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04-14-2008, 09:37 PM
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04-14-2008, 09:38 PM
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04-15-2008, 12:49 AM
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Sunday 3-30-08 – The Trip Home
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: 
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04-15-2008, 12:50 AM
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Great view of landing planes:
 And ours:  We did end up buying that 1 forgotten gift here and the pricing was reasonable:  Didn’t buy anything here but this was the ONLY wood floor I remember seeing on this trip to Mexico:  Soon we boarded and had a relatively uneventful flight home. I think I whupped Mamasita in cribbage and we slept a bit, little turbulence but otherwise OK. Relatives were waiting as we went through US Customs (you need to fill out an entry card on your flight) and we were off to our ride back home. Videos and closing comments yet to come. Good luck to all of you that are yet to go, and hope once again that this TR has given you some good ideas and things to look forward to!
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04-15-2008, 01:00 AM
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Hate to see it end.
 .Looks like you guys had a great time, I know I really enjoyed this adventure. We got about three weeks before we make it back to Playa and your report is just what I needed to help the days left to go by a little faster.... MIke
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http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c241/stonecold_1954/
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04-15-2008, 01:50 AM
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 "If a friend runs a bar and the nightclub down the road fecks them over, calls their character into question and tries to harm their business...... ......you don't go to that nightclub and give them your business, you drink at another bar and don't step foot over their threshold." anon
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04-15-2008, 07:04 AM
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 Craig. 
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04-15-2008, 10:12 AM
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Great report. I look forward to reading it every morning, as my coffee always tastes better with an ocean view.
Even if it's fake. Still better.I'm still trying to decide on which Sandos resort to go to. It's one or the other for us. But I'm booking for 10 people, at least, and I keep comparing them. Thanks for all the information!!!
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04-15-2008, 07:09 PM
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Thanks again for sharing your wonderful vacation with us!
I thoroughly enjoyed all of your pics and your writing style is very easy to read. I hope this is the first of many trips to Playa for you!
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04-15-2008, 10:10 PM
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04-16-2008, 09:23 AM
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Wow.
What a TR! I just read through it all...and now I need to get back to working! Congrats on your marriage and thank you for sharing your time in Playadise with us!
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04-17-2008, 05:18 PM
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Yes, working is what pays for the Play-a ing! Thanks for the wishes and thanks for reading the TR - just wanted to both share whate we learned and the experience in this fascinating corner of the globe. Videos still in progress.... Toninght or weekend, hopefully! Thanks again!  (<- DNK why I added that other than I just wanted to see it )
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04-17-2008, 06:01 PM
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Your report has been a true delight to read. I almost feel like sending you on another trip. If i had the cash..I would.
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I'll take 2, please. Please bring them to me over here. 
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04-18-2008, 01:16 PM
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Still have to get the vids uploaded & put on. This weekend hopefully! Thanks for the comments!
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04-19-2008, 10:43 AM
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Videos - Segmenet 1
Videos – 3-20-08
Video 1 - panorama of the beach on the first day. Many of these details are laid out earlier in the trip report so I’ll try to be brief yet add some things I can recall here in these video segments. Full or other details can be read and seen with the pictures for each day, earlier in the TR. We arrived at the airport at about 12:45 p.m. on 3-20-08. In the packet of Mapchick Maps that I ordered, they threw in a map of the Cancun airport, which was helpful navigating through it as we deplaned. Generally, though, the flow of traffic leads you where you need to go, and each baggage claim carousel has the flight numbers listed above it on an electronic marquee as in any other airport, so it was easy to locate the right one for our luggage. We retrieved our bags at the carousel, which the workers load on a conveyor outside the walls of the airport and the bags flow in, around a large U shaped conveyor, then back out again. You could feel the warmth and humidity at the openings in the walls where the conveyor entered and exited the baggage claim area and it felt great! Once we got our bags we headed immediately headed for Customs and presented our passports and the tourist card we were required too fill out on the plane, plus the immigration card (1 per family). Because we had prescription medicines, and one of the questions was whether or not we were bringing in any medicines (which was checked “Yes”), we were asked about it and required to press the randomizer button to see if we had to have our luggage searched. Naturally, it blinked red so all luggage got opened and briefly searched. The staff was friendly and not terribly intrusive and it didn’t take long before we were done & off we went. The last stretch of walkway before exiting the airport is a gauntlet of timeshare desks staffed by people working the crowd trying to make business happen. We kept eyes front and down the middle of the aisle and were soon outside. Next we located our American Express travel organizer and had to wait about 10 minutes for the van. During that time we chatted with the man about life in Cancun, Minnesota, his kids, our kids, the weather, and a few other things. He really made an effort to make us feel welcome and, of course, we were extremely excited to be here anyway. We packed in the van with about 8 other people and off we went towards Playa. Since we were last resort on the run, we were let off last and the trip took maybe an hour or so. Be sure to be ready to tip the driver – it’s customary and they do earn it. The bellman immediately took our bags and handed us a numbered ticket so we could claim them after check in, and then they line them up on the floor of the registration Palapa, which is gigantic! There were at least 100 bags lined up on the floor, and they were well watched by the small cadre of bellmen so none would be taken erroneously. As we waited, we observed the free champagne and juices at the check in at the Sandos, which was crowded with people – some not too happy about their accommodations or lack thereof. Within a half hour we were at the front of the line and presented our reservation card and Sandos VIP card (sign up on their website or check your resort’s home page and send them an email asking if they have any such program and don’t be afraid to take advantage of it) and the email reply I had from the Sandos concierge stating that they had received my requests for ocean view, higher floor room, honeymoon couple, etc… I think this, plus the fact that we went through a travel agent, helped us not get bumped to a hacienda or room farther from the beach. I highly recommend using a travel agent – the extra cost (if any) will save yourself the angst of being in a less than desirable room. Check in complete, we handed a bellman our luggage ticker and he said, “Where are your bags?” They can’t possibly know where any travelers bags are so we pointed them out, he checked the number on the ticket to match them with the stickers on the bags, loaded them on a dolly and off we went. There’s nothing like those first few minutes at your resort – you are kind of like a kid in a candy store, deer-in-the-headlights look, eyes wide with wonder. Not sure but we may have been drooling on ourselves and didn’t know it ? Into our room (1218 – see pics earlier in this report – Great Room!), quickly unpacked and suited up <3 off to the beach we went. It was a quick run down a flight of stairs to the pool area, where Mamasita got one of those henna tattoos that comes off in a week or so. Nice touch! We visited the beach snack bar for refreshments and onto the Sand-os! At this point in the afternoon most people had gone in to get ready for dinner and it was windy and overcast, so most chairs were open. That didn’t stop us from hanging out for about an hour and going for our first dip together in the ocean we had so longed to feel washing over our skin. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/v/cJTbNoAUEE4 |
