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03-05-2008, 09:05 AM
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TJ and Mallory in the Roo 2008
I will be adding pictures ASAP!
Well, we finally arrived in Cancun at about 2:00 pm. Months of dreaming and planning coming to an end we were here. Through imagration with ease, about 15 minutes, with no checked luggage we walked right up to the customs and the person infront of us got the red light.... YES!!!! Better them than us. We got the green light and the couple that we are traveling with also got the green light. We were traveling with our good freinds Tex and his wife Joy. Out the doors and looking for the rental company transportation. Once the shuttle finally showed up we were off to the rental office. One poor guy doing all of the arrangments for about 12 groups of excited vacationers. Time to take a deep breath and remember we are in Mexico, who cares. Long rental story short, 2 hours later we are on our way each in our own Jeep. Well, our friends had a Jeep, ours was more of a Jeep like thing. We have had some questionable rentals in the past, but this thing was a real peice of sh*t. But I figured as long as the wheels stayed on we would be in great shape. Here is the list: The top would not stay together so we had to strap it down in the down position where it will stay, the glove box fell out when Shanda tried to open it. The windshield wipers didn't touch the windshield, the radio picked up one "sometimes" station, and then when we came to fill it with gas the gas cap could not be unlocked. We arrived in Playa with the intent of stoping for a bite at Carboncitos or Dr. Taco, but the traffic was so bad that we had to abandon that plan and we went to Pumarillo(sp?) and had a great meal and a bottle of wine. After dinner, made a stop to pick up the essentails like sunscreen, and Tequila. The shower that started while Tex and I were in the store did not make Shanda very happy but she fought her way through it. Of course this was after pointing out that I should have requested a different jeep. About an hour later we were in Tulum and pulled into Cabanas Copal. Checked in and headed for the bar for some drinks. Very good drinks but not cheap! Then off to bed as our day had started a 2:45 am in Grand Forks ND. The Cabana was very nice and we had a good nights rest. The next day we hung out on the beach. Well not literally hung out, as we found out that the beach was clothing optional. The tan-thru speedos is as far as I was going!   Had a great day on the beach, said "see ya later to Tex and Joy" (they were staying at Copal for thier entire stay) and headed down the Boca Paila road for Xamach Dos, at 32 km.  We arrived at about 4:00 pm and met Margo the hostess with the mostess!!!!! She was (and is) fantastic. The first thing she did after introducing herself was offer me a ice cold Sol! and I mean ice cold!! We were brought to our Cabana "Luna" and it was better than the pictures!   Supper was ready at 7:00 but due to very high winds we elected to eat in the kitchen as the dinning area is "open air". Margo and the staff made one of the best meals I think I have ever had. Coconut cuartro queso pasta with Margalicious Shrimp. It was served "family style" and after dinner we all sat around and talked and Margo pulled down a bottle of Mezcal. A few shots and somemore coversation got us aquainted with the other guests. A great couple from Boston (Bob and Nancy), and a family from Oregon. The family was only here that night so we did not get to know them very well but they were very nice. A great day capped off by incredable food and a feeling of belonging to a select few who have been lucky enough to find this place. There are only 3 cabanas so it is a very intamite setting. Later in the evening 2 more guests showed up (Faith, and Janice) very nice. We went back to our cabana, opened the shutters and a perfect breeze put us to sleep. The next day I got up and went for a run down and endless beach, beautiful!!!!!! Came back and Bob was haveing coffee so I joined him. Great coffee!!! Breakfest was soon ready, it was 2 fried eggs on toasted tortillas covered in a red sauce, and a side of the best beans I have ever eaten. Oh I almost forgot, fresh orange juice!  Shanda hit the beach and I headed for Tulum to pick up Cazador (Tim and DeeDee) and lead Tex and Joy to Xamach. We hung out all day on the beach and Margo and the staff cooked up a feast for lunch. We ate till we could eat no more! The staff also whipped up a batch of margaritas and pina coladas. Not just any pina coladas, "Fresh" made from fresh cracked coconuts and fresh cut pineapple! Supper was around 7 again and it was lighter but very good. Kind of a pulled pork that I put into homemade tortillias (excellent), rice, and beans. As before many homemade picantes and fresh veggies! Once again I over ate!!!!! Monday morning came and no work to think about, just a morning run and another great breakfast! We hit the beach early and were just hanging out waiting for Tex and Joy to arrive from Tulum. Very hot, so frequent dips into the blue water to cool off, I also took out the kayak (sp?) for about a half hour. Tex and Joy arrived about 1:00 (just as I was getting ready to drive up the road to see if they were having any trouble. Off to Punta Allen.... Once in Punta Allen we stopped at the Bonefish bar and resturant for a bite to eat. All they had were hamburgers, nachos, and cevche. The full menu was not available until the boats came back with the seafood. We decieded to go with 2 plates of nachos and then head down the beach to another location for something more. After a few beers I could not figure what could be taking so long... I thought what are they doing making the chips? Yep that was what was going on. The 2 plates of nachos ended up being all the 4 of us needed to eat as we were there on a fish buying trip for a big supper, but more on that latter. After eating we went to Serenidad Shardon to see Nikki, Margo's freind that owns and runs the place. Very nice place and after a short tour she told us where we could buy some fish. We followed the directions but saw nothing but homes. So we did what she told us to do... yell "Don Carmen"!!!!!!!!!! it worked, a woman came up and we said we wanted pescado ( I know I butchered the spelling). She pointed us down an alley to where we could buy fresh fish. We were in business.... we were looking to buy some grouper. 2 problems, first grouper is out of season, second we could not remember the word for grouper! back to Nikki's I went to find out what it was called. The answer to the $10,000 question, I think, "Merro". Longer story shorter, we walked away with a permit and a huge mystery fillet.  High tailed it back to Xamach Dos were the crew was ready to turn it into a fantastic wedding feast. I say wedding feast because it was Shanda and my 10 year anniversary this year and we were all going to surprise her with a wedding ceremony to renew our vows. Tex and Joy had bought a dress in town, Margo had picked up flowers, champain, and organized everything and everybody. She had all the other guests pitching in to make everything perfect! It was! We had a short ceremony on the beach and everybody joined in. I would recomend that everyone do this, it is the perfect spot and the Rev. Margo did a great job. (she actually is lic. to marry people in the states, not sure about Mexico) After pictures we all went up into the open air resturant and had champain, wine, and a magnificent meal!!!!!! Before dinner was served Faith and Janice gave us a mobile or wind chime made from drift wood, shells, and other things found on the beach. Very Cool!!!!! It was a great day and even better evening and we thank all who were a part of it.   On a sad note Fransica, the lady in the kitchen, got word that her father had died, so she and her husband had to leave. Lucky for Margo, Ron showed up to help out for a few days. Her freinds Rodolfo and Teresita were also around to lend a hand. Tuesday morning brought another beautiful sunrise.... but for the first time since coming hear I stayed in bed, went back to sleep, until..... the Mecian millitary chopper came by at tree top level. Oh well, I need to get up and have some of the great coffee anyway. We did not do anything all day... it was great. Laid in the sun and then climed into a hamach were I now sit.  Tomorrow we head for Tulum for a day at the beach, while excited to see old and new freinds we will greatly miss this place! I really need to stress that everybody should check this place out, it is incredible.
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LOOK OUT FOR THE FROG! Last edited by T.J.; 03-11-2008 at 03:37 PM.     
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03-05-2008, 01:22 PM
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Ah, now you have me reminiscing about Xamach Dos and the excellent food, service and view... maybe it's time for us to make another road trip down the Boca Paila Road!
Happy 10 year anniversary!
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03-11-2008, 02:39 PM
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Quote:
Bufante, I hear congrats are in order for the 2 of U!  I will be working on the pictures this afternoon.
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LOOK OUT FOR THE FROG!
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03-11-2008, 03:45 PM
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Now that I added pics to the first post, here are some that I could not include with the first post.
Here is the veiw of the sunrise from our bed, a couple of food shots, and one of my favorite beach pics.     
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LOOK OUT FOR THE FROG!
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03-11-2008, 04:14 PM
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looks like an awesome place..............
Congrats to the two of you.....I'd like to know more about the cabanas if you'd care to share we are coming down next month and I wouldn't mind spending one night there your pix are fantastic.....I can't wait for more
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03-11-2008, 04:42 PM
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What would you want to know about them? Just let me know. They look like they are pretty much brand new, the "Tree Top" is brand new. There is solar power so each has a celing fan and the ocean breezes to keep you cool at night. Each also has it's own bathroom. Tiled floors in the 2 ground units and wood floor in the Tree Top. All of them are very nice. The web site is - http://www.xamachdos.com/
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LOOK OUT FOR THE FROG!
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03-11-2008, 08:30 PM
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Well....I gonna look forward to reading this one
......it was fun to hang with you both again
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03-11-2008, 09:49 PM
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Congrats to both of you lovebirds on your 10 years, a very special anniversary indeed! Xaman Dos seems to be paradise from how you describe it. So nice that you got to renew your vows there.
 You both look so happy together. Your pics are wonderful. Can't wait to see the rest.
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03-13-2008, 10:07 AM
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The next morning, Wednesday, we climbed out of bed to see our last sunrise, of this trip, at Xamach. Had a great breakfast, said our good byes and hit the road in the old jeep like thing. It was a very hot ride to Tulum, it was going to be a beautiful day at the beach! We arrived at El Paraiso beach club about 10:00 and waited for the crew to show up. The vans showed up about 15 minutes later and we were able to say hi to old friends and meet some new ones. Ian did a great job at getting everyone on board and collecting the funds needed to pay for the vans. Soon we were all laying on the beach, eating, drinking, and swiming.   It was after my first swim of the day that I received my 2008 addition of the Bumpers Pin!!!!! No Bumper hug for this but we plan on making good on the payment ASAP. It was great to see Jackie again, but it just was not the same without Bumper. Later in the afternoon we went on a walk up the beach with Michael & Monica, and David & Tammy.  Walked up to the end of the beach |
