hanging out by the pool.

Speaking of the pool - it was waiting for us and invited us right in when we first arrived - 30 degrees - Wow, it was relaxing.

Our plants survived the hurricanes and the major storm that went through this fall.

We are very happy to be back in our little piece of paradise,

 it's an amazing feeling for sure. 

Until my next post, stay healthy, stay happy, stay safe and keep smiling.