SCR Shawn's T/R April 14-21 2005

Shawn’s PDC Trip Report-April 14-21

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DAY ONE

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Woke up April 14, made a coffee and waited for iTravel200 to open at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time Minute="0" Hour="8">8am</st1:time>. At <st1:time Minute="20" Hour="8">8:20am</st1:time> I booked my return flight to <ST1:place>Cancun</ST1:place>. An hour later I had my packsack packed and was out the door heading for the airport for my flight that was leaving 6 hours later! And I was 3.5 hours from the airport!! If I so much as got a speeding ticket, I would have missed my flight. How’s that for “last minute”?

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Arrived at <ST1:place>Cancun</ST1:place> airport-went through customs without incident. Found a shuttle to take me over to the collective, paid my 65 pesos and was off to PDC.

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Arrived PDC bus station at approximately <st1:time Minute="30" Hour="9">9:30</st1:time>. Grabbed my backpack and headed out onto <st1:Street><st1:address>5<SUP>th</SUP> Ave.</st1:address></st1:Street> As soon as I stepped off the curb onto <st1:Street><st1:address>5th Ave</st1:address></st1:Street>, I found myself being struck with a host of emotions and exhilaration. The lights, shops and people were incredible. I actually stopped for a moment to ingest what I was feeling and seeing. I felt like a kid in a candy store.

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Armed with a wealth of information, thanks to PlayInfo, I went on a search and destroy mission to find the cheapest/cleanest digs between the beach and 5<SUP>th</SUP>. I checked the Kinbe and two others (can’t remember the names right now). They were around the 45ish mark. Then I remembered a post by a member that recommended the Rosa Mirador. This hotel is located about 30 yards from the Blue Parrot, and right beside the <ST1:place>OM</ST1:place> bar. I found the manager at the desk and asked in broken(very broken) Spanish/English how much per night. He said $30/night. Now, being the savvy traveler I am, I told him I could give him 750 pesos for three nights. He said “si”. I peeled him off the pesos, and up to the room I went.

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Aaaaah, home sweet home, for three days anyways. My room was number eight, second floor, facing the ocean. (However there was no real view because of the beach club across the street. Big deal. If I wanted a view, I would have picked a different hotel. Simple.) The room was tiled throughout. It had a double bed and a single. The beds were very comfortable. One large window, a ceiling fan, an oscillating fan, bedside night table and two chairs-one plastic and one really cool leather/bamboo chair. Overall the room was plain but very clean. The bathroom was very clean. Toilet flushed perfect, always had hot water, large shower. Water pressure was average, but certainly adequate. You don’t want to be blown against the wall in the shower anyways…at least by the water pressure. ; )

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I grabbed a quick shower, got dressed and headed out. I decided to get to know the “neighborhood”. So I walked up to 5<SUP>th</SUP> and headed north. I began recognizing some of the “spots” that have been talked about on here, and I began to feel like I had been here before. I made my way up to the Costa Real (I think that’s the name-the big A/I resort) and turned around to head back. It was around <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="11">11ish</st1:time> and I was tired from a long day, so I decided to leave the othe end of 5<SUP>th</SUP> for the next day and check out the Parrot.

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This was a cool place. Open air, big dance floor on the beach, lots of people and 25 peso beer. What more do you want? I grabbed a beer and just started mingling. I did find it a bit tough to break into a conversation that night because I notice most people I attempted to talk with spoke little English(this was the only night I experienced this). I did however find this nice little Mexican girl from <st1:City><ST1:place>Mexico City</ST1:place></st1:City> who spoke English fairly well. And with my broken Spanish, we had a lot of fun.

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I went “home” around <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="1">1am</st1:time> and had a great nights sleep.

I'll post day #2 tommorow.

-Shawn
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Great start...can't wait to read more and don't forget to post any pics you took on vacation.

[cuffedlinks]

GREAT start !

Adventurous beginnings...

The true test comes when you find yourself landing a room during the Christmas/New Year's week....AFTER arriving in PdC

right Jimmy?

Waiting for the next installment...

[jx2]

Excellent beginning, looking forward to day #2.

[babs31]

Wow!

[Donny]

Sounds like a good start..................

already like it...keep it up!

DAY TWO

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Woke up at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time Hour="5" Minute="30">5:30am</st1:time> to one of those whistling birds. You know the ones, they sound like some guy whistling at a girl…over and over again. I laid there laughing to myself thinking about it. Anyways I got up cleaned up and threw on my shorts and headed up to 5<SUP>th</SUP> to find a coffee. I went south this time and ended up at Java Joes just off 5<SUP>th</SUP>. The coffee was a little stronger than I’m used to, but hit the spot and woke me up. While walking and sipping on my coffee, I watched the local shop owners clean up and start their day. Speaking of which, I couldn’t believe how spotless PDC is. In fact, I don’t think there was any time that I didn’t see someone sweeping, picking up litter or washing/squeegeeing windows every morning.

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I walked down to where there are about 6-8 street venders serving up a host of breakfast tacos and fruit smoothies. I ordered up a couple and chased them with a fruit smoothie and felt like a million. After my tasty breakfast, I slowly made my way back to the hotel, stopping frequently to check out the different shops, (the ones that were glassed but mostly closed) to get my towel and beach stuff.

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After getting my towel and things, I decided to walk through the Blue Parrot to see the beach and find a place to park my white butt. As I exited the Parrot I noticed the white beds they have on the beach. They look really comfortable but I just want a lounge chair and some cheap cold beer. Well, I found it. Right beside the Parrot is a little spot called the Pirate which is in front of the Costa Del Mar. There were about 40 chairs, give or take and many were empty at this time of day. Immediately a waiter comes over and I tell him (Armado) that I’m here for the day and just want to chill out for a minute or two, as I just ate and it’s a little bit early for me to be diving into the cerveza just yet. No problemo.

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(Wow, I’m going to have to start speeding this T/R up as it’s getting to be long. But this was my first time in PDC so bear with me)

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So, I laid there for the day, drank beer and met some very interesting folks. I met two couples from the States and we decided to book a ponga (sp) for four hours of fishing at <st1:time Hour="7" Minute="0">7am</st1:time> the next day. (I know…what was I thinking??) We booked with this guy called “Conan” who walks the beach down at that end of the beach. $30/head $150.00USD

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As I’ve been there all day eating/drinking (about 15 beers) and tipping well-about a buck a beer(I didn’t know what the deal was on tipping) 5:30 rolls around and the waiters start to tell folks that they need to pack up the chairs and umbrellas by 6 o’clock, but that the bar is still open. At this point people are slowly getting their things together…except me. I’m so relaxed; I decide to wait it out for the last person to give up their chair. At this point there is only me and this English woman left with chairs on the whole beach! The waiter comes over to her to get her chair. Well, she gives it up but points to me and says, “hey, what about this guy?” The two waiters look at each other…look at me…and walk away without saying a word to me!! Bahahahahaha. I felt like Donald Trump for five minutes! I did give up my chair but I was laughing so hard I fell out of it. LOL. Anyways I left for “home” to clean up and go out.

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I remembered reading something about a party Sunday night at the Beer Bucket so I decided to do a little recon mission to check it out. When I arrived, it looked like a pretty cool spot. Good music and beautiful girls. In fact, the first girls I noticed on my way in were A’ndrea and Phyllis. So I bellied up to bar, grabbed a cerveza and struck up a conversation with an American couple at the bar. I introduced myself and asked if they knew anything about this Sunday’s party. The lady points to A’ndrea and tells me I should speak to her and that she’s taking care of things. (there is a God) So I introduce myself to A’ndrea who, incidentally, has the whitest teeth I have ever come across. She in turn introduces me to Phyllis and a host of other peeps. It was great! My vacation was starting off on the right foot.

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So A’ndrea and Phyllis offer to show me some spots. We went to Babes and I had this kickass drink, not sure what it was, but it was delicious! They ordered up some finger food that smelled incredible. I just ate, so I didn’t try any. Then we went to the Tequila Barrel and then to the infamous Siesta Fiesta. About this time Phyllis, the beautiful thang she is, was getting very “tired”. So A’ndrea and I take her back to their hotel and tuck her in. Sweet dreams Phyllis. A’ndrea and I then made our way over to the Deseo. Very sheik place. It has a pool on the roof and they have these white sheets hanging down blowing in the wind. Very nice. We didn’t stay long. Then we slithered on over to the Posada Freud. This was really cool. They have these hammocks in the back that you can climb into. Get this. I go to get into it (never been in one before) and of course I make the newbie mistake attempting to lay lengthwise. Ohhhh noooo. That’s not how you do it. Well A’ndrea was quick to point out the sideways technique which I thought was pretty cool. Anyways we laid there for awhile talking, laughing and enjoying a beautiful night. From here it gets a little fuzzy but I think we ended up walking back to A’ndrea’s hotel and called it a night.

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[oklahomajack]

sounds good. I would book in advance so when I get off the plane and bus I know where I am going. Too much luggage with dive equipment and all.

[angelhouston819]

Shawn,

Thanks for the compliments!! Phyllis and I had a great time hanging out with you. I laughed when I read the hammock incident...that was amusing. I remember you telling me about the day on the beach when you were the last one on the chair...talk about special treatment. Reading your report makes me want to be back in Playa. I am planning on writing up my report later today. Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future!!

A'ndrea

Originally Posted by angelhouston819

Shawn,

Thanks for the compliments!! Phyllis and I had a great time hanging out with you. I laughed when I read the hammock incident...that was amusing. I remember you telling me about the day on the beach when you were the last one on the chair...talk about special treatment. Reading your report makes me want to be back in Playa. I am planning on writing up my report later today. Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future!!

A'ndrea

Well, if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise, perhaps we will. >

-Shawn

Where's the rest?! And pictures!

[Jodeci]

I hope you keep this trip report going. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of your adventures. As a good Canadian boy, I am sure that you had lots more fun!!

Waiting to hear about the fishing trip the next day.

DAY THREE

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Woke up at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time Hour="17" Minute="30">5:30</st1:time> to a beautiful bird. I was tired and wanted to sleep in, but I had to meet two couples at <st1:time Hour="7" Minute="0">7am</st1:time> for our fishing trip. I headed out for my morning java and decided to take a stroll down to the pier where you catch the Ultramar to <st1:place>Cozumel</st1:place>. I bought a couple of those breakfast tacos again and finished my java enjoying a beautiful morning. I sat there for awhile checking out the sunrise and the sea, waiting for PDC to awake for another day…and did a little soul searching. But, since I have no soul…I moved on.

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I made my way back to my room and gathered up a few things (beer) to take with me. I met the rest of the folks at the beach where the ponga was waiting for us. Now, this ponga had two narrow seats lengthwise at the back towards the transom, and one narrow seat across the front of the console. I’m thinking this may be a wee bit uncomfortable for those folks that aren’t used to hanging out in a boat all morning with no chairs. Being that there were two couples and I to be seated, I headed for the front noticing a cooler on my way, and sat on the edge of one of the gunnels to wait for the others to find a spot to sit down first. When they took their seats and were comfortable, I stepped over and picked up the boat captains cooler and brought it to the front of the boat. (nobody else brought any beer…go figure) I tossed in my beer, put my folded towel on the top of the cooler and kicked my feet up on one of the gunnels. Aaaaah Felt like I was back home for a moment. The captains took us out about 500 yards from shore, setup some lines and headed south. Now I realize it’s only about <st1:time Hour="8" Minute="0">8 am</st1:time>, but I didn’t bring a watch so…ppfftt, I opened a beer.

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About twenty minutes into our fishing trip, bam! A strike! “I think it’s a Marlin!” one of the captains said. I sprang off the cooler like one of those “jack in the box” you get when you’re a kid. I watched intently through the bright glare of the rising sun, desperately trying to get a glimpse of a long nose or a large dorsal fin. “I think he got off” the captain says, as he starts to reel in the line to check the bait. (funny when guys go fishing…all the fish are male ie...”he”. We all do it don’t we?) Anyways when the line is reeled in it still has bait on the hook, so the captain sends it out for another chance at hooking into an elusive Marlin. I settle back down on the cooler, and with all the excitement we had…ppfftt...open another beer.



About an hour goes by and we’re all talking and joking around, and off the starboard side this huge sea turtle appears. This thing is massive! It’s just floating near the surface as we approach. We get to check it out for a few seconds, and then it dives and disappears. That’s the first time I have ever seen a sea turtle. So in the interest of celebration…ppfftt…open another beer.

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By this time we are starting to make our way back. And as I’m enjoying a cold Pacifico, I notice about ten gazillion of these little round black things in the water. The captain tells me that these are jellyfish! Yikes! But apparently they won’t hurt you to much - maybe make you itchy. Hey, call me crazy but, I am so not going in the water when these little critters are around. Oh and don’t get me started about sharks. Yeah that’s right, I’ve always been of the opinion that if something is large enough to eat me, I develop a healthy respect for it…real quick. Tell me, when was the last time you came home and found sharks playing in your living room? That’s what I thought. Anyways it turns out one of the guy’s wives has to use the ladies room. I tell her, “Guess what? That’s right, you’re sharing the “ladies room” with those things (little black jellyfish) Get in line and have fun.” Cheers to that…ppfftt…another beer.

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Well, after teasing buddies wife a little the inevitable happens. That’s right, the seal is broken. What’s a guy to do in a boat trolling in the open sea (did I mention my healthy respect for sharks yet?) The answer is, pass me that “javex bottle” (bailing bucket) Captain. I’m no stranger to one of these being the outdoorsman I consider myself to be. But when he hands me the plastic bottle, it turns out to be one of those smallish type plastic bottles that have been cut down as a makeshift bailing bucket. Keep in mind I’m at the front of the boat, the sea has coughed up some decent size waves, and I’m getting a buzz. So I’m kneeling down in the front but there’s chains and rope and stuff. So here I’ve got my Johnston in my hand and I’m swaying around with every wave we hit and I end up pissing all over myself and the boat! I look in the bottle and there’s about three drops. I turn around to the Captain, “Hey I think you missed a couple of waves back there. Maybe we can hit those on the way back”. I clean myself up and…ppfftt...another beer.

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The rest of the trip was pretty much uneventful but definitely fun. We didn’t get any more strikes but we did see a <st1:place><st1:PlaceType>school</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName>Eldorados</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>(sp) (no not cars silly). I was kinda hoping that one of us would land at least one fish because the Captain said that if we wanted, we could have the Pirate beach club cook it up for us for 5 bucks a head. That would have been pretty cool. But no such luck. No problemo.

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We pulled into shore and decided to meet up at the Pirate beach club for lunch. I told them I would after I shower up. (Javex bottle incident)

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To be continued in this thread….

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-Shawn

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