Trip report - Iberostar Tucan 26th August (Post Hurricane Dean).

[blueton]

Hi. I thought I would share some trip memories after enjoying reading others so much on this board.

I intend to post quote a few pictures – so hope that’s in line with board etiquette.

We arrived in Playacar on the 26th August after a 10 hour flight from the UK.
We were slightly apprehensive being so close after hurricane Dean struck and aware that many people had cancelled during the previous week.
Any way we hoped it would all be ok – and so we found ourselves at Playacar!

We arrived at the Iberostar Tucan and hoped it would live up to glowing reviews we had read.
We knew almost immediately that this was an exceptional hotel.
Here are some pictures of the lovely hotel:















chillin' in one of the lobby bars


Our block (block 15)















What can I say, the hotel was awesome!
Impeccably clean with attentive and friendly service. The food was good and the grounds superb.

The rooms were spacious and clean (although the beds were a bit hard).
Most days the maid would create a new ‘towel ornament’ and sprinkle rose petals on the bed.
There was also often ‘curtain art’ also where the curtains were swept into interesting designs.
(pictures to follow).

There jungle setting was superb and it was so interesting stumbling upon all sorts of wildlife as we went around the hotel.

Monkeys often visited the hotel swinging in the trees or climbing across the roofs. (pictures to follow)... to be contiued..

[blueton]

Here are some pictures of the ‘towel art’ we found each day.

They must take courses in this stuff!











The mermaid




The stingray




Err... not sure what that one is - my better half called it the 'chef'










This was one of the ‘curtain designs’ that were also made.



I will shortly post some pictures of the wildlife.
I know this is alot about the hotel but I can’t leave this out!

[blueton]

The jungle setting was beautiful and there was so much wildlife to see.
Here is a sample of the wildlife out and about:



A few birds from our balcony:


woodpecker.




Ok I have forgot the name of these rodent things! They were usually met by a cry of "look there's a rabbit thing" which later changed to be a "squirrel rabbit".



Awww so cute... mum and baby







The Iberostart Tucan/Quetzal also had a pond with famingoes etc..






The best bit was the monkeys though .. They lived wild around the hotel.. pics to follow

[lazybeacher]

Great pictures! thanks for sharing!!!!Give us more please!

[blueton]

As mentioned previosly the jungle setting gave habitat to troops of wild monkeys (I dont mean wild as in livid ! )

Here are some pictures of the monkeys.
One morning we woke to see some monkeys in the distance.
I determined their direction might eventually lead them close to our balcony and so we watched and waited; eventually we were fortunate that they cam right near to our top floor balcony - playing in the trees and eating fruit. We watched them for about an hour - it was very cool.

Some of the pictures below are from our balcony.





This chap seemed er.. fully loaded !


How cute is this! I thought I saw something and snapped away!










To conclude - the hotel was great!
But what about the beach following Dean?
Please let there be a beach... the story continues!

[beesknees]

Some brilliant photos I can hardly wait to get back there! Roll on Wednesday!

[aaron]

Nice Pics!
Only six more weeks til i get to see it for myself! time seems to be going so slow at the moment tho

[blueton]

.. just kidding..

Ok so we were quite worried coming after the hurricane with the storm surges in case the beaches had gone.

Well we needn't have worried.
The beach at the Tucan was great.
If you turn right and go south past the Sandos there is just empty beach for ages.
Before I continue, I should just say that things aren't so good going north of the Tucan. The beach gets progressively worse past the RIU with big black sandbags in the seaa and beach.
There is some serious erosion/damage? around here.
Many sun loungers are just on a hill of sand that is left down to the sea. There is a bit more beach when the tide is out but it is wet.
The sea is still great though.

Anyway back to the Tucan and south beach..
It is just great as the pictures below attest:
I decided to walk south along the beach
; As it was so gorgeous I just kept walking and swimming. I didn't take any water etc.. which is not recommended at all - I almost died when I got back!
This is the life ...






































The second day we decided to reprise this trek and spend the day at the most secluded part of the beach but with my wife this time.

The first day I almost died for taking no water - but this day I almost died from being over prepared!

I signed out one of the Hotel parasols - great big metal-poled things!
I carried this along with drinks, books, camera bag and snorkel bag.
The pain was great in the heat. It was worth it when we got there but it took lots of pit-stops and feeling feint! (and I had the return to think about too!).


A couple of shots at sunrise







So fear not if you are vistiting the Tucan - the beaches are great!

The report wil continue later with the Coba tour...

[raquelle261]

Are photo's board etiquette? Are photo's board etiquette!!?? I say (Fred Elliott styley [the Brits will know what I mean]), are photo's board etiquette!!!!!?????? Are you INSANE!!!??? WE LOVE PHOTO'S!!!!!

[blueton]

This day we went on the Coba Mayan Village Tour.
(we had booked the playa.info one but it got cancelled due to drop outs following the hurricane).

This was a great day out.
Personally I enjoyed visiting the Mayan village and listening to our guide who was of Mayan Descent tell us all about the life now and past more than the ruins themselves. The big pyramid was cool though.

Fortunately this was our one cloudy day, which was to be welcomed given the
heat.

Here are some pictures of the day:

The temple and ball court.








The big Pyramid Nohoch Mul .
Tallest Mayan pyramid in Mexico.

















We had lunch by a nearby lake inhabited by crocodiles.
This crock spotted one of our party near to the edge and made ready to strike
CRIKEY !



.. i see yer..you'll do for lunvh..


ready to strike..


After lunch we visited the village home of some Mayan families.
Although they have new houses most choose to live in the house they built when they married and mostly ignore moden trappings.
The Mayans we met were very friendly.



Making a hammock:


..trying to make a hammock..






We finished the day at with a swim at the Sacre Maya Cenote.
Wonderfully refreshing.





A very enjoyable trip.

next: A vist to Yal-Ku and Akumal....

[raquelle261]

Ooooooooooh, I just love trip reports. Keep em coming Blueton! Looking forward to the next instalment.....

[Dijo]

"fully loaded" is putting it mildly.


Pictures of Coba bring back great memories. I was so scared climbing up and coming down.
How did you find another tour when your's was cancelled? Just curious.

[Doggiemom]

What WONDERFUL pictures........more please!!!!

[blueton]

Originally Posted by Dijo

"fully loaded" is putting it mildly.


Pictures of Coba bring back great memories. I was so scared climbing up and coming down.
How did you find another tour when your's was cancelled? Just curious.

Hi Dijo. I will try to find the leaflet and details and post later.
It's a very good tour that helps the Mayan community... more later.
Also, thanks everyone else for the comments.
I am a bit single minded trying to finish the report but will respond to anything specific later so don't think I am being rude.
B

[Jacko]

Nice! Thanks!