Baby Karin in
Puerto Aventuras, Nov 2005
Hi, I am Karin Formstone. I am a five months old baby who lives in Puerto Aventuras. Since we moved here in August 2005, I've been exploring the area with my parents. I want to share with other babies what they can do here.
Even though some people say that with babies parents cannot do many things, mine have managed to keep on doing what they like to, they just take me with them.
I guess that I am a lucky baby, because although I am little, I already know a lot of places around here.
There is nothing that I enjoy more than water. Any water. My father said that as I live surrounded by it, swimming is a necessity for me. Therefore I've been enjoying swimming lessons since I remember. There are a lot of fun!
Last October, my cousins Lauren and Louie came to visit me. All together we went to Cenote Ponderosa. It is a really nice place, ideal for all the family. Meanwhile my Daddy and uncle Simon went cavern diving, I enjoyed the jungle, the water in the cenote and we visit a dry cave. My Daddy said that is part of my training to be a cave diver when I am a little older.
My cousin Lauren was the luckiest of all of us. As she is a big girl (she was four in August) she was allowed to go snorkeling. She enjoyed it so much, than even when her lips were blue she insisted that the water was warm enough to keep swimming. I cannot wait to experience that!
But here there is more than water. I love to go for long walks with my Dad. It is very common to see us both in the most far away places of Puerto Aventuras. I enjoy discovering all, meanwhile my Daddy tries to capture everything with his camera.
I also walk along with my Mom, and as she says, a little storm will not stop an adventurous girl like me. They just dress me properly for the occasion and out there we go!
One of my favorite spots are the Puerto Aventuras Mayan Ruins. As they are not too big, there are ideal to visit with a baby like me. We don't get tired and we can still appreciate what ancient Mayas did.
What I like to do the most in the evening is to walk to the marina. There, in the pools, you can see my best friends, the dolphins. It is amazing to see how many of them came near to me. Specially the mommy dolphins, who bring their babies along so I can see them. In those pools there is even a baby manatee, who drinks milk from a bottle like me, although my Mommy explained me that his formula is different than mine.
To make things better, last Friday they open a new place, specially targeted for kids. There they have a climbing frame, who has became the meeting point for all the kids in PA. They can serve you an ice cream in a special Cinderella or Bobby the Builder plate! They also have little tables, children size. It is a place that I enjoy as much as my Mommy, as she can meet a lot of other mommies to talk with, meanwhile we play.
Despite all my activities, I still find time to read. At this moment I am helping my Daddy to study for his PADI IDC. The Instructor Manual section that I enjoyed the most is the one dedicated to us, the kids. There they explained me that after my Daddy gets his instructor credentials he will be able to teach the Bubblemaker Program, the Seal Team Program and the Junior Program. This is great! This means that a kid can start his diving experience at 8 years old. Even better! Did you know about SASY? SASY is Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth. It looks like scuba gear, but the system has a permanent flotation jacket that cannot deflate. Kids are snorkeling with supplied air. There is no minimum age for this. As both my parents dive, I cannot wait to start all these cool experiences! I will start my training as soon as I know how to swim. It is a promise.
Note for the parents
My Mummy asked me to tell all the parents that Puerto Aventuras, in the Riviera Maya, is a place children friendly. Here you can find nappies at the local supermarket, and if you have bad luck and you get a cold meanwhile you visit us, you can always go to the pharmacy, also at the marina.
If you want to walk our beaches, a stroller is not the most handy piece of equipment. We recommend that you bring a baby carrier like the one you saw me wearing.
To hit the highway safely, don't forget to bring your car seat. It will not only protect you in the car, it will be very useful for you to sit if you go for a pic nic, a day on the beach, or to a restaurant that lacks baby chairs.
The only problem will be to find a bathroom with a baby changing station. This is not very common here yet. You can only find them in some American stores like Home Depot or Sam's. In the rest of the places, use your imagination! I am sure that you will manage.
Mexico is a country where babies are always welcome. You will be able to
take your kids along almost everywhere, and for sure you will make friends
as everybody like to great babies.
