After many trips across the ocean to the British Isles and north to Ontario, I finally was persuaded to fly south with my girlfriend Sara to sunny Cancun, Mexico, where we were dazzled by bright sands, clear waters, a lot of pina coladas ... and, of course, awesome companionship.

Besides the Cancun coast, we also explored the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen-Itza, the splendor of X-caret and, on two occasions, the wonders of the coral reef. (Yes, I learned to snorkle! Yes, it was Sara's idea!)

Here is a sampling of our time together. There are no thumbnails, but the files are small -- and I think you'll like 'em!

Postscript: This was the last journey Sara and I took together.

• As we strolled from our oceanside resort to Cancun's busy and colorful downtown district, we spied this winged visitor keeping stride with us in the nearby water.

• At the mystical ruins of Chichen-Itza, where the Mayans had left many examples of their architectural and astronomical genius, the landscape was dominated by this impressive pyramid.

• The climb to the top was very steep, but the view from above was tremendous!

• For instance, the Temple of Warriors was impressive when seen from the ground, but from the top of the pyramid, it was phenomenal!

• Beyond the Temple of Warriors was this grand collection of columns. The prettiest in the bunch is the one smiling in the center.

• The Mayans believed being sacrificed to their gods was a great honor. In fact, they competed for the privilege! The "winners" are here, a sort of hall of fame.

• The Mayans owned much of their astonishing knowledge of the heavens to this, their observatory.

• The primary god of the Mayans had a snake's head, which crops up everywhere you look in Chichen-Itza -- like, for instance, here!

• At X-caret, we found this little guy watching us from the rocks by our feet.

• Moments later, we saw another one basking in the sun.

• Of course, Sara herself did some basking, too. Here she is in all her sunny delight.