A couple standing next to me chooses European plan as they will get their own food or dine out. I can see how Mr. and Mrs. DINK (Double Income, No Kids) can afford to do this. Hmmm . . . and I must wonder if they are Dinks then what are we? Dorks? No income, double kids?

My son takes one step outside, looks at largest pool on island beckoning his graceful belly flop, colorful mounds of American and international fare at poolside La Terraza bar and grill, nonstop activities and says, "Well, I guess this is goodbye" as he salutes us and makes plans to disappear for next five weeks. (Yes, you hear me correctly. It's a five week stay!)

We scan courtyard and it is huge! I notice ramps for disabled and elevators to get to all three floors. The resort encircles beautiful tiled courtyard and in center is a pool so enormous that it comprises several smaller pools with different depth levels to meet various needs for lazing, activities, Jacuzzi, children, and well, for swimming. Pools within a pool!

My children are already hooking up with new amigos from Merida as they sit under shade of a palapa to enjoy their own version of "grown-up" drinks. My youngest downs about four Shirley Temples and dons tropical flower garnish (toothpick and all!) in her hair. The two teenagers run around pool with heaping plates of chicken nuggets and French fries hoarded from poolside snack bar, as if food supply would end! I see cocinero is also cooking up some fresh burgers upon children's request. I can also see my rules are flying right out window! But hey, it's vacation!

It's vacation! Those words ring in my ears and I head to open gym to check out equipment. A sea breeze wisps by as I climb on to treadmill and look out at glistening pool and secluded courtyard. The activities staff in their red polo shirts is rehearsing for nightly show. The shows range from comedy, family, to all-out aesthetic dances of culture.

Walking . . . no skipping…to our room with silly smiles upon our faces, a “swish, swish, swish” sound starts and never ends. It is sound that we hear all over island. The swishing is from all sweeping that goes on. Sweeping must be a favorite national pastime for it goes on night and day and people even smile while performing this task! I, for one, have never smiled incessantly while sweeping, nor have I ever swept incessantly, as a matter of fact.

“Fresh paint” announces sign as we round bend to our rooms. The hotel is huge and very large hallways lead us. Ahh . . . tranquility whispers cerulean walls which mimic sea. Hues from brown family-beige, chestnut, mahogany, cocoa—of furnishings bring raw elements of island inside. Like all rooms, ours consists of direct touchtone telephones, satellite TVs, safety deposit box, hair dryer, hooks about diving, large closets, plenty of storage space, and an A/C that worked way too well! Immaculate housekeeping each day means our rooms are swish-swish swept, freshly picked flowers from lush, well-groomed gardens, and footpaths leaving a tropical scent, and tissues and towels meticulously folded into swans, hearts, and even little smiling people.

“Oh wow! Lookie at pool from here!” my youngest yells as she scurries in from arched-covered balcony and immediately starts pouncing on one of cushy beds. I discover that every room has a private balcony that offers an ariel view of island’s largest pool or a terrace with a fresh look of hand-scaped garden (all work is done by hand around here), and views of staff sweeping and sweeping and sweeping . . .

Throwing sunscreen at my husband’s back, I quickly follow rest of clan toward palm-shielded lounge chairs. Cindy and Mike with Activities Staff greet us energetically and ask if girls want to join them in Kids’ Club and Kids’ Playground. Children from around world are in pool preparing for a water balloon war and reciting their daily Spanish lesson in song at same time.

After a few hours of melting into chaise lounger, I am not able to read any of books I brought, nor listen to my CD player, nor jot notes in my journal, but just lie in utter stillness and peace. “Palm Tree Syndrome” they call it here. It’s as if layers of stressare starting to peel away. No shallow ambitions, no material bondage, complete freedom of mind, body, and spirit.

Pictures of undersea life and soothing water sounds illuminate our way through underground walkway leading to hotel’s private beach club. My husband is drooling over complete dive center with snorkeling, scuba diving, and certifications galore.

The children are dropping in one by one from private pier with its gleaming white gazebo and its glass bottom. What an incredible backdrop against a turquoise sea and powder blue sky with wispy clouds. No wonder many wedding promises are sealed here!

Our clan, like most people, tends to opt for wide beaches and shallow waters but at Hotel Cozumel Resort, dropping into sea means we have instant access to incredible live tropical aquarium without having to pay prices of a snorkeling or diving tour. There is also a wonderful beach for landlubbers in family and a pool which peeks at Caribbean.

Now topic that everyone has been wondering about all along-what about FOOD?!

Read this entire feature FREE at: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/mexico/cozumel/hotelcozumel/hotelcozumel.html

By Bobbi Buchanan, Arkansas Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

Bonaire is an island poised for greatness. When you arrive, you are going to stay in or around Kralendijk (pronounced Kral-in-dike), island hub. From your west-central coast base, you can walk, drive, or cab within minutes into town and visit duty free shops. There are three malls all within a short walk of each other: Harborside, Les Galleries, and Lourdes. You will find an amazing variety of quality Caribbean, European, South, Central, and even North American goods. I was especially interested in Blue Delft collectibles from Holland. Delft is glazed earthenware, specific to city of Delft, in Holland, and typically blue and white. The overall selections are endless and quality is highly rated.. Plan a full day in shopping district.

The island of Bonaire has been luring world travelers to its sun-baked shores for years. There is a variety of accommodation price ranges to choose from, including beautiful coastal bed and breakfasts, to apartment and condominium retreats. Vacationers can also reserve quality, traditional inns, hotels and beach resorts. The collective rooms available on Bonaire is currently a little over 1,000 and growing. You can easily find a place that's rustic, romantic, luxurious, and full of local flavor and style.

During my stay, I found myself lodging at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, an easy five minute walk from town. The Divi is a wonderful hotel, a brand known throughout Caribbean. Clean, modestly furnished and priced rooms allow you to listen to waves lapping breakwall past patio slider. Of course, you could lie in bed and enjoy quiet, or you could slip into your shorts and sandals and stroll over to cooked-to-order morning buffet, lasting until around 10:00 a.m.

The Divi recently renovated outdoor lap swimming pool, casino, salon's spa, and delightful open air entertainment lounges and restaurants. There's nothing better than sitting in a sun chair, sipping a premium brew imported from Netherlands.

Read this entire feature FREE with photos at http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/Bonaire/BonBon/BonBon.html

By Scurvy Lichen - Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - at www.jetsettersmagazine.com