07-14-2009
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#1 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 217
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Teenage Girls at the Bar in Playa... A Newbie Trip Report
My Teenagers, Kianna (17), Annaliese (14- yup she is younger), and Adrianna (11)
 I like the title because it reminds me of the first question I posted on here and all the funny comments from everyone.. NO, the we did not let the girls drink at the bars. So no need to call Child Protection Services.. LOL Thank you all for the wonderful infomation and advice from you all... It truely would not have been as much fun without your help.... So here goes...... Me/Us..... We are a blended family of 5 heading out on our first vacation in many years.. We are sometimes a family of 6 but Josh's son Dakota could not make the trip with us.. We missed him!  With all the H1N1 virus, drug lords and the 4 flight changes we had, we were just glad to be on our way!!! We had a late night flight from Seattle, which worked out pretty good in the end. Josh and the girls at Seatac Airport for our 11:30pm flight from Seattle to Dallas and then on to Cancun  We were mentally prepared for a rough night, but it really wasnt that bad except I couldnt sleep (white knuckle flyer).. We arrived in Cancun by about 11am on Tuesday. We made our way upstream to the ADO ticket counter and purchased our tickets... Maybe not the most inexpensive way to travel for 5 people but I was worried about finding a large enough cab for all of us and did not plan ahead for a transfer.. Also, the girls got the experience and saw how easy it was to get around.... It was hot, but beautiful outside... The bus driver would not let us get in the bus prior to departure time... so the teased us by reading the newspaper inside the air conditioned bus....  We are on our way.. Adrianna is glad to be inside.. LOL  Next stop is Xaman Ha... Condo #7010 
Last edited by Herrerta; 07-14-2009 at 01:15 AM.. |
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07-14-2009
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#2 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 217
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Tuesday, June 23rd..
I guess you could call this our travel day...
Got off at the ADO station on 5th and used the directions given by the condo management company to find Xaman Ha condos...When seeing that water for the first time, it really does take your breath away... There is no way to describe it and cameras do not do it justice.. Actually really surprised that we found it considering you walk to the end of 5th, down towards the ferry terminal and then through a dark little courtyard.. But we found it with no problem... View from 7010-  It was a great location and had everything we needed- 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.. It was perfect!!  We were all hot and tired so decided to just relax around the pool and swim.. It was a beautiful day.. I could get used to this  Josh Relaxing  Kianna enjoying her time  Me... Yippee!!!!OMG, I would never wear a bikini at home but for some reason I just didnt care!!  Having fun with Adrianna  While the teenagers watched from shore- Party Poopers  After a while- going between the pool and ocean.. Josh and I came to the realization that we better get our butts in gear and get some groceries for the week.. Got out the Mapchick map and found the Walmart.. I HATE Walmart but its closer than Mega so that was it... Walked there, got what we needed and took a cab back... The girls were exhausted but Josh and I wanted to get out. So we headed out and ended up at Senor Frogs (I am a tourist ya know)... I know.. I know... but it is VERY close to the condo and I was not comfortable being too far away from the girls... So we shared a Chicken Combo and Shrimp Basket and a couple of beers.. The food wasnt bad.. nothing to write home about for sure... Back to Xaman Ha for an early night .... My thought today: I am so glad that my friend Benton gave me the information on Playa.. If not for him I would not be here at this moment with the most important man in my life and my three beautiful girls... Life is good!!!
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Traci H ... from Seattle   
Last edited by Herrerta; 07-14-2009 at 05:49 PM.. |
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07-14-2009
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#4 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 217
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Wednesday... First day to really enjoy Playa
Woke up a little later than expected... But all is good while on vacation right?? We had breakfast at the condo and the girls really wanted to swim at the pool and beach again...
  We began to get hungry but the youngest was not ready to get out of the pool... So Josh and Annaliese headed to find some tacos... Josh found a place near our condo- real close to the courtyard and Sr. Frogs.. It ended up becoming one of our favorite places to eat and hang out  We ordered chicken, beef and fish taco's along with guac, salsa, and chips... We also had two margaritas and two virgin pina coladas- gotta love a place that has drinks to go... cant remember the exact price for everything.. it was not cheap, but not expensive either.. Hell, it costs us $30 to eat at McDonalds anymore, so it wasnt bad to us considering how delicious everything was.. Everything tasted wonderful!!! After lunch and more chillin at the pool/beach.. We headed out on the town.. Down 5th Ave.... What a fun time!  WOW! We were expecting the vendors, but they were out in full force.. The first day was a little intimidating but after a few no gracias, all was good. The only thing a little disapointing was the amount of times that Josh was offered drugs... It started with "you looking for a Havana cigar" and then they would try and whisper other offerings.. sometimes not so quietly.. joints, weed, blow, pills... A little sad because the girls were with us, but he was nice about it and I think the girls learned a little.. I hope! We shopped  We people watched Then we ate dinner at LaParilla  Ceasar salad prepared at your table.. YUMMY  My steak- not as yummy as the salad, but also very tasty  We had a great time and the food was really good..It was very hot in the upper balcony, most likely from the kitchen.. Pictures look a little steamy from the heat! Took our time walking back... Stopped for some gelato, which would become a tradition   My thought today is... Life is good and I am so thankful to be here today...But if this is the slow time.....  I would hate to see the busy time!! |
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07-14-2009
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#5 (permalink) | |
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way into it
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 217
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Quote:
 But when you're exhausted, dont have the handy dining list, and you're starving.. it works.. ya know what I mean.. And it was a fun atmosphere too. Live and learn, ya know.
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07-14-2009
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#8 (permalink) |
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reposado
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 1,039
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Nice start to your report. You have a nice looking family. Too bad your husbands son couldn't be with you this trip. Maybe next time, but what a great experience for your daughters. I can't wait for more of your TR.
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07-14-2009
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#13 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 217
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Thursday... Another Easy Day
Hung at the beach, to the right of Xaman Ha.. Walked the ruins and also into the residential area (???) of Playacar.. What beautiful homes.
Walked down 5th some more... Were greeted by the many merchants at the beginning (or end) of 5th.. Josh was nicknamed: Big guy, Mister Wiskers, Little Guy, Big Man Big Wallet, Incredible Hulk and many other funny names.. We saw the same guys every day and I swear they must have a script somewhere. Thinking about where to do for dinner.. Pausing to take a picture of the girls ready to go out!  Went to Fusion for dinner... What a fun place.. Service was great and they had a reggae band w/ a female singer.  Josh sharing the mint from his favorite mojito..  Someone had the grilled fish- and someone had Chicken Fajitas  Adrianna was happy because they agreed to do something off their breakfast menu.. she eats like a bird I tell ya  It tasted as good as it looked.  We listened to the music, had some beverages and really enjoyed the scenery and the relaxed atmosphere... We dont do that enough when back home.. its always on the go go go... Headed to get some more gelato  This girls didnt like this one as much as Aldo... Didnt have as many flavors I guess. There were tired so we walked them back to the condo...I felt a little more at ease leaving them- so its back out for Josh and I... He loved his mojito so much that he wanted to go back for more.. So back to Fusion we go.....but not before having a 2 for 1 Rum Punch with our buddies at Trueke.. Had a couple of drinks at Fusion and listed to the music some more..What a romantic setting.. I love this place.   Someone got some sun   After Fusion headed down the beach and ended up at Zenzi. That place is beautiful and the crowd was young and georgous.. We had a drink and watched a couple of skinny dippin drunk chicks... sorry no pictures... Might have stopped off somewhere else...  Walked slowly back to the condo by way of the beach... Thought for the day: I am loving it here and really need to bring some of the mindset back home with me... note to self: take more time at dinner- spend more with the girls... Last edited by Herrerta; 07-14-2009 at 02:32 PM.. |
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07-14-2009
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#14 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 217
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Friday.. Tulum Day
Today was the day we decided to go to Tulum... Wish we would have gotten an earlier start, but I have learned as a parent to pick my battles and getting up at the crack of dawn on a vacation is not one that I am going to win with teenagers... Kids enjoyed a small breakfast/snack at the condo and headed to the ADO bus terminal.
Bought the tickets and had about 45 minutes to wait.. Josh and I decided to try the taco carts by the bus station.. Wish I would have taken pictures.. sorry... We had 5 tacos, a sandwich, and two cokes for $50 pesos.. Best tacos we have had... LOVE the hot sauce. Nice ride to Tulum... lots of constructions going on along the highway.. Saw 8 guys planting one tree- love it! Tulum was interesting and beautiful and VERY HOT!!!    I dont know if this beach is always closed, but they had signs for turtle nesting everywhere  This must be a popular picture taking spot.. LOL  I think Josh and the girls had more fun looking for iguana's than looking at the monuments...  And playing around.. Annaliese thinks she is a ninja  We spent some time in the shade... much better  We spent about 3 hours total in Tulum.. walked towards the highway to catch the ADO back but came upon the collectevio and for $30 pesos each they would take us back to Playa.. SOLD!  This is when we noticed that many local people talked to my girls in Spanish... Their father (my ex husband) is Mexican but speaks no Spanish.. He always thought it was because he mom and dad could speak to each other without the kids knowing what they were saying.. It really is a shame that they dont speak it and I really encouraged the girls to try and get it out of grandma!!! Collectevio was a nice ride and air conditioned too... it was crowded for Josh as they do get the maximum number of people in there before they take off but it worked great and so easy too. Stopped at our favorite taco/ bar and got a little bit of food... That sun can really wipe you out.. So we all went for a late night swim, at the pool, played some cards, and then to bed.. Thought today... too tired to think!!!  LOL
Last edited by Herrerta; 07-14-2009 at 02:47 PM.. |
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You look fantastic!
