4 Amigas Reunite at Shangri-La: A Trip Report w/Pics

alwaysmissinpdc · 05-12-2007

A huge thanks to Playa.info Peeps who have supplied so much info used not just for this trip but others. It’s about time I did a Trip Report.

A deep and heartfelt thanks to my friends of 22 years. The 1980’s were a long time ago…these gals are proof that the good things in life have staying power no matter how much time and distance separate us from them. I am lucky to call them friends. They are excellent travel companions: Laid back and flexible but also energetic and funny. It’s wonderful to laugh so hard that your sides hurt before you leave the breakfast table.

My camera got wonky at points, but Annette, Deb, and Laura also took photos. Credit will be given when it’s due, which is often.

Day One, Thursday: 4:00 am is closer to the middle of the night than morning and I thought to do something loud in the backyard to wake up the birds, change things up a bit. But I had something more fun to do – get to Playa. The flight was smooth and uneventful. At baggage claim I could watch for Annette to come through immigration as I watched for my bag.

There she is, hasn’t changed a bit! She flew USA3000 and since the bags were delivered from Terminal 2 we were cutting it close for the 11:45 bus. Speeding through the terminal we exchanged some dollars then approached the ticket counter, “Did we miss the 11:45”

“No, I’ll radio to hold the bus.” Fantastic!

Annette had apparently read my “arriving at the airport” email and had her “No gracias” at the ready when we exited the terminal. Then, a guy from Ado actually met us half way to the bus. The ride was great, we all brought photos and Annette had hers in her shoulder bag so we looked at those, caught up, talked about all kinds of stuff, and before we knew it, we had arrived in Playa.

Since I hadn’t had a cigarette in about 8 hours, I suggested a stop at the Zolcalo before grabbing a taxi. The water was stunning! I forgot how truly incredible it is.

A pic Laura took later in the trip, but this is what you find when you turn right from the bus station to get a taxi

After a quick cab ride to SLC and a smooth check-in, we grabbed some waters at the bar and headed to Mamitas for a bite to eat.

Annette and the quickly changing weather

Fortunately we finished some guac and a beer before wind and rain drove everyone off the beach for cover. 150 wet bodies crammed under a palapa is not as much fun as is sounds. We didn’t hear thunder or see lightening so we decided to dash back to Shangri La and see if Deb and Laura had checked in yet. No dice. After freshening up and inquiring about internet access to check their flights, we found Laura and Deb at the bar. Got a table for a while, laughs were already well under way, and then went to the rooms with some beers. We sat on the porch and brought out our photos from back in the day. We had a great time and a lot more laughs looking at them.

A pic of the Pueblito section. It didn’t seem like many other people made use of the porches. I fully expect someone will soon post, “Oh, you were part of that group.”

As is often the case with travel days, the evening is a bit of a blur. Dinner was good but I can’t remember what we ate. Was I that tired or was it the beers?

Nerak936 · 05-12-2007

Oh, this is gonna be a GOOOOOD one! I can tell already!!

So glad you got to reunite with your pals, Kathy!!

More!! MORE!!!!!!

Anna Tortuga · 05-12-2007

wow I wish I could take a holiday with my allmylife friends....too bad they are all amrried and living in Italy, and with children.

. We would have a PARTY WEEK! Like the good old times ( i still do somehow.....)

**tommy** · 05-12-2007

foggy details....tends to happen in Playa...looks like a good report in the making!

Dijo · 05-12-2007

what a great reunion. Can't think of a better place to have it.

Jacko · 05-12-2007

Great start...very cool pic here! Bring it on!

alwaysmissinpdc · 05-12-2007

Despite having the report written off site in word, I keep editing and deciding to add more photos, so I get booted off before the post is done.

More to follow manana. Manana doesn't necessarily mean tomorrow. Seems like I really caught the Playa bug on this trip.

jflattracker · 05-12-2007

Great start! Can't wait to read the rest of it!

alwaysmissinpdc · 05-13-2007

Day 2, Friday

Laura and I took a long morning walk north on the beach past Gran Coco. “Oh, Laura, I think that’s a cenote.”

“What’s a cenote?”

“I esplained it to you yesterday.”

I had read Cpfstich’s trip report end to end. I should have known exactly what I was looking at, but it just didn’t connect. I didn’t read the sign until after I dipped my toes in the water.

My reaction must have looked comical. I think my head did a Linda Blair looking for crocs. None were to be found and my heart rate slowed. I was still very glad to be with a nurse. OK, a former psych nurse turned administrator, but nonetheless, she had to wear a funny cap on her head in college on clinical days.

More pics from the walk, courtesy of Laura

We met Deb and Annette for breakfast which we thoroughly enjoyed. The array of fresh fruit – best mango I’ve ever eaten in my entire life- was wonderful. Huevos Rancheros was a favorite but we sometimes skipped the Rancheros but ordered the sauce on the side for standard egg orders – good call by Deb, I highly recommend it, that tomato sauce is kick a$$ good. This was the day I laughed so hard at breakfast my sides hurt. These chicas are the best storytellers I’ve ever known.

After breakfast we inexplicably ended up at the pool and stayed at the pool decompressing and catching up with each other’s lives. Oh, and drinking. We were definitely drinking. I had brought my Mapchick maps pool side thinking my friends would enjoy looking at them. Laura had the Riviera Maya map in hand and exclaimed, “Horse back riding!” The exclamation was followed by three enthusiastic “yays” so we booked a 9:30 am ride for our second full day.

Pool pics courtesy of Annette

I can't remember who said what at this point, but it was funny. I was trying not to spew my marg....

I think that late afternoon on the porch is where the hammock conversation started. Deb loved the hammocks and wanted to buy a couple. I mentioned that I love the Mayan hammocks.

“Did you say ham hocks?”

“No I said hammocks.”

“Just like I thought, you said ham hocks.”

Apparently I talk funny.

Hammock pic courtesy of Annette

This sweetie hung out with us on the porch

We ended our first full day by getting off the resort for dinner. I had Depreefers’s restaurant list so I wouldn’t forget choices, but we agreed that we were as hungry as hostages and would eat at the first place that looked good.

We chose Gaia at 5th and 28th. We shared an incredibly smooth hummus appetizer with garnishes, a salad that filled a small platter and was perfect for four, and a beef kebab and a chicken kebob. The beef was a little heavy on clove, but since we were sharing, it wasn’t overpowering. We also ordered a bottle of wine and Annette had two of a delicious beverage that tasted a bit like a mojito without the rum. Total with 20% tip was $400.00 pesos. I recommend Gaia for very fresh & delicious Mediterranean food.

Pic at Gaia courtesy of Laura

After dinner, everyone wanted to get a walk on but not party. We walked through town to 8th then headed back to SLC. We walked a lot.

Back at SLC I was the only one who felt too wound up for sleep. The bar was still a bit lively with a group for a wedding so I stopped there, planning to get a night cap and take a short walk on the property. Before I could get my drink and stroll, I was invited to listen to a wedding song someone had written for the happy couple. It was sweet and as the palm leaves swayed and the palapas rustled the singer/guitarist segued into a lovely rendition of A Pirate Looks at Forty. It was a lullaby. After a short stroll to the beach I slept like a baby. Well, a baby who had a margarita night cap, but it was a good sleep.

It’s a good thing we all had a good sleep because the next day…well, if you go horse back riding on a girls’ trip you’d better have all your chicas and Raul with you. We like Raul.

Doggiemom · 05-13-2007

Lovin your report Kathy!!!!! More, more, more!!!!!

kathy.web · 05-13-2007

Great report, Kathy! I love the ham hock photo.

Loree · 05-13-2007

Kathy.....this is a great report so far.........I can't wait to read the rest of it

Sounds like you had a great time.

dudeadam · 05-13-2007

Great stuff. More MORE!

cuffedlinks · 05-13-2007

AlwaysMa'amInPDC...

Great stuff!
Good Writing...
Thank you!!
You look GREAT!

Thanks in advance for more of the poolside, beach Chica Babe photos...

Eileencc · 05-13-2007

Kathy, I'm so enjoying reading about the girls' getaway! Great pictures and you all look fab!

Please continue!

05-12-2007	#1 (permalink)
alwaysmissinpdc añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: burbs north of Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,197	4 Amigas Reunite at Shangri-La: A Trip Report w/Pics A huge thanks to Playa.info Peeps who have supplied so much info used not just for this trip but others. It’s about time I did a Trip Report. A deep and heartfelt thanks to my friends of 22 years. The 1980’s were a long time ago…these gals are proof that the good things in life have staying power no matter how much time and distance separate us from them. I am lucky to call them friends. They are excellent travel companions: Laid back and flexible but also energetic and funny. It’s wonderful to laugh so hard that your sides hurt before you leave the breakfast table. My camera got wonky at points, but Annette, Deb, and Laura also took photos. Credit will be given when it’s due, which is often. Day One, Thursday: 4:00 am is closer to the middle of the night than morning and I thought to do something loud in the backyard to wake up the birds, change things up a bit. But I had something more fun to do – get to Playa. The flight was smooth and uneventful. At baggage claim I could watch for Annette to come through immigration as I watched for my bag. There she is, hasn’t changed a bit! She flew USA3000 and since the bags were delivered from Terminal 2 we were cutting it close for the 11:45 bus. Speeding through the terminal we exchanged some dollars then approached the ticket counter, “Did we miss the 11:45” “No, I’ll radio to hold the bus.” Fantastic! Annette had apparently read my “arriving at the airport” email and had her “No gracias” at the ready when we exited the terminal. Then, a guy from Ado actually met us half way to the bus. The ride was great, we all brought photos and Annette had hers in her shoulder bag so we looked at those, caught up, talked about all kinds of stuff, and before we knew it, we had arrived in Playa. Since I hadn’t had a cigarette in about 8 hours, I suggested a stop at the Zolcalo before grabbing a taxi. The water was stunning! I forgot how truly incredible it is. A pic Laura took later in the trip, but this is what you find when you turn right from the bus station to get a taxi After a quick cab ride to SLC and a smooth check-in, we grabbed some waters at the bar and headed to Mamitas for a bite to eat. Annette and the quickly changing weather Fortunately we finished some guac and a beer before wind and rain drove everyone off the beach for cover. 150 wet bodies crammed under a palapa is not as much fun as is sounds. We didn’t hear thunder or see lightening so we decided to dash back to Shangri La and see if Deb and Laura had checked in yet. No dice. After freshening up and inquiring about internet access to check their flights, we found Laura and Deb at the bar. Got a table for a while, laughs were already well under way, and then went to the rooms with some beers. We sat on the porch and brought out our photos from back in the day. We had a great time and a lot more laughs looking at them. A pic of the Pueblito section. It didn’t seem like many other people made use of the porches. I fully expect someone will soon post, “Oh, you were part of that group.” As is often the case with travel days, the evening is a bit of a blur. Dinner was good but I can’t remember what we ate. Was I that tired or was it the beers? __________________ ____________________________________ Kathy (it's "always missin' pdc" *not* "always miss in pdc" LOL)

05-12-2007	#5 (permalink)
Dijo life=playa Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 917	More, more, more.... what a great reunion. Can't think of a better place to have it.

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05-12-2007	#2 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,483	Oh, this is gonna be a GOOOOOD one! I can tell already!! So glad you got to reunite with your pals, Kathy!! More!! MORE!!!!!!

05-12-2007	#3 (permalink)
Anna Tortuga añejo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: playa del carmen...urgh Posts: 3,939	wow I wish I could take a holiday with my allmylife friends....too bad they are all amrried and living in Italy, and with children. . We would have a PARTY WEEK! Like the good old times ( i still do somehow.....)

05-12-2007	#4 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,131	foggy details....tends to happen in Playa...looks like a good report in the making!

05-12-2007	#6 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,792	Great start...very cool pic here! Bring it on!

05-12-2007	#7 (permalink)
alwaysmissinpdc añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: burbs north of Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,197	Despite having the report written off site in word, I keep editing and deciding to add more photos, so I get booted off before the post is done. More to follow manana. Manana doesn't necessarily mean tomorrow. Seems like I really caught the Playa bug on this trip.

05-12-2007	#8 (permalink)
jflattracker añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Loveland,Co Posts: 11,285	Great start! Can't wait to read the rest of it!

05-13-2007	#9 (permalink)
alwaysmissinpdc añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: burbs north of Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,197	Day 2, Friday Laura and I took a long morning walk north on the beach past Gran Coco. “Oh, Laura, I think that’s a cenote.” “What’s a cenote?” “I esplained it to you yesterday.” I had read Cpfstich’s trip report end to end. I should have known exactly what I was looking at, but it just didn’t connect. I didn’t read the sign until after I dipped my toes in the water. My reaction must have looked comical. I think my head did a Linda Blair looking for crocs. None were to be found and my heart rate slowed. I was still very glad to be with a nurse. OK, a former psych nurse turned administrator, but nonetheless, she had to wear a funny cap on her head in college on clinical days. More pics from the walk, courtesy of Laura We met Deb and Annette for breakfast which we thoroughly enjoyed. The array of fresh fruit – best mango I’ve ever eaten in my entire life- was wonderful. Huevos Rancheros was a favorite but we sometimes skipped the Rancheros but ordered the sauce on the side for standard egg orders – good call by Deb, I highly recommend it, that tomato sauce is kick a$$ good. This was the day I laughed so hard at breakfast my sides hurt. These chicas are the best storytellers I’ve ever known. After breakfast we inexplicably ended up at the pool and stayed at the pool decompressing and catching up with each other’s lives. Oh, and drinking. We were definitely drinking. I had brought my Mapchick maps pool side thinking my friends would enjoy looking at them. Laura had the Riviera Maya map in hand and exclaimed, “Horse back riding!” The exclamation was followed by three enthusiastic “yays” so we booked a 9:30 am ride for our second full day. Pool pics courtesy of Annette I can't remember who said what at this point, but it was funny. I was trying not to spew my marg.... I think that late afternoon on the porch is where the hammock conversation started. Deb loved the hammocks and wanted to buy a couple. I mentioned that I love the Mayan hammocks. “Did you say ham hocks?” “No I said hammocks.” “Just like I thought, you said ham hocks.” Apparently I talk funny. Hammock pic courtesy of Annette This sweetie hung out with us on the porch We ended our first full day by getting off the resort for dinner. I had Depreefers’s restaurant list so I wouldn’t forget choices, but we agreed that we were as hungry as hostages and would eat at the first place that looked good. We chose Gaia at 5th and 28th. We shared an incredibly smooth hummus appetizer with garnishes, a salad that filled a small platter and was perfect for four, and a beef kebab and a chicken kebob. The beef was a little heavy on clove, but since we were sharing, it wasn’t overpowering. We also ordered a bottle of wine and Annette had two of a delicious beverage that tasted a bit like a mojito without the rum. Total with 20% tip was $400.00 pesos. I recommend Gaia for very fresh & delicious Mediterranean food. Pic at Gaia courtesy of Laura After dinner, everyone wanted to get a walk on but not party. We walked through town to 8th then headed back to SLC. We walked a lot. Back at SLC I was the only one who felt too wound up for sleep. The bar was still a bit lively with a group for a wedding so I stopped there, planning to get a night cap and take a short walk on the property. Before I could get my drink and stroll, I was invited to listen to a wedding song someone had written for the happy couple. It was sweet and as the palm leaves swayed and the palapas rustled the singer/guitarist segued into a lovely rendition of A Pirate Looks at Forty. It was a lullaby. After a short stroll to the beach I slept like a baby. Well, a baby who had a margarita night cap, but it was a good sleep. It’s a good thing we all had a good sleep because the next day…well, if you go horse back riding on a girls’ trip you’d better have all your chicas and Raul with you. We like Raul.

05-13-2007	#10 (permalink)
Doggiemom Canine FANatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Humble, Texas Posts: 5,939	Lovin your report Kathy!!!!! More, more, more!!!!!

05-13-2007	#11 (permalink)
kathy.web añejo Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Missouri-North of KC Posts: 1,694	Great report, Kathy! I love the ham hock photo.

05-13-2007	#12 (permalink)
Loree añejo Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: north of Pittsburgh Posts: 9,477	Kathy.....this is a great report so far.........I can't wait to read the rest of it Sounds like you had a great time.

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05-13-2007	#13 (permalink)
dudeadam añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 1,541	Great stuff. More MORE!

05-13-2007	#14 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	AlwaysMa'amInPDC... Great stuff! Good Writing... Thank you!! You look GREAT! Thanks in advance for more of the poolside, beach Chica Babe photos...

05-13-2007	#15 (permalink)
Eileencc añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of Boston, Mass Posts: 4,029	Kathy, I'm so enjoying reading about the girls' getaway! Great pictures and you all look fab! Please continue!