06-11-2008
|
#1 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
 |
Our GSP and Riviera Maya Adventure 6/4/08 - 6/10/08
Hello everyone,
This will be my first trip report so hopefully I will not bore you too much. First, I'll give you some background. My husband and I are in our mid 30's, we just got married in November and combined we have 3 kids. I have a 17 year old son and a 12 year old daughter and he has a 15 year old son. We had never been to Mexico before and I was very much looking forward to our honeymoon. We chose the first week of June to go because we were waiting for the kids to be out of school. They stayed home for their summer vacation, we went to Paradise  June 4th Today was the last day of school for the kids. I got them up and my son was off to school at 7am. We had left them instructions on things to do after they got home from school and before my dad picked them up... turn off the ac, unplug all the electronics. At 8:15, we took my daughter and her friend to school and headed to the bank to take out some cash. Then it was off to Orlando International Airport. We parked the car in the satellite parking and headed towards the terminal. Line was short at the JetBlue check in and we were off to the gate to wait.... 
Last edited by Susie Q Roo; 06-11-2008 at 07:57 AM.. Reason: fix photo for viewing |
|
|
| register to remove these adverts | |
|
06-11-2008
|
#2 (permalink) |
|
aņejo
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North of Boston, Mass
Posts: 7,354
|
Good start on your trip report, hildyp! Looks like you may be having some issues with loading pictures from Photobucket. If so, here's a link to a previous thread that gives some step by step instructions. Good luck! Looking forward to reading more!
|
|
|
|
|
06-11-2008
|
#3 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
|
Here are some more pictures from the Orlando airport and take off
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/100_1832.jpg http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/100_1835.jpg http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/100_1837.jpg http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/100_1841.jpg http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/100_1865.jpg |
|
|
|
|
06-12-2008
|
#6 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
|
sorry it took so long...
ok, so the flight was smooth, we picked up our luggage and headed out to look for our prearraged transport to the Grand Sunset Princess through Best Day Travel. We were put in a van with 2 other very nice couples and we are off. We arrive at the resort about 30 minutes later.
the Sunset lobby  the walkway to our room  our room #3216    the view from our room. if you look really hard, you can see the ocean over the trees 
|
|
|
|
|
06-12-2008
|
#7 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
|
We took some time to get acquainted with the resort. I booked 2 dinner reservations with the concierge for the a la cartes, Miso and Las Olas.
Then we got ready to eat dinner at the buffet. I don't remember what we ate but I remember that the selection was plenty, it was all hot enough, and it tasted just fine for a buffet. After that we walked around a little bit, had a few drinks and made it an early night. Tomorrow was our tour with Alltournative to Coba ...
|
|
|
|
|
06-13-2008
|
#11 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
|
Mayan Encounter
Thursday, June 5th
So the day that I was really looking forward to arrived. Our confirmation from Heather (thank you for helping me book this  ) stated we would be picked up at our lobby at 6:45am. So we were up and ready and in the lobby at what we thought was 6:40am. So we sit and wait and wait and wait. 20 minutes later, I start to worry and ask the front desk if we can use the phone to call the Alltournative office since they are to pick us up at 6:45am. The front desk clerk promptly informs me that it's only 6am  oops I guess our bodies were still on Florida time.  So we go get some coffee from the 24 hour sports bar and check email on the computer. Mario our tour guide picked us up right on time. We spent some time picking up other guests. Mario got a little lost in Playacar. After everyone was picked up, we headed to the Alltournative office in Tulum for coffee and cookies and then off to Coba. It was an amazing day. I'll let the pictures tell the story Coba      After Coba, we went to the Mayan Village of PaChen to Zipline, rapell, canoe, and have lunch   Mario was very informative throughout the tour  Ziplining         The ride home  Mario and I  It was a long day but lots of fun. Once at the resort, we showered and had another good dinner at the buffet. After dinner we went to go see the show at the resort theater and then went to sleep. Tomorrow Cozumel
__________________
 to our first trip to Playa Del Carmen Our return to Playa
|
|
|
|
|
06-13-2008
|
#12 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
|
Cozumel
Friday, June 6
We got up and got ready for our day in Cozumel. Ate breakfast at the buffet and then went to the lobby to try to catch the shuttle to PDC. GSP has a complimentary shuttle bus that goes to PDC. In order to book it, you must go to the Best Day Travel desk on the Riviera lobby 24 hours in advance. Well since we were gone all day Thursday, we were unable to get a ticket. The rep told us that if there was room on the bus we could get on but the people with tickets got on first. As we waited for the bus there was a large amount of people that seemed to be waiting also. We didn't think we were going to get on the bus so we were just going to take a taxi. I noticed another couple requesting a taxi so I asked them where they were going... Playa Del Carmen...Wanna share a taxi?...sure.. On our way to PDC, we realized that we left our snorkling gear at the resort  Oh well we would just rent gear at Punta Sur. So we found the booth to buy tickets and I told the lady I would like 2 tickets. She said it was 480 pesos and since I was in a hurry, I just paid. I then realized that she had sold me round trip tickets which I really didn't want. Oh well, this day is not starting well.  the ferry  Once off the ferry, we went in search of ISIS for the car. Margarita was so nice and had us on our way in no time. She gave us a map and some basic directions and we were off. the car  I had my mapchick map with all the places we wanted to stop at with our first stop being the Corona Bar. I really wished we had our snorkle gear hear. There was a family snorkling right from the shore and they looked like they were having a blast.  next stop....Carlos and Charlies   After enjoying a Dirty Monkey and a beer, we are off to Punta Sur  On the way to the lighthouse we saw this little guy,  Once we arrive at the lighthouse, we are told that the red flags are out and there will be no snorkling . I was a little disappointed but we decided to just do the lagoon tour and then check out the beach. So we hope on the truck to the lagoon tour. We are the only ones on the boat and the guide was super !  The waves seemed to be really strong on the beach so we decided to head back to the lighthouse.  We climed up the lighthouse to check out the views. It was a little windy ....  but the views were amazing    On the way out, we saw this guy.... 
|
|
|
|
|
06-13-2008
|
#13 (permalink) |
|
way into it
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 101
|
Cozumel cont
After Punta Sur we continued on the road towards Coconuts. On the way we stopped for some photo ops...
  Finally, we arrived at Coconuts. Their sign on the way up to the bar.   the view  we ordered 2 margaritas and just sat to enjoy the view. we also got some chips and salsa with our drinks. Hubby didn't really like his margarita so after I finished mine, I asked for a to go cup so I can take his with me. By this time, it was getting late and we still had to return the car, take the ferry back and try to catch the 6pm shuttle to the resort. A quick stop to fill up the tank on the car and return it to ISIS. On the way back to the ferry, we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe to purchase hurricane glasses. Well, they don't sell the glasses without the drinks at this HRC. So we sit at the bar and order 2 hurricanes.  Then it's back to the ferry and taxi back to the resort. We showered and changed for dinner at the buffet. After dinner, it was straight to sleep. |
|
|
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
