The Caramba Chronicles- December 2007

caramba · 12-29-2007

There I was at two in the morning, sitting on my suitcase, cursing Brian for making me agree to such a crazy idea- travelling to Playa with just carry-ons. An hour before I was still trying to squeeze as many liquids into those stupid little three ounce bottles that I possibly could, and now I am trying to close the damn suitcase. Phewww, success, and I wander up to bed to join the snoring Brian for an hour of "rest" before our ride shows up.
I'm a habitual overpacker, and my bags are usually packed with way too many pairs of shoes, toys and gifts, and lots of things I don't think I can live without for ten days, like my tempurpedic pillow. Now I'm thinking how am I going to not burn to a crisp with just these little bitty bottles of sunscreen? Ah, well, I can always get more when I'm down there. It will be worth it not to have to worry about lost bags (been there/done that), and we'll hit the ground running and be off to Playa in a flash.
All too soon I can smell the coffee brewing, and Misty drives up to take us to Logan. We stop on the way to pick up Harris (Tallyho), who is travelling with us again this year and staying up in the north end with a new friend, Karen, that she met on the internet and had never met face to face as of yet. Yep. I prayed it would work out and she hadn't booked a condo to share with an axe murderer or something.
So here comes Harris, cramming like five bags into the back of the car. Oh no. Brian is asking her "what the !@#% and I cannot believe I packed these puny little bags and Harris has forgotten our much discussed plan and is travelling like the queen. She must have ten pairs of shoes and I am jealous. Brian says if she slows us down on the other end she can just take the bus to Playa, and we set off for Boston.
I won't bother with any more details of the trip down other to say that we arrived in the new terminal, Harris barely skipped a beat and we were out the door in a flash to walk over to Executive for our rental car. Oh oh. Hmmm, different terminal. Well, let's have an expensive beer and figure this out. After a little exploration we found the airport shuttle waiting area and joined a bunch of elves waiting for a ride.

Harris (Tallyho)

There were others in front of us as well, so when they filled up the first van we grabbed another beer til the next one arrived, taking us over to Terminal 2. In no time we were inspecting our rental and heading down 307.

We dropped Harris off at Hacienda San Jose and drove down to Playa Palms, where we'd be spending our first and last nights.

We were shown to oceanfront suite 102, I believe it was- on the ground floor- the unit with the webcam hanging over the door. It was kind of weird to look out the door and see the same view that you all see when you watch the webcam. It was a beautiful sight.

We changed into shorts and put our feet in the water (ahhhhhhh) for a minute, but I could hear Babe's calling my name and soon we were walking up the hill over to 10th, and the best mojito I've had for a while. We were starving, too, and ordered some chicken satay and veggie spring rolls. I was in heaven. I just love this place, and vowed to drink mojitos and eat here every day. Well, at least a couple more times.

I guess somehow we just fell in to the first day, over-tired but excited bar-hopping mode. For a change of scenery we walked two doors down and pulled up a stool at the Beer Bucket. It's happy hour and there was Rocky and the rest of the cast of regulars. What a friendly bunch- it felt like Cheers re-aquainting ourselves with everyone and we hung out drinking beer for a good long while before thinking we'd wander on to 5th and see if we could spot Harris after meeting the axe murderer, I mean her friend Karen, who was due to arrive on the bus some time around now. I thought.
What better place to wait and spy than at the Tequila Barrel? I couldn't resist having my first margarita so we ordered a couple and settled in for some prime people watching. Almost immediately, there they are- Harris is walking up the street in animated converstaion with a very normal, friendly looking woman toting a suitcase. Harris and Karen plopped down at our table and joined us with drinks. I am relieved that Harris has not booked a condo with an axe murderer, at least I didn't think so, and soon we were discussing dinner possibilities. Brian and I were pretty punchy by this time and didn't care too much where we ended up, and Karen wanted lobster. We're not big fans of Caribbean lobster (spoiled, I guess), and we didn't really know the best place to have them, so we took a chance on the nearby Blue Lobster.
We were led upstairs to a nice table overlooking the street and ordered more margaritas, which were very good. Karen got her lobster which she was very happy with, I ordered grilled shrimp which was delicious, as was Brian's grilled tuna (cooked perfectly), and I can't remember what Harris had. By this time it was a wonder I remembered that much, but I do know that I would definitely eat here again sometime.
It had been a long day for all of us, so after dinner we went our separate ways, making plans to meet for breakfast the next morning. Walking down the hill toward the beach I veered right instead of left and steered Brian straight toward El Pirata for a nightcap on the swings. I might be sorry tomorrow but I was downright giddy and had to have just one beer at one of our favorite beach bars before calling it a night.

Ooofta! · 12-29-2007

Great start! Tell me more...I'm staying at the PP in January

jflattracker · 12-30-2007

Can't wait to read more of your report! Your mojito's look so good!

candylady401 · 12-30-2007

aaaahhh, loved your review so far and really can't wait to get to Playa in 22 more days!!! You're making me "homesick" for PDC! Loved the photos too. Those mojitos look wonderful. I love Blue Lobster and my mouth started watering to hear you had the shrimp....my favorite there. tell us more!!!

maureena5 · 12-30-2007

Hi Anne,

Great Report! It was wonderful to meet you.....even though it was so breif! I heard your "meet" at La Rana was a blast! I can't believe I missed it....too many parties...not enough time!

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

Maureen

TAPPY · 12-30-2007

Nice pics !! The Mojo's look tasty !!!!

How was Playa Palms ??? Got any pics of the rooms ?
(Are they on the beach ??)

caramba · 12-30-2007

The mojitos at Babe's were awesome, as usual, and they weren't our last.... but I think I found better ones this trip!

Tappy & Oofta,
I'll have a few more pics coming up- soon, in my next installment and at the end of my report. Some rooms are oceanfront, many others oceanview- we stayed in two different units. We definitely recommend staying there.

Maureen, sorry not to have seen you again but we had a great time talking with you at the Bucket!

Commando · 12-30-2007

nice start anne, thanks for posting.

Tallyho · 12-30-2007

You are the best trip report writer ever!

u2girlie · 12-30-2007

pics, pics more pics! I need my daily recommended dosage of Playa (it's getting ready to snow here!)

Joana · 12-30-2007

Great report so far- and now I am wondering if "our special new friend" from La Rana will make an appearance in this as well.......... what was his name again?

Jacko · 12-30-2007

Wonderful! More please! Thanks for posting.....

cpfstich · 12-30-2007

Great start!

caramba · 12-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joana

Great report so far- and now I am wondering if "our special new friend" from La Rana will make an appearance in this as well.......... what was his name again?

I daresay he'll make an appearance!

maestranba · 12-30-2007

Great report, as always!! Keep it coming with more pics, por favor!!!

12-29-2007	#1 (permalink)
caramba añejo Join Date: May 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,638	The Caramba Chronicles- December 2007 There I was at two in the morning, sitting on my suitcase, cursing Brian for making me agree to such a crazy idea- travelling to Playa with just carry-ons. An hour before I was still trying to squeeze as many liquids into those stupid little three ounce bottles that I possibly could, and now I am trying to close the damn suitcase. Phewww, success, and I wander up to bed to join the snoring Brian for an hour of "rest" before our ride shows up. I'm a habitual overpacker, and my bags are usually packed with way too many pairs of shoes, toys and gifts, and lots of things I don't think I can live without for ten days, like my tempurpedic pillow. Now I'm thinking how am I going to not burn to a crisp with just these little bitty bottles of sunscreen? Ah, well, I can always get more when I'm down there. It will be worth it not to have to worry about lost bags (been there/done that), and we'll hit the ground running and be off to Playa in a flash. All too soon I can smell the coffee brewing, and Misty drives up to take us to Logan. We stop on the way to pick up Harris (Tallyho), who is travelling with us again this year and staying up in the north end with a new friend, Karen, that she met on the internet and had never met face to face as of yet. Yep. I prayed it would work out and she hadn't booked a condo to share with an axe murderer or something. So here comes Harris, cramming like five bags into the back of the car. Oh no. Brian is asking her "what the !@#% and I cannot believe I packed these puny little bags and Harris has forgotten our much discussed plan and is travelling like the queen. She must have ten pairs of shoes and I am jealous. Brian says if she slows us down on the other end she can just take the bus to Playa, and we set off for Boston. I won't bother with any more details of the trip down other to say that we arrived in the new terminal, Harris barely skipped a beat and we were out the door in a flash to walk over to Executive for our rental car. Oh oh. Hmmm, different terminal. Well, let's have an expensive beer and figure this out. After a little exploration we found the airport shuttle waiting area and joined a bunch of elves waiting for a ride. Harris (Tallyho) There were others in front of us as well, so when they filled up the first van we grabbed another beer til the next one arrived, taking us over to Terminal 2. In no time we were inspecting our rental and heading down 307. We dropped Harris off at Hacienda San Jose and drove down to Playa Palms, where we'd be spending our first and last nights. We were shown to oceanfront suite 102, I believe it was- on the ground floor- the unit with the webcam hanging over the door. It was kind of weird to look out the door and see the same view that you all see when you watch the webcam. It was a beautiful sight. We changed into shorts and put our feet in the water (ahhhhhhh) for a minute, but I could hear Babe's calling my name and soon we were walking up the hill over to 10th, and the best mojito I've had for a while. We were starving, too, and ordered some chicken satay and veggie spring rolls. I was in heaven. I just love this place, and vowed to drink mojitos and eat here every day. Well, at least a couple more times. I guess somehow we just fell in to the first day, over-tired but excited bar-hopping mode. For a change of scenery we walked two doors down and pulled up a stool at the Beer Bucket. It's happy hour and there was Rocky and the rest of the cast of regulars. What a friendly bunch- it felt like Cheers re-aquainting ourselves with everyone and we hung out drinking beer for a good long while before thinking we'd wander on to 5th and see if we could spot Harris after meeting the axe murderer, I mean her friend Karen, who was due to arrive on the bus some time around now. I thought. What better place to wait and spy than at the Tequila Barrel? I couldn't resist having my first margarita so we ordered a couple and settled in for some prime people watching. Almost immediately, there they are- Harris is walking up the street in animated converstaion with a very normal, friendly looking woman toting a suitcase. Harris and Karen plopped down at our table and joined us with drinks. I am relieved that Harris has not booked a condo with an axe murderer, at least I didn't think so, and soon we were discussing dinner possibilities. Brian and I were pretty punchy by this time and didn't care too much where we ended up, and Karen wanted lobster. We're not big fans of Caribbean lobster (spoiled, I guess), and we didn't really know the best place to have them, so we took a chance on the nearby Blue Lobster. We were led upstairs to a nice table overlooking the street and ordered more margaritas, which were very good. Karen got her lobster which she was very happy with, I ordered grilled shrimp which was delicious, as was Brian's grilled tuna (cooked perfectly), and I can't remember what Harris had. By this time it was a wonder I remembered that much, but I do know that I would definitely eat here again sometime. It had been a long day for all of us, so after dinner we went our separate ways, making plans to meet for breakfast the next morning. Walking down the hill toward the beach I veered right instead of left and steered Brian straight toward El Pirata for a nightcap on the swings. I might be sorry tomorrow but I was downright giddy and had to have just one beer at one of our favorite beach bars before calling it a night. __________________ trip reports- 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

12-30-2007	#9 (permalink)
Tallyho beachaholic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 323	You are the best trip report writer ever! Last edited by Shammy; 12-30-2007 at 01:11 PM.. Reason: remove large quote

12-29-2007	#2 (permalink)
Ooofta! way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 103	Great start! Tell me more...I'm staying at the PP in January

12-30-2007	#3 (permalink)
jflattracker añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Loveland,Co Posts: 11,720	Can't wait to read more of your report! Your mojito's look so good!

12-30-2007	#4 (permalink)
candylady401 way into it Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 150	aaaahhh, loved your review so far and really can't wait to get to Playa in 22 more days!!! You're making me "homesick" for PDC! Loved the photos too. Those mojitos look wonderful. I love Blue Lobster and my mouth started watering to hear you had the shrimp....my favorite there. tell us more!!!

12-30-2007	#5 (permalink)
maureena5 life=playa Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen & Chicago Posts: 777	Hi Anne, Great Report! It was wonderful to meet you.....even though it was so breif! I heard your "meet" at La Rana was a blast! I can't believe I missed it....too many parties...not enough time! Looking forward to the rest of your report! Maureen

12-30-2007	#6 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,314	Nice pics !! The Mojo's look tasty !!!! How was Playa Palms ??? Got any pics of the rooms ? (Are they on the beach ??)

12-30-2007	#7 (permalink)
caramba añejo Join Date: May 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,638	The mojitos at Babe's were awesome, as usual, and they weren't our last.... but I think I found better ones this trip! Tappy & Oofta, I'll have a few more pics coming up- soon, in my next installment and at the end of my report. Some rooms are oceanfront, many others oceanview- we stayed in two different units. We definitely recommend staying there. Maureen, sorry not to have seen you again but we had a great time talking with you at the Bucket!

12-30-2007	#8 (permalink)
Commando reposado Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,151	nice start anne, thanks for posting.

12-30-2007	#10 (permalink)
u2girlie Life=Playa (almost) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Connecticut for now but someday Mexico Posts: 801	pics, pics more pics! I need my daily recommended dosage of Playa (it's getting ready to snow here!)

12-30-2007	#11 (permalink)
Joana Niiiice!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: With Quincy....... Posts: 5,183	Great report so far- and now I am wondering if "our special new friend" from La Rana will make an appearance in this as well.......... what was his name again?

12-30-2007	#12 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 18,974	Wonderful! More please! Thanks for posting.....

register to remove these adverts

12-30-2007	#13 (permalink)
cpfstich el poli Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 11,402	Great start!

12-30-2007	#15 (permalink)
maestranba añejo Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,928	Great report, as always!! Keep it coming with more pics, por favor!!!