Stitches, peep meet, meatballs, and tattoos...a trip report

louden48 · 06-19-2006

Ok, guys…this is the beginning of my longest trip report yet. I will include pictures along the way so hang in there. It will take a little while to complete. Without further delay…

Saturday, June 10

Well, it’s almost that time. We leave in less than 24 hours for paradise!

We shipped the kids off to Dallas to stay with Mimi (my mom) while we’re gone. While Jeff was busy assuring our youngest he could ride the airplane with his sister and without us, I was busy finishing my last high pressure tanning session. Finished tanning…Jeff still doesn’t have the kids on the plane. I’m starting to sweat it and get scared Christian will pull a stunt and not be allowed on the plane!

Finally, Jeff called and said the door was closed and the plane to Dallas was pushing back from the gate. There’s no turning back now! Woo-hoo! The kids are gone. When we arrived, Packy and Andrea (Ladybug) were waiting for us at the house. It is time for our “adult’s only” vacation!

Let me give you a little background information about our friends. Jeff and Packy went to high school together. When I met them we were in college. Jeff was my college sweetheart. Fast forward a few years and Packy brings Andrea and her son to one of our weekly cookouts. Everyone instantly loves Andrea and Riley. Riley and our daughter, Madison are a month’s difference in age (they were both about a year old). We all breathe a sigh of relief as Packy has finally found “The One” and we love her! Eventually we graduate and move on in our lives. Moving on doesn’t mean we forget them, it just means that we don’t get together like we used to. Not to mention that we move to opposite sides of the state (about 6 hrs. away). Jeff and I were planning our trip to Playa around Christmas and we got a call from Packy. We decided we had to bring them on this trip with us, as they were about the only friends we had that we knew we could stand to be around for an entire week! We talked them into taking this trip with us and are so glad the agreed.

Now, back to the trip report…After a nice dinner and a last minute trip to the stores, we were off to the house to load and weigh our suitcases. Packy’s suitcase had to go on a diet as he thought he needed everything from his home to take on the trip. We spent an hour on the phone trying to verify the actual weights allowed on suitcases with Aero Mexico as there were just “some” things Packy couldn’t do without!

Shortly thereafter, we began taking shots of tequila…warming up our livers for the next week’s adventures. We printed all of the info from Playa.Info that we had been collecting throughout the past 6 months…where we wanted to eat, shop, snorkel, etc. Well, that took forever! Everyone but me went to bed around midnight as we needed to be up at 3am to leave the house at 4:30am. I didn’t end up in bed until 2am.

**Jesus** · 06-19-2006

Mhhh, "stitches" this report sounds very promising,

wannaplaya · 06-19-2006

I can't wait to get to the nitty gritty stuff...keep it coming, you're on a roll...I read elsewhere that you got that tattoo you've been wanting...

I'm proud of you Louden48

kaki321 · 06-19-2006

On the edge of my seat here

More! please

Maverick69 · 06-19-2006

I bet I know whats coming next.:p

louden48 · 06-19-2006

Sunday, June 11th

An hour later, Andrea woke us all up…we loaded up and headed for the airport. It only takes 30 minutes to get there from our house, but we didn’t want to take any chances!
The guys dropped us off and we checked everyone in for the flight…that was going to leave at 7:30am. The guys finally found us again and off to the security checkpoint we go. Packy was marked for a more invasive security check while the rest of us walked through without a problem. Shoes on and backpacks collected, we anxiously waited and watched others load onto planes…when would it be our turn?

Finally, it was our turn. We waited to be the last ones on the flight so we wouldn’t have to sit for so long. Good idea, it was hot on the plane! Unfortunately, it never did really cool off. Some of us dozed more than others on the flight down.

Good thing it was a direct 2 hr flight. As we neared Cancun we talked Jeff in to taking pictures out the windows. Boy, we could almost smell the mangroves and salty air…with the heat in the plane, we felt like we were already on the ground!

Landing was great and the pilot tells us it’s busy in the immigration. We walked right in and passed through rather quickly…off to collect our bags. Soon we were approaching customs. Feeling home-free, we strode right up to the officals. They were scanning incoming bags from Dallas but not from San Antonio. Spying the red/green light, I explain, “…get the green light and keep on walking, we’ll meet up outside…” Famous last words! Andrea pushed the button...uh-oh, red light! Snickering, I pushed the button…crap! Red light! How could that happen? Panic set in…we have lots of chocolate chips for Heather and SarahB. They checked all the bags and happened to move a few of Jeff’s shirts…finding the chocolate chips. The customs agent says. “Chocolate chips?” Thinking on his feet Jeff said, “Yup, I’m a diabetic!” We laughed all the way to the Lomas group for our transfer to the El Dorado Royale.

Arriving at the EDR we walked through the motions…negotiated rooms that we liked, eat lunch, change clothes and head to the beach or the pool.

Our rooms were in building 44, where they have swim up ocean front jr. suites. Of course, we were on the second and third floors, respectively. The part of the resort we stayed in was newly added since the last time we were here. Our room faced a new saltwater pool and had a partial view of the ocean. It was very nice and also very cold when we walked in.
We waited for our rooms to be cleaned and decided now would be a great time to catch a bite to eat. The restaurant we ate in was being remodeled the last time we were her. Jo-Jo's quickly became our favorite place to eat during the day. While we waited for lunch, Packy decided he would inspect the ocean.

After lunch we quickly changed and headed to the swim up bar and saltwater pool closest to the rooms we would live in for the next week. Finally it was 3pm and we could pick up the room keys and check out our new rooms.

We dropped our bags off and headed down to make dinner reservations for the evenings we would be at the resort…and also pick up our “special gift.” After a very polite “no” to the lady about the time share sales pitch, we headed back to the pool for more drinks.
Andrea and I left the guys at the swim up bar and decided to cruise the canals toward the beach. We found palapa beds that were available for those who are not casita guests. Now, if you’ve read any of my previous posts about the palapa beds, you will know that my main mission for this trip included napping on those beds during at least one of our days on the beach. Yee-haw! We’re going to get up early in the morning and spend the whole day down there! We decide to walk the beach. It is much rockier here than it was before. We find a few shells and head back to the pool. Jeff was thrilled at the info on the palapa beds and we begin to make plans for tomorrow.
After some time in the pool, we decide to clean up and get ready for dinner. Our dinner reservations for our first night were at our favorite restaurant the last time we stayed here, D’Italia. Dinner was great!

Full of food and spirits, we head to the beach to watch a storm roll in from Cozumel…on a Palapa bed.

We decide we are too tired from the day’s activities and turn in for the night. Tomorrow will have to be another early morning…to beat those who play the towel game! Tomorrow night is the Peep Meet! We plan to go to Playa early to pick up our Playa Deal Cards and stop in to see Pony at Scream Ink...do we make it? Tune in tomorrow to find out!

cuffedlinks · 06-19-2006

Way to go!

gdone · 06-19-2006

Woo Hoo, good start Christy!!! My trip report will pale in comparison, but it is on it's way. Thanks for organizing the peep meet, and thanks for getting our towel from the Playa.info tour van. Ana swears she had the towel, but we were worn out from the day's activities from Tulum and Beyond. By the way, that was an awesome tour, and I highly recommend it. Mitch was a great guide.
Hey Mitch, thanks for everything. The Tulum tour was the highlight of our trip!!!!!! Well, besides the peep meet, of course.

MsRubio · 06-19-2006

Can't wait to read more and see more pics...

See ya' soon in Texas at the Toobin Regatta...

cpfstich · 06-20-2006

Great start!

Kelly Jo · 06-20-2006

Great start on the report.

Can't wait to read more.

Maverick69 · 06-20-2006

Pics , pics , pics. I need proof that I was ACTUALLY there for a 2nd time this year.

louden48 · 06-20-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick69

Pics , pics , pics. I need proof that I was ACTUALLY there for a 2nd time this year.

I'm not even to the peep meet yet!

We were so out of it, though, I think you'll have to depend on Sunnygrl (Dee) for those. She ended up being the official photographer for the meet! However, I'll vouch for you! I met you. I wish we could have talked longer!

monte · 06-20-2006

Great so far, looking forward to more. BTW great pic of you and Jeff

louden48 · 06-20-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by monte

Great so far, looking forward to more. BTW great pic of you and Jeff

Thanks, friend!

06-19-2006	#1 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,888	Stitches, peep meet, meatballs, and tattoos...a trip report Ok, guys…this is the beginning of my longest trip report yet. I will include pictures along the way so hang in there. It will take a little while to complete. Without further delay… Saturday, June 10 Well, it’s almost that time. We leave in less than 24 hours for paradise! We shipped the kids off to Dallas to stay with Mimi (my mom) while we’re gone. While Jeff was busy assuring our youngest he could ride the airplane with his sister and without us, I was busy finishing my last high pressure tanning session. Finished tanning…Jeff still doesn’t have the kids on the plane. I’m starting to sweat it and get scared Christian will pull a stunt and not be allowed on the plane! Finally, Jeff called and said the door was closed and the plane to Dallas was pushing back from the gate. There’s no turning back now! Woo-hoo! The kids are gone. When we arrived, Packy and Andrea (Ladybug) were waiting for us at the house. It is time for our “adult’s only” vacation! Let me give you a little background information about our friends. Jeff and Packy went to high school together. When I met them we were in college. Jeff was my college sweetheart. Fast forward a few years and Packy brings Andrea and her son to one of our weekly cookouts. Everyone instantly loves Andrea and Riley. Riley and our daughter, Madison are a month’s difference in age (they were both about a year old). We all breathe a sigh of relief as Packy has finally found “The One” and we love her! Eventually we graduate and move on in our lives. Moving on doesn’t mean we forget them, it just means that we don’t get together like we used to. Not to mention that we move to opposite sides of the state (about 6 hrs. away). Jeff and I were planning our trip to Playa around Christmas and we got a call from Packy. We decided we had to bring them on this trip with us, as they were about the only friends we had that we knew we could stand to be around for an entire week! We talked them into taking this trip with us and are so glad the agreed. Now, back to the trip report…After a nice dinner and a last minute trip to the stores, we were off to the house to load and weigh our suitcases. Packy’s suitcase had to go on a diet as he thought he needed everything from his home to take on the trip. We spent an hour on the phone trying to verify the actual weights allowed on suitcases with Aero Mexico as there were just “some” things Packy couldn’t do without! Shortly thereafter, we began taking shots of tequila…warming up our livers for the next week’s adventures. We printed all of the info from Playa.Info that we had been collecting throughout the past 6 months…where we wanted to eat, shop, snorkel, etc. Well, that took forever! Everyone but me went to bed around midnight as we needed to be up at 3am to leave the house at 4:30am. I didn’t end up in bed until 2am. __________________ EDR 2006 Ib. Beach-Aug. 2005 *My Finally UpdatedBlog* until we stay at Hacienda San Jose! until we go to Nantucket! Last edited by louden48 : 06-19-2006 at 01:05 AM.

06-19-2006	#6 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,888	Sunday, June 11th An hour later, Andrea woke us all up…we loaded up and headed for the airport. It only takes 30 minutes to get there from our house, but we didn’t want to take any chances! The guys dropped us off and we checked everyone in for the flight…that was going to leave at 7:30am. The guys finally found us again and off to the security checkpoint we go. Packy was marked for a more invasive security check while the rest of us walked through without a problem. Shoes on and backpacks collected, we anxiously waited and watched others load onto planes…when would it be our turn? Finally, it was our turn. We waited to be the last ones on the flight so we wouldn’t have to sit for so long. Good idea, it was hot on the plane! Unfortunately, it never did really cool off. Some of us dozed more than others on the flight down. Good thing it was a direct 2 hr flight. As we neared Cancun we talked Jeff in to taking pictures out the windows. Boy, we could almost smell the mangroves and salty air…with the heat in the plane, we felt like we were already on the ground! Landing was great and the pilot tells us it’s busy in the immigration. We walked right in and passed through rather quickly…off to collect our bags. Soon we were approaching customs. Feeling home-free, we strode right up to the officals. They were scanning incoming bags from Dallas but not from San Antonio. Spying the red/green light, I explain, “…get the green light and keep on walking, we’ll meet up outside…” Famous last words! Andrea pushed the button...uh-oh, red light! Snickering, I pushed the button…crap! Red light! How could that happen? Panic set in…we have lots of chocolate chips for Heather and SarahB. They checked all the bags and happened to move a few of Jeff’s shirts…finding the chocolate chips. The customs agent says. “Chocolate chips?” Thinking on his feet Jeff said, “Yup, I’m a diabetic!” We laughed all the way to the Lomas group for our transfer to the El Dorado Royale. Arriving at the EDR we walked through the motions…negotiated rooms that we liked, eat lunch, change clothes and head to the beach or the pool. Our rooms were in building 44, where they have swim up ocean front jr. suites. Of course, we were on the second and third floors, respectively. The part of the resort we stayed in was newly added since the last time we were here. Our room faced a new saltwater pool and had a partial view of the ocean. It was very nice and also very cold when we walked in. We waited for our rooms to be cleaned and decided now would be a great time to catch a bite to eat. The restaurant we ate in was being remodeled the last time we were her. Jo-Jo's quickly became our favorite place to eat during the day. While we waited for lunch, Packy decided he would inspect the ocean. After lunch we quickly changed and headed to the swim up bar and saltwater pool closest to the rooms we would live in for the next week. Finally it was 3pm and we could pick up the room keys and check out our new rooms. We dropped our bags off and headed down to make dinner reservations for the evenings we would be at the resort…and also pick up our “special gift.” After a very polite “no” to the lady about the time share sales pitch, we headed back to the pool for more drinks. Andrea and I left the guys at the swim up bar and decided to cruise the canals toward the beach. We found palapa beds that were available for those who are not casita guests. Now, if you’ve read any of my previous posts about the palapa beds, you will know that my main mission for this trip included napping on those beds during at least one of our days on the beach. Yee-haw! We’re going to get up early in the morning and spend the whole day down there! We decide to walk the beach. It is much rockier here than it was before. We find a few shells and head back to the pool. Jeff was thrilled at the info on the palapa beds and we begin to make plans for tomorrow. After some time in the pool, we decide to clean up and get ready for dinner. Our dinner reservations for our first night were at our favorite restaurant the last time we stayed here, D’Italia. Dinner was great! Full of food and spirits, we head to the beach to watch a storm roll in from Cozumel…on a Palapa bed. We decide we are too tired from the day’s activities and turn in for the night. Tomorrow will have to be another early morning…to beat those who play the towel game! Tomorrow night is the Peep Meet! We plan to go to Playa early to pick up our Playa Deal Cards and stop in to see Pony at Scream Ink...do we make it? Tune in tomorrow to find out! Last edited by louden48 : 06-20-2006 at 12:24 AM.

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06-19-2006	#2 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,373	Mhhh, "stitches" this report sounds very promising,

06-19-2006	#3 (permalink)
wannaplaya way into it Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 75070 Posts: 195	I can't wait to get to the nitty gritty stuff...keep it coming, you're on a roll...I read elsewhere that you got that tattoo you've been wanting... I'm proud of you Louden48

06-19-2006	#4 (permalink)
kaki321 life=playa Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago, Il Posts: 968	On the edge of my seat here More! please

06-19-2006	#5 (permalink)
Maverick69 añejo Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Regina, Sk , Canada Posts: 1,735	I bet I know whats coming next.:p

06-19-2006	#7 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	Way to go!

06-19-2006	#8 (permalink)
gdone ruined Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 92	Woo Hoo, good start Christy!!! My trip report will pale in comparison, but it is on it's way. Thanks for organizing the peep meet, and thanks for getting our towel from the Playa.info tour van. Ana swears she had the towel, but we were worn out from the day's activities from Tulum and Beyond. By the way, that was an awesome tour, and I highly recommend it. Mitch was a great guide. Hey Mitch, thanks for everything. The Tulum tour was the highlight of our trip!!!!!! Well, besides the peep meet, of course.

06-19-2006	#9 (permalink)
MsRubio Happy Girl Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Top of the Chesapeake Bay, Md Posts: 6,506	Can't wait to read more and see more pics... See ya' soon in Texas at the Toobin Regatta...

06-20-2006	#10 (permalink)
cpfstich el poli Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 10,610	Great start!

06-20-2006	#11 (permalink)
Kelly Jo toe in water Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 55	Great start on the report. Can't wait to read more.

06-20-2006	#12 (permalink)
Maverick69 añejo Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Regina, Sk , Canada Posts: 1,735	Pics , pics , pics. I need proof that I was ACTUALLY there for a 2nd time this year.

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06-20-2006	#14 (permalink)
monte añejo Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: dallas Posts: 11,872	Great so far, looking forward to more. BTW great pic of you and Jeff