Redhed's stay in Shangri La - trip report - Page 5

redhed65 · 08-15-2008

DAY SEVEN: WAAAAAAAHHHH!!! We have to go home!!!!

We got up at 6 a.m. and spent some time on the beach before breakfast. Beautiful, as always.

Samuel was right on time, and getting through the airport was a breeze. I was still feeling a little green.

Other than that, everything was easy. We're lucky that the Kansas City airport is so easy to get in and out of. <sigh> Back to reality.

Time to start planning another trip.

Here are just a couple of other miscellaneous pictures.
Cotamundi footprint. David caught a glimpse of it once, but I missed it. These footprints were on the path every morning on the way to breakfast.

Our room (top floor)

Shangri La grounds

Stairs to our room (ugh)

View from the front door of our room

Lights in the lobby

We had a wonderful time. David had never been on a "real" vacation before. Needless to say, he wants to go back.

Playa is a beautiful place, and not nearly as commercial as Cozumel. It's a shame that the Shangri La is going to be turned into condos.

When we took the Tulum tour, we picked up some people in Playacar. It's like a whole other world down there. I'm so glad we stayed north of town, where we got to experience a little more of the real Mexico.

I hope this trip report provides some useful information. I spent a lot of time surfing this forum finding out where to eat, what to see, how to get around. Thanks to everyone who answered my numerous questions!

Rissask · 08-15-2008

That is not a needlefish, no, as someone wondered (I get them mixed up too!). Needlefish are usually found floating near the surface, well these ones are too I guess! And they can get really big.

Those fish are called ballyhoo or balao.

Used as baitfish commonly.

enjoying your TR. I always thought that was such a lovely hotel, on a wonderful beach....so sad they are tearing it down.

Yucatanned · 08-16-2008

Wow Red! An impressive report!

It is sometimes enough to make you want to cry to watch how "some" Americans treat folks from other countries. Good news is there are many, like Playa Info Web people

, who help change public perception! I've always said "Tip well and treat every local with respect" Amazing the number of locals I now call friend. Great Report! Sure you will be back soon!!

maestranba · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridagal2pzb

Do you know if the Shangri-la rents out lounge chairs? The beach there looks gorgeous.
At Akumal, did you notice if one can rent snorkel gear? In Playa, where did you get the colectiva to Akumal?
Thanks alot.

Great report, Redhed, and congratulations on your engagement!!

Shangri La does not rent out lounge chairs. We just stayed at Natz Ti Ha and there were 4 beach chairs and 2 umbrellas in the condo we rented. We were very comfortable using those, and when we REALLY felt the need for loungers, we went to Tulum or Xpu Ha for the day. The beach IS gorgeous!!

You can rent snorkel equipment in Akumal. There are two dive shops right on the beach.

floridagal2pzb · 08-17-2008

Thanks for the info. We'll be staying at the Natz Ti Ha G101 (I think) in Dec. How did you like the condo, i.e., location, etc. Were you able to walk easily into town and the Walmart or Mega? Any good restaurant suggestions? I know our condo has chairs, but I don't know if it has umbrellas...we can always buy one.

redhed65 · 08-17-2008

Il Pescatore (Italian food) is easy walking distance, and is really good. It's on 10th Avenue at Calle 24.

smardie · 08-17-2008

Check out the thread on La Pummarola, a great italian (fab homemade pizza) right behind your condo building. The walk to Mega isn't bad at all and across from it are lots of fave places of folks from this board: El Fogon, HC Monterrey, La Pesca, etc.

Bluespicker · 08-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhed65

Il Pescatore (Italian food) is easy walking distance, and is really good. It's on 10th Avenue at Calle 24.

Great food there.

Kevin y Pam · 08-18-2008

Enjoyed that. Thanks.

midtowngirl · 08-18-2008

Fabulous report. Best wishes to you both! Felicidades!

maestranba · 08-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridagal2pzb

Thanks for the info. We'll be staying at the Natz Ti Ha G101 (I think) in Dec. How did you like the condo, i.e., location, etc. Were you able to walk easily into town and the Walmart or Mega? Any good restaurant suggestions? I know our condo has chairs, but I don't know if it has umbrellas...we can always buy one.

Sorry I didn't respond earlier. I didn't realize this post was addressed to me! We LOVED it there! We stayed in B201 and it was very comfortable. It's a 2BR. It's quieter at this end of town and the one thing I really enjoyed was all of the Mexicans and Spanish-speakers on the beach. We never saw this at the AIs. We walked into town a few times, but never all the way down to the busy part south of Constituyentes. We had a car so we'd just drive into town and park out on 10th or 15th Ave. and walk from there. You could walk to Mega (it's closer). Walk all the way down 38th to 30th, take a left and go about 6 blocks south. It would be a hike w/ groceries, but you can easily get a taxi back to the condos. There's also a big Soriana on 30th and 38th I think it is. A lot closer than Mega. You can buy umbrellas at any of the big stores. Our condo had 2 umbrellas that the previous renters had left there. We brought our own, not wanting to have to buy another one. G101 is really close to the gate to go to the beach so it'll be really convenient for you! I'll be posting a report in the next couple of days, so keep an eye out for it!

Redhed, sorry for the hijack!

floridagal2pzb · 08-19-2008

Thanks for the info....we're sure looking forward to this trip. The condos look really nice online and the beach sounds great. We have nice beaches near where we live, but it's always nice to go to a new place. It will be our first trip to MX.

redhed65 · 08-20-2008

I think once you've been there, you'll be hooked and will want to go back.

I hope you have a wonderful time!

LucyE · 08-20-2008

Great trip report and congratulations on your engagement. See it too a trip to Mexico to get him to propose

. Glad he enjoyed it also and wants to go back.

janied · 08-20-2008

Really enjoyable report!

Great pictures!

I love the ShangriLa, too, it has such a tropical feel.

Congrats on your engagement!

08-15-2008	#61 (permalink)
redhed65 ruined Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 86	DAY SEVEN: WAAAAAAAHHHH!!! We have to go home!!!! We got up at 6 a.m. and spent some time on the beach before breakfast. Beautiful, as always. Samuel was right on time, and getting through the airport was a breeze. I was still feeling a little green. Other than that, everything was easy. We're lucky that the Kansas City airport is so easy to get in and out of. <sigh> Back to reality. Time to start planning another trip. Here are just a couple of other miscellaneous pictures. Cotamundi footprint. David caught a glimpse of it once, but I missed it. These footprints were on the path every morning on the way to breakfast. Our room (top floor) Shangri La grounds Stairs to our room (ugh) View from the front door of our room Lights in the lobby We had a wonderful time. David had never been on a "real" vacation before. Needless to say, he wants to go back. Playa is a beautiful place, and not nearly as commercial as Cozumel. It's a shame that the Shangri La is going to be turned into condos. When we took the Tulum tour, we picked up some people in Playacar. It's like a whole other world down there. I'm so glad we stayed north of town, where we got to experience a little more of the real Mexico. I hope this trip report provides some useful information. I spent a lot of time surfing this forum finding out where to eat, what to see, how to get around. Thanks to everyone who answered my numerous questions! Last edited by redhed65; 04-26-2009 at 07:05 PM..

08-15-2008	#62 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,559	That is not a needlefish, no, as someone wondered (I get them mixed up too!). Needlefish are usually found floating near the surface, well these ones are too I guess! And they can get really big. Those fish are called ballyhoo or balao. Used as baitfish commonly. enjoying your TR. I always thought that was such a lovely hotel, on a wonderful beach....so sad they are tearing it down. Last edited by Rissask; 08-15-2008 at 09:46 PM..

08-19-2008	#72 (permalink)
floridagal2pzb lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 21	Natz Ti Ha Thanks for the info....we're sure looking forward to this trip. The condos look really nice online and the beach sounds great. We have nice beaches near where we live, but it's always nice to go to a new place. It will be our first trip to MX.

08-16-2008	#63 (permalink)
Yucatanned reposado Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Gaylord Michigan Posts: 1,085	Wow Red! An impressive report! It is sometimes enough to make you want to cry to watch how "some" Americans treat folks from other countries. Good news is there are many, like Playa Info Web people , who help change public perception! I've always said "Tip well and treat every local with respect" Amazing the number of locals I now call friend. Great Report! Sure you will be back soon!!

08-17-2008	#65 (permalink)
floridagal2pzb lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 21	Thanks for the info. We'll be staying at the Natz Ti Ha G101 (I think) in Dec. How did you like the condo, i.e., location, etc. Were you able to walk easily into town and the Walmart or Mega? Any good restaurant suggestions? I know our condo has chairs, but I don't know if it has umbrellas...we can always buy one.

08-17-2008	#66 (permalink)
redhed65 ruined Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 86	Il Pescatore (Italian food) is easy walking distance, and is really good. It's on 10th Avenue at Calle 24.

08-17-2008	#67 (permalink)
smardie way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle Wa Posts: 241	Check out the thread on La Pummarola, a great italian (fab homemade pizza) right behind your condo building. The walk to Mega isn't bad at all and across from it are lots of fave places of folks from this board: El Fogon, HC Monterrey, La Pesca, etc.

08-18-2008	#69 (permalink)
Kevin y Pam beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cumming, Georgia Posts: 330	Enjoyed that. Thanks.

08-18-2008	#70 (permalink)
midtowngirl way into it Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 216	Fabulous report. Best wishes to you both! Felicidades!

08-20-2008	#73 (permalink)
redhed65 ruined Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 86	I think once you've been there, you'll be hooked and will want to go back. I hope you have a wonderful time!

08-20-2008	#74 (permalink)
LucyE añejo Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 7,240	Great trip report and congratulations on your engagement. See it too a trip to Mexico to get him to propose . Glad he enjoyed it also and wants to go back.

08-20-2008	#75 (permalink)
janied reposado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,017	Really enjoyable report! Great pictures! I love the ShangriLa, too, it has such a tropical feel. Congrats on your engagement!

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