Mexico Day Five

We went on the 90 minute not "time share" tour. We put our timer on and let them know that I had only 90 minutes because I did have something scheduled at 10 AM which was true. So at 8:25 AM we showed up at the designated spot and off we went. Our guide was Raul. He was a very lovely gentleman in a suit who was so very sweet. He was very personable and if I had the money, I would have done it. The deal was 2 free weeks, 2 weeks at $1750 and 2 free airline tixs. This would also include a spa voucher for $500. We would have to purchase 50 weeks as a member for $6000. It really wasn't bad at all. We just couldn't afford it at this time. Especially since we have our vacations planned out for the next 3 years. Brian hates being locked into something. And I hate not getting a good deal. I explained that I was the stingy one who has issues spending money. I felt we spent a lot coming here but it was the most we could afford since we are short on funds.

Raul was very surprised at our price. We spent $4600 for the all inclusive 2 weeks. This included all the food and drinks and unlimited tours. Our plane tixs were only $300 each since we booked in July of 07. Our rate was actually better than what some of the members could get. I read the fine print for the free massage that members receive. It is only a 25 minute massage. With knots like mine, 25 minutes is nothing. I need at least 90 minutes. Generally at home, I go for 120 minutes, semi-monthly.

True to Raul's word, we were in and out in 1 hour and 19 minutes. They knew we wouldn't purchase. They were still very gracious and nice. We received the abbreviated tour since we had been on the premises for a while. Here are some of the pictures.

We once again spent the day indoors to allow for healing. I worked out on the tread mill for 35 minutes. Then I stretched and did some biceps/triceps/back and lats. I completed by 11 AM which was when the fitball class started. I figured it would be kind of easy like the Yoga class from yesterday. NO it was NOT. I thought 1/2 way through the class that it was a big mistake. I barely got through the class. This is now two days in a row I have exercised for 2 hours or more. Yesterday, I swam about 1.5 miles for a bit over an hour. Then I went to Yoga.

Tomorrow, I hope to make it to the salsa cardio class and the cross current training. Salsa is at noon to 1. Water workout is 2 to 3. If I go to Yoga again, it is from 4-5. We'll see how much I can do in one day. Plus it will be our first day back into the water.

Brian Drink total: 3 Cumulative: 25

3 Margaritas

Dorothy Drink total: 0 Cumulative: 17

Mexico Day Three and Four

Day three was a wash. Looks like Day four will be a wash too. We got BURNED!? What Asian gets burned in the sun? Bloody hell it hurts. I don't like being burned. I haven't ever been burned like this before. I even used the 50 SPF. I applied it a couple times in a day. Apparently the sun is much stronger here in April than in November. I look like a freaking lobster. And of course, I have NO aloe Vera. I am pretty irritated. Poor Brian's feet got burned and they swelled up. WTF?

Well, it's to the indoor pool and total cover up. Since I haven't been really burned before, I had to look up the ways to fix it on the web. Thank god for the computer and the Internet. We are badly burned enough that it is difficult to move around. We had to cancel our trip to Ex-Balam and Valloid. Very annoying. I have to reschedule for next week. Thank goodness we have a 2 week vacation.

Couldn't even get out of bed this morning. Yesterday was worst. We did soak in the tub w/ the jets since the web said water absorption through baths would help. I have been drinking water a lot and avoiding alcohol until I get rid of this freaking pink skin. I look horrible in pink.

Dinner last night was okay. We went to La Hacienda. The lamb I ordered tasted like beef brisket. I didn't like it so much. Brian enjoyed his meal. Apparently, the guacamole that came with the fresh chips was very tasty. Tasted a bit greasy and gross to me. He said it was soooo yummy and fresh. I just nodded and tried not to gag. Guess I still don't like avocados.

We stopped in the Thai Lounge where there are beds. Yup, there are beds for people to lay in. I'll have pictures uploaded later on it. We did lay in one to have pictures taken. I just remember the last time I went to a club which had beds in it. When I wanted to lay in one for a picture, my friends jerked me back up and asked, "Do you really want to lay in that? You do know we are here during gay night, right? And with black sheets, you can't really tell if it is clean or not. You don't know if that damp spot is from a spilled drink or not." From that point on, I have been pretty leery of sitting in beds in a club.

Anyhow, not much drinking went on for Day 3.

Brian Total 3 Cumulative 21
1 Beer
2 Moijito

Dorothy total 2 Cumulative 12
1 Chocolate Martini
1 Moijito

Drinking for Day 4.

Brian Total 1 Cumulative 22
1 Beer

Dorothy total 5 Cumulative 17
4 Tres Coronas (some kind of moonshine port)
1 FooFoo red drink with lots of vodka

Mexico Day two

Woke up this morning feeling like I slept the entire morning way. It was only 8:30 AM. We were out by the pool by 8:45. We decided to go to the South end and work our way up. We never made it up to the North. We found a great location where we could be in the water on a lounge chair. We staked out the place with our towels, shoes and magazines. I was extremely territorial. No one was going to get my spot! There were many open places. We are not sure why they say that there is no where to sit. It was dead until about 10 AM when more people showed up. (The pool bar opened.)

We met a huge gaggle of women from Iowa. They were all 50 and celebrating their birthdays together. They were wild and fun women. The stories they told of their time a the bars in Playa del Carmen were great. One woman received a lap dance from 2 boys at the same time. They were in their early 20s and they felt this 50 year old up and stuck their faces and body all over her. She was excited to tell us that they felt her boobs and stuck their face and you know what right in her crotch. Yes, apparently you can get drunk before noon.

The two that we spent quite a bit of time talking to were Chuck and Karen. Chuck is a Sicilian/Italian guy living in Wisconsin. He is originally from Chicago. Karen is Irish German. Chuck is the cook at his restaurant. Karen is the bartender. They are a hoot! Chuck is ex-navy seal. Yummy. I knew I should have brought my dive log and my dive computer, just in case! Darnit! At least I have my dive card. He has convinced me to go diving with him and his buddy Kerri this week @ Cozumel. Brian will stay with Karen and Carey's gf Rhonda at the hotel. I can hardly wait. It will probably be expensive since my regulator is at home too. ARRGH! I kept looking at them and thinking, hmm, should I? I guess I should have.

We finally left the pool @ 5 PM. I totally forgot to take the first day picture of before the sun. Now it is a bit too late. I am still going to take a picture, but it isn't the same. I discovered that early in the morning, the iguana are all out and about. They let you get really close too. I will be taking pictures tomorrow.

The birds are nasty and crazy here. The seagulls and these loud screaming black birds will fight you over your food. MINE! MINE! MINE! They steal food off your plate and dive bomb you. While there were lots of activities at the pool - volleyball, games, singing and trivia, Brian and I ignored them all in favour of relaxing by the pool. It was very soothing. Brian is completely relaxed now. I am slowly unwinding. I am still wound pretty tight. I try to relax with my magazines. I brought 12 lbs of magazines ~ 24 of them . I am determined to get through every one of them. I will save 2 for the plane ride home. Which leaves me with 22 of them. I read 1 on the plane and got rid of it. That leaves me with 21. If I average about 2 magazines a day, I will finish them all off. I already read 2 today ~ 19 left. I read the Sept 2007 PMI and the February 2008 HR. I hope to be caught up with all my PMI and SHRM ones by the time I leave.

For dining, we did not eat breakfast. We slipped into Mundaco for coffee and juice. Lunch was cheese burgers and nachos. Nothing that good. We drank a bit. I was easier on the alcohol. Brian pounded them. They have Don Guillo Tequila? I don't know how to spell it. Brian had Margaritas all day.

Brian Drinks Total 11 Cumulative 18
11 Margaritas

Dorothy Drinks Total 7 Cumulative 10
4 Strawberry Daiquiris
2 Khaluha and Franagelica
1 Mocha ice with Franangelica

Day One in Mexico

We arrived safe and sound. We started off the day very well. The limo picked us up ahead of schedule. We went through security w/o a hitch. Getting on the plane from DTW to Cleveland was easy. We pushed from the gate early! We get to the runway - bad news - Cleveland airport had shut down. No incoming or outgoing traffic. This was due to fog. The pilot said he would give us an update in 1 hour! We would miss our connection. I start to get irritated. Brian prayed that I didn't lose my temper. If only Continental didn't change our 6 AM flight to a 7 AM flight, giving us a 45 minute layover instead of a 1 hours and 45 minute layover. Fortunately, the entire plane is trying to get to the Cancun flight.

We land into Cleveland at 8:35. I think, drat, even if the connecting plane is delayed and we can get there in time, what about our luggage? I have Brian take off and run towards the gate. I had a gate side check in so I plodded along behind him. We get there at 9 AM. The plane's door is still open and we make it onto the plane. The others trying to get to Cancun on our flight have also made it and they see their luggage. Brian is relieved and believes are luggage is fine too.

We depart when people finally understand that they have to be seated before the flight can take off. Bloody inexperienced travellers. The flight attendants were so patient and nice. "Ma'am, ma'am, please take your seat so we can leave. Sir, please sit down and buckle up. Yes Sir, you do need to have your seat belt fastened." I wanted to say, "Get your ass in the chair and buckle up now." The plane ride was long and uneventful. We took the long way to avoid bad weather. The pilot kept saying there was turbulence. It was nothing. Some people were still freaked out by little movements. Wimps.

Going through customs was super fast. There was NO wait and the guy checking our passports was Speedy Gonzalez. We were through in less than 1 minute. Picking up our luggage was easy too. The only part that slowed us down was Brian pushing the button and it turned Red. He then had to have his bags searched.

We went by all the time share folks and found our ride to the hotel. Franco the driver was loco. There were 3 other couples on the van with us. They were dropped off first to Rio Tequila ~ Playa del Carmen. We arrived at Aventura Spa Palace around 2:30 PM Mexico time. They haven't gone through Daylight savings yet so they were 2 hours behind EDT.

Check in was easy and we got the room Brian wanted. We are in the middle, on the second floor. The room has a great ocean side view. We also have the hammock he wants. The place is newly remodeled with the electronic safe and a flat screen TV. The shower is amazing. The fridge was fully stocked and the best part was the alcohol dispenser.

Our tally for Drinks so far today:

Brian - Total 7

1 DosXX

4 Miami Vices (Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri)

1 Rum and Coke

1 Margarita

Dorothy - Total 3

1 Mojito

1 Strawberry daiquiri

1 Screwdriver (Terrible, wanted a Fuzzy Navel and got it confused)

We spent the afternoon and evening exploring the property. took forever, but I finally found the 25 meter pool. It was disappointing. It was no lap pool. The Yoga hut was pretty nifty. The obstacle course was a joke. The lagoon was very nice. I was amazed at how nice the water was and how many little fish were swimming around.

We had lunch and dinner at the same place. I will have to write more about it later in a dining post. We wanted to make it to the Thai lounge ~ martini bar. Too bad I was tired. I wanted to use the jacuzzi tub, but ended up crashing.

So far, the Resort has lived up to its hype. Tomorrow, it's pool exploration.