[Shootingstar]

The Getting there

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The day before we left was insane, lots of running around to do and that evening we packed and re-packed about 4 times trying to get within the weight restrictions. We were taking enough of our dive gear to snorkel a lot and Garth took his regulator in case we could set up a dive.

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Friday Oct. 29<SUP>th</SUP>

Up early and at the airport by <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time Minute="45" Hour="7">7:45 a.m.</st1:time> for a flight to <st1:City><ST1:pToronto</ST1:p</st1:City>, arrived mid morning and met up with our friends. After a quick lunch we spent the afternoon prowling the ROM (<ST1:p<st1:PlaceName>Royal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName>Ontario</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType>Museum</st1:PlaceType></ST1:p), nice dinner and great visit. We did actually lay down for a few hours to try and grab a nap as we had to be at the airport for <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="3">3 a.m.</st1:time> but neither of us could sleep. I think we both felt like 6 year olds on Christmas Eve. We made it to the airport on time and checked in for the <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="6">6 a.m.</st1:time> flight to <ST1:pCancun</ST1:p. Well the Pearson airport at <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="3">3 a.m.</st1:time> is very interesting entertainment, great people watching. Mind you I was glad we were on time and could just sit and sip a coffee and watch the cattle drive.

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Ok, Skyservice…sure have read a lot about them in trip reports, and not much was good but we are from Northern Ontario and routinely fly “white knuckle air” so it didn’t really seem that bad. I guess everything is a matter of perspective. Seeing as we checked in early-ish we requested and got the emergency exit row so I suppose we had more leg room than other folks. By the time we took off we had been awake for almost 24 hours. Garth managed to grab a little sleep on the flight. I was sandwiched between him and some lady that seemed far too grumpy to be on her way to <st1:country-region><ST1:pMexico</ST1:p</st1:country-region>. After a mystery breakfast in a box we arrived at <ST1:pCancun</ST1:p just after <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="9">9 a.m.</st1:time> on Saturday, with a couple of planes right behind us. Immigration was a breeze and off to get the luggage. Round and round it went with no sign of our bags. I was really starting to get worried but they did eventually appear and we were off to the traffic light. I got a green and they waved the hubby through with me…geez I’m thinking this is going really well…then wham we hit the time share shark wall…of course Garth is so happy he just wants to visit with everyone, he is such a chatty fellow. Keep moving… don’t make eye contact…just say no thanks….whew we are out the door and find the bus like immediately. We had a bus full of sleep deprived Canadians in the warm sunshine and it took about 2 min. to get the party up and running. Lucky streak continued as our resort was the first stop. There just aren’t words to describe our first impressions of the El Dorado Royale. With champagne in hand we were checked in and got our room right away, gotta love it. Into a golf cart and off to room 617. By now we have been awake for about 30 hours and have reached the “everything’s funny” stage.

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The room was exactly what I had hoped it would be and then some. Ok for the detail hounds:

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Nice big balcony with a double hammock and 2 chairs

Right in front of balcony is a 2 person Jacuzzi with a little window and shutter so you can lay in the tub and enjoy the view, and a dinette set.

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King size bed

Huge closet with iron & board and safe (no charge)

Armoire with TV. mini fridge and storage

Small alcove with a coffee maker and full length mirror

Bathroom shower big enough to throw a party in

A/C (worked very well) ceiling fan above bed, clock radio

Desk and chair

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We just dropped our gear and went to find some lunch. We ate at JoJo’s the Carribean restaurant right beside the beach. After lunch we wandered back up to the lobby and made dinner reservations till past the fiesta night on Wed. No problem getting reservations at all. We also booked the shuttle into Playa for Sunday night for the Playa Info meet.

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Hubby had a nap after lunch but I was restless and way too wired to sleep so I went exploring. We were told to meet the tour rep at <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="16">4 p.m.</st1:time> so we went and he was a no show, incidentally was a no show for the whole week so not impressed there. That night we had dinner at Cocotal and it was really nice. After that we wandered down to Guacamayas and listened to the live band for a bit. About <st1:time Minute="0" Hour="9">9ish</st1:time> I guess I hit the wall in terms of lack of sleep and well don’t really remember much after that.

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What an adventure just getting here and spending the 1<SUP>st</SUP> day was.