This multi-part series is inspired by, although not beholden to, real events. While their names have been changed, the characters are real.
*****
Playa del Carmen! Mark was ecstatic. It had been a year since he and his wife Darby went for their honeymoon, and all the memories from that amazing trip flooded back the moment they stepped off of the plane. He breathed in that fresh ocean air and sighed. "Yes dear, this is exactly what we needed!"
The look on Darby's face must have matched my own, because she agreed wholeheartedly, "something about the air down here is so liberating. It's like I'm 10 years younger!"
Mark smiled mischievously. "So that means I'm in Cancun with a 20 year old sex-crazed coed? How did I get so lucky?"
Darby shot mark a sideways glance, "Who says you can't go wild at 30? Besides, now I actually know what I'm doing."
Mark stopped as she continued walking confidently ahead, admiring how his wife's sexy ass swayed in her tight, form fitting dress. He smiled and took another deep breath before following her. Yes, this was going to be an amazing trip.
*****
The ride to the resort had been bumpy, but the driver eased their 50 minute journey with a steady supply of beer from the moment they sat down. Ocean Riviera Paradise is located on a stretch of road with a Western oriented resort every few miles. For all Mark knew, it was a dime a dozen, but that didn't make it any less exceptional. From the entrance to all the way down to the beach is half-mile of all inclusive bars, restaurants, pools, spas and clubs, staffed with peppy service and teeming with ready-to-party patrons.
"Did you get us VIP again this year?" Darby asked, innocently.
"Of course, what am I, an amateur? I know how to treat my baby right" Mark replied. The VIP package not only smoothed your way in every interaction with staff, it awarded you access to top of the line alcohol and reservation free seating at all of the restaurants.
Darby beamed at him and hit him in the shoulder "Come on, you know that's not why I asked."
"All is in hand, my dear," Mark responded confidently. He knew exactly what she was referring to: last year they'd brought their friend Lucy, the colloquial name for a certain psychedelic, with them, and they microdosed through 5 fantastic days of stress free fun, which they planned to do again this year. The VIP pass ensured that they wouldn't have a thing to worry about - removing stress was the key to any good micro-dose.
Fantastically, he'd been able to get the same room they had the previous year for their honeymoon - a rooftop suite with jacuzzi and a balcony overlooking the famed "adults only" pool. It also had a fantastic view of the ocean.
This kind of travel wasn't typical for either Mark or Darby. Mark had been a Peace Corps volunteer, and considered adventure to be his namesake. Darby was a bundle of relentless energy on trips, needing to see and do everything the city had to offer. They both preferred lower-key air bnb's, budget airlines, and restaurants off the beaten path. But they'd both discovered new kinds of luxuriant adventure on their last trip to Mexico, and they wanted to take it to the next level.
*****
"Alright, what are your goals for this trip?" Darby asked. They were having a quiet dinner over a bottle of wine in the VIP lounge, settling in for the week.
Mark was incredulous "Goals? Love, we're in paradise, my goal is to not hear the word goal for the next 2 weeks."
Darby laughed "Deal, after tonight. But I mean is there anything at all you'd like to do to make this vacation memorable? Last year was great, but we shouldn't do everything exactly the same."
Mark thought about that a little more. "You're right, of course. Let's agree to take it to the next level."
"How so?"