Kavis Trip Report RPR 1/26 - 2/2

[Kavi]

First attempt at a trip report so bear with me.


I’m too much of a worrier so have to head to St. Louis on Thursday. Boss calls me Thursday night tells me I got a promotion – woohoo good start! Too excited to sleep now. Friday flight is at 7:00 a.m., so gotta be up by 3:30 a.m., ugh!

DAY ONE


Wake up before the alarm or wake up call. Jay thinks I’m nuts! Head to airport, to hurry up and wait. Got Starbucks coffee and a roll. Things go smoothly and flight departs right about on time. Forgot to bring something to keep me occupied on the plane, big mistake! So excited I can’t stand it!

Finally can see the water – woohoo we’re there! It’s a little cooler than I expected, have never gone in January before, whine at hubby “I better get a tan”. Our funjet rep is there and whisks us to our driver. Arrive at the Royal around 11:30. The place is totally awesome! Checkin was quick, we had done the online check in for room 196 and yes, that’s the room we received. Of course it wouldn’t be ready till after 3:00 pm. No problem, got our purple bracelets and changed clothes and headed straight for the bar right off the lobby. Had to have our first margarita with a beer chaser and the bartender was happy to oblige.


Now to figure out how to insert a photo....

[cuffedlinks]

....for a photo insertion thread discussion in the last day, Click Here - Hope that helps....

Be sure to check out jacko and JimmyMN replies....

[Sukidog]

Yeah!!! Waiting for more. Love, love the Royal!!!

[silvergirl]

Okay, Lisa..........c'mon.......we want to see pics!!! I want to see if I recognize you from the resort!

[Luv2Dance]

Keep it coming.

[Kavi]

Ok try try again - hopefully the bartenders show up - this has made me feel like a total computer non!

<img src="http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/LisaNJay/RPR/th_IMG_0036.jpg" border="0"/>

<img src="http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/LisaNJay/RPR/th_IMG_0038.jpg" border="0"/>

[cuffedlinks]

[Kavi]

Originally Posted by silvergirl

Okay, Lisa..........c'mon.......we want to see pics!!! I want to see if I recognize you from the resort!

LOL - I'm trying, got too aggravated with it I guess!

[Kavi]

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

hey how'd you do that smarty!

[cuffedlinks]

Originally Posted by Kavi

hey how'd you do that smarty!

I highlighted from the h in http to the g in jpg and placed it into the insert image box....click on what looks like the mountain/sun icon and place the http/url address of the photo from photobucket.
Being careful to first delete the http already highlighted in the box or you will have TWO http's in the beginning and one will then need to be deleted for the image to show...

Try to hit "preview image" first to see if your image will show up for you....

[Kavi]

Originally Posted by cuffedlinks

I highlighted from the h in http to the g in jpg and placed it into the insert image box....click on what looks like the mountain/sun icon and place the http/url address of the photo from photobucket.
Being careful to first delete the http already highlighted in the box or you will have TWO http's in the beginning and one will then need to be deleted for the image to show...

Try to hit "preview image" first to see if your image will show up for you....

Thanks - I'll try again! Feel like a doofus!

[Kavi]

We meet some peeps from Canada at the bar and they entice us into doing a few too many shots. (Did I mention lunch, heck no) Everyone we talked to at the bar was giving great reviews of the hotel, good sign! Pick up my cell phone and call the hens back at the office to rub it in! They’re working and I’m on my way.….. (hey they’d do it to me!!!) We continue to hang at the bar until I can’t take it anymore (I don’t feel like I’m on vacation till my feet hit the sand), afterall a girl needs to cop some rays! By the time we make it down to the beach, which I must say is spectacular, we meet another group of peeps (its their last day and all are pretty hammered), we proceed to yuk it up with them. Fun group from Indiana, although I can’t remember any of their names, alcohol factor I presume.

[Kavi]

Realize that sweetroll is gone, if I’m going to have any duration, we better
get me a snack. Over to Pelicano’s for some chips and guac. Yum

Decide to head back up to the lobby to check on our room, debated on stoppin back at the bar, thought better of that! Yes the room is ready! OMG its totally awesome, exactly as the online reservations showed it to be. King bed (that is actually soft and firm), chaise lounge, table and chairs in the room, chairs & table/hammock on patio, and the hot tub (hubba hubba). Three doors down from Tradewinds, awesome view of the pool and ocean (no
long trek for me this time to the beach) couldn’t be better! Tip the bellboy and off he goes.

Decide to try out the hot tub, enough said! I’m starving, decide to order room service. Quesadillas, chicken tacos, and beef something. Arrived very quickly, but they didn’t use the magic box – hmmm tip him and on his way he goes! Food was very good, we’re impressed! By now we’re both draggin, I’ve been up since 3:00 am – guess we can’t hang like we used to! Need a nap!

Head out to catch some dinner around 9:30, figured its probably gonna be nasty this late. Went to Spice, Jay liked it. My travel day is usually not good on my stomach, didn’t eat much. After dinner, realize we’re both whooped, head to bed! Dang we’re getting old!

DAY TWO

Wake up late 9:00 am, can’t believe we slept that good, that bed was too comfy! Got to get it moving I need some sun. Head over to Pelicano’s for breakfast on the beach. It was good, coffee was great! We are now in search of the perfect spot on the beach (which was never hard to find) – found it quickly with a beach bed/shade for Jay and lounge chair/sun for me. Slathered Jay in sunscreen, want him to be able to hang out all week with me! Perfect!




We’re right over by the guys with the parasail and the kayaks, etc (which is pretty much where we camped out all week) Not long before Jay is talking to them and he’s going out on the catamaran with Manuele.



I’m pretty content on the beach, that is my idea of a vacation, just relaxing and getting some sun. Of course had a few drinks out there, its noon somewhere!

[Kavi]

Walked the beach towards Playa Maya to check out the area. Dang forgot to bring $$ so didn’t stop!

Mid afternoon decided we needed lunch, so headed back to Pelicano’s. It was very good, lots of choices. Headed back to the beach for a couple of hours and then to what seemed to become our ritual quickly the hot tub, nap and then dinner at the Italian Restaurant.

Headed to 5th, wanted to check out how it had changed since our last visit. Dang where is Captain Bob’s? Loved to eat there, and seems like I read something on here about it, but couldn’t remember, and of course I left my map in the room. I was looking forward to the caesar salad and chipotle shrimp both prepared at your table – damn!!!

Meandered around a bit just checking stuff out and headed back to the room. Must have been all the sun, we’re both whooped again!

Here's Jay

[Kavi]

DAY THREE

Up early, 7:00 and its overcast and a light rain. I’m a little irritable because of the weather, dang next trip will be in February, always have good luck then! Head for breakfast at Spice which is very good, we ate there every morning from then on. Easy to please us both!

Call home just to check on things, hear its 8 F at home, too bad so sad!

Decide to head back to 5th and buy some stuff. Granddaughters both want babies, so I’m on the search for the perfect ones. End up buying some t-shirts and browsing, dang its started to get hot. Head back to the room for a quick change and off to the beach. Spent most of the day on the beach. Totally awesome day was overcast off and on, but the breeze from the ocean, can’t beat it! Walked the beach passed ShangriLa and even waved at the webcam.

Back to our resort, went up to the pool for a bit. Helpful and friendly staff were everywhere, never waited long for anything. Couldn’t have made a better choice in an AI hotel.

DAY FOUR

Up early today is Formula 1 (not much for doing excursions, but this one sounded like something we both would enjoy) – Had a quick bite of breakfast and headed over to the Gran Porto Real our pickup spot. We’re early so I walked back to browse the window of an awesome shoe store at the Royal. Dang gonna have to work him, I found a pair I gotta have!

Just mentioned to Jay that I wondered if Catskillsmom was being picked up there too, and she walked up an introduced herself and her group. How cool is that! Talked a few minutes and there was our ride. Picked up another couple along the way that were staying at the Riu Palace. Off we go to the boat! Jason went over the boat rules etc., and we load onto the boat. We get the front seat with Kenny, we’re boaters and realize this is probably gonna be the roughest seat on the boat. Since its been a few months since Illinois boaters could be out, we are pumped and ready to fly! Dang I wish they’d let me drive it – I’m “a really good driver rainmain” – not to be! Driver says thumbs up or down, let’s go….. With 14 people or so on it, the boat scooted nicely, not too choppy today.




Our first stop is a nice little beach, where the beginner snorkeler (that’s me and several others) can practice. Usually I’m too chicken to get out of the boat in saltwater, I couldn’t have been more comfortable. After a few practices, I’m parched and Jason offers us a beer. Hit the spot! We’re off to another area to snorkel and check out the ceynote (w/crocs) people were actually in the ceynote (guess they should have had Jason as their guide) and small ruin. Nice spot and hey I think I can do this snorkel thing, now I feel silly for never trying it before. Must have seen “Jaws” too many times as a child or something! Headed off to the park in hopes of seeing the sea turtles. The debate is whether I can do the long snorkel route or short one. Decide on the long one and loved it! Its our lucky day the turtles make an appearance they are too cool! Saw some fish, but not a lot, not sure what’s up with that, was there damage from the hurricane or just not the day for it? Head up for lunch with the group – fish tacos (Jason pushed those) and they were very good and the margaritas were very strong. Had to buy the birthday boy (Dave) a shot, his son was pushing him to have a good time!

We talked to Jason about possibly doing a beginner dive instruction, etc. Never snorkeled before today and already wanna try that too! Could get us in on our last full sun day at the beach. Well maybe next time – can’t give up the sun the last day!

Time to go, it’s a little choppier now, and the front seat may not be the best one. Oh well tough it out, we’re on vacation, my tailbone feels to be at my throat about now LOL. We check out the marina and dolphins before we leave, dang they have some awesome looking places to stay here. Puerto Aventurous is that where we are? Anybody stay here before and if so where? I’ll have to look it up for our next trip.

Back to the pool at the hotel. Need a few drinks and some lounge time. Love this hotel, the grounds are meticulously maintained and staff is genuinely friendly. We’re not high maintenance travelers, but they have truly spoiled us both! Hopefully the rates don’t go up to an ungodly amount. Already planning in my mind our next trip, before we even go home. What’s with that?

DAY FIVE

The beach – one of the masseuse guys from the hotel approached me about this for an on the beach massage. His table was set up in front of everybody – decided not to be on display. Told Jay about it and the place next door actually had some huts set up at the back. We decided what the heck and went over to negotiate a price for both of us. $60 for 30 minutes for both of us, told them we’d be back shortly. Neither one of us has ever had a massage. Carlos and Flower were awesome. I was a little freaked out that they pulled my top off, mortified to be exact, but fortunately I managed to not give a show! Call me a prude but that is not the norm for me! OMG this is the life I could do this everyday! Jay said Flower worked him over. Unfortunately the ½ hour was over way too quickly! Already planning to come back for more!

Go back to the room, need to make a few calls, have to call the hens and rub it in one more time! They are gonna brain me when I get back! LOL

Relaxed on the beach and had a few more drinks, then headed up to the pool for a while. Headed back to the room for the ritual nap and then to dinner and back to town. Afterall had more shopping to do and back to the hotel.

DAY SIX

Up at the crack of dawn 5:00 – forgot to take pictures too can’t believe it! Sat out on the patio with my coffee with a few other early birds! Knowing this is our last full day and that I totally worship the sun, Jay graciously asked if I wanted to spend the entire day on the beach! Yes of course if he could take it! He was a trooper and stayed as long as I wanted to, even sat up at the pool for several hours. Damn I don’t want to go home tomorrow! Gonna push for 10 days next time! The week just flies by too quickly, don’t ya think?

We’re both trying to cram images into our brain to keep us going till our next trip! Wanted to try parasail, but unfortunately its too windy again today – red flag was out several days.


DAY SEVEN

Up early, head to breakfast then to check out – our driver is picking us up at 8:20 – do we have to go? Hurry up and wait at the airport and we’re off. Till next time….


Must say I didn’t get in all the details of the restaurants up there, can’t remember when we ate where. But Asiana’s was very good ate there twice. Loved it! Went to the French and Italian restaurant twice, both were very good. Our past experience with AI’s is usually the 3rd night we’re sick of eating at the hotel. We ate at the hotel the entire trip. Food was very good, and neither of us had any problems with being sick. Was a little disappointed because I wanted to try Playa Maya and La Carboncita’s, but it just didn’t happen this trip.




http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t76/LisaNJay/RPR/IMG_0113.jpg