newfiegirl22 & photoscotty's adventures in Playa (& Luna Blue) April 21-28/09

newfiegirl22 · 05-03-2009

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting a trip report now that we're back after the best trip I think either of us have ever had! (We did keep a travel blog while we were there for our family and friends, but for those on here who have not read it I will post the most memorable parts.) Here goes:

Since we live in the Northwest Territories there are no direct flights to Mexico, or anywhere 'good' for that matter (except places like Edmonton which would actually cost us more to fly to than the actual flight from Edmonton to Cancun), so we decided to drive the 12 hours south to Edmonton a couple days before we were flying out. This also allowed us some shopping time! (I'm a girl, I like to shop! )

Day 1 - Tuesday, April 21, 2009

After getting to bed fairly early we were rudely awakened around 2 a.m. by the sound of a screaming woman on the roof of the building across from our hotel room. She was clearly high on drugs and was screaming for someone to call 9-1-1...I don't think she was actually going to jump, rather she was not sure how to get back down! (very sad and disturbing). It was quite an ordeal until the police and ambulance came and finally we could get back to sleep...well, sort of...it was bad enough we were so anxious about the trip, then this whole gong show with the crazy lady, now we were awake knowing we had to be up in just a few hours...try getting to sleep after that!

I think we sorta slept, but very lightly, because when the alarm clock went off we both kinda jumped out of bed and hit the shower within seconds! Talk about excited! We were at the airport within an hour of waking up and were actually a little early to check in...that's a first! (but as I said, we were excited! lol) We didn't have to wait too long before WestJet opened their counter and we were through security pretty quickly. Skip to the flight, which was pretty uneventful, we were landing in Cancun before we knew it!

This was my very first time to Mexico, but Scott's second. He warned me what it would be like, but I was not prepared at all! Firstly, we went through customs and immigration, with BOTH of us getting the red light. (Scott went first, and since we're not married and have different last names we had to go through seperately. He got the red light so I would've had to wait for him anyways, but I figured there was no way I would get it too...but nope, I got 'lucky' too, lol). It wasn't bad or scarey (like I thought it would be) and actually the girl really didn't do much of a search.

With that done they lead us to the 'wolves' outside the doors! Ohmygod, I have never been so swarmed in my life...there was people coming at us from every direction selling this, wanting that, trying to take my bags, etc. etc. As I had been told I just kept walking through it all saying 'no gracias'...but some people actually followed us for quite a while...Scott said they can smell fear, lol. It was so hot and confusing and all I wanted to do was find the ADO bus so we could be on our way...but first we had to find an ATM machine...so, after a minor freak out on my part (sadly, taking it all out on Scott), we found the ATM, found the ADO ticket counter and FINALLY found the ADO bus...we were barely sitting down before the bus pulled away and we were heading south to Playa!

Very uneventful ride to Playa, unless you count all the topes in the road, lol, and in about an hour or so we were at the ADO terminal. Scott grabbed us a taxi in about 30 seconds to get us to our final destination: Luna Blue Hotel & Gardens.

As soon as we pulled up to the hotel I knew we were in paradise! What a beautiful place to spend the next week. We checked in quickly and climbed our way up to the top floor where we had the Treetop Terrace room (a.k.a. the love nest)...what a climb every day and night, but oh so well worth it! We dumped our bags, freshened up, and were back down at the Luna Blue Bar as quickly as possible for the first margaritas of the trip!

Tuesday night's are live music night at the Luna Blue and Mike Grabow was playing this evening...very laid back tunes 'a la Van Morrison style' that set the tone for me to FINALLY start relaxing! (I was wound tighter than a yo-yo). We weren't there long before I was approached by a few peeps who said 'you must be newfiegirl', lol...I felt kinda famous!

I'm really horrible with names, but there was a couple who were staying at the hotel as well for a few days (peeps from the board - sorry I cannot remember your names), then we met Rick (Babaloo), and Sara (buggirl). We also met Tony & Cheri (the awesome owners) who were so friendly and welcoming! Jorge (the best bartender in Playa) kept the drinks flowing, and at 2x1 margaritas I was feeling it by the 11 p.m. closing!

(more trip report and photos to come...)

Leanne

btodd · 05-03-2009

Great start! Looking forward to the rest of your report. We were on the Tulum and Beyond tour on April 25 as well, we must have been in a different group. Wasn't that an amazing day?

newfiegirl22 · 05-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by btodd

Great start! Looking forward to the rest of your report. We were on the Tulum and Beyond tour on April 25 as well, we must have been in a different group. Wasn't that an amazing day?

Thanks! We did have a great time on the Tulum & Beyond Tour!!! Yeah, Mitch said they had to split it into two groups because of the demand...so it's too bad we missed ya, but great that they keep the groups small! As soon as I get the rest of the photos uploaded I will start writing more of the trip report...

Leanne

Eileencc · 05-03-2009

Excellent start newfiegirl! Keep it coming!

okieFNP · 05-03-2009

YEA! A new trip report! Looks like it's gonna be a great one! Good way to start a Sunday.

Buggirl · 05-03-2009

Great start, Leanne! It was fun to hang out with you and Scott that night- by the time we met you we were a few 2x1 margaritas in as well

I had to put myself to bed early that night, so I wouldn't be a wreck the next day. That, and scarfing down a bunch of Pizza Pazza did the trick

Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

Sol · 05-03-2009

Great start Leanne! Cannot wait to read more and see your pictures.

JameyBano · 05-03-2009

huntlyn · 05-03-2009

oohh what a shame, no more to read, was really looking forward to this HURRY!!!!!!

maestranba · 05-03-2009

Yay, it seems like forever that there's been a new trip report to read! Thanks, and please continue!!

hildyp · 05-03-2009

Great start

can't wait for more

amigo · 05-03-2009

more, more, more plzzzzz

campaholic · 05-03-2009

Hey Leanne
Glad to hear you and Scott made it home to Hay River safely. We really enjoyed meeting you and all the others at the peep meet at Bad Boys and carrying on to Babes. We ended up hanging out with Dave and Bren and Scott and Jennifer a couple of more times during our second week.
Looking forward to reading the rest of your report and seeing all your pictures.
Cheers!

Dave & Marsha

newfiegirl22 · 05-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by campaholic

Hey Leanne
Glad to hear you and Scott made it home to Hay River safely. We really enjoyed meeting you and all the others at the peep meet at Bad Boys and carrying on to Babes. We ended up hanging out with Dave and Bren and Scott and Jennifer a couple of more times during our second week.
Looking forward to reading the rest of your report and seeing all your pictures.
Cheers!

Dave & Marsha

Yeah Dave & Marsha, we had so much fun with you guys that evening...too bad we didn't have more time! Maybe next year!

Leanne & Scott

caramba · 05-04-2009

Nice start, newfiegirl, looking forward to reading more!

05-03-2009	#1 (permalink)
newfiegirl22 way into it Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada Posts: 214	newfiegirl22 & photoscotty's adventures in Playa (& Luna Blue) April 21-28/09 Well, I'm finally getting around to posting a trip report now that we're back after the best trip I think either of us have ever had! (We did keep a travel blog while we were there for our family and friends, but for those on here who have not read it I will post the most memorable parts.) Here goes: Since we live in the Northwest Territories there are no direct flights to Mexico, or anywhere 'good' for that matter (except places like Edmonton which would actually cost us more to fly to than the actual flight from Edmonton to Cancun), so we decided to drive the 12 hours south to Edmonton a couple days before we were flying out. This also allowed us some shopping time! (I'm a girl, I like to shop! ) Day 1 - Tuesday, April 21, 2009 After getting to bed fairly early we were rudely awakened around 2 a.m. by the sound of a screaming woman on the roof of the building across from our hotel room. She was clearly high on drugs and was screaming for someone to call 9-1-1...I don't think she was actually going to jump, rather she was not sure how to get back down! (very sad and disturbing). It was quite an ordeal until the police and ambulance came and finally we could get back to sleep...well, sort of...it was bad enough we were so anxious about the trip, then this whole gong show with the crazy lady, now we were awake knowing we had to be up in just a few hours...try getting to sleep after that! I think we sorta slept, but very lightly, because when the alarm clock went off we both kinda jumped out of bed and hit the shower within seconds! Talk about excited! We were at the airport within an hour of waking up and were actually a little early to check in...that's a first! (but as I said, we were excited! lol) We didn't have to wait too long before WestJet opened their counter and we were through security pretty quickly. Skip to the flight, which was pretty uneventful, we were landing in Cancun before we knew it! This was my very first time to Mexico, but Scott's second. He warned me what it would be like, but I was not prepared at all! Firstly, we went through customs and immigration, with BOTH of us getting the red light. (Scott went first, and since we're not married and have different last names we had to go through seperately. He got the red light so I would've had to wait for him anyways, but I figured there was no way I would get it too...but nope, I got 'lucky' too, lol). It wasn't bad or scarey (like I thought it would be) and actually the girl really didn't do much of a search. With that done they lead us to the 'wolves' outside the doors! Ohmygod, I have never been so swarmed in my life...there was people coming at us from every direction selling this, wanting that, trying to take my bags, etc. etc. As I had been told I just kept walking through it all saying 'no gracias'...but some people actually followed us for quite a while...Scott said they can smell fear, lol. It was so hot and confusing and all I wanted to do was find the ADO bus so we could be on our way...but first we had to find an ATM machine...so, after a minor freak out on my part (sadly, taking it all out on Scott), we found the ATM, found the ADO ticket counter and FINALLY found the ADO bus...we were barely sitting down before the bus pulled away and we were heading south to Playa! Very uneventful ride to Playa, unless you count all the topes in the road, lol, and in about an hour or so we were at the ADO terminal. Scott grabbed us a taxi in about 30 seconds to get us to our final destination: Luna Blue Hotel & Gardens. As soon as we pulled up to the hotel I knew we were in paradise! What a beautiful place to spend the next week. We checked in quickly and climbed our way up to the top floor where we had the Treetop Terrace room (a.k.a. the love nest)...what a climb every day and night, but oh so well worth it! We dumped our bags, freshened up, and were back down at the Luna Blue Bar as quickly as possible for the first margaritas of the trip! Tuesday night's are live music night at the Luna Blue and Mike Grabow was playing this evening...very laid back tunes 'a la Van Morrison style' that set the tone for me to FINALLY start relaxing! (I was wound tighter than a yo-yo). We weren't there long before I was approached by a few peeps who said 'you must be newfiegirl', lol...I felt kinda famous! I'm really horrible with names, but there was a couple who were staying at the hotel as well for a few days (peeps from the board - sorry I cannot remember your names), then we met Rick (Babaloo), and Sara (buggirl). We also met Tony & Cheri (the awesome owners) who were so friendly and welcoming! Jorge (the best bartender in Playa) kept the drinks flowing, and at 2x1 margaritas I was feeling it by the 11 p.m. closing! (more trip report and photos to come...) Leanne __________________ Acanto Boutique Hotel, Casas del Sol Vista & Alta Vista, Playa Esperanza - Playa del Carmen & Tulum 2014 Club Yebo & El Meson del Marques & Luz en Yucatan - Playa, Valladolid & Merida, Mexico 2012 Barcelo Punta Cana - Dom Rep 2011 Luna Blue Hotel & Garden - Playa, Mexico 2009 Coral Marian Hilton - Dom Rep, 2006 SuperClubs Breezes Puerto Plata - Dom Rep, 2005 SuperClubs Puntarena - Varadero, Cuba 2002

05-03-2009	#2 (permalink)
btodd añejo Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,362	Great start! Looking forward to the rest of your report. We were on the Tulum and Beyond tour on April 25 as well, we must have been in a different group. Wasn't that an amazing day?

05-03-2009	#4 (permalink)
Eileencc añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of Boston, Mass Posts: 7,354	Excellent start newfiegirl! Keep it coming!

05-03-2009	#5 (permalink)
okieFNP very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 29	YEA! A new trip report! Looks like it's gonna be a great one! Good way to start a Sunday.

05-03-2009	#6 (permalink)
Buggirl añejo Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: on an island in the sea..... Posts: 7,993	Great start, Leanne! It was fun to hang out with you and Scott that night- by the time we met you we were a few 2x1 margaritas in as well I had to put myself to bed early that night, so I wouldn't be a wreck the next day. That, and scarfing down a bunch of Pizza Pazza did the trick Can't wait to read the rest of your report!

05-03-2009	#7 (permalink)
Sol añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 16,176	Great start Leanne! Cannot wait to read more and see your pictures.

05-03-2009	#8 (permalink)
JameyBano reposado Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,330

05-03-2009	#9 (permalink)
huntlyn very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 28	oohh what a shame, no more to read, was really looking forward to this HURRY!!!!!!

05-03-2009	#10 (permalink)
maestranba añejo Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,102	Yay, it seems like forever that there's been a new trip report to read! Thanks, and please continue!!

05-03-2009	#11 (permalink)
hildyp way into it Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 101	Great start can't wait for more

05-03-2009	#12 (permalink)
amigo reposado Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,234	more, more, more plzzzzz

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05-03-2009	#13 (permalink)
campaholic into ruins Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Bay Ontario Canada Posts: 63	Hey Leanne Glad to hear you and Scott made it home to Hay River safely. We really enjoyed meeting you and all the others at the peep meet at Bad Boys and carrying on to Babes. We ended up hanging out with Dave and Bren and Scott and Jennifer a couple of more times during our second week. Looking forward to reading the rest of your report and seeing all your pictures. Cheers! Dave & Marsha

05-04-2009	#15 (permalink)
caramba añejo Join Date: May 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 6,654	Nice start, newfiegirl, looking forward to reading more!