05-31-2010
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#1 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas
Posts: 172
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5/18 - 5/25 First timer now officially addicted.
***Disclaimer: I am still learning Spanish, dispacio, so bare with me for my spelling or butchering of the language.
Day 1 Didn't even have to wait for the ADO bus, jumped right on. ($10 for a transfer?! Sweet) On the way to Playa I watched the passing cars and noticed drinking and driving, infants on passengers laps, vehicles at max capacity of humans, oh yeah baby – I'm in Mexico!  That lovely familiar smell of humidity sends signals to my brain that makes me smile because I know the beach is near!!! It was overcast upon arrival, but fortunately I made it to my hotel room before the downpour fell. I checked into AquaLuna and headed out for dinner. I was just barely on 5th looking for an ATM that dispensed Pesos and then it started to rain. So, I just ran into the nearest restaurant, which happened to be Frida's. Sat at a table outside under the covered patio, but it started to storm, downpour, lighting, so I had to move inside. I was already soaked and had to dry off with a napkin. We (the wait staff and other patrons) watched across the street as the ladies tried to cover the fabrics at their store w/ plastic. I had mediocre fajitas de pollo and a really strong margarita. Tired of being cold and wet, I went back to my hotel, took a hot shower, checked the forecast for the week and started cursing the Mayan gods. (The last time I was in the Riviera Maya, it rained 4 days in a row) I started to get pissed off, then sad. But what could I do? Let it ruin my vacation? Oh hell no! It had to get better, it just HAD to!!! (side note: so glad I got TSA locks for my suitcase as my laptop would not fit into their tiny safe.)  Day 2 Woke up and felt refreshed. Had a great nights sleep. (in part thanks to my new silicone earplugs) Even though I awoke to rain, I was determined to get out and explore! “I refuse to buy an umbrella (paraguas?) for my beach vacation, damn it!” When it stopped pouring down, I walked to Hacienda Paradise (sister hotel) for breakfast. Then off to the beach sans swimsuit, too cold and cloudy. (gee this feels familiar – sigh) Weather got better around lunch time, even with the wind. Had lunch at Fusion. Had the “Best burger in Playa”... really? Hmm... there must not be very many burgers in Playa then. Service is great @ Fusion though. I like the place. Went walking around on 5th, got suckered into buy a silver Mayan coin bracelet for $350 pesos. The guy asked if I was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (ha!) and proceeded to kiss my hand and sweet talk me. Okay, yeah so what, it's vacation, you're supposed to splurge, right?  After that, I told myself I wouldn't let the salesmen sweet talk me, even when one tried to get me into his store, as I continued walking off, he shouted, “What about a Mexican boyfriend for free?!” Hahaha, thanks for the laugh, buddy. I love a good sense of humor.After that I milled around scooping out places I had read about and looking for a good drink. Well, I ended up at The Ruins. (really close to the ferry and right next to Terreya) sp? I had some Dos XX on the swing bar and enjoyed the moment as it was not raining. After a few beers I watched the clouds bring more rain. Argh. So, me and the other patrons moved in under the shelter, after a bit more to drink and a cigar to smoke while it poured, I waited for it to clear again, asked for my cuenta, ready to hit the next place. While waiting for my check, a guy that was sitting to the table next to me w/ a group of his friends, asked me if he could buy me another beer and join him and his friends, I politely said “no thanks, i'm just about to leave.” Well, he talked me into staying. He said he was from Houston, and I was from Dallas, so right away, we had something in common enough to break the ice. His friends were great. They were 2 couples: Deckland and TJ, and Luke and Carrie, his name was Andrew (aka Buck). Andrew and I sat at The Ruins to talk and get to know each other. How odd that he was the single man out in a group of his married friends, and me a single chica alone. We met back up with them later at The Tequila Barrel. Many, many more beers were had and Andrew kept buying me anejo tequila. Do I really need to continue on how the rest of the night went? Haha We decided to have dinner, just us, and went to Jaguar's. (I only know this because later when I walked by sober I recognized it) The shrimp was yummy, from what I can remember. I was so thankful that I met Andrew and that he offered to take me out for dinner and let me hang out with him and his fun friends. Good conversation, good tequila, my 2nd night in Playa and I was a very happy girl. Well, back to Playacar to spend the night with my new friend. The rest is a blur. 
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*~Angelene~* Puerto Vallarta August 2006 Riu Cancun May 2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowc...7605009813669/ Riu Caribe Cancun Jan 2009 http://www.flickr.com/photos/shadowc...7613263634975/ and... Playa del Carmen 2010 - a set on Flickr 
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05-31-2010
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#5 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas
Posts: 172
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Day 3
Oy!!! so hungover. I think I stopped counting after the 2nd tequila shot last night. Because I really think that's all I had. I'm a light weight when it comes to liquor, as I usually just stick to beer and wine. Wow. My head is killing me. Andrew woke up at 5am to meet his hombre amigos for a 6am fishing trip. I slept in, then left around 8 am. I had breakfast at Carboncitos. I met Anna (who I grew to adore) and had the chilaquilas con heuvos w/ verde sauce. Well let me buy a vowel, because O my gawd. Yummy. There was sun today – WOOT! Time to hit the beach. Hung out near the front of lighthouse for a bit. Wow, it was windy. Had grilled fish tacos and beers @ Fusion. Delish. I dig Fusion and wouldn't mind staying there next trip. After hanging at the beach all day, I was a mess, sand in every crevice, hair was a rats nest. (How the @#$* did I forget to bring rubberbands?!) I was supposed to meet Andrew and the gang at The Ruins again but I didn't make it because I really needed a shower. I tried to get in touch with Andrew, but my hotel couldn't figure out how to make a call to a mobile phone, really? Nor was the internet functioning properly. Anyway... cleaned up, was given an umbrella by my hotel and hit 5th, had Tacos al Pastor and margaritas @ Carboncitos and stopped at Yogochengo (sp?) for frozen yogurt. Mmm. On the way back, I ran into Andrew and the gang at EZ (End Zone). Yay!!! I found my new friends again. After that I think we went to Pez and then the Tequila Barrel and back to Playacar again. More blur.  
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05-31-2010
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#7 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas
Posts: 172
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Day 4
My first Caribbean open water dive scheduled at 1pm. I dove w/ DiveMike. Met my Dive Instructor, Goretty, who just happened to be a smokin hot woman who was super sweet! She was very good to me. After some buoyancy issues, she held my hand so I could drift with her because she saw that I was missing all of the incredible fish under the reef because I was too focused on trying to correct my buoyancy. I saw a huge tortuga and squeed underwater. It was so big and beautiful. Then the 2nd time we went down (max 60'), we were drifting along near the bottom and she motions to us to “Stop!” Points for us to look ahead and all I could see in the distance were very large silhouettes of fish. Dolphin... I thought? So she motions for us to stay where we are and just watch and wait. Since I was having buoyancy problems, I wasn't sure if I could. I mean, this was my first dive, I didn't know if we were supposed to stop and be still because they were dangerous or if it was because we were to just enjoy the moment and let them find us. Well it was the latter thank goodness, but of course I didn't know that until we surfaced. So, I grabbed the ocean floor, got stung by some fire coral (ouch), and then found a rock to hold onto. And sure enough, a school of Tarpon fish circled us and swam thru us, checking us out. OMG they were HUGE!!! I was scared but not so scared that I didn't appreciate the moment. It was intense. One stroked my leg and I froze stiff. I mean the size of their mouths are big enough to swallow my head, so you can imagine. I am pretty sure my eyes were the widest they have ever been. When we resurfaced, everyone was like, “WOW OMG, did see that, that was so incredible!” Goretty said that I was very lucky that I got to experience that on my first dive. After that I was on a high, and just taking it all in, the fear, the excitement, the adrenalin. Whew. Man if only someone had gotten that on video! So after my shower, I met up with Andrew and the gang again at The Ruins (are you seeing a pattern here?) I was so nervous and apprehensive about my dive trip, I didn't eat all day, so by the time we finished and I got down to meet everyone it was about 5pm. I was still on a scuba high! Had the beef quesadillas that was delish, and shared some of Andrew's ceviche. Then off to have margaritas at Pez! We met a woman (that everyone thought looked like Pink) named Kate, staying at Playa Palms. She said it was her birthday, so we bought her drinks and had tequila shots w/ her. She was retired from the Navy on disability. She was hilarious. She had me laughing so hard, I was crying. Off to Tequila Barrel again. Then because it was his last night in Playa, Andrew and I went to the beach for drinks @ ____. (i'll have to email him and ask the name of the place) I am in love with the beach at night. The breeze, the sound of the waves crashing like echoing off the moon, the stars, the cool sand on your aching feet that have been walking all day. *Just utter bliss* The rest of the gang met up w/ us again and I enjoyed smoking the cigar Andrew bought me in celebration of my first successful dive trip. Oh life is good! Me and my new friends @ the Ruins:  Andrew, Me and crazy Kate @ Pez.  After tequila shots to celebrate Kate's birthday, on the way to Tequila Barrel we got suckered into taking photos w/ the tiny monkeys: 
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06-01-2010
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#13 (permalink) |
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way into it
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas
Posts: 172
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Day 5
Walked Andrew to the ferry so he could catch his flight to Houston via Cozumel Airport. I don't remember if or when I had breakfast. I walked to the colectivo stop to go to Chemuyil for my 12:30 reservations at The Jungle Place. I was dropped off in the town and had no clue what direction I should be heading as they were doing construction on the dirt road, making a paved road. So, I grabbed a taxi (there were 2 guys sitting under a tree hanging out, near 2 taxicabs), pointed to my map and they figured it out once we were on our way. Thank goodness for Google Earth! The road was quite indeed like the surface of the moon, very bumpy and oh-shit-handle worthy. Once there, I was the first to arrive so I hung out with the cats and Heidi. She and her husband, Noel used to live in Dallas prior to their building this place from scratch. Very impressive. They packed up what they could, and drove to Mexico with a hope and a dream: to rescue the endangered spider monkey. Their place truly is out in the jungle. It's lovely, well minus the mosquitoes. The monkeys were sleepy, it was a hot day. Finally a day with no clouds, no rain. The monkeys were eating our snacks and were ready to curl up and nap. A siesta sure sounds like a good idea to me. Maya and I bonded. She was the sweetest girl in the bunch. She would make this sound that was like a low hum and Noel said it meant she was content and comfortable with me. Then she started rocking back and forth while her arms were on my shoulders and Noel said she wants me to rock her, so I did. It was so difficult to leave her. Looking into her eyes and her holding the gaze was like she understood me. As if she was thinking, “I feel your spirit, and you're not alone.” And then she'd hug me. I miss her.  When I tried to get up, Maya and the other monkey (Ichelle, I think?), wrapped their tails around my legs. And Maya kept trying to pull me down to stay. It was very touching. Not only does the money you give the Jungle Place allow you an experience of a lifetime (with pictures), but you donate the money to help them take care of the monkeys. After Noel gave us a ride back to town, me and the other patrons shared a taxi back to Playa for $50 pesos each. (* out of the kindness of his heart he took us back into town because we paid the taxis beforehand, if you want them to wait, you need to tell them to wait and then pay them after you know they are still there) Back in Playa I was starving so I had the half order of Swedish meatballs n mash @ Babes Noodle Bar and the massive mango frozen kool-aid, er I mean, margarita. (it had no alcohol in it, what don't I look 18?) Got dressed for the beach to enjoy the beautiful sunny day. After spending the rest of the day on the beach, I went back to my hotel to shower and change for dinner. Went across the street to El Bistro. Wow, La Tortuga hotel is so enchanting. I went when the sun was setting so around 7:20-ish and I want to come back and stay at this hotel when I am in a relationship. So romantic! And right next to “Love Street” which I walked on to get to 5th pretty much every day. I love that mirror-tiled mannequin, the resident gato that hangs out there, and passing the art gallery. Anyway, back to El Bistro – had a glass of chilled cabernet sauv and the Salmon & Shrimp Fusion with Mexican sweet turnips. I don't think I need to tell you it was a very good meal. Great service too. I really want to try breakfast next time there. I was exhausted from a full, warm day so I went back to the hotel, watched my favorite show (48 hours mystery) then went to bed early. Very nice end to a lovely day!  
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