We’re amazingly tired as I write this tonight – weather here hit 56 degrees and have had a long 2 weeks since returning from PDC, with 2 storms with snow and now finally an apparent break in the winter weather. In lieu of this, I’ll do the Cliffs Notes version of the last day tonight and the rest of the videos tomorrow.
The Last Day
The day had finally come despite our attempts to mentally stave it off – departure day. Time both went fast and drifted lazily along, like a river on it’s swiftly meandering course to the sea. To be honest with you, although it wasn’t a day we were looking forward to, it wasn’t all that bad either.
Upon our arrival, the folks at American Express travel handed me a packet with tour info, brochures, etc… as well as a very important request: that I meet the AmEx representative to confirm our return pickup to get back to the airport on time. He told us at first we’d be picked up at 6:30 and although we were used to getting up earlier than that for work, at this point. He’d asked us to check back on Saturday 3-29 to re-check the final confirmation time.
Amazingly, the pickup time lurched back to 5:45 a.m.
So, we ended this trip the way we began it: awake at 4:30 to get ready for a very early departure.
We packed what we could the night before then finished after we awoke and readied for the traveling day ahead. One final good tip for the housekeepers and off we went to the front entrance of the Sandos. I remember thinking that it was amazing that these places had no real doors or windows – all open air. Scenes like these help alter your reality after coming from frozentundraland, and definitely place you in a different frame of mind.
We settled up with the front desk and got a receipt that we eventually had to show the bellman in order for them to let us leave with our bags. Sort of a “make sure that the guests have settled-up” check for the staff at the Sandos.
As we walked out the front door for the last time, we noticed the bike rack, all of he bikes ready and waiting for guests whose names were not our own to be using them today:
We grabbed a bench and had one last pic together at the Sandos – hope one day to be back:
Our ride came and we boarded after showing the receipt from the front desk to the bellman, who helped the driver load our bags onto the back of the Econoline van.
We exited the gates of the Sandos Playacar in silence, as we were the only passengers on the van. Taking a left, we headed past the newer buildings of the Sandos Riviera:
And yet another incredible condo, this time with 3 vehicles which seemed likely an indication of wealth in this corner of the world:
And a final pass through of the Playacar Phase II entrance with it’s imposing stone sign:
Soon past the fire station, beaming red:
Then a final Playa del Carmen sunrise:
On 307 northbound, the fire station beamed red, and wishing were there again! The music that the driver was playing was a perfect fit – tropical/Latin mix that suited the mood completely. We were the only 2 plus the driver on the van. He asked about our vacation, which we replied was excellent – how could it not be? He also asked where we were from, and when we told him, he said “Ah, very cold, yes?” Oh well – summer was coming…
Soon we entered the Cancun airport, and as we stood in line waiting for ticketing, we were approached by an airline rep asking if we wanted to voluntarily accept a bump to a later flight since the one we were on was overbooked (sound familiar?) We declined, but were asked again at the ticketing desk. The offer was a free phone call home to re-arrange pickup at our airport then a free breakfast at the restaurants upstairs in the airport in Cancun. Both of us had to work the next day but may have considered it if 2 free tickets were on the table…
In any case we got ticketed, went upstairs and passed through security OK. That tourist card we filled out on our flight down had to be presented here at the airport – don’t lose it! As we left security, we were funneled through the Duty Free shopping area of the airport, and the pricing was reasonable compared to the area near 5th in Playa.
We ate at the restaurants beyond he duty free area and to no one’s surprise, the meals cost about $10.00 each. What can ya do?
Our gate:
Hallway:
