We tip the kid, said our goodbyes and got back into Mr. Bailey's car. Mr Bailey asked us if we wish some more sightseeing as he knew a few stops along the way. Bill and I eager for more adventure said, sure! We pass a few minuscule villages that Mr. Bailey points out. He noticed us becoming bored with his village sightseeing pickings so he plots a new course. We drive for another hour or so and come upon a placed called the Maruba Jungle Resort Spa. He mentions that it has beautiful tropical gardens. At this point with my patience wearing thin, I said " I give a shit less to look at some flowers, is there a f***** bar here". He says " Mr John calm down, not to worry we can get a drink here". I put on my happy face and tell him to make haste.
Maruba means Paradise of the Sun in Mayan. It is a nice aside but I have no idea if it is true or not. However, the place is a paradise. You drive a a little ways on a winding road and come upon this oasis in the jungle. The place has twenty room/suites 2 pools, outdoor jacuzzi, a complete spa menu with private rooms and rooms for couples, great music, restaurant and of course a BAR.
Of course a very pretty young women brings us a cocktail menu. Bill gets a wine, Mr Bailey a beer and me I order what is called a Marubian Viper Punch with an asterisk next to the drink that says Potent. She brings the drink in a special bowl. I take on sip and wonder why they bother to put the word punch in the drink menu. Finally, I am feeling no pain, Anna the owner's mom a lovely, older Austrian woman who bought the place with her doctor husband, starts chatting us up. She asks if we would like a tour. Guess what we said? Sure!
Let me just say this before I begin any hyperbole, this is truly a magnificent place for a getaway. One of the great small resorts I have ever seen. Stone pathways lead to small structure like rooms, cabanas, suites, dressing rooms for the two swimming pools. She showed us the enormous massage and mud bath rooms each decorated in a different motif but all of it Mayan Jungle. Mosaic tile graces walls and walkways leading you to another nook or cranny. The restaurant/ bar is a bi-level structure with tables and chairs among the tree tops and branches. Anna's graciousness in touring our around remind me of another great hotel man along the Rhine river in Germany. Throughout the tour, Anna talked about her dream as a teenager was to live in NYC and she accomplish that dream. We talked about our homeland as we casually strolled about the Spa. We finally got back out to the parking lot where Anna hug and air kiss us on our way.
I always carry little trinkets from home. Simple, light key chains of various famous NYC landmarks. I usually bring. Half-dozen of them and hand them out to those people who preform some random act of kindness, have been especially nice and helpful on my journey. The first recipient was given to Mr. Bailey over drinks. He loved it and promptly put in on his key chain.
Anna with the dream of NYC received the second one. I told her this is for you because you always wanted to go to NYC. She said " but I did make it there", I told her keep it for life where dreams are realized. She says "yes, I will keep it for the memory"
The pool
A room
The bar...
The drink
The Bill, need I say more?
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