Hello from the Middle East

tsj12bbm · 06-24-2007

Actually from Texas, but temporarily in the Middle East for a year on Uncle Sam's dime. My wife and I will be meeting in the Playa area for some much needed RR starting July10th for 2.5 weeks.

I've been lurking on this website for a couple of weeks whenever I have internet access trying to plan it all out. Thanks for the info. and reviews from everyone. It's made planning a trip from Iraq much easier.

We are staying at EDR from the 13th to the 27th. We still need to find a place for the 10th-13th and for our last night on the 27th. I just found the Playa Maya and considering there or somewhere like it.

If anyone has experience flying in at differant times than there spouse into Cancun and do transfers I'd appreciate it. Or somewhere to wait around there without being harrassed. I am kind of apprehensive about that sinse I won't know my flight until right before and she has here tickets.

Thanks again for everyone's contributions to this site. It has been a HUGE one stop shopping for information which has been a huge help with my limited connectivity.

Tom

FrankRN · 06-24-2007

Hi Tom,

I gather that you are on active duty in the Middle East. If this is the case .... THANK YOU!

In regards to the Playa-Maya, My family and I stayed there for 10 nights. It is a great hotel directly on the beach. And when I say directly on the beach, I mean you gotta walk on the beach to get in and out of the hotel. I would not dream of taking up all of your time telling you how wonderful our stay at the Playa Maya was ... so I will hit the highlights.

1. Steve runs the Playa-Maya ... he is a very active and long time member of this board. He runs a tight ship and his wife is an excellent hostess.

2. The staff of the hotel are friendly and helpful. When I would ask questions at the front desk, they not only answered them, but picked up the phone and made calls to arrange things for us. Try to get THAT at an all inclusive.

3. The hotel is exceptionally clean and we had no issues with our room. We had a balcony facing the beach and enjoyed lying out on the hammock listening to the ocean.

4. Food at the small restaurant was really good. As a matter of fact, it is one of our "must stop at" destinations while in PDC. Gotta try the shrimp tacos, coconut shrimp, and a bucket of beer. Prices very reasonable ... breakfast included in hotel stay.

5. Beach staff very attentive. We never had to leave our chairs for anything, though no one would bring me a urinal when I asked. Maybe the language barrier???

6. Did I mention it is a great location? Right on the beach yet steps from everything going on in town. Just far enough away to be peaceful at night.

If money is an issue, check out the Luna Blue. Also a very nice place with gracious hosts who are active on this board. It is one street up from the beach (4-5 minute walk), but beach club admission is included. Also right in the heart of downtown.

In regards to the airport, once you leave the terminal and make it through the line of vultures you will not be bothered. The downside is it will be HOT outside. You could wait inside without being bothered, but the terminal is small and bustling. A lot depends on your arrival times and how far apart they are. A

I have found that arriving as early as you can is best as the terminal and immigration is not as busy. The later you arrive, the longer the lines get though this has vastly improved in recent years.

Use the search funtion, it is great. Anything you can't find SOMEONE will know the answer to.

Have fun!

.

Babaloo · 06-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankRN

In regards to the airport, once you leave the terminal and make it through the line of vultures you will not be bothered. The downside is it will be HOT outside. You could wait inside without being bothered, but the terminal is small and bustling. A lot depends on your arrival times and how far apart they are.

you probably know hot, huh?
but this ain't dry heat!

As far as the "vultures"...you won't have anything to worry about
Since you will be arriving alone, they will leave you alone - they like couples.
My 10 trips or so traveling alone, I've never been approached by anyone at the airport...
...except for Susie.

oh...and thanks for your service

**Bumper** · 06-24-2007

I understand the above means "Welcome" in the part of the world you're in right now.

And the above definitely means just exactly what it says, and thanks. I sincerely hope you'll get the terrific holiday you deserve.

tsj12bbm · 06-24-2007

Thanks for the helpful advice. I am active duty Coast Guard. (yes the Coast Guard is in the Middle East, about 600 or so of us)

The Playa Maya sounds really good for our "re-unification" after the past 7 months. I am waiting to find out my actual flight arrangements because that determines whether I arrive on 10th or 11th. Hopefully I will know soon because I'd hate for the Playa Maya to fill up. It still shows availability, so here is hopeing. It would be nice before we do the AI thing at EDR.

It really bothers me waiting for my flight arrangements, I'd really like to coordiante my wife's, but I don't really care. I just keep reminding myself that I'll be with my love for a couple of weeks in a beautiful place and that is what matters.

Tom

FrankRN · 06-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsj12bbm

The Playa Maya sounds really good for our "re-unification" after the past 7 months.

Oh, man. You might want to alert Steve to the fact that you two are , ahem, "re-unifying" after 7 months in the desert. He will have a cold one waiting for you while he sound proofs your room! It is a family hotel you know.

Did I mention how much we like pictures on this board????

.

Seakony · 06-24-2007

First let me tell you how proud I am of your Job. Thank you for our service to our country. Since you are not sure when you will be arriving, I suggest taking the bus from the airport to Playa. You can find out more about them and the schedules under the "Trip Planning" section. The ticket is about 8 bucks each way. The bus station in Playa is right on 5th avenue, Just a short stroll to many many hotels. Since you will be staying at an all inclusive resort later in the week, be sure to check out some of the great restuarants while in Playa.
Do you have a preference about the type of hotel you want? There are several right on 5th where all the action is and only a short walk to the beach. They are usually less in price. The hotels south of Constitution (eng) are closer to more bars and restuarants and the ones north are a bit quieter.....all within walking distance or a short cab ride from the bus station. The playa Maya is a good choice but you can also check out the reviews section on other hotels.
Make sure, that if you take the bus back to the airport ..you plan on plenty of time to get there on time.
Be sure to see Memo and his band while there. They play alot at Bourbon Street and Bad Boyz.
I hope you have a wonderful vacation...and let us know how it goes.. We hardly ever hear from our awesome Military!

tsj12bbm · 06-28-2007

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I throughly enjoy the job I do, more so Stateside than at the present location obvioiusly, but I feel blessed to serve alongside some of the greatest lifesavers and maritime law enforcement personnel in the world. Plus the taxpayers pay me to drive awesome boats and they pick up the tab for the fuel.

I just received my flight schedule and my wife and I will be in the Playa del Carmen area from the 10th of July until the 28th of July for some much needed time away from here. I just sent in my reservation request for the 10-13th at Playa Maya, we are staying at El Dorado Royale the 13th through the 27th and I have no clue where on the last night.

I have been trying to download the lists of don't miss restaurants and snorkeling places from this site, but with our slooooow internet, I'm starting to just handwrite everything.

Thanks again for everyone's advice they put on this board. This board saved me so much time. I will be sure to pay it back with pics and a review when I have time after I return.

Tom

**sctx** · 06-28-2007

Playa Maya rocks (verb)!!!!

TAPPY · 06-28-2007

Welcome and thank you for all that you do.

Enjou your time off !

cuffedlinks · 06-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Welcome and thank you for all that you do.

Yes....Thank You!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Enjou your time off !

Cara mia! I love it when you speak French.

Bottoms Up · 06-28-2007

Have a wonderful trip! My best friend's husband spent a year in Iraq and just received orders to go again in November. They are going to PDC for 10 days before he leaves. Thank you for service and may God bless you and keep you and yours safe.

jevans · 06-28-2007

thank you for your service and god bless! enjoy your time with your wife.

norml · 06-28-2007

Thank you for your service. Playa Maya is an excellent choice. Hope you both travel safe.

Seakony · 06-28-2007

Enjoy your time at the Playa Maya and Be sure to give the manager Steve Ryberg the real poop on what's happening over there.

You will be in our prayers.
Try to make a day trip to Akumal for some great snorkeling..or you can just catch a ferry to Cozumel and got to Duz-hal...or something like that. I doubt you would get sea sick.. but it can happen. Or better yet...Take a tour on the Fat Cat..a catamaran that takes you out to snorkel...you can read about it on this site under trip planning.

06-24-2007	#1 (permalink)
tsj12bbm lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Currently Iraq, but Texas is home Posts: 11	Hello from the Middle East Actually from Texas, but temporarily in the Middle East for a year on Uncle Sam's dime. My wife and I will be meeting in the Playa area for some much needed RR starting July10th for 2.5 weeks. I've been lurking on this website for a couple of weeks whenever I have internet access trying to plan it all out. Thanks for the info. and reviews from everyone. It's made planning a trip from Iraq much easier. We are staying at EDR from the 13th to the 27th. We still need to find a place for the 10th-13th and for our last night on the 27th. I just found the Playa Maya and considering there or somewhere like it. If anyone has experience flying in at differant times than there spouse into Cancun and do transfers I'd appreciate it. Or somewhere to wait around there without being harrassed. I am kind of apprehensive about that sinse I won't know my flight until right before and she has here tickets. Thanks again for everyone's contributions to this site. It has been a HUGE one stop shopping for information which has been a huge help with my limited connectivity. Tom

06-24-2007	#2 (permalink)
FrankRN añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boston, MA USA Posts: 1,910	Hi Tom, I gather that you are on active duty in the Middle East. If this is the case .... THANK YOU! In regards to the Playa-Maya, My family and I stayed there for 10 nights. It is a great hotel directly on the beach. And when I say directly on the beach, I mean you gotta walk on the beach to get in and out of the hotel. I would not dream of taking up all of your time telling you how wonderful our stay at the Playa Maya was ... so I will hit the highlights. 1. Steve runs the Playa-Maya ... he is a very active and long time member of this board. He runs a tight ship and his wife is an excellent hostess. 2. The staff of the hotel are friendly and helpful. When I would ask questions at the front desk, they not only answered them, but picked up the phone and made calls to arrange things for us. Try to get THAT at an all inclusive. 3. The hotel is exceptionally clean and we had no issues with our room. We had a balcony facing the beach and enjoyed lying out on the hammock listening to the ocean. 4. Food at the small restaurant was really good. As a matter of fact, it is one of our "must stop at" destinations while in PDC. Gotta try the shrimp tacos, coconut shrimp, and a bucket of beer. Prices very reasonable ... breakfast included in hotel stay. 5. Beach staff very attentive. We never had to leave our chairs for anything, though no one would bring me a urinal when I asked. Maybe the language barrier??? 6. Did I mention it is a great location? Right on the beach yet steps from everything going on in town. Just far enough away to be peaceful at night. If money is an issue, check out the Luna Blue. Also a very nice place with gracious hosts who are active on this board. It is one street up from the beach (4-5 minute walk), but beach club admission is included. Also right in the heart of downtown. In regards to the airport, once you leave the terminal and make it through the line of vultures you will not be bothered. The downside is it will be HOT outside. You could wait inside without being bothered, but the terminal is small and bustling. A lot depends on your arrival times and how far apart they are. A I have found that arriving as early as you can is best as the terminal and immigration is not as busy. The later you arrive, the longer the lines get though this has vastly improved in recent years. Use the search funtion, it is great. Anything you can't find SOMEONE will know the answer to. Have fun! . __________________

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06-24-2007	#4 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 9,520	I understand the above means "Welcome" in the part of the world you're in right now. And the above definitely means just exactly what it says, and thanks. I sincerely hope you'll get the terrific holiday you deserve.

06-24-2007	#5 (permalink)
tsj12bbm lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Currently Iraq, but Texas is home Posts: 11	Thanks for the helpful advice. I am active duty Coast Guard. (yes the Coast Guard is in the Middle East, about 600 or so of us) The Playa Maya sounds really good for our "re-unification" after the past 7 months. I am waiting to find out my actual flight arrangements because that determines whether I arrive on 10th or 11th. Hopefully I will know soon because I'd hate for the Playa Maya to fill up. It still shows availability, so here is hopeing. It would be nice before we do the AI thing at EDR. It really bothers me waiting for my flight arrangements, I'd really like to coordiante my wife's, but I don't really care. I just keep reminding myself that I'll be with my love for a couple of weeks in a beautiful place and that is what matters. Tom

06-24-2007	#7 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,147	First let me tell you how proud I am of your Job. Thank you for our service to our country. Since you are not sure when you will be arriving, I suggest taking the bus from the airport to Playa. You can find out more about them and the schedules under the "Trip Planning" section. The ticket is about 8 bucks each way. The bus station in Playa is right on 5th avenue, Just a short stroll to many many hotels. Since you will be staying at an all inclusive resort later in the week, be sure to check out some of the great restuarants while in Playa. Do you have a preference about the type of hotel you want? There are several right on 5th where all the action is and only a short walk to the beach. They are usually less in price. The hotels south of Constitution (eng) are closer to more bars and restuarants and the ones north are a bit quieter.....all within walking distance or a short cab ride from the bus station. The playa Maya is a good choice but you can also check out the reviews section on other hotels. Make sure, that if you take the bus back to the airport ..you plan on plenty of time to get there on time. Be sure to see Memo and his band while there. They play alot at Bourbon Street and Bad Boyz. I hope you have a wonderful vacation...and let us know how it goes.. We hardly ever hear from our awesome Military!

06-28-2007	#8 (permalink)
tsj12bbm lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Currently Iraq, but Texas is home Posts: 11	Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I throughly enjoy the job I do, more so Stateside than at the present location obvioiusly, but I feel blessed to serve alongside some of the greatest lifesavers and maritime law enforcement personnel in the world. Plus the taxpayers pay me to drive awesome boats and they pick up the tab for the fuel. I just received my flight schedule and my wife and I will be in the Playa del Carmen area from the 10th of July until the 28th of July for some much needed time away from here. I just sent in my reservation request for the 10-13th at Playa Maya, we are staying at El Dorado Royale the 13th through the 27th and I have no clue where on the last night. I have been trying to download the lists of don't miss restaurants and snorkeling places from this site, but with our slooooow internet, I'm starting to just handwrite everything. Thanks again for everyone's advice they put on this board. This board saved me so much time. I will be sure to pay it back with pics and a review when I have time after I return. Tom

06-28-2007	#9 (permalink)
sctx political anarchist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 27,161	Playa Maya rocks (verb)!!!!

06-28-2007	#10 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,942	Welcome and thank you for all that you do. Enjou your time off !

06-28-2007	#12 (permalink)
Bottoms Up way into it Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 151	Have a wonderful trip! My best friend's husband spent a year in Iraq and just received orders to go again in November. They are going to PDC for 10 days before he leaves. Thank you for service and may God bless you and keep you and yours safe.

06-28-2007	#13 (permalink)
jevans life=playa Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 893	thank you for your service and god bless! enjoy your time with your wife.

06-28-2007	#14 (permalink)
norml life=playa Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Elkhart Lake, Wi. Posts: 661	Thank you for your service. Playa Maya is an excellent choice. Hope you both travel safe.

06-28-2007	#15 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,147	Enjoy your time at the Playa Maya and Be sure to give the manager Steve Ryberg the real poop on what's happening over there. You will be in our prayers. Try to make a day trip to Akumal for some great snorkeling..or you can just catch a ferry to Cozumel and got to Duz-hal...or something like that. I doubt you would get sea sick.. but it can happen. Or better yet...Take a tour on the Fat Cat..a catamaran that takes you out to snorkel...you can read about it on this site under trip planning.

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