Nerak Witnesses Wimmin's Week 2007

Nerak936 · 08-26-2007

Here we go again!!

Day One: Sunday, August 12th

After enjoying my brother’s wedding the afternoon/evening prior, I was up at 4 AM and ready for the taxi ride to Boston’s Logan Airport at 6 AM. Said good-bye to my honey, David, at around 4:45 AM, as he left to drive back to his home town, pick up a buddy of his, and then head up to New Hampshire to New England Dragway for the final day of eliminations of the NHRA Nationals. So… he heads offs for one day of loud, fast cars and loud, trampy-lookin’ women, and I head off for eight days in Playa! Sounds fair to me!!

After the longest check-in at Logan I’ve ever endured (good thing I got there super anally early) and a flight that was 45 minutes late taking off, we still landed at Cancun on time (go figure). That new Terminal 3 is a beauty for sure. Immigration was a breeze, found my two checked bags with no problem, got the green light at Customs, although I did get stopped to have my carry-on searched (“What kind of coffeemaker is this??” Weird question!

). Upon exiting the terminal, it was delightful to not have to run the time shark gauntlet (or do they just ignore me now?), and I soon found the bar next door (“Berryhill Bar & Cantina” is located immediately to the left of the terminal exit) where I ordered up my $70p. rum punch

and settled in to await the arrival of Sharon (Queencityfan). The amigos who were working the Cantina that day, while not UNfriendly, could’ve been a bit less intrusive when they yelled at me to hurry up

and get IN the place so that the automatic doors would close and keep the hot air out and the cool A/C’d air in! Hey, dudes… I’m sleep-deprived and schlepping two suitcases on wheels plus an all-important carryon containing my coffeemaker. Cut me a little slack, will ya?? Geesh…

Terminal 3 Exit:

Terminal Exit showing Berryhill to the left as you leave the terminal (or to the right as you face the terminal). Just go through the turnstile at the railing.

Looked so much more organized and less chaotic out here than at Terminal 2:

Soon I spotted Sharon coming to fetch me (who already had a cerveza in hand, of course – it was soooo good to see her again!!!

), and she escorted me to the ADO bus which was ready and almost awaiting its customers for the 1:45 run to Playa. (Found out they weren’t opening the doors of the bus and selling tickets yet cuz the workers were having their lunch on the bus! Hey, they gotta eat too, I guess.

)

But that was fine, cuz I was greeted next to the bus with a “Are you Nerak?” by a couple who turned out to be “ewill” from the Forum – aka Ed and Tammy!! Kewwwl!! Ed and Tammy were headed to Playa where they were to pick up another bus to take them to Tulum for the first three days of their vacation before returning to Playa for the remainder of their stay. Tammy was NOT looking forward to the anticipated rustic accommodations in Tulum, and Ed’s eyes kept rolling in his head to convey a “Oh, boy… am I EVER gonna hear the end of THIS??!!” message. We tried our best to convince Tammy that it was going to be “adventure”, but I don’t think she was buying it! (I want to hear the details again from youz guyz on where you stayed and how it was, okay??)

After a smooth ride to Playa, Sharon and I caught a taxi (30p.) to the Alhambra where we fully expected to be greeted by champagne, balloons, a high school marching band, and big hugs from our fellow Alhambra-residing Peepstock 2007 chicas (Alicia, Kathy, and Barbara, aka Sol, Kathy.web, and Equinenut). But noooooooooo. Not a chica in sight. After we dried our tears

, Angel checked us in (Sharon was rooming with Alicia, I was rooming with Kathy), we quickly got to our rooms, changed into our suits, and met up outside for a cocktail/cerveza.

Thinking that maybe our welcoming committee was hanging at El Pirata, we relocated to there and, of course, HAD to have another cocktail/cerveza.

I think at some point one or both of us probably took a dip or two in the beautiful Caribbean, but it’s not clear to me. The ONLY thing I dislike about arriving in Playa is the “travel day fog” that descends upon my brain for that entire arrival day period. Nothing but a decent night’s sleep clears it up, and I always have to contend with walking around with a constant look of “Whaaaat?

Huh????

Duh????

” on my face until I get that sleep. My apologies to all who had to witness it, as not only do I LOOK like “duh”, my thought and speech patterns are also pretty much “duh”, so my efforts at intelligent conversation and interaction certainly fall short of any one’s expectations.

Since it was time for food and we both knew how good they were, we journeyed down to Fusion to share a plate of beef burritos, or as it turned out, beef burritO. They used to serve two, but now they serve one gigantic one, and it was just as yummy as I remembered from when David and I chowed on them numerous times last March.

Returned to our rooms around 5ish (?) and soon a weary-from-her-day-in-Tulum Kathy came bopping into Room #14. ROOOOOMIE!!!! Gosh, it was so good to see this chica!! During the next 8 days, Kathy and I shared mucho

!!!

After showers, we ran up to the Beer Bucket for the 8 PM Peep Meet. Again, using my “duh” state as an excuse, I didn’t take nearly as many pics of the evening as I should have (“Camera? I have a camera? What’s that used for??”)

Barb (or “Bob” per my Boston accent per Kathy) and Sharon

Anita (Ami) and Heather at her best

jlsl (Luis)’s pooch!

Ok.. left to right: Jen, Andy, Angie, Shawn (hrlydavison), Nancy (maestranba), Connie (TriStAlbert), Kathy (kathy.web), and Jim (Mishi)

Heather getting sucked in for an ankle bracelet (I bought one too).

Jen and Andy, the proud operators of the Peanut Shelter (I just LOVE these two - BIG hearts in these peeps!!!)

Judy (judyblueyes), Steve (baked), and the infamous Sharky. Was great to see Judy and Steve again and to hear that they’re doing well as full-time residents of Playa. It suits them well!! As for Sharky…, well you know. He’s Sharky!

Kari and Thor Henning – What a TREAT to meet them and get a chance to chat!! This was their last evening in Playa, and I’m SOOO glad they chose to spend part of it by coming to this Peep Meet!!! It was so nice to hear Thor speak of their two-week odyssey and see the delight in his eyes when he spoke of their travels. I can’t WAIT to read his trip report. Get on it, Thor!!

Luis, Kari and Thor Henning (Luis: I'm so glad you stopped by! It's always so nice to see you!!

)

I also got the chance to meet beautiful Charity (pamplemoose) for the very first time (dammit, I didn’t get a pic) who was also leaving the next morning. Gotta hand it to the girl… to be THAT pregnant in THAT heat and still look THAT good???!!! How DO you do it, Char???

While it did pour out once for about 10 minutes (was refreshing, but it still remained hot and steamy), I think the peeps had a good time. I apologize for whoever’s names I’ve neglected to mention here. Like I said… “travel day fog” and not enough pics taken to jog my memory.

Ran off to Pizza Pazza with the Peepstock gals at some point to obtain the necessary nourishment (they got their slices to go, while I ate mine on the walk back to the Bucket – munchmunchmunch!!) Ended up crashing in bed around 11:30.

**TeeZet** · 08-26-2007

I've been waiting for this!
Way to go for day 1, Karen!

Tesla 573 · 08-26-2007

Hi Karen!....it was a fast paced week.... what with painting the master bedroom , spending a whole day at the HOA meeting and our guests staying with us. One of these days we'll just get to relax while in Playa

Anyways girl it was good to see your sweet face again!

Smudger · 08-26-2007

Hi Karen! looks like you had a great time! I am enjoying your trip report..........just makes me more excited to be going soon!.....

TAPPY · 08-26-2007

A Nerak trip report

I know there will be lots o pics !!!!

Hope you are feeling better !!!

**sctx** · 08-26-2007

day 1 and no mention of tequila or nudity????

gingele · 08-26-2007

Yea! Karen - great start! Day 1 is also always a fog for me

Bring on the rest! Can't wait to see all your pics!!

Nerak936 · 08-26-2007

Day Two: Monday, August 13th

Slept in the latest on this morning than any other during the upcoming week – a whopping 7:30!! Enjoyed coffee on the balcony of Room 14 with Kathy. The wonderful Kathy who booked us into the best room that the Alhambra has to offer: top floor, oceanfront. The other oceanfront top floor room is the yoga studio. This was the view we enjoyed every morning, afternoon, evening, and sometimes very late at night.

Looking down at Mosquito Beach hotel next door:

The Alhambra’s restaurant palapas directly below:

While Monday morning’s skies were a bit cloudy, we enjoyed far more beautiful sunrises as the week progressed.

Met up with Alicia and Barb for breakfast (included with the room) at Alhambra and soon situated ourselves comfortably on loungers out front.

Peepstock chicas a-bobbin’!!

Room 14: Top floor, right side.

Soon Ian and Connie came by and joined us. After only having one short evening to spend with them last March (they were leaving the morning after we arrived), it was great this week to get the chance to hang out with these two wonderful peeps as often as we did!!

Kathy, Ian, and Connie:

Sharon and Barb:

Lunch at Alhambra:

I had a chicken breast sandwich which was VERY good.

I think Alicia got a burger which I think? she enjoyed. I had a burger there later in the week which was awful.

Kathy got shrimp cerviche tacos.

Barb got shrimp tacos.

I just LOVED these funky kewwwl sunglasses that Barb had!!

Kathy and I walked up to the internet café on 8th (convenient and cheap) and later enjoyed a sip or two of Kathy’s Don Julio on the balcony.

A clear view of Cozumel that afternoon:

There were a bunch of 20-somethings hanging on the primo room deck of the Mosquito Beach next door. I just HAD to take a pic!

Barb’s room was right next door to ours, and she snuck in some quiet reading time when we allowed her to sneak away from us.

After showers, Kathy and I met up with the group at La Taberna (4th/10th?) which, as Kathy aptly described, is like a “Mexican Applebee’s”. Kewwl place with TV’s, internet, and a couple of pool tables.

I can just imagine what Alicia and Sharon were chucklin’ about!! They both have such great laughs!!

Ian was quite a trooper putting up with all thoze wimminz!!!

After having a drink, it was time for dinner. Alicia and Sharon opted out, but the rest of us headed up to El Asadero, a local haunt that Kathy had recalled Mindbender recommending. On our way, we walked by Manne’s Biergarten, and when I said “hola” (or should I say, “Wie gehts!”) to Manne, he strong-armed us into doing a shot of his famous tequila while Kathy met a nice pooch.

Felt kinda slimy not staying at Manne’s to eat after partaking of his tequila shot, but we had a destination in mind, so we continued on.

Came upon El Asadero (on 25th/between 4th/2nd??), totally void of customers, and looking like they were about to close for the night. But we were welcomed with open arms and by an adorable amigo who reminded me of my sixth grade boyfriend.

They were out of arrachera for the night, but we all enjoyed some nice pork tacos, and Barb had a quesa fundido dish.

I do remember what Connie and Kathy were laughing about here, but I’ll keep it silent!

The food was good. Not amazingly wonderful, but good. And it was fun to seek out this little gem on a forum tip from Mindbender. Our host and hostess were both delightful and gracious and seemed appreciative of having our business. I wouldn’t hesitate to eat there again, although I’d go earlier in the evening when they still had some arrachera available!!

While strolling back to the park area near the near the end of 5th in search of the churros cart, this funky pickup truck blaring Aerosmith came by:

We didn’t find the churros cart, so we strolled on down toward the beach in front of the park. While walking along, we all heard a loud “THUD”, and looked over to see a 20ish year old woman picking up a cat carrier which she had obviously dropped which had landed nose down on the pavement. I stood in astonishment as she picked it back up and continued walking, holding the carrier up to her face and speaking into it as she walked.

“OH MY GOD!! Did you SEE that????”

Then the laughing started. All of us had seen it. And the more we laughed, the harder we laughed. “That was HORRIBLE!!!” And when I exclaimed (long after the woman was gone), “Do you KNOW who I AM???”, I thought Kathy was gonna fall down, she was laughing so hard. But WHY me?? Why did I, the crazy cat lady of the Forum, have to see THAT?? I could not be convinced that the cat carrier was empty, especially since I saw her speaking (I assume apologizing!!) into it!! I hope it came equipped with airbags for the poor gato inside!!

More of Day Two to come....

Nerak936 · 08-26-2007

Day Two (Part Two):

After we recovered from the cat carrier episode, we strolled 5th for a while, Ian and Connie left for their home at La Tortuga, and Barb departed for Alhambra. Kathy and I wanted another cocktail before ending the evening, and since neither of us felt like suffering the pangs of "barstool butt" at the Bucket, we opted for the comfy chairs of the Tequila Barrel and some people watching.

We ended up with comfy chairs, people watching, AND a floor show.

Shortly after we situated ourselves at a table on the street, two guys in dresses showed up. French guys with a couple of girls who by appearances seemed to have done a bit of an outfit switch-a-roo before heading out for the evening. One of the guys decided to treat everyone to a bit a show and had no qualms whatsoever proving to all who cared to look that he was wearing NADA underneath his short little skirt!

The TB’s DJ was easily persuaded to play that striptease song from “The Full Monty” which I believe is titled “You Can Keep Your Hat On” while the dude delighted/shocked all who dared to watch……

Right after I took this pic, he flipped up his skirt to reveal his buns to the general Playa public. Kathy, by luck of the shutter, got an even more revealing photo when he decided to treat us all to some high kicks, but I’m sure THAT photo will never be seen here.

Whilst Mr. Blue Skirt was doing his thaaaang, his buddy (who I didn’t get any pics of, and that’s probably for the best) was doing his best to see how far he could push the local obscenity laws with his girlfriend near the bar (at least I THINK it was his girlfriend. I HOPE it was his girlfriend!!)

After the floor show, it was time for another Tequila Sunrise (hey,,, we had laughed off any alcohol consumed in the first round by witnessing the Men in Dresses antics), and we were surprised when the waitress delivered two EACH to us. Who knew the Tequila Barrel had Happy Hour starting at midnight on Mondays??

Another photo evidencing I have no pride in showing myself looking silly and stupid.

After watching the ongoing procession of the young and pretty ones making their way to La Santanera to begin their evening, we decided to call our day over and done.

We ended up hitting the hay at Alhambra around 1:30 AM. What a long, full FUN day!!

alwaysmissinpdc · 08-26-2007

Great report and pics Karen. What a crew!

silvergirl · 08-26-2007

Hey Karen!
Have barely been on the forum all summer, but I gotta tell ya................I've been waiting for this one!!!!

And by the way.........mucho congrats on your new home!! Closer to us, I think!

Can't wait to hear more of wimmins week! I wish I could have joined ya!

Jacko · 08-26-2007

Sheesh...I am just loving this report...thanks, Nerak!

4wheeled · 08-26-2007

what a fun bunch of wimmin! great pics. lookin forward to the rest.

(poor kitty in the cage

)

Bren · 08-26-2007

Keep up the great report Karen I have been waiting for this for a long long time. I love how you write ,makes me feel like I am there.

Nerak936 · 08-26-2007

Day Three, Tuesday, August 14th

Up before 7:30. Had coffee on balcony with Kathy. Suggested we journey up to Java Joe’s for a Hangover Special for brekky, and Kathy was agreeable. En route to JJ’s, I checked out some pricing on the wooden colored (pieced, not painted) Aztec calendars at a jewelry store on 5th. HA! Pricing was ridiculous (as I imagined it would be), and even with dickering back and forth, I could only get him down to $90 USD each for two (he had started at $150 for one). David never wants “anything in particular”, but before this trip, he had told me he’d like one, so I was “on a mission” to get one for him (and one for me too!)

After enjoying our Hangover Specials (gosh, they are good, whether or not you’re nursing a hangover) and chatting briefly and Joe and Jez, we continued on up 5th toward the north end of Playa, stopping here and there to shop. Picked up a couple more maracas at the same store I bought my last pair in last March. Stopped by Luna Blue and were lucky enough to find Cheri manning the desk. What a delight she always is!! We were dismayed to learn that Tony has been battling a rather nasty case of dengue which hit him during their visit home to San Francisco. Bummer, Tony!!!

While making our way back down 5th, I hit gold when Kathy found another store with the Aztec calendars, and I ended up with two for a total of $105 USD. The haggling was fun but, I think, fair for both seller and buyer, and Kathy also ended up with another tortuga for her collection. I was delighted that I managed to find what David wanted and to find it early in the week and not have to do one of those run-around-at-the-last-minute-to-buy-souvenirs-in-a-panic deals later in the week.

We hit the loungers at the Alhambra and also had lunch there.

Took some pics around the hotel lobby area.

After lunch we strolled back up to “the maraca store” where we both bought woven pocketbooks (okay… PURSES!!). Of course by this time we were both thirsty and just HAD to stop at the Tequila Barrel for a refreshing Key West Cooler on our way home.

Back to the room to shower, change, and meet the Peepstock gals at Las Brisas for dinner.

This time I ordered the right thing and GOT shrimp soup!!! “Camarones, Nerak! You’ve got to order Camarones if you want shrimp!!” (as opposed to my ordering the wrong thing at La Pesca in March and getting lots of tentacle thingies in my cheesey soup!) And when I say this broth was FULL of shrimp, I ain't kidding!! It was FULLLL of delicious shrimp!

But I still managed to get some tentacle thingies in my entrée. Which was okay since this time I KNEW they were gonna be there, staring up at me!

Barb got the grilled fish which looked wonderful!

After dinner, we strolled down to the park, once again in search of the churros cart so Kathy could get her very FIRST churros, and YAY!!! We found it!

No, she wasn’t pigging out on churros her first time. I made her hold my bag too!

A little cutie who was smiling and laughing and clapping her hands in delight…… right up until I snapped the photo!

Decided to top off the evening with a cocktail/cerveza upstairs at the Bucket:

Hit the hay around 11:30. Had an early day coming on Wednesday, as we were all meeting up at 9AM to get taxis to Akumal.

08-26-2007	#1 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,502	Nerak Witnesses Wimmin's Week 2007 Here we go again!! Day One: Sunday, August 12th After enjoying my brother’s wedding the afternoon/evening prior, I was up at 4 AM and ready for the taxi ride to Boston’s Logan Airport at 6 AM. Said good-bye to my honey, David, at around 4:45 AM, as he left to drive back to his home town, pick up a buddy of his, and then head up to New Hampshire to New England Dragway for the final day of eliminations of the NHRA Nationals. So… he heads offs for one day of loud, fast cars and loud, trampy-lookin’ women, and I head off for eight days in Playa! Sounds fair to me!! After the longest check-in at Logan I’ve ever endured (good thing I got there super anally early) and a flight that was 45 minutes late taking off, we still landed at Cancun on time (go figure). That new Terminal 3 is a beauty for sure. Immigration was a breeze, found my two checked bags with no problem, got the green light at Customs, although I did get stopped to have my carry-on searched (“What kind of coffeemaker is this??” Weird question!). Upon exiting the terminal, it was delightful to not have to run the time shark gauntlet (or do they just ignore me now?), and I soon found the bar next door (“Berryhill Bar & Cantina” is located immediately to the left of the terminal exit) where I ordered up my $70p. rum punch and settled in to await the arrival of Sharon (Queencityfan). The amigos who were working the Cantina that day, while not UNfriendly, could’ve been a bit less intrusive when they yelled at me to hurry up and get IN the place so that the automatic doors would close and keep the hot air out and the cool A/C’d air in! Hey, dudes… I’m sleep-deprived and schlepping two suitcases on wheels plus an all-important carryon containing my coffeemaker. Cut me a little slack, will ya?? Geesh… Terminal 3 Exit: Terminal Exit showing Berryhill to the left as you leave the terminal (or to the right as you face the terminal). Just go through the turnstile at the railing. Looked so much more organized and less chaotic out here than at Terminal 2: Soon I spotted Sharon coming to fetch me (who already had a cerveza in hand, of course – it was soooo good to see her again!!!), and she escorted me to the ADO bus which was ready and almost awaiting its customers for the 1:45 run to Playa. (Found out they weren’t opening the doors of the bus and selling tickets yet cuz the workers were having their lunch on the bus! Hey, they gotta eat too, I guess.) But that was fine, cuz I was greeted next to the bus with a “Are you Nerak?” by a couple who turned out to be “ewill” from the Forum – aka Ed and Tammy!! Kewwwl!! Ed and Tammy were headed to Playa where they were to pick up another bus to take them to Tulum for the first three days of their vacation before returning to Playa for the remainder of their stay. Tammy was NOT looking forward to the anticipated rustic accommodations in Tulum, and Ed’s eyes kept rolling in his head to convey a “Oh, boy… am I EVER gonna hear the end of THIS??!!” message. We tried our best to convince Tammy that it was going to be “adventure”, but I don’t think she was buying it! (I want to hear the details again from youz guyz on where you stayed and how it was, okay??) After a smooth ride to Playa, Sharon and I caught a taxi (30p.) to the Alhambra where we fully expected to be greeted by champagne, balloons, a high school marching band, and big hugs from our fellow Alhambra-residing Peepstock 2007 chicas (Alicia, Kathy, and Barbara, aka Sol, Kathy.web, and Equinenut). But noooooooooo. Not a chica in sight. After we dried our tears, Angel checked us in (Sharon was rooming with Alicia, I was rooming with Kathy), we quickly got to our rooms, changed into our suits, and met up outside for a cocktail/cerveza. Thinking that maybe our welcoming committee was hanging at El Pirata, we relocated to there and, of course, HAD to have another cocktail/cerveza. I think at some point one or both of us probably took a dip or two in the beautiful Caribbean, but it’s not clear to me. The ONLY thing I dislike about arriving in Playa is the “travel day fog” that descends upon my brain for that entire arrival day period. Nothing but a decent night’s sleep clears it up, and I always have to contend with walking around with a constant look of “Whaaaat? Huh???? Duh????” on my face until I get that sleep. My apologies to all who had to witness it, as not only do I LOOK like “duh”, my thought and speech patterns are also pretty much “duh”, so my efforts at intelligent conversation and interaction certainly fall short of any one’s expectations. Since it was time for food and we both knew how good they were, we journeyed down to Fusion to share a plate of beef burritos, or as it turned out, beef burritO. They used to serve two, but now they serve one gigantic one, and it was just as yummy as I remembered from when David and I chowed on them numerous times last March. Returned to our rooms around 5ish (?) and soon a weary-from-her-day-in-Tulum Kathy came bopping into Room #14. ROOOOOMIE!!!! Gosh, it was so good to see this chica!! During the next 8 days, Kathy and I shared mucho !!! After showers, we ran up to the Beer Bucket for the 8 PM Peep Meet. Again, using my “duh” state as an excuse, I didn’t take nearly as many pics of the evening as I should have (“Camera? I have a camera? What’s that used for??”) Barb (or “Bob” per my Boston accent per Kathy) and Sharon Anita (Ami) and Heather at her best jlsl (Luis)’s pooch! Ok.. left to right: Jen, Andy, Angie, Shawn (hrlydavison), Nancy (maestranba), Connie (TriStAlbert), Kathy (kathy.web), and Jim (Mishi) Heather getting sucked in for an ankle bracelet (I bought one too). Jen and Andy, the proud operators of the Peanut Shelter (I just LOVE these two - BIG hearts in these peeps!!!) Judy (judyblueyes), Steve (baked), and the infamous Sharky. Was great to see Judy and Steve again and to hear that they’re doing well as full-time residents of Playa. It suits them well!! As for Sharky…, well you know. He’s Sharky! Kari and Thor Henning – What a TREAT to meet them and get a chance to chat!! This was their last evening in Playa, and I’m SOOO glad they chose to spend part of it by coming to this Peep Meet!!! It was so nice to hear Thor speak of their two-week odyssey and see the delight in his eyes when he spoke of their travels. I can’t WAIT to read his trip report. Get on it, Thor!! Luis, Kari and Thor Henning (Luis: I'm so glad you stopped by! It's always so nice to see you!!) I also got the chance to meet beautiful Charity (pamplemoose) for the very first time (dammit, I didn’t get a pic) who was also leaving the next morning. Gotta hand it to the girl… to be THAT pregnant in THAT heat and still look THAT good???!!! How DO you do it, Char??? While it did pour out once for about 10 minutes (was refreshing, but it still remained hot and steamy), I think the peeps had a good time. I apologize for whoever’s names I’ve neglected to mention here. Like I said… “travel day fog” and not enough pics taken to jog my memory. Ran off to Pizza Pazza with the Peepstock gals at some point to obtain the necessary nourishment (they got their slices to go, while I ate mine on the walk back to the Bucket – munchmunchmunch!!) Ended up crashing in bed around 11:30. __________________ Do YOU have your NERAK BEADS? Click here for the Nerak Beads story. For each item sold, I donate $1 to the Peanut Pet Shelter!! To see the Beads, click below: "Classic" Beads "I Love Playa" Beads "I Love Playa" Key Chains

08-26-2007	#4 (permalink)
Smudger beachaholic Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 458	Wimmin's Week... Hi Karen! looks like you had a great time! I am enjoying your trip report..........just makes me more excited to be going soon!.....

08-26-2007	#2 (permalink)
TeeZet Non-aggressive Dutch dude Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Uithoorn, The Netherlands Posts: 7,623	I've been waiting for this! Way to go for day 1, Karen!

08-26-2007	#3 (permalink)
Tesla 573 añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: LA...Lower Ala Posts: 7,009	Hi Karen!....it was a fast paced week.... what with painting the master bedroom , spending a whole day at the HOA meeting and our guests staying with us. One of these days we'll just get to relax while in Playa Anyways girl it was good to see your sweet face again!

08-26-2007	#5 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,932	A Nerak trip report I know there will be lots o pics !!!! Hope you are feeling better !!!

08-26-2007	#6 (permalink)
sctx political anarchist Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 27,124	day 1 and no mention of tequila or nudity????

08-26-2007	#7 (permalink)
gingele añejo Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,467	Yea! Karen - great start! Day 1 is also always a fog for me Bring on the rest! Can't wait to see all your pics!!

08-26-2007	#8 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,502	Day Two: Monday, August 13th Slept in the latest on this morning than any other during the upcoming week – a whopping 7:30!! Enjoyed coffee on the balcony of Room 14 with Kathy. The wonderful Kathy who booked us into the best room that the Alhambra has to offer: top floor, oceanfront. The other oceanfront top floor room is the yoga studio. This was the view we enjoyed every morning, afternoon, evening, and sometimes very late at night. Looking down at Mosquito Beach hotel next door: The Alhambra’s restaurant palapas directly below: While Monday morning’s skies were a bit cloudy, we enjoyed far more beautiful sunrises as the week progressed. Met up with Alicia and Barb for breakfast (included with the room) at Alhambra and soon situated ourselves comfortably on loungers out front. Peepstock chicas a-bobbin’!! Room 14: Top floor, right side. Soon Ian and Connie came by and joined us. After only having one short evening to spend with them last March (they were leaving the morning after we arrived), it was great this week to get the chance to hang out with these two wonderful peeps as often as we did!! Kathy, Ian, and Connie: Sharon and Barb: Lunch at Alhambra: I had a chicken breast sandwich which was VERY good. I think Alicia got a burger which I think? she enjoyed. I had a burger there later in the week which was awful. Kathy got shrimp cerviche tacos. Barb got shrimp tacos. I just LOVED these funky kewwwl sunglasses that Barb had!! Kathy and I walked up to the internet café on 8th (convenient and cheap) and later enjoyed a sip or two of Kathy’s Don Julio on the balcony. A clear view of Cozumel that afternoon: There were a bunch of 20-somethings hanging on the primo room deck of the Mosquito Beach next door. I just HAD to take a pic! Barb’s room was right next door to ours, and she snuck in some quiet reading time when we allowed her to sneak away from us. After showers, Kathy and I met up with the group at La Taberna (4th/10th?) which, as Kathy aptly described, is like a “Mexican Applebee’s”. Kewwl place with TV’s, internet, and a couple of pool tables. I can just imagine what Alicia and Sharon were chucklin’ about!! They both have such great laughs!! Ian was quite a trooper putting up with all thoze wimminz!!! After having a drink, it was time for dinner. Alicia and Sharon opted out, but the rest of us headed up to El Asadero, a local haunt that Kathy had recalled Mindbender recommending. On our way, we walked by Manne’s Biergarten, and when I said “hola” (or should I say, “Wie gehts!”) to Manne, he strong-armed us into doing a shot of his famous tequila while Kathy met a nice pooch. Felt kinda slimy not staying at Manne’s to eat after partaking of his tequila shot, but we had a destination in mind, so we continued on. Came upon El Asadero (on 25th/between 4th/2nd??), totally void of customers, and looking like they were about to close for the night. But we were welcomed with open arms and by an adorable amigo who reminded me of my sixth grade boyfriend. They were out of arrachera for the night, but we all enjoyed some nice pork tacos, and Barb had a quesa fundido dish. I do remember what Connie and Kathy were laughing about here, but I’ll keep it silent! The food was good. Not amazingly wonderful, but good. And it was fun to seek out this little gem on a forum tip from Mindbender. Our host and hostess were both delightful and gracious and seemed appreciative of having our business. I wouldn’t hesitate to eat there again, although I’d go earlier in the evening when they still had some arrachera available!! While strolling back to the park area near the near the end of 5th in search of the churros cart, this funky pickup truck blaring Aerosmith came by: We didn’t find the churros cart, so we strolled on down toward the beach in front of the park. While walking along, we all heard a loud “THUD”, and looked over to see a 20ish year old woman picking up a cat carrier which she had obviously dropped which had landed nose down on the pavement. I stood in astonishment as she picked it back up and continued walking, holding the carrier up to her face and speaking into it as she walked. “OH MY GOD!! Did you SEE that????” Then the laughing started. All of us had seen it. And the more we laughed, the harder we laughed. “That was HORRIBLE!!!” And when I exclaimed (long after the woman was gone), “Do you KNOW who I AM???”, I thought Kathy was gonna fall down, she was laughing so hard. But WHY me?? Why did I, the crazy cat lady of the Forum, have to see THAT?? I could not be convinced that the cat carrier was empty, especially since I saw her speaking (I assume apologizing!!) into it!! I hope it came equipped with airbags for the poor gato inside!! More of Day Two to come....

08-26-2007	#9 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,502	Day Two (Part Two): After we recovered from the cat carrier episode, we strolled 5th for a while, Ian and Connie left for their home at La Tortuga, and Barb departed for Alhambra. Kathy and I wanted another cocktail before ending the evening, and since neither of us felt like suffering the pangs of "barstool butt" at the Bucket, we opted for the comfy chairs of the Tequila Barrel and some people watching. We ended up with comfy chairs, people watching, AND a floor show. Shortly after we situated ourselves at a table on the street, two guys in dresses showed up. French guys with a couple of girls who by appearances seemed to have done a bit of an outfit switch-a-roo before heading out for the evening. One of the guys decided to treat everyone to a bit a show and had no qualms whatsoever proving to all who cared to look that he was wearing NADA underneath his short little skirt! The TB’s DJ was easily persuaded to play that striptease song from “The Full Monty” which I believe is titled “You Can Keep Your Hat On” while the dude delighted/shocked all who dared to watch…… Right after I took this pic, he flipped up his skirt to reveal his buns to the general Playa public. Kathy, by luck of the shutter, got an even more revealing photo when he decided to treat us all to some high kicks, but I’m sure THAT photo will never be seen here. Whilst Mr. Blue Skirt was doing his thaaaang, his buddy (who I didn’t get any pics of, and that’s probably for the best) was doing his best to see how far he could push the local obscenity laws with his girlfriend near the bar (at least I THINK it was his girlfriend. I HOPE it was his girlfriend!!) After the floor show, it was time for another Tequila Sunrise (hey,,, we had laughed off any alcohol consumed in the first round by witnessing the Men in Dresses antics), and we were surprised when the waitress delivered two EACH to us. Who knew the Tequila Barrel had Happy Hour starting at midnight on Mondays?? Another photo evidencing I have no pride in showing myself looking silly and stupid. After watching the ongoing procession of the young and pretty ones making their way to La Santanera to begin their evening, we decided to call our day over and done. We ended up hitting the hay at Alhambra around 1:30 AM. What a long, full FUN day!!

08-26-2007	#10 (permalink)
alwaysmissinpdc añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: burbs north of Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 3,197	Great report and pics Karen. What a crew!

08-26-2007	#11 (permalink)
silvergirl Pomegranite tequila lover Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,977	Hey Karen! Have barely been on the forum all summer, but I gotta tell ya................I've been waiting for this one!!!! And by the way.........mucho congrats on your new home!! Closer to us, I think! Can't wait to hear more of wimmins week! I wish I could have joined ya!

08-26-2007	#12 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 17,949	Sheesh...I am just loving this report...thanks, Nerak!

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08-26-2007	#13 (permalink)
4wheeled beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 400	what a fun bunch of wimmin! great pics. lookin forward to the rest. (poor kitty in the cage )

08-26-2007	#14 (permalink)
Bren life=playa Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Beautiful BC Canada Posts: 921	Keep up the great report Karen I have been waiting for this for a long long time. I love how you write ,makes me feel like I am there.

08-26-2007	#15 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,502	Day Three, Tuesday, August 14th Up before 7:30. Had coffee on balcony with Kathy. Suggested we journey up to Java Joe’s for a Hangover Special for brekky, and Kathy was agreeable. En route to JJ’s, I checked out some pricing on the wooden colored (pieced, not painted) Aztec calendars at a jewelry store on 5th. HA! Pricing was ridiculous (as I imagined it would be), and even with dickering back and forth, I could only get him down to $90 USD each for two (he had started at $150 for one). David never wants “anything in particular”, but before this trip, he had told me he’d like one, so I was “on a mission” to get one for him (and one for me too!) After enjoying our Hangover Specials (gosh, they are good, whether or not you’re nursing a hangover) and chatting briefly and Joe and Jez, we continued on up 5th toward the north end of Playa, stopping here and there to shop. Picked up a couple more maracas at the same store I bought my last pair in last March. Stopped by Luna Blue and were lucky enough to find Cheri manning the desk. What a delight she always is!! We were dismayed to learn that Tony has been battling a rather nasty case of dengue which hit him during their visit home to San Francisco. Bummer, Tony!!! While making our way back down 5th, I hit gold when Kathy found another store with the Aztec calendars, and I ended up with two for a total of $105 USD. The haggling was fun but, I think, fair for both seller and buyer, and Kathy also ended up with another tortuga for her collection. I was delighted that I managed to find what David wanted and to find it early in the week and not have to do one of those run-around-at-the-last-minute-to-buy-souvenirs-in-a-panic deals later in the week. We hit the loungers at the Alhambra and also had lunch there. Took some pics around the hotel lobby area. After lunch we strolled back up to “the maraca store” where we both bought woven pocketbooks (okay… PURSES!!). Of course by this time we were both thirsty and just HAD to stop at the Tequila Barrel for a refreshing Key West Cooler on our way home. Back to the room to shower, change, and meet the Peepstock gals at Las Brisas for dinner. This time I ordered the right thing and GOT shrimp soup!!! “Camarones, Nerak! You’ve got to order Camarones if you want shrimp!!” (as opposed to my ordering the wrong thing at La Pesca in March and getting lots of tentacle thingies in my cheesey soup!) And when I say this broth was FULL of shrimp, I ain't kidding!! It was FULLLL of delicious shrimp! But I still managed to get some tentacle thingies in my entrée. Which was okay since this time I KNEW they were gonna be there, staring up at me! Barb got the grilled fish which looked wonderful! After dinner, we strolled down to the park, once again in search of the churros cart so Kathy could get her very FIRST churros, and YAY!!! We found it! No, she wasn’t pigging out on churros her first time. I made her hold my bag too! A little cutie who was smiling and laughing and clapping her hands in delight…… right up until I snapped the photo! Decided to top off the evening with a cocktail/cerveza upstairs at the Bucket: Hit the hay around 11:30. Had an early day coming on Wednesday, as we were all meeting up at 9AM to get taxis to Akumal.