Hi, all-we're newbies, both to the forum and to international travel. We arrive in just under two weeks and are so excited, it's a little hard to sleep. We've posted a couple of questions which were graciously answered (thanx, peeps) and have lurked quite a bit, doing lots & lots of searches. No specific questions here, just the quick intro (but we'd love your input on some ideas we have. -Sort of a critique on a pre-trip report?)
We're 40-somethings, and live in beautiful Colorado. He's in construction management and I paint
pictures. (-Hope the link is ok.) 2 grown kids, 3 grandkids. We're skiers, hikers, fisher(men), and rabid gym rats. So much to do here in our state, we've not been in a hurry to travel much, but the last couple of winters....(plus I've had ill relatives who I was reluctant to leave for even a few days, and now that they have recently left us and are now in "paradise," why shouldn't we get a taste of paradise, too?)
We'll be taking our "virgin voyage" to the ocean (and out of the states) together March 3-7 (rpdc) and again, are pretty well obsessing right about now. We keep the cams on, checking them now & then, and have even drawn up a rough itinerary based on the tips and trip reports we've dug up. (Why get off a plane with a "deer in the headlights" look on your face, no idea what to do or how to do it, when there's help like this forum to give you vicarious experience and a little more confidence, yes?)
It's a short trip, and r&r is a priority, but maybe we'll get down to Akumal & try some snorkeling. We bought some cheap gear that we know will fit and be clean & in good repair, and don't mind hauling it around-there seem to be enough places to use it that it will be nice to have with us. What say the peeps on that idea?
We ordered a few 20-peso bills and a few $2 bills for tipping, and set up international calling on our cell phones. We copied trip documents for luggage and leaving at home. We told our credit card company that we'd be out of the country and don't shut the card off when you see charges from way down there, and we're setting up a nice base tan so we don't go lobster after 5 months of winter-white calves.
As some of you have warned, we'll steer clear of timeshare salesmen, see if gratuities have been added before tipping outside the AI, and haggle with cabbies
before hopping in. Gotta try the watermelon water, Modelo Negro, shrimp casserole at La Pesca and the margaritas at __________? (There's a poll.)
Again, thanks, peeps, for the entertainment, information and anticipation. Hope to do a nice report when we get back. But for now, if you have any ideas for us, do tell.
Thanks in advance!