Our friends Bart and Jen own the Turtle Bay Cafe in Akumal.

They have a great staff, most of whom have been there for a long time. I think part of the reason is they are really good to their employees, especially here in an area where that is often not true.

They do all the things you expect of good people, pay them well, treat them with respect and help them and their families to advance.

But, their Christmas Party is another great bonus. Jen really knows how to plan a party! She does a growing number of weddings and other events for tourists too.

We went to the Christmas party the other night, it's one of the reasons we didn't get on the road sooner. The employees and their extended families are the guests that night and regular customers along with Bart and Jen are the bartenders and waitresses.

Bart dug a pit behind the restaurant and cooked the Mayan specialty, Cochinita Pibil. He said the pig was in the pit for 24 hours and it was delicious!

I forgot to take a picture of the food, probably because I couldn't hold a plate and the camera at the same time.

All the tables were decorated, there were appetizers at each table, free drinks for all, the buffet was enormous and the food was excellent and plentiful.

Once the eating was over, Santa appeared.

Bart made a great Santa and we were all happy that the night was cool for him in that suit.

The drinks kept flowing though, somewhere I took a picture of the 'tequila fairy' that was making regular rounds with shots but I can't find it.

There were a mound of presents, Jen had chosen and wrapped them all.

One for all of the children, the employees, their husbands, wives and parents and even ones for all of the regulars who were happily getting sloshed and trying to be good meseros.

The tempo was really picking up now, the beer was flowing and cameras were flashing as everyone tried to get the best shot.

The tequila fairy was still wandering around as well.

Kids were running everywhere, laughing and playing. Everyone was laughing, it was shaping up to be a great party!

It was time for the piñata!!

The rope was already strung and the piñata hidden in the rafters. An experienced rope handler took over and the stick was passed around.

This piñata was so heavily stuffed with candy that it needed an extra loop of the rope around it to keep it from breaking before it was even hit.

Everyone got a few shots at it, the man on the rope was so good that while everyone got at least one hit on it, they didn't get a good enough shot to break it.

He was one of the waitress's father and as my friend said, "it wasn't his first time at the rodeo". He knew his piñata handling.

Finally, it started raining candy.

I think it was his daughter to got in the lethal blow. She has probably had more experience trying to catch a piñata he is controlling.

Then the scramble for candy began.

In the next picture a boy is almost crying to his mother ¡Mami! ¡una bolsa!

He's asking for a bag because the girl in front of him is busy scrapping the candy he has between his legs over into her pile.

It was fun to watch and the kids obviously enjoyed themselves.

As they all found a place to sit and pick through their loot, the sound of a horn and a guitar could be heard.

Around the corner came a 4 piece mariachi band playing Feliz Navidad!

Now the grownup part of the party began!

Did I mention that drinks were free, beer was flowing and yes, the tequila fairy was still wandering around with his tray of shots and lime?

The music was infectious and everyone started dancing and calling out requests.

It was a great party! We all thought it was the best one of the season.

Thanks Bart and Jen!