Your tax dollars at work

For all of the complaining that happens in, around and about Mexico- the Mexican gov't - and that nothing ever happens and the gov't does nothing....I have some positive things to share.

In the states I remember these signs that would say, "Your tax dollars at work." usually posted in front of some horrible construction site and detour that you were about to deal with. I also remember thinking what a waste it was to have the sign at all. Clearly we can see that something is going on. This was basically the gov't way of saying..." see- see- we are doing something. "

Well, here is the sign for you guys Tulum. Tulum's gov't is working hard to get things in top shape for the busy holiday season. This season promises to bring many new people to the Tulum area - some again and many for the first time. One new development that these guys will see....

A new bike/walking path that goes all the way from the light in Tulum town to the beach and south for about 1/2 a km. This new bike path is great. Bikes are such a wonderful way to get around Tulum. Our flat terrine, easy going people and eco friendly attitude lend to bikes PEFECTLY! This great new path is wide and smooth and an absolutely perfect addition to our little town.

What I love too are the new little palapa bus stations that are up and down the road as well. This is perfect whether you are waiting for the collectivos that run the beach road or you are walking or biking and need to take a shade break.

This new path is great and is almost finished. I will bring more pics when it is done.

There is also being money spent in areas that no tourist will ever be. So it is not all being spent on those that come and leave our shores. In Villas Tulum what was once a waste land of nothing- old broken play equipment and rocks underneath is 3 blocks of wonderful park. The palapa at the entrance to Villas Tulum is being repaired and the floor expanded to hold more people. The 2nd block is now a fully paved basketball court- complete with beautiful planters filled with palms that will shade the park nicly in a few years and 3rd.... the park structures are getting new flooring as well. Rather then large jagged rocks under the swing there will now be a smooth - kid friendly floor. In addition the paths that lead through the kids park are safe for kids to run around and play.

It is so nice that we have decided that we are going to have our daughter's birthday party there. It is open, nice, easy and right next to the park!!!! I am really happy with the improvements that Tulum continues to make.

I cannot speak for the Mexican gov;t in general- or really the gov't of Quintana Roo but I can say that Tulum is doing something. And the something that they are doing is going to have immediate and lasting impressions of visitors and locals alike!

Cabanas Tulum- El Bistro at Ziggy Beach

I have seen this new restaurant on TUlum beach from the road a few times and it looked like a place I wanted to try. Well, really I want to give all of them a try. But I finally got my chance to try El Bistro at Ziggy Beach.

Okay okay... I played ditch from cleaning the house and catching up on all of the stuff that I really needed to do and went to the beach instead. Always a good idea on a beautiful day in Tulum. I could not stop myself from trying this place. My battery on my camera went dead but you can bet that I will be going back.
All 3 of the menus look great. The breakfast even had eggs Benedict- I will be back for that.

We did not have much money so we took advantage to the great new special they have right now which is 2 for 1 on any drink and i think all day. We each got 2 margaritas- served a bit sweet but in the perfect glass. When we asked them to make the 2nd one a little less sweet they made the drinks a little more to our liking. ( I hate it when some places just totally ignore you on that) We split the chicken Cesar wrap and it was great. The tortilla was much like what I remember from living in San Francisco and the taquerias there. I might try one of the burritos on the menu.

This new restaurant on Tulum Beach is part of Cabanas Tulum. Although it will be changing names in the future. I know there was a lot of talk about Cabanas Tulum on tulum.info so I was excited to hear that a place that got such great reviews in the past looks like it is headed for a bright future.

I will post pictures as soon as I have them.

Ocho Tulum's Yoga Retreat **Ocho is now operating out of Blue Tulum***

I have not been to the new Ocho by Blue Tulum. I have stayed at the Blue Tulum resort and it was very nice. If I do ever have the opportunity to stay at the new hotel I will bring you the report.




The yoga retreats at Ocho Tulum really are an amazing expereince and one that a few lucky people got to expereience this past week on the glistening beaches of Tulum, Mexico. Yoga retreats are renowned the world over as an amazing way to reconnect to your body, mind and spirit while harmonizing with the natural surroundings.

There is no better place to do this the Ocho Tulum. The whole mystic area that is the Rivera Maya envelopes one in a deep sense of history and connection to the Earth. The energy of the people of times long past are still felt in the waters of the cenotes and in the trees that flow calmly in the wind. The whole area of Tulum draws in a mystic and peaceful feeling.

The feeling and energy that this area has lends itself as the ideal place for such relaxing and rejuvinating activities such as the Ocho Tulum Yoga Retreats. Ocho Tulum as a hotel adds its own element with its dedication to the enviroment and haromnizing with the elemnts around them. To read more about the hotel Ocho Tulum, click here.



The Yoga retreats at Ocho Tulum bring focus and connection with mind, body and spirit with many different activities ranging from mantra beach walks, yoga workshops that connect thought and meditation to poses, beach boot camps designed to burn fat and increase your heart rate to day trips to amazing colonial towns like Villdolid to rejuvinating cenotes. An amazing spa on the premisis is the perfect place to pamper your tired feet, enjoy a healing massage or recieve an invigorating facial.

The meals prepared for the guests of the reatreat are prepared with as much love and flare as the rest of the menu the head chef, Eric Fischer, prepares each night. A commitment to vegitarian and vegan dishes is observed year round by this chef but is given special highlight during these beautiful retreats that they host.

The packages include 6 days, 5 nights, 2 yoga classes a day, 3 meals per day, a massage, a spa treatment (including the renowned Mayan Clay treatment) 1 day trip to a Mayan ruins site, and air port transfer. The schedule includes enough time to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach and surrounding jungles and sends guests home with a deeper connection to their bodys as well as their uncounscience, and retored and ready to take on the world that lays outside the Caribbean.

For more information about the amazing yoga retreats at visit the Ocho Tulum website here.

Tulum Ruins

The Mayan ruins of Tulum have been bringing tourists to this small piece of paradise for years. As a result of the world’s growing intrigue and interest in the Mayan civilization and culture the Tulum ruins and thus Tulum Town have enjoyed a large increase in popularity. Tulum, meaning wall in Mayan, was named such after the ruins were discovered and explored in the 1800’s. The wall that led to Tulum’s name is 5 meters (about 16 feet) thick to as many as 8 meter (about 26 feet) thick in some areas and surrounds the entire site. This fortified Mayan city had its height in Post classic period around 1200-1450 CE. The site remained occupied until the late 16th century when it was finally abandoned after the arrival of the Spanish.

Originally thought to be called Zama, Mayan for dawn, this ancient walled city was, in its time, a thriving civilization. As a major crossroads for trade, Tulum saw import and export from both land and sea and from all over the Yucatan and as far away as Honduras.

Tulum is one of the best preserved costal sites in all of Mexico as is the 3rd most visited archeological site in Mexico. As one of the only fortified Mayan cities, the wall that surrounds Tulum provided the perfect protection for the Mayan people that lived here.


The most common depiction that can be found in the ruins of Tulum is that of the diving god or descending god. Depicted as an upside down figure, it is seen above many doorways through out the Tulum ruins. The waters around Tulum, mostly cenotes, were believed by the ancient Mayan to be the entrance to the underworld. And the long standing relationship that existed between the people of Tulum and the water world that flowed beneath them continues to this day.

Probably the most recognized building within the ruins is El Castillo. This breathtaking structure sits atop a 12 meter (about 39 foot) cliff and is one of the most photographed sites in the Rivera Maya. Templo del Dios Descendente, or Temple of the Descending God, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful temples in Tulum. Having with stood the test of time, this structure is in remarkable condition and is named such from a sculpture that depicts a god of human form descending from the heavens. The best preserved structure within the ruins is the Templo de los Frescoes or Temple of the Frescoes. This 2 story building was named such for the brightly colored murals that adorned the interior walls. Although significantly faded, the brightly colored murals that decorated the exterior walls can still be seen by visitors today.


Getting in and around the Tulum ruins is quick and easy. To get to the site by car simply drive North (from Tulum town) on the main road of 307 or South if coming from Playa del Carmen or Cancun. The entrance is just a few km North of Tulum pueblo and is on the east side. Once making the turn off the main road simply follow the signs and park your car. If you do not want to worry about a car the ruins are easily reachable by both the collectives (shared vans that run the length of 307 between Playa and Tulum that can be waived down at any point on the road) as well as by taxi.

The main courtyard area has restaurants and shops as well as talented performers ready to dazzle you and pose for photos. These performers, like so many others in the Tulum area survive on tips so please… if you are dazzled… show them your appreciation. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the shuttle that will take the 400 meters to the entrance of the ruins. The ticket for the shuttle is 20 pesos and is round trip. Once at the entrance of the ruins themselves, the entrance price is around 50 pesos per person and is free for Mexican citizens on Sundays. There is also a 40 peso video recorder fee if you want use your video recorder.


There are a few things that you will want to keep in mind when visiting the ruins. The first is that you will want to make sure to wear sunscreen. The entire site is exposed to the sun and there is very little shade. You will also want to make sure to bring plenty of water. If you have your swimsuit you will be able to take advantage of the beautiful stretch of beach that sits at the base of the ruins and is available only for the guests of the ruins and provides an incredible view of El Castillo. A trip to the Tulum ruins can be a bit strenuous on a child and might not be as well enjoyed by younger visitors. If you are looking for babysitting service, we here at Tulum Living know of many quality babysitters that speak both English as well as Spanish.

Yaaj- Ximbal Jungle Tour

I had the wonderful experience of taking a Yaaj-Ximbal tour. This was a truly amazing experience and opened up a whole side of Tulum that I have not seen before. I am so thankful for this unreal opportunity and would strongly recommend that people take the tour.

The day started with my friend picking me up and taking me to the store where all the cooks buy the food fresh for that days meal. I rode out with the crew to one of the locations so that they could work on preparing the food. While we were getting the food out to the location, the rest of the guests were getting picked up at their hotels.

As we all met up and were introduced to the tour guides and each other I could tell that I was in for a treat. We were riding in very comfortable Land Rovers and I knew that these vehicles could handle any road in Mexico.

Thanks god because as we set off into the jungle it became very clear just how off road we were going to get. The road was very bumpy and all over the place but in a very fun and safe way.


For anyone who has ever been on the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland can totally relate to the journey. This is just real and much more fun. There was a younger child in our group but I am not sure how much fun it was for him.

I would say that for both the parents and the kids to have the best of the experience probably kids 10 and older would be good. (If you need a babysitter you can contact mindyintulum@yahoo.com for babysitters in the area.)

As we forged ahead on the trail we were pointed out various trees and important foliage and given a lot of history and mythical tradition along the way. There were many beautiful sites to see along the trail.


There were stunning cenotes filled with lilies and beautiful foliage all around. At one point we came to a watchtower that was built of Zapote trees. This wood is amazingly strong and durable not to mention stunningly beautiful. The views from this tower were so beautiful.

Just beneath the tower is a cenote that also has a repel from the middle of the tower. I can imagine that would be very cool to do. We explored a cave and the Aluxes that lived there. These are mythical spirits, resembling trolls, that are believed to live all over the Yucatan. They are associated with nature such as jungles and caves which are numerous in the Tulum area. These mischievous little spirits are known to move things around a lot and cause quite a ruckus. Taking the form of stone during the day, they awaken at night to cause their mischief. You can see the old man in stone in this picture.

After continuing on our journey we made our way over to the location of the cenote, dry cave and zip line. This was very cool. With the help of our tour guides we got into our harnesses.

There was a group of 12 of us. All 4 daughters ranging with high school age all went on as did almost everyone else in the group. Including the 7 year old boy although he went tandem with one of the guides.



The zip line was very easy, fun and was over quick. Definitely not too bad for all who go on the tour. The "Mayan brakes" were large pieces of wood that would help to slow you down. One of the guides was also down at the bottom with the secondary and emergency breaks. I felt very safe and we all had a really good time.

This is probably a good time to mention one of my favorite parts of the tour... There is professional photographer following you around through out the whole thing taking great pictures. This is particularly handy at the moment when you are flying down the zip line. But you also get to pose at the bottom just in case your face is doing some crazy face.

After the zip line you continue the tour into a dry cave. For people who do not want to do the zip line there is an easy way to join the group at the bottom. The dry cave was beautiful. You could clearly see the stalagmites and stalactites. They are so beautiful and the guides are really full of knowledge and are a lot of fun.

We headed off to get in our swim suits for the cenote part of the day. Almost all of my favorite days involve a cenote and this day was no exception. We walked down a long steep stair case and came into a beautiful cave. The water was as clear and perfect as you could imagine.

There was a very nice area to swim right then we were taken around a little area, through a tunnel area that showed some really beautiful roots, stalagmites and stalactites.

There was one point were once the roots of the trees above ground reach the water they eventually build a base. These bases are floating. It is a very cool site. I wish I had a waterproof camera with me at the time. It was very beautiful and such a unique look at the under side of Yucatan. I am not a cave diver as of yet but the guides did take me and show me some of the entrances to the caves. Once I try my hands at diving I really want to go back and explore.

After we all climbed up and dried off it was time to eat. I have been on tours before that included lunch and it was usually some bagged lunch or something. This meal was amazing. There was a very large grill on which a very traditional meal was being prepared.

There was pot of black beans, fluffy rice, a fantastic salsa and warm tortillas. There were 2 different meats on the grill. One was a marinated chicken and the other a flat steak. There was also a large amount of cut fruit and salad. Lunch was truly amazing and the perfect conclusion to the day.



The group loaded up into the van to get taken back to their hotels. It was a wonderful tour and one that really shows a side of the jungle that not many people get to see. Tulum and the whole Rivera Maya have so much to offer and this tour really puts some of the best parts into one trip.

Some important things to note when you go... 1) Take bug spray but please make sure that it is eco-friendly and or biodegradable. You will be in contact with a very delicate eco system. The waters of the cenotes feed the lively hood of the entire Yucatan peninsula. It is important to respect them and care for them. and 2)I would start your day off with a good meal. Lunch is the last part of the day and you do not want to be hungry. This tour is a full day thing.


This tour is amazing. Again, probably best for kids 10 and over although they will accommodate children, it will probably be more fun for parents and kids if there is a babysitter. Again... if you are looking for a babysitter you can email mindyintulum@yahoo.com to find a babysitter in the Tulum area.

Ocho Tulum- OCHO IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Ocho Tulum is one of the most popular hotels on Tulum beach and it is not hard to see why. You know the saying "the devil is in the details"? Well that is a perfect explanation as to why Ocho Tulum really stands out as an exceptional Tulum beach hotel.


Freshly cut fruit in the morning and steamed milk with really good coffee and beach bags for guests use were just a few of the things that Ocho Tulum did to really impress me.

Ocho Tulum sits towards the far south end of the beach road towards Sian Ka'an. The beach down in this area is as good as it gets in Tulum. The reception area was large and welcoming and beautifully decorated. The large sign behind the reception desk told of all the activities for the week including Yoga classes, wine tasting events and card reading sessions.

We were shown to our room which was beautiful. The view from our room was beautiful and was furnished with a comfortable seating area and a nice hammock. It was the perfect place to sit and enjoy the wonderful sounds of the Caribbean Sea.

There is a very minimalist and very organic feeling throughout the whole hotel. There was a very nice little sitting area and an area to put our cloths. On this piece of furniture were some extra blankets, towels and a large beach bag with 2 beach towels. This was a very nice touch as it made it much easier to bring our things down to the beach.

The bathroom was simple and very clean. The water pressure was great and the access to hot water was fantastic. The towels, hand towels and sheets were of excellent quality and the mattress made for a fantastic nights sleep.

There was one moment in the evening that i woke up feeling very warm and realized that I did not have my windows open and all the warms air could not get pushed out of my room. Within moments of opening the large and beautiful wooden slats the cool Caribbean breeze blew effortlessly through the room. We remained comfortable for the rest of the night. The ceiling fan also helped the room stay perfectly comfortable.

The spa palapa is beautiful and cozy and just the right place to get a relaxing spa treatment. The menu was very impressive. From tradition massage and specialty Ocho massage to Mayan Clay and facials. The Ocho Scrub (Cucumber, Cantaloupe and Mint)looked fantastic!!! Something for me to look forward to.

The yoga palapa at this Tulum beach hotel was a large and inviting space. It was shoji screens almost all the way around and let in a beautiful light. The screens pulled back to review the breathtaking garden with the sounds of the Caribbean in the background.

The yoga retreats at Ocho Tulum look simply amazing. From the spa treatments yoga classes to the tours and available vegan and vegetarian menus, they really seem to think of everything.

The whole hotel has a strong sense of harmony with its location and surroundings. and the raw organic feeling of the hotel blends beautifully with the elegant and luxurious details.


The beach at this hotel is one of the very best parts of the beach in Tulum. The beach is clear and open and the sand is as soft as you could imagine. The water is warm and refreshing. There were some nice beach beds and some cushioned beach chairs with umbrellas. The bar and menu service on the beach was wonderful. People were attentive and kind and the drinks were well made.

There were some kayaks available to play in the sea but the water was a little to rough when we were there. The winds did make it the perfect day for kite boarding though. There is a kite boarding school right there in front of the hotel and it makes for wonderful watching.

When it came to the restaurant this place really shinned. I had seen their wine list before, as had my husband who is a sommelier, and we were both very eager to try some of the wines.

The kitchen was very helpful and accommodating when they plated a selection of fine cheeses that we had received as a gift. The chef made a beautiful presentation and brought some bread as well.

During this time the kitchen sent out its appetizer plate. This is most traditionally simply chips and salsa but once again Ocho Tulum really surprised me. The large tray had 6 small containers ranging from pico, guacamole and some prepared cactus which was wonderful. There was also some lightly seasoned crisp veggies. I do not recall the name of one but the other was cucumber. It was really wonderful. There was also a dark chili salsa that was really wonderful and smoky tasting served with seasoned nuts.


I must say that guacamole is one of the things that I really use to evaluate a place. I mean, the ingredients are very simple and it is a dish that when well and with care then it is a real treat. The guacamole was amazing. Sweet and citrus with large bits of avocado. None of that creamed stuff, just fresh and simply perfect guacamole.

For the kids we ordered the cheeseburger which was wonderful. The meat was large and well seasoned and cooked the way that we asked. It was served with Monterrey jack cheese and a fajita type mixture of onions and bell pepper that really made the burger come alive. The french fries were crisp and very tasty.

We ordered a chicken quesadilla which was exactly what it should be, simply chicken and cheese with some guacamole and jalapenos. It was perfect for the kids but for almost the same cost you can get so many other wonderful and adventurous dishes.

The servers were kind and worked really hard to make sure that we had everything that we wanted or needed.

The view from this restaurant on Tulum beach is breathtaking. There are a few palm trees swaying peacefully in front of you and then nothing but the perfect Caribbean Sea. And the large round palapa roof really creates an intimate and refreshing ambiance.

The next morning when we had breakfast I was again blown away by the attention to luxurious details.

The included continental breakfast is warm bread and croissants with spreads of nutella, jam and butter. The coffee is freshly made and served with steamed milk. The fruit bowl was full of freshly cut melons, mango and pineapple and was a substantial size.


For the kids we ordered an omelet with everything which included ham, cheese, spinach, mushrooms and tomato and some pancakes served with jam and some fruit. Both dishes were wonderful.

I have also eaten the huevos rancheros at this Tulum beach restaurant and it is wonderful. It was not as spicy as I would have liked. I do tend to like my food a little on the super spicy side. Next time I will order a side of salsa to go with this dish. After tasting the wonderful salsa it would have spiced it to my liking perfectly.

Our visit to this hotel on Tulum beach reminded me that the attention to details is where places really set themselves apart and Ocho Tulum has done that very well.

Ocho Tulum is a beautiful hotel on Tulum beach and one that I would definatly recommend to friends that visit.

Millamores, *** paradise at the end of the road

Millamores, formally Casa Magna, in Tulum is an absolutely beautiful piece of paradise at the end of the road towards Sian Ka'an. These 2 beautiful mansions have been fully renovated from their original life as Pablo Escobar's home. After being seized by the Mexican Government these 2 villas sat empty and bare until one woman's devotion and attention to details stepped in.

The new owners of this property have continued with the decor and feel set forth in the home. It is in perfect harmony with it's surroundings using so many natural and organic pieces.

When we first arrived at the house I was so excited. I had heard so many thing about it. The history obviously, but more about how unique and amazing it was. As the economy is recovering from the panic of the swine flu and the massive loss in tourism from all the hype, only 1 of the houses was open at the time. From the entrance way, you can tell that you are in for something different. The large dining table made in a Caribbean style and from natural woods really made me want to sit down for a beautiful meal. Of course The huge sliding door leading right onto the beach and over looking the incredible waters of the caribbean really did not hurt either.

The lobby area was open, simple and beautifully decorated. Everything from the stunning sculpted table to the wood seals on the open windows, and further to the seashell light cover and rough tree truck staircase supports- the whole place gave me a feeling of being someplace special.



The decor throughout the whole property but particularly in the more communal areas reflect a global taste and unity. All of the items speak so well together and really compliment each other and also bring in so much of the tropical beach decor in such a way that it worked with everything else.

We walked over to the small restaurant to the right and admired it's openness. it is almost identical to the kitchen that we would want in our home. the details from the tiles mosaic designs and the wooden bowls lined with palm leaves. We ordered a quesadilla for the kids and 2 beers for us. Little did we know that the incredibly kind guy bringing us our beer was the owner. He was so personable and just sat and chatted with us. The restaurant was small and beautifully decorated and the menu had a great mix of everything. The civiches really caught our eye, but they always do.


Carolina, the manager was wonderful. She spoke great English and was so kind and helpful. She showed me around the property to show me all of the great details. Ruben and I stayed in a room with 2 double beds on the main level. There were 2 small lounge chairs and a built in love seat. The closets utilized natural materials to create shelves and hangers and there was a huge sliding door that lead directly onto the beach. The bathroom was HUGE and had 2 sinks which is Ruben's all time dream for his bathroom.

As Carolina showed me some of the other rooms I could see how each one had its own style and feel. The same aesthetic is all the way throughout the property but each room has its own identity, layout and point of view. There were some that had several beds, perfect for families and groups and then there were incredibly intimate and romantic ones with Large King beds that looked directly out over the patio and into the ocean. Every bed had the bed canopy which I love.

the bathrooms in every room were amazing. Many featured a gigantic tiled mosaic tub that was far more the size of a plunge pool then a bathtub and were beautifully done in tile. All had huge mirrors,nice towels and candles as well as bottles of water.

The natural elements through flowed beautifully. Mostly made of stones and tiles, the simple designs flowed along the walls with ease and worked so well. These natural elements were complemented nicely by the brightly colored tapastries through out. Dedication to detail, even down to the doors and the beautiful designs in them made of natural woods, made every spot on the property interesting to look at.

Even though there was no air conditioning, which is totally normal for this area, the breeze came in off the Caribbean waters and cooled the whole space. The large open air terrace under a palapa in the smaller house was the perfect place to sit with Ruben and enjoy our drinks while the kids slept. It was simply beautiful. There was a large roof top terrace on the larger house and it would be perfect for a restaurant or wedding. I do not think I have ever seen so much, so far or more beautiful waters then that day.

There is a beautiful space in the larger house that I know they have done large wedding receptions in but have also done yoga classes.
it is a beautiful space for either. There was also a larger restaurant but this one was closed for the time being. This has just been part of the reality for so many places in town. It is slow so there is no way to keep everyone on, it is a tough cycle.

The beach in front of both of the homes is amazing. The area nearer to the house is shaded and blocked well by palm trees giving it a little privacy which I really liked. There were beach chairs, lounge chairs and lounge beds. It was great. And the beach in front of Millamores is considered one of the best in all of Tulum. The sand is as soft as powdered sugar and is clear from all little rocks and seaweed. It is simply stunning. It is just North of the Sian ka'an Reserve and ... I really cannot say how incredible the beach is the further south you go.


As dinner approached there was unfortunately no one to cook, as most of the staff goes home at 5:00. The owner was so accommodating to us and the other family staying and started calling around for a chef. Now, we know that this is not how it usually goes. This is a direct effect of the current drastic change that has been going on here and on top of slow season. But I thought that it was so nice that they started calling around to find us a chef.



After a little bit, Ruben told the owner that he has worked in a kitchen- restaurant and bar most of his life. When Ruben asked him what he had to work with, that part was easy. There was a full fridge of all sorts of stuff so Ruben got back behind the counter and made a killer arrachera steak fajita, some camarones diablo and some lobster tails with this great sauce. We all had a lot of fun talking while Ruben and the owner mixed it up in the kitchen.

The feeling at this hotel was do different because we felt so much more like we had a home on the beach. Everything flowed so well together and it was amazing. I would love to have my Mayan wedding ceremony here. (We are having a Mayan ceremony on our 5 year anniversary.) This is where I want to have it. It was incredible.