28 | ON magazine | SHOP 2011 ON magazine | SHOP 2011 | 29

Cancun is one of the safest places to travel in Mexico. Some media reports suggest Mexico is unsafe;

however, most of the crime seems to be drug-related and takes place near the U. S. – Mexican border. Think of it this way, if an earthquake occurred in California, would it be accurate to say it isn’t safe to go to New York? Not true at all, we could still go. And that’s the distance from Cancun to the drug cartels and the crime. Cancun is more than just a spring-break, party destination. There are lots of things to see and do for families, cou-ples and groups. Hispanics are known for a strong cultural background and family beliefs. A well recognized time of year is “Day of the Dead,” a four-day celebration (October 30 – November 2) for those who have passed. They believe those who have died have moved on to another life, a spiritual life. Family and friends go to the graves of departed loved ones and sing, dance, eat, share memo-

the Itza tribe). The nearby cenoté (deep water filled sinkholes formed by water percolating through the soft limestone above) is where some believe people were occasionally thrown into after they were sacrificed. The cenotés east of the ruins are used as swimming holes. You enter through a vertical hole with nar-row steps, carved by the Mayans. The refreshing water is well needed on a hot sunny day. Chichén Itzá is the most famous of the Mayan pyramids on the Yucatan Peninsula and the most popular Mayan ruin in Mexico. The central pyramid, also known as El Castillo is the main at-traction. It served as a temple to the god Kukulcan and also as a calendar. The four sides each have 91 steps, add one for the top, and that makes 365 steps, one step for each day of the year. A few years ago it was possible to climb El Castillo, however, the stones are now too old and it’s unsafe to climb. While standing in front of the pyramid, if you clap your hands, it will echo seven times. You can’t forget about the water and all there is to do in the ocean. Some like to soak up the sun or play in the waves. Your options are endless in Cancun. Contact Just Step Aboard for your go-to water adventures. They offer wave run-ners, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, or a relaxing sunset cruise. Two fabulous places to call home while exploring Cancun are the AAA Four Diamond CasaMagna Marriott Can-cun Resort and adjoining sister property, the AAA Five Diamond JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. Set against a back-

drop of white sand beach and sparkling Caribbean Sea, each resort is delightful and chic. CasaMagna evokes an old-world Mexican charm, ideal for families and couples, while the JW’s elegance and top-of-the-line amenities appeal to the sophisticated traveler. A bonus of staying at the CasaMagna or JW Marriott Cancun is that guests of either hotel have signing privileges at both properties. This means they can en-joy a wide variety of cuisine ranging from gourmet Italian, Thai, and Japanese to Argentine and rustic southwestern. Se-dona Grill at JW Marriott Cancun serves a bodacious Mexican Caribbean break-fast buffet each morning. Beachwalk Restaurant, a breezy poolside retreat at the JW, boasts sweeping views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea and sugar-white sand beach. Sasi Thai at the CasaMagna is a favorite, offering authentic Thai cui-sine and decadent desserts.For sports fans, Champions Sports Bar is the perfect spot to catch the game with 40 flat screen televisions, plus a dance floor, DJ and nightly karaoke. (We hear the resorts’ general manager regularly takes the stage and performs.) The 35,000 square foot Mayan inspired spa at JW boasts astonishing

ON VACATION

Cancunstory & photos by KATIE PAIGE

ocean views as well as a full service menu of luxurious treatments, such as hydrat-ing, detoxifying, and exfoliating massag-es, facials and body wraps. The spa also offers a number of wedding and tennis packages as well as a comprehensive kids menu. A popular massage is the Balche, made from the sacred drink of the Mayas. The ancient recipe is made from the bark of a leguminous tree, lonchocarpus violaceus, which is fermented in water and honey. Balche was a vital element used by ancient Mayans to adjoin the cosmos and nature and also used to cure infirmities. The Balche treatment begins with a body exfoliation, using a blend of brown sugar and cinnamon, followed by a relaxing massage using a combination of oils from Mayan sacred herbs to purify and balance the mind and body.Cancun is more than just a spring break, party destination. There are lots of things to see and do for families, couples and groups. For more information about the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, go to www.jwmarriottcancun.com. For more information about CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, go to www.casamagnacancun.com

LAURENE MASSADm a s t e r s t y l i s t

214.924.6399www.hairandlashextensions.com

Ovation Boutiques3645 Dallas Parkway, Suite 501

Plano, Texas 75093

A L U X U R Y S A L O N

LM STYLE

K E R A T I N C O M P L E XSpecially formulated as a revitalizing

and rejuvenating treatment:• Can be used on all hair types

• Eliminates frizz and curl• Gentle – will not cause hair damage

• No unpleasant fumes or odors• Leaves hair softer, silkier and shinier

• Less maintenance• Reduces daily styling time

ries and celebrate the lives of the dead. This four-day festival consists of theater, music and dance performances, folk art, culinary art, and activities for the whole family. Many people go to Xcaret for a celebration of Dias de los Muertos, the “Life and Death Traditions Festival,” an event held during the “Day of the Dead.” Mayan communities display unique “Day of the Dead” altars to honor their dearly departed. The Mexican people represent the four main components of nature – earth, wind, water and fire – with food, tissue paper, water and a candle. Using white around the altars is a sign of re-spect. Using colorful carpets represents the celebration of the joy of their soul. The altar is the entrance to heaven. Located about 45 minutes from the Cancun hotel zone, Xcaret is a 150 acre eco-archeological park where visitors from around the world come to en-joy Mexico’s biodiversity and cultural

heritage. The park has been preserved with an environmental management system. Throughout the park more than 108 gallons of water are reused daily for irrigation. And the compost that Xcaret produces is used to fertilize a green area and the plant nursery. In the Mayan lan-guage Xcaret means “little inlet”. The Xcaret Park, exhibits, culture and nature are among the many things to see and enjoy while in Xcaret. Some of the activities include swimming with the sharks or dolphins, Sea Trek, snorkel tours, wine tasting, spa and live perfor-mances. Another great cultural experi-ence while in Cancun is Chichén Itzá, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids are over 1500 years old, but were just recently dis-covered. Chichén Itzá is about 2 hours from Cancun but well worth the drive. The Mayan name Chichén Itzá means CHI (mouth) CHEN (well) and Itzá (of

28 | ON magazine | SHOP 2011 ON magazine | SHOP 2011 | 29

Cancun is one of the safest places to travel in Mexico. Some media reports suggest Mexico is unsafe;

however, most of the crime seems to be drug-related and takes place near the U. S. – Mexican border. Think of it this way, if an earthquake occurred in California, would it be accurate to say it isn’t safe to go to New York? Not true at all, we could still go. And that’s the distance from Cancun to the drug cartels and the crime. Cancun is more than just a spring-break, party destination. There are lots of things to see and do for families, cou-ples and groups. Hispanics are known for a strong cultural background and family beliefs. A well recognized time of year is “Day of the Dead,” a four-day celebration (October 30 – November 2) for those who have passed. They believe those who have died have moved on to another life, a spiritual life. Family and friends go to the graves of departed loved ones and sing, dance, eat, share memo-

the Itza tribe). The nearby cenoté (deep water filled sinkholes formed by water percolating through the soft limestone above) is where some believe people were occasionally thrown into after they were sacrificed. The cenotés east of the ruins are used as swimming holes. You enter through a vertical hole with nar-row steps, carved by the Mayans. The refreshing water is well needed on a hot sunny day. Chichén Itzá is the most famous of the Mayan pyramids on the Yucatan Peninsula and the most popular Mayan ruin in Mexico. The central pyramid, also known as El Castillo is the main at-traction. It served as a temple to the god Kukulcan and also as a calendar. The four sides each have 91 steps, add one for the top, and that makes 365 steps, one step for each day of the year. A few years ago it was possible to climb El Castillo, however, the stones are now too old and it’s unsafe to climb. While standing in front of the pyramid, if you clap your hands, it will echo seven times. You can’t forget about the water and all there is to do in the ocean. Some like to soak up the sun or play in the waves. Your options are endless in Cancun. Contact Just Step Aboard for your go-to water adventures. They offer wave run-ners, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, or a relaxing sunset cruise. Two fabulous places to call home while exploring Cancun are the AAA Four Diamond CasaMagna Marriott Can-cun Resort and adjoining sister property, the AAA Five Diamond JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. Set against a back-

drop of white sand beach and sparkling Caribbean Sea, each resort is delightful and chic. CasaMagna evokes an old-world Mexican charm, ideal for families and couples, while the JW’s elegance and top-of-the-line amenities appeal to the sophisticated traveler. A bonus of staying at the CasaMagna or JW Marriott Cancun is that guests of either hotel have signing privileges at both properties. This means they can en-joy a wide variety of cuisine ranging from gourmet Italian, Thai, and Japanese to Argentine and rustic southwestern. Se-dona Grill at JW Marriott Cancun serves a bodacious Mexican Caribbean break-fast buffet each morning. Beachwalk Restaurant, a breezy poolside retreat at the JW, boasts sweeping views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea and sugar-white sand beach. Sasi Thai at the CasaMagna is a favorite, offering authentic Thai cui-sine and decadent desserts.For sports fans, Champions Sports Bar is the perfect spot to catch the game with 40 flat screen televisions, plus a dance floor, DJ and nightly karaoke. (We hear the resorts’ general manager regularly takes the stage and performs.) The 35,000 square foot Mayan inspired spa at JW boasts astonishing

ON VACATION

Cancunstory & photos by KATIE PAIGE

ocean views as well as a full service menu of luxurious treatments, such as hydrat-ing, detoxifying, and exfoliating massag-es, facials and body wraps. The spa also offers a number of wedding and tennis packages as well as a comprehensive kids menu. A popular massage is the Balche, made from the sacred drink of the Mayas. The ancient recipe is made from the bark of a leguminous tree, lonchocarpus violaceus, which is fermented in water and honey. Balche was a vital element used by ancient Mayans to adjoin the cosmos and nature and also used to cure infirmities. The Balche treatment begins with a body exfoliation, using a blend of brown sugar and cinnamon, followed by a relaxing massage using a combination of oils from Mayan sacred herbs to purify and balance the mind and body.Cancun is more than just a spring break, party destination. There are lots of things to see and do for families, couples and groups. For more information about the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, go to www.jwmarriottcancun.com. For more information about CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, go to www.casamagnacancun.com

LAURENE MASSADm a s t e r s t y l i s t

214.924.6399www.hairandlashextensions.com

Ovation Boutiques3645 Dallas Parkway, Suite 501

Plano, Texas 75093

A L U X U R Y S A L O N

LM STYLE

K E R A T I N C O M P L E XSpecially formulated as a revitalizing

and rejuvenating treatment:• Can be used on all hair types

• Eliminates frizz and curl• Gentle – will not cause hair damage

• No unpleasant fumes or odors• Leaves hair softer, silkier and shinier

• Less maintenance• Reduces daily styling time

ries and celebrate the lives of the dead. This four-day festival consists of theater, music and dance performances, folk art, culinary art, and activities for the whole family. Many people go to Xcaret for a celebration of Dias de los Muertos, the “Life and Death Traditions Festival,” an event held during the “Day of the Dead.” Mayan communities display unique “Day of the Dead” altars to honor their dearly departed. The Mexican people represent the four main components of nature – earth, wind, water and fire – with food, tissue paper, water and a candle. Using white around the altars is a sign of re-spect. Using colorful carpets represents the celebration of the joy of their soul. The altar is the entrance to heaven. Located about 45 minutes from the Cancun hotel zone, Xcaret is a 150 acre eco-archeological park where visitors from around the world come to en-joy Mexico’s biodiversity and cultural

heritage. The park has been preserved with an environmental management system. Throughout the park more than 108 gallons of water are reused daily for irrigation. And the compost that Xcaret produces is used to fertilize a green area and the plant nursery. In the Mayan lan-guage Xcaret means “little inlet”. The Xcaret Park, exhibits, culture and nature are among the many things to see and enjoy while in Xcaret. Some of the activities include swimming with the sharks or dolphins, Sea Trek, snorkel tours, wine tasting, spa and live perfor-mances. Another great cultural experi-ence while in Cancun is Chichén Itzá, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids are over 1500 years old, but were just recently dis-covered. Chichén Itzá is about 2 hours from Cancun but well worth the drive. The Mayan name Chichén Itzá means CHI (mouth) CHEN (well) and Itzá (of