Our trip to Cancun--May 2010

May 21, 2010
3:36 PM
Well, here we are at the Marriott hotel near Dulles airport. Tomorrow morning we head out for Cancun!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We decided to mAKe the drive up tonight since we live so far from all the airports. We usually have to leave a 2 in the morning or some crazy time to get to the airport. I told Bob I can’t do that anymore—so he booked a room for tonight. I took today off and got a lot done before leAVing – laundry, dishes, bird seed and corn out for my little furry friends outside. We changed the sheets, cleaned bathrooms---got a lot done. It always feels good to get all that stuff done before the trip. So much more relaxing when we get home.
Now I don’t hAve all that stuff to come home to. I am SO looking forward to this trip. We have so many cool things polanned to do. Tomorrow at this time we will be checking into the hotel. We land around noon or so—they are an hour behind the eastern US. We will get our rental car, go tour Cancun, get lunch and then tour some more. By that time we should be able to check in.
Ok, next time I write it will befrom Cancun.
Bye for now!
6:55 PM
Back in our room now—we are wATching a pay per view movie—“The Blind Side” with Sandra Bullock. We went out for A pre – dinner walk then we had a wonderful dinner at TGI Fridays—followed by another long walk after dinner. Once we were back in the room we started the movie.
We get up early and get breaKFASt, and then we head to the airport.
5/23/2010
05:59---but really it’s 4:59 because we are in Central time—but mycomputer is in eastern time

Hola!

Having a wonderful time here in Cancun. We arrived safely yesterday afternoon. We took off and landed exactly on time. Our flight was 3 hours, non stop, from Dulles. I feel like I hAd’t been to Dulles in about a hundred years. The last time i was there it was one terminal with an arched roof. Now there are lots of terminals with a tram to take you from one terminal to the other. It’s a nice airport. We were smart and drove to herndon, va the night before. Then we only hAD aboout a 5 minute drive to the airport the next day. Usually, we have to allow 2 hours to get to the airport, plus extrra time for parking and security. We’ve left 4 hours before a flight before—which is ridiculous. I still think the base should offer shuttle service to the 3 big airports. They would make some good money and it would be a great service for the folks down there.
But, anyway, here we are in Cancun. I’m so excited to be here. After looking at the picture of the resort for 2 months, it’s fun to be here for real and to really be in the wonderful pool.
Our villA is wonderful. It’s a 2 bedroom, 2 story apartment, with a pull out murphy bed in the wall in the living room—so it would have been perfect for the 6 of us if all the kids would have been able to come with us. The views are beautiful—we overlook both the beach and the pools. The sand on the beach is white and soft. I could eaily adjust to this lifestyle—relaxed and easy—no worries about the time. Oh, I wouldn’t mind having a job—but something completely different from what I do now—like writing – something where I can set my own hours—and when I’m not working—just sit back and enjoy beautiful beaches and pools.
One thing we did find out was that biodegradable sunscreen doesn’t move around on your skin when you apply it. You put some in your hand and start to rub it on your arm and your hand moves across your arm—but the sunscreen just sits there—it doesn’t move.
We are getting Spanish lessons in a fun way. We went to the little market at the resort, and there’s all this food there that looks like our food—but you don’t know what it is by reading the label. For instance, I got some peach yogurt – but I had to rely on the picture of the peach to know which kind it was. (durazno) Same with milk—leche—now I’ve Always known leche was the Spanish word for milk—but I just stood there staring at the milk because I had no idea which one was low fat. Finally we decided that aT home the red label usually means whole milk and the pink ones are low fat. So, we went with the color—and turned out to be right! Some of the words are obvious—vitaminas—it was very clear the leche had vitamins A and D.
The menu was interesting. We sat down and opened our menus. Your first instinct is to say, “well, I guess I will lose weight here because I can’t afford the food.” Since it says something costs 495.00. our brains of course automatically think dollars. You have to remember pesos.
Well, that’s all for now—want to get showered and head out for a stroll before we set out on our plANned activities for the day.

5/24/2010
6:01 AM---but reALly it’s an hour behind.
Hola!
Yesterday, We drove down to Playa del Carmen. I hAve to admit, it wasn’t what I was ecpecting. Theyy way it was described to us was that it was a big city—and had a nice street there called 5th Avenue and it’s close to cars and pedestrians stroll up And down and there are restaurants there and it sounded really nice.
And it was nice—only it wasn’t quite what I pictured in my head. It is located right on the Caribbean and the beach was beautiful. Just like the ocean—people out catching the waves—beautiful.
But walking down the street was very different. You are acosted by everyone trying to sell you something. The store owners practically dragged you into their stores and are fast talkers—trying to sell you everything. We did buy some things—the stuff is nice—Bob haggled with them on the price—and it was fun—to a point. But, between that and the folks trying to sell you tours and timeshare vacation villas—they drained me. So after making some purchases—we left. I enjoyed it and I’m glad I went for the experience—but it was draining.
Once back in Cancun, we decided to pick up more groceries for our Apartment---and went to the Wal-Mart super store. They have everything there—and I mean EVERYTHING. If you need a motorcycle—they have it. Didn’t need a motor cycle—but for me it was another Spanish lesson. That is s great way to learn Spanish—you know what the item is—just read the labels and the signs—and you knoow what they are in Spanish.
In the US we all just get in—shop and get out. We don’t usually make a trip to Wal-Mart a social event. At one point they all were gathered around watching a futbol game. That was different.
Went back to our room—put away the food then headed out to the aquarium. We took the bus there. They are so nice—they help you to your seat once you get on the bus. Here is how it works. You get on, pay, and within a nanosecond, the driver goes from 0 – 60 mph, it flings you toward the back, and when you get up off the floor—you take the seat you are clutching. Simple. Easy. Works.
The aquarium was nice—typical aquarium. They are located at a local mall—and that experience was very different. Just like the US—you stroll, see a store you want to goo in—you shop, etc. the setting was beautiful—we took lots of pictrures there.
Bravely, we ventured back on the bus. Much easier this time.
Went back to our room, fixed dinner then went out to the pool for a moonlit swim. Perfect!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
10:49 AM---minus an hour
WOW! I haven’t checked in for 2 days—we’ve been busy! But the good busy.
MondAY we took a bus to the Aqua Tours dock to catch a ferry at 9:00 for an hour trip to Isla Mures—the island right across from Cancun. What a great time we had there. First thing we did was to go to Dolphin Discovery where I had a dolphin swim scheduled at 10:30. Those of us who were swimming with the dolphins had to check in a half hour early so we could get our instructions. Depending on what kind of swim you signed up for dpended on which group you were in. I was in group B because we signed up for the basic swim. Some people chose to have the dolphins tow them with their fins others chose to have the dolphins lift them up by their feet then push them back and so on. When I first got there, I was the only one who spoke English until finally a young honeymooning couple from Boston showed up.
So, we kind of hung together as a group. They were Jenna and Chris. We exchanged our experiences in Cancun so far. Chris knows where Mechanicsville, MD is---he races cars and has been to the race track here. Eventually 2 other ladies came who also were English speakers. Our trainer taught us a few things about dolphins, then told us when to do the different hand signals we learned in our pre-swim class. He had the dolphins give us a kiss, we posed for a picture—then we swam out into the water into 2 groups and he had the dolphins sowim over to us And using the various hand signals he gave us, they danced for us, sang, or just swam by and we petted them.
Afterwe got done at the dolphin swim, we took a taxi to Garrafon water park, which is basically the same park—the dolphin discovery section is inside the Garrafon park. We had lunch over in Garrafon, then we were free to stroll, snorkel, swim, sit and relax—whatever we watned. Bob paid for a boat ride to the downtown area of Isla Murjes. Once there we rented a golf cart—it’s the “thing” to do—and we rode all around the islAND OF Isla Murjes—then met “Shrek” back at the golf cart return. Shrek is the nicknbame of our tourguide onboard the ferry boat. He was a character—very entertaIning. He liked Bob because he had an easy name – and he remembered him. Whenever he saw hin he called him “Mr. Bob.” When we got back on the boat to head back to Cancun, he was taking roll to make sure he had everyone and he got to us and he just called out, “Bob.”
The trip across takes an hour. On the way back they had some Mexican music playing and some Mexican ladies got up and started dancing—they were doing the Zumba and got the place jumping. Shrek Had a tray full of beer that he was serving to the passengers and carried it to the table – on his head. It was a lot of fun. We took a taXI back to the hotel rather than deal with the bus. I hate their buses here. Riding the bus is not a good experience.
But our day was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday was equally as fantastic. Bob had arranged an all inclusive tour to the Tulum Mayan ruins—which also included a beautiful beach!!
After our tour of Tulum, our tour conitnued on to Xel-Ha—a water park. They have a dolphin swim there, snorkeling, lazy river---all water activities. We had lunch there, changed into our suits and then tried our hand at snorkeling. Bob seemed to catch on to it right away—but I had more trouble. The biggest problem I had was once I got in the water, the life vest kept riding up in the back and it put pressure on my head, which in turn put pressure on my mask and I was in a lot of pain. It made it hard for me to concentrate on how to snorkel. I did see some fish and took a few pictures---but I have no idea of how they will come out. It seems like it would be fun—but I have to be comfortable doing it.
After snorkeling, we went toward the main entrance, did A little shopping then it was time to meet Thomas—our guide at the bus. He asked us if we had seen any of the rest of the family. He is very knowledable about the Mayan people—he is of Mayan decent.
It turned out to be a very long dAY. We were told we’d be picked up at the hotel at 7:15—but they didn’t arrive until 7:45—we were a little upset about that—but it all turned out to be ok. We had to “go with the flow” as they say. We didn’t realize that they hAD to go around to other resorts and pick up the other passengers. So, the trip to Tulum ended up taking 3 hours—and ofcourse—3 hours back—so, by the time we got back to the hotel it was about 8:30. But it was a wonderful day—we had a good time. Now we know that next time we come down here we need to do Xel-Ha on our own so we can stay longer. I even convinced Bob to take me on a moonlit walk on the beach when we got back—loved it.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010--9:06 PM—minus an hour
Phew, now I am finally up to today’s activities. We kept it close to the resort today. Went out this morning for a stroll. Went to the little church we kept seeing down the road. Plain and simple—and very beautiful. sometimes the plain and simple ones are the most beautiful. after seeing the church, we caught good old bus number R2 and rode it to Market 28—as suggested by one of our bellboys at the hotel. It was ok—but the same as Playa del Carmen --- all the merchants trying to get you into their stores—all offering a good deal. We did buy A few things, then we strolled back over by Wal-Mart and caught a taxi to the Plaza de America or something like that. It’s an American type of mall with American stores—hence the name. my main mission was to buy a Mexican cookbook—in Spanish. I had read it wAs a great way to learn another language—and it makes a great souvenir. So, we found a bookstore and found 2 cookbooks! Now I have to learn the Spanish and fix some of the recipes.
Before leAVIng the mall we decided to have lunch. We went to a California Pizza place and had a delicious lunch of individual pizzas and a beer for Bob and tried A raspberry mojito. MMMMMMMMMM. Very good! Was ok since we were taking a taxi back to Wal-Mart and from Wal-Mart, we took the bus back sort of to the hotel. Bob shouted – alto – stop – but the driver didn’t stop AND we ended up having to walk about 20 minutes back to the hotel. We were sticky, sweaty, hot and drained—but other than the bus trip, we had a good morning. Then we changed into our suits and went to the pool for a few hours. Then back to the room for dinner. Now we are listening to the karoke going on down at the bar. Fun, fun, fun. I love it here and am so ready to move here.
Tomorrow is our jungle tour AND more snorkeling.
5/27/2010, 4:33 PM—but reallly it’s 3:33 for us
Another great tour package. We didn’t go through a jungle at all—that was the name of the tours. We rode good old bus #R2 up to the marina by the Crab House restaurant. From there we picked up our lifejackets, snorkel equipment and directions on how to operate the boat and then our tour guides took us out into the Caribbean, slowing down as we went through the marshy area and passed some other boats, then we got to speed up again after we got through that. The boat ride was awesome—or as one young couple we met on this trip put it—wicked awesome. I tried the snorkeling again, but didn’t have a whole lot better luck than I did at Garrafon water park—with the exception that the equipment we used today seemed like better quality. I liked the equipment better—and the life jacket fit much better. It still put some pressure on the back of my neck and head but I didn’t feel the same pain as I did the other day. The hard part for me is the breathing through the snorkel thing—I keep wanting to breathe through my nose and then I get messed up and I start taking in salt water. Plus salt water got into my eyes and that bothered me, too. I kept a close eye on the boats to make sure I didn’t wander too far from the boats. Once I got myself to relax and breathe calmly, the snorkeling part is cool and I love seeing the fish and coral. That part is pretty cool. It was a fun day, though and I’m glad we went.
As we are actually traveling in the boats, they make you stay in one line. The tour guide gave us hand signals before we left and the passenger was responsible for signaling the other boats. Bob and I were first behind the guide, which meant that I was the one who had to watch the guide, and when he signaled stop, slow down or speed up, I followed suit and hopefully everyone behind us did, too. I imagine they did because no one got lost. Our guide was Jose and the other guide was Johnny. They each guided 4 boats. I think we had a good group. They were all young couples--and us—one couple was on their honeymoon and one had just gotten engaged. I took pictures for them on their cameras. The young honeymooners were from the St. Louis area and both had on Cardinals hats—and to Bob’s delight—big fans of the Cardinals. I got her to return the favor and take a pictrure of us.
On our way back we passed about 6 more groups of people heading out for more tours. Some of them had huge groups. I think keeping it small is better—especially for the guides when they are out there with novice boaters. We all left the pier at the same time, but apparently Johnny’s group split off from us at one point. He seemed to have the older folks. Not sure if it worked out that way or if it was just a coincidence—but anyway—I enjoyed our group.
Since we got back we’ve just been hanging out at the hotel. We Had lunch and now Bob is out by the pool—working on his tan. I was planning to go out—but felt kind of headachey—so decided to stay in and work on my journal, upload photos and my class. Hopefully I can get the Internet up and running soon so I can do email and download my next lesson to my thumb drive. I also want to be careful of how much sun I am getting. I’ve been out in the sun a lot.
The plan for tomorrow is to hang around the hotel and pack. :o(
I guess that’s all for now.
5/28/2010, 8:47 AM---but it’s really 7:47
Took some more sunrise pictures over the water. Today is our last full day—I hate the idea of packing to go home. I just started the laundry again. As long as I have to pack, it’s so much easier to pack clean clothes—and then there’s not so much laundry to do when we get home. At least we put clean sheets on the bed before we left so we don’t have that to do and I think I also managed to get the bathrooms cleaned before we left—so it won’t be too tough when we get home. The tough part will be going to work on Tuesday. I want to go in and give notice – pack up the house and come back here to live. We’d only be 3 hours by plane from the kids.
One thing I keep wanting to mention is they have a Bubba-Gump shrimp factory with Captain Dan’s bar and a Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville restaurant.
1:35 PM---minus an hour
Just got back from having lunch at the restaurant. We had what they call a Mexican snack. It wAS a sampler platter and was enough for 2. It was delicious. Potato skins, chicken tacos, cheese enchaladas, and fish fingers. It had guacamole, dipping sauce and sour cream. Delicious!! Loved it. We also had a basket of the tortilla chips and salsa. I loved it—it was a great lunch. Can’t wait to get home and use my Mexican cookbooks to create some authentic Mexican dishes with Sarah and Keith and have our own Mexican snack!
I love sitting right neAR the beach—the breeze is fantastic—yet we were under the shade of the thatched roof—so it felt nice and cool. We saw the peddlers walking along the beach selling their wares.
Gotta finish packing now –maybe I will write more later.
We had a wonderful breakfast Saturday morning, took one last walk on the beach and strolled around the grounds, sat with our feet in the pool one last time—then it was time to head to the airpport and home. We hated to leave—we could go back to Cancun over and over.


link to photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11443252@N07/sets/72157624211635962/