Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemorative cooler
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Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemorativ... - 4/12/2012 2:20:04 PM
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Admin
Posts: 414
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Tell us your story and share the love! Every story posted receives a FREE LocoGringo Commemorative Cooler (one per family). Please post your story in the thread below.
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Zorro
It's okay to look back, but it's best not to stare.
Tom Petty
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/12/2012 7:41:48 PM
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billski52
Posts: 4
Joined: 12/3/2006
From: Edmond, OK
Status: offline
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My wife and I spent 9-nights at El Dorado Maroma. We spend our entire days on the beach; literally dawn to dusk, so we decided to stay in Mi Hotelito instead of a swim-up. We are so glad we did!
The Mi Hotelito rooms had all been remodeled recently; I think we were the second guest to stay in our room. We were in #105 on the ground floor, looking out on the “24” pool & bar. The room was beautiful, with a totally remodeled bathroom complete with glass doors on the shower & toilet area, as well as dual vessel sinks, beautiful marble everywhere, etc.
The room was tastefully decorated with lots of turquoise, yellow, & orange throughout. Flat screen TV w/remote, DVR, a mini-fridge well stocked with water, sodas, and most importantly, cervezas!
On our private terrace there was a small table w/ two chairs and a full size bed, all protected by sheer floor-to-ceiling curtains that swayed gently in the ocean breezes. I had to do some work during this trip, so I spent about an hour on our terrace each morning with a pot of coffee and a plate of pan dulces.
Every morning, we would have breakfast at Papitos, which is casual, open-air, & located directly on the beach. This is an “open kitchen” concept, serving delicious breakfasts and lunches. Rafael makes a fantastic omelet to order, or will whip up another type of egg dish if you prefer. There is also an abundance of fruits, cheeses, cereals, and granolas, as well a fresh assortment of breads and sweets. The lunch offerings at Papitos rotated on a daily basis, with Prime Rib on Sundays, Tacos on Tuesday (these are traditional, fresh offerings!), and Paella on Sundays.
Our favorite dinners were at Mio (Italian), we thought the food was tasty, and service by Vitale was outstanding! When my wife could not decide on a drink choice, he prepared his “special” drink for her- a delicious margarita with a splash of Amaretto. He also works at Sabores sometimes, so be sure to look for him.
Of the three bars, “24” was our favorite, and not only because of the proximity to our room ;) . This bar is usually manned by Carlos or Antonio, with service on the beach provided by Linda and Luis, aka “Sexy Boy”. I can’t say enough good things about these individuals.
The grounds were beautiful and very well maintained. The staff is some of the friendliest around and really seem to enjoy getting to know their guests on a personal level. They made this trip really something special, and we can't wait to go back.
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/12/2012 7:53:44 PM
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Jaeger
Posts: 1
Joined: 4/12/2012
Status: offline
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First time ever making a post! My family and I are very excited to go to Akumal in June, we are stay at Casa Sunrise in South Akumal. Would love to take a Loco Gringo Cooler on the trip! I'll be sure to post some great pics after the trip. Plan on doing a lot of exciting adventures and also relaxing on the beautiful beaches. So far everything has been smooth with the booking, only concern is EasyWay Car Rental, I called them to make reservations and not sure if the gentleman understood me, I'll be making follow up calls to confirm. Any recommendations on fishing, ready for some Ceviche after Loco Gringo's previous Email
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GBPA 2011 - 4/12/2012 9:32:37 PM
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MDJ7700
Posts: 187
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Lafayette, IN
Status: offline
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We are almost to our eighth vacation to GBPA. The anticipation is a killer! But we started our ticker at 3 months 2 weeks and an odd number of days. We're now down to 26 days!!
I guess I will talk about last years trip. We took with us my sister and her fiancé. We've taken now five other people to show them the RM. Everyone loves it! Our last trip was special because I was about to be put on a heart transplant list and we weren't sure when we would be able to return, so the anticipation was intense!! We usually book in January and travel in May or June (last year) so it's a lonnggg wait. Finally we were on our way. I wanted to bring home some special souvenirs and special memories so I swam with dolphins, and we all snorkeled at AB and Yal Ku. I couldn't go out into the ocean to see the turtles at AB because I couldn't fight the current but I enjoyed my sister enjoying herself. . After all, I have already seen them! We tried about every drink the bartenders had, and I had my usual 2:00am pizza at the 24hr snack bar a few nights, smelled the sea air and just relaxed.
Leaving was hard because I knew what I had to face when I returned home. That was our seventh trip and it has become such an integral part of our lives that it was hard to think we may not be back for a long time.
So yes, I have great memories from that trip and believing that it could be the last time we saw our second home almost made it seem like we were seeing it for the FIRST time.
Fortunately we are headed back in a few weeks. I am on the transplant list at the lowest priority for now. I have had the joy of being able to stay at home without the stress of my old job thanks to my husband. It's been tough to lose my income but I finally have started receiving my disability check after the five month waiting time. Not working has allowed us to take 10 days this year instead of just 7. We're never ready to leave after a week! Now, if anyone can tell me how not to be concerned about my cats while I'm in Mexico I'll be all set!!
Thanks LG for having these forums. I've learned so much from others and it's great to return to the RM in our minds with other LGers!
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< Message edited by MDJ7700 -- 4/12/2012 9:36:25 PM >
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 8:01:32 AM
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maryf
Posts: 12
Joined: 11/19/2008
From: NorCal
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It's been one month since we returned from our seventh trip to the Riviera Maya. We have stayed at the Barcelo, two Catalonias, and at ABR. We have decided that ABR is where we feel most comfortable, as it has everything we are looking for-- great snorkeling, friendly people, a beautiful beach, good food and drinks, and not-too-fancy accommodations.
Early morning is the best time to snorkel, before the tour groups hit the water. I can't blame them for wanting to see the abundant turtle/fish population, but I do miss the days when it felt more "undiscovered". While we have visited many of the sights in the area, we really enjoy spending our time hanging out on the beach with a Bubba full of mango margarita or walking down to Akumal for a few souvenirs.
We'll be retired by the end of the year, and wherever else we travel, an annual trip to Akumal is tops on our list. Next year we'll plan to be there during the nesting time-- can't wait to cross that off of my bucket list!
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 8:53:26 AM
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Catalina
Posts: 171
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Kansas City, MO
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I went with a group of 22 people on my very first trip to Akumal from March 18 to March 25, 1995. We each paid $700, which included airfare, transfer and 7 nights at Club Oasis Akumal. Little did we know that the travel company we booked with was on the verge of bankruptcy, so our trip started out a bit on the rocky side. Instead of arriving in Cancún at 2:00PM on the 18th, we didn’t even leave the Kansas City airport until 2:30 and were then diverted to Miami (rather than St Louis) where we ended-up spending the night! It is a long story that I won’t go into, but it was the beginning of what turned out to be an awesome trip.
We finally arrived at the Cancún airport at 8:00AM on the 19th, walked down the steps of the plane and I knew immediately I WAS in paradise. One couple, with our group, who had 5 huge bags between them got the red light and every bag they had was searched, which gave the rest of us over an hour to hang outside the airport taking in the sights and sounds and that wonderful smell!! After about an hour an a half, all 22 of us were on the bus heading down 307 and happily drinking the Dos Equis that the bus driver’s assistant just happened to have in a big cooler by the front door.
Shortly after we passed through Playa del Carmen, one of the girls asked if there was a place we could stop to use the restroom since the bus had no bathroom. The “bartender” waved his arm off to the right towards the jungle and it wasn’t long before the driver found a place to pull off to the side and several of us (myself included) made our first trek, off into the trees! 
Somewhere not far to the south of Playa, the road turned into 2 lanes with a total drop off into the jungle on both sides. We were amazed to see people walking, riding bicycles or pulling carts and thought it was a miracle that somehow the drivers managed to get around them. We finally turned in the driveway to Aventuras Akumal, passed by the small hotels and condos on the road and arrived at our destination around 11:00AM. A few people in our group were a bit irritated when we were told that our rooms would not be ready until 1:00PM, but I just pulled off my clothes, got a towel from reception and went running to the beach! The water was absolutely beautiful and I didn’t hesitate for a minute before getting right into it!!
At that time, Club Oasis Akumal was a small hotel with an awesome staff and had such a “family feel.” The other guests were very friendly and it wasn’t long before you felt like one big happy family.
The highlight of my trip was taking a tour bus to Chichén Itzá and being there during the equinox and seeing that snake on the corner of the pyramid. The place was packed and I wish I had taken a picture from the top of the pyramid, but I was shaking so bad I never gave it a thought. We had a wonderful lunch at the Mayaland Hotel and stopped at a couple of little towns on the way there and on the way back. It was a long day, but one I will never forget.
One day while we were there, several of us decided to go with one of the animation guys on a bicycle tour to Akumal. It was an adventure riding on the dirt path that followed along the highway and finally coming out of the trees and seeing a little chicken stand and a basketball court with lots of kids taking shots at the basket. We headed on down the road and bicycled all the way to Yal Ku where everyone was more than happy to jump in and cool off.
I loved the people and the area so much, I returned to Oasis Akumal that year in May and July and was booked for October, but Hurricane Roxanne sent me to the Oasis in Cancún. That was a whole other experience, but I will always remember the way Club Oasis Akumal used to be and will never forget the warmth and kindness of the people who worked there. I need to go back one day and look up some of my friends who have moved on to other areas or jobs. I know I won’t be able to get the song “They Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot” out of my head.
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 8:58:07 AM
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Sophierivieramaya
Posts: 38
Joined: 2/2/2011
From: Montréal (Québec)
Status: offline
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Among the best vacation I ever had was the vacation we had in August 2011 when we rented a villa for the first time (through LG), Casa Playa Belleza, in Tankah Bay. We spent two wonderful weeks and my parents joined us in the middle of the stay. It was really fun to show them the beauty of the region! Here’s how we spent our time:
We have :
1) Explored Tankah Bay
2) Discovered Soliman Bay
3) Snorkeled in Akumal
4) Walk on the Tulum beach
5) Seen the monkeys at Punta Laguna
6) Visited Muyil and surrounding
7) tried to draw up a list of the best margaritas in the Riviera Maya (Casa Cenote? Cueva del Pescador? LBV? La Zebra? Sahara Cafe?); as we weren’t able to agree, we have decided to return to Tankah Bay next August and try again to establish a Top 5 of the best margaritas!
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 9:27:30 AM
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Jeannemarie
Posts: 3637
Joined: 1/9/2006
From: Chester Heights,Pa
Status: offline
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Do I have to pick one?
..Every trip has one ..spot on, this is why I come back, moments...besides the usual, sun, food ,beach ,beer and turtles..
...ABR staff serving Mom her 75th birthday cake from Turtle Bay....
..the "crawl" last year..along with a personal best..climbing Coba..
..dancing at the end of Isla ..at sunset..
..watching my daughter's faces..when they were just teens, being flirted with, by the waiters and bar staff..that might sound funny, but it was truly sweet..and totally respectful..
..floating around and watching 1 big cloud, stop right above you and dump it's load so hard, the rain bounces about 4 inches above the water...then it's gone and a rainbow paints the sky..
..spending a nite in a schoolhouse in Chemuyil during Hurricane Emily..and 3 more days with no power..
..too many to keep going, but I do know, I will keep going !
Thanks LG..
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 10:22:47 AM
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AKUMALATION
Posts: 315
Joined: 4/15/2011
Status: offline
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A little late but here goes
After spending a day in Akumal in February 2011 , the wife and i decided that the next trip down to the Maya we would rent a cassita.. Well things worked out and on the 10th of November we flew out of Edmonton with Westjet, the flight was great and 6 hours later we are in line at customs in Cancun. 30 minutes later with Mohitoes in hand and our lugage we meet our transfer dude, from Cancun Express and off to HMB.
Arrive at La Bahia at 7:45 and a very nice young laday has been waiting to take us to an absolutly amazing casita CASA MAYA on HMB. We were impressed, a small non pretentious bungalo that is ideal for two people situated on the beach at HMB. We quickly toured the cassita ,droped the bags in the bedroom and onto the beach for a short walk to LA Lupita restaurant for an awsome supper of soft shell crab and coconut srimp, follow by copius amounts of red wine. It could not get any better, a quiet restaurant with a table by the beach with a light breeze, looking at a full moon through the palm trees and listening to the gentle sound of the waves, with my favorite person in the world. Ahhhh life is good and this is hard to beat.
As this was what we term a (Downtime Holiday), no tours, no cooking, no parties, our days quickly folowed a general pattern.
Up early, peanut butter and toast for breaky with coffee and Baileys, out on the varanda with my Kindle. Take a walk along the beach in search of sea beans. the time for another coffee and baileys, and head out for a snorkle.
Awsome snorkling, trurtles, stingrays, squid, many fish and coral.
Now aproaching 10:00ish give or take an hour, but who is checking, we start to slowly contemplate where to have lunch. shall we be really adventurous and walk to Turtle Bay Cafe, or stop in at Gynka,s for tacos and Hibiscus tea, or La Lupita. so many decission to make Some time after lunch give or take a few hours , back to the beach with rum and pinapple , bubba cups and a good read, and into the ocean for another snorkel tour of the bay.
When the sun is starting to set behing the La Bahia condos, We slowly make our preperations, (changing out of our swimsuits, and the wife tries without success to do something with her hair, seems like tied back will be just fine today, funny how that works
the weather was a good a mixed bag of a couple of showeres and two windy days , with lots of sun.
This holiday ranks as our best ever holiday, for sheer relaxation. Our days flowed into one an other in bliss and mellow contentment.
This type of Holiday may not appeal to the more adventurous but it sure hit the spot for us.
I would like to take this time to say thank you to all the Lg folks that contributed to our great time with their great advice and tips.
Also to LOCO GRINGO and La Bahai people for their service, GO LOCO GRINGO THE BEST WAY TO GO.
Note; We have already booked two weeks at the Vila Las VIgas with another couple Novemeber 1 to 15th 2012 through Loco Gringo. We hope to see many of you there
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 1:02:56 PM
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stonecold
Posts: 31
Joined: 1/21/2005
From: show-me state
Status: offline
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Last year we spent our vacation spending time in Playa, Akumal, and Tulum. On our first night in Tulum we were walking the beach near Cabanas Tulum and we saw red lights swinging around all crazy like on the Beach. As we got closer we saw two people (man and woman) trying to tag and measure a very large female turtle that had just laid her eggs. I asked if they needed help and I got to help hold this massive old girl while they completed the tagging. She was about 4 foot long and 3 feet across and Beautiful. She pushed us around like feathers but we got the job done and sent her on her way back into the ocean. From there we collected 140 eggs from the nest to take to a protected area at NVR. It was a night I will never forget....What a rush to be in close contact with such a magnificent beast. Headed back in a few weeks and hope to relive this experience.
MIke
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 6:16:06 PM
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terrapinneck
Posts: 295
Joined: 1/12/2009
From: L.A. ( lower Arkansas )
Status: offline
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May 2012, will be our fourth trip to Akumal, and third stay at ABR ...all booked through LocoGringo...we love the area...some of our points of interest are and have been: Yal Ku Lagoon, Coba, Tulum, Chichen Itza, day trips to Playa, night trip to CocoBongo, Xcaret, Mahahul, Xcalak, visiting cenote...and of course snorkeling @ Akumal Bay, Jade Bay, enjoying Lol Ha, the Loncheria, La Buena Vida...we also love mingling with the locals !! We have made some wonderful friends in Akumal, and at ABR...and have so many awesome memories...in the past we have had our three grown kids with us, who all love the area also...this year we will be bringing two of our close friends, and we are so excited to introduce them to Akumal, ABR, and all the things we have come to enjoy over the years...
Can't wait to receive my commerative cooler....
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/13/2012 9:41:51 PM
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beachmutt
Posts: 1339
Joined: 7/26/2005
From: San Francisco, CA & Akumal, Q. Roo, Mexico
Status: offline
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I am glad to report that I have completed all THREE steps of this program!
Whenever I am away from Akumal, I can't wait to get back!
When I am there, I don't want to leave.
When I am either here or there, I can look at photos and remember so many great times with friends, projects, events... from vet clinics to hurricanes to Halloween parties to happy hours to side trips to adventures to days of doing nothing on the beach...
AnchorBob and I first visited Akumal in 2001 as a day trip. We were staying at the Moon Palace and took the excursion to Tulum and the second half was lunch and snorkeling in a little oceanside town. That was Akumal - we saw it and thought - this is the place that we've been looking for all our lives! We spent a remarkable day snorkeling, eating fresh ceviche at the snack bar and enjoying cold cervezas. We met a family from Minnesota that was staying at Villa Flamingos and they told us about Locogringo and wrote the URL on the back of their shopping list. I still have it!
It took us two years to return but we finally did and stayed at the Hotel Akumal Caribe. We went to Coba, but other than that, didn't venture out much, being happy to just spend out days on the beach on Akumal Bay, having breakfast at Turtle Bay Cafe, dinner and margaritas at Cueva, and lunch and happy hours at Lol Ha. We did walk up the road as far as Luna Azul, but that's as far as we got. I sang "Blue Moon" on the walk back.
I fell in love with Akumal so much that we decided t o buy a condo there. We've had our condo for almost 9 years now and we are lucky enough to be able to live in Akumal half of the year. We have four dogs, three of whom were rescued from the beach in Akumal (that's where beachmutt comes from). We drive back and forth from San Francisco to Akumal with them each year for the past four years - this will be our fifth trip this summer. We like to live in Akumal in the low season, when it is quieter and not as busy. We live there for five months and never even think about or miss San Francisco, then we live in San Francisco for five months where I think about and miss Akumal every day... we spend one month in Oceanside with my nieces, telling them all about Akumal and one month traveling back and forth.
I have some of the best and closest friends that I have ever had in my from Akumal and the community that embraces it is amazing. It is always willing to help another member out, it gives back, and it is supportive and loving. If only the whole world could only be like Akumal!
The cooler is a really great idea and I love its look! Are the dog and the beer included? If not, I might need a bigger cooler to fit all four of the beachmutts in!
Love you guys - keep up the GREAT work!
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Count all your blessings - remember your dreams
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/14/2012 10:59:20 AM
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weegamoose
Posts: 219
Joined: 8/2/2011
From: GTA
Status: offline
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My most memorable vacation story starts back in 1995. My Dad passed away in September 1994 and then my Mom died three months later in January 1995. It was a very stressful time to say the least, and after settling the full estate around August 1995, I needed a break!
So, I started looking at the various vacation books and settled on this small out of the way place in Mexico called Akumal Beach resort. It looked wonderful! In the middle of a jungle, no other resorts anywhere near it, small, quiet, not fancy shmancy ... just what I was looking for. So, I booked one week for my husband and I around Christmas that year and was sooo looking forward to going, bad year that it was. I had my heart set on this place...it was like it was "speaking" to me...I had to go.
Then, we got a call from our travel agent in October or November. Apparently ABR had been severely damaged by a hurricane and would not be accepting any guests until repairs were completed, some time nexty year. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I need a vacation!!!!!!!! Heartbreak #3 for that year.
But, all was not lost, they were willing to transfer our booking to the nearby "Puerto Adventuras", I think it was called, very close to ABR and had upgraded amenities, "I should love it". Well, I got furious...how dare the travel agent tell me what I should love (the person obviously did not realize the extent to which I had my heart set on ABR). I almost lost it on her. "If I wanted to go to the Adventuras I would have booked the Adventuras but I didn't, now did I" I remember almost bellowing at her. Poor thing, I think I traumatized her.
But she caught on quickly and said that since I wasn't happy with that offer, I was welcome to chose another destination or they would refund me completely. If I wanted to go somewhere else, I had to decide within 48 hours or they would automatically refund me. So I combed through the books again, I really needed to get away, and decided on Aruba.
So off to Aruba we went and had a wonderful time. Stayed in a small, unpretentious resort on a small beach, and thought about the resort in Mexico that got hit by the hurricane and wondered if I'd be able to take a vacation like this again (with thanks to Mom and Dad for leaving me some money in their will...there wasn't much and what there was had to be divided amongst my siblings etc.).
So, fall of 1996 rolled around, I had stashed some money aside for a vacation, and again thought about that resort in Mexico...Akumal Beach Resort. Tried to book it, but the week we wanted to go was already sold out, and any other time was either too expensive, or I couldn't get it off work. So, off to the Dominican Republic we went. It was cheaper than ABR anyway, but I still wanted to go there. Something about it just called out to me.
So, for the next 14 consecutive years, yes years, we tried to book into ABR with no luck. Sold out, too expensive, or can't get the week off work that it's available.
Until last year.
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perserverance has paid off. I was able to reserve 2 weeks at ABR from March 31 to April 14, 2011, and my husband and I had a blast. It was everything we (I) had been dreaming and hoping it would be. It was all the more sweet because my husband (Animooshe) had back surgery a year earlier and this was a kind of celebration of sorts .... he can walk again after spending 3 years, for all intents and purposes crippled by extreme back pain (refer to his first trip report in the trip report forum called "Lessons Learned at ABR") and so strung out on pain meds, he didn't even know what day it was. But he did like watching the webcam and reading the forums...gave him hope that "one day".
We had such a good time, I booked a return trip for Christmas and New Years. I was absolutely shocked. For 16 years I'd been trying to get into this resort, and now we'd be going twice in one year! I felt like a kid again...giddy with excitement, like opening a present on Christmas morning!
So, off to ABR we went again, from December 18, 2011 to January 1, 2012 and that was an even better vacation than April!
Back to work in January, feeling the blahs and the stress of starting in a new position at work, I decide to cruise around the travel booking websites, and what did I find but an awesome price for ABR in April. Yup, you got it...ABR trip #3 here we come! Woohoo! Three times in one year! But wait, crap, I just started in a new role, I can't ask for vacation my second day on the job. Disappointment again. Oh well. We went twice, I should be happy with that. After all, we'd been trying to get in for the last 16 years, so I guess it's just not meant to work out.
Nope. Not happy with that. So back into the websites I go, watching to see if the price drops. Watching....watching.....watching....bingo! Price dropped again. Booked it. Now I just have to suck up the courage to tell my new manager...been in the new job only 4 weeks, I'm gonna be read the riot act for sure. Told her, no problem... "I've been working hard, I deserve it" she said. Phew, I think to myself. My inner child is jumping up and down!! We leave in 2 days!!
And the icing on the cake? I just booked ABR for Christmas and New Years 2012/2013 two days ago. We haven't even done ABR 3.0 and now we have ABR 4.0! Being there, for us, is beyond words, we're so happy...the Mayan Riviera is perfect for us, Akumal is beautiful, and the snorkeling can't be beat. But knowing when our next trip will be ... that's a 16 year dream finally come true!
< Message edited by weegamoose -- 4/14/2012 11:37:27 AM >
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/14/2012 4:17:17 PM
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swimmer2
Posts: 66
Joined: 12/20/2007
Status: offline
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Grand Palladium Riviera Maya Kentenah 12/5-12/16/11
12/5/11 We went round trip Pensacola this year because we were in Alabama in Nov. again. We left for the Pensacola airport about 3:15 AM, allowing a little extra time to get there 1 1/2 hrs. ahead, for our flight leaving at 6:00 AM. Neither one of us got much sleep-just a few hours. The plane (Delta Airlines) left on time. We arrived at Atlanta (the largest airport in the world), where our change of planes was, in a timely manner (Atlanta is an hour ahead of Alabama and Mexico). We had more time than we needed there, so we had Chinese mid-morning for lunch. We left for Cancun on time and arrived into Cancun at 1:00 PM. We went through Immigration the fastest we ever have, but there was a long line at Customs, which moved really fast.
Amazingly Apple loaded us and a few others in a van and got on the road right away. All of the people in the van were going to the Grand Palladium. With no other stops and the bypass over Playa del Carmen completed, we got there in about an hour. We were taken to the Colonial lobby, and got right up to the check-in desk. We were given a delicious non-alcoholic drink. I had emailed our room request a week ahead, as was suggested on the forums. I had received an answer from the Palladium within 24 hrs. saying they would try to fill our room request, but that there was no guarantee. I had asked for Building 50 or 51, Kentenah side, 2nd floor. We were guaranteed a Jr. Suite with the Apple Vacations deal that we booked, but it could have been on either the Colonial or Kentenah side. We wanted Kentenah because that is where the best beach is supposed to be.
Fantastic - they gave us Bldg. 51 (the closest Jr. Suite building to the beach, right next to the Mayan suites.) - Room 5124, 2nd floor with 2 double beds. They told us to go ahead and get some lunch at a nearby buffet restaurant, the La Hacienda. We ate a light lunch, and by the time we returned to the desk, our room was ready. They took us to our room, along with our luggage, in an extended golf cart. The Jr. Suites have as an addition to the standard rooms a sofa bed, 2 chairs and a coffee table. The bathroom had a tub/shower combination with a wall that you step over. Our balcony had 2 plastic chairs on it, along with a small table and overlooked the jungle. We were very pleased with our room except for the fact that the sofa bed was broken. We reported that, and it was fixed later in the week. We also had great air and a safe that you set up your own code for.
We knew we didn't really have enough time to swim in the sea, knowing how early it gets dark. It was already almost 4:00 PM, so we went ahead and unpacked. After this, we walked down to the beach and checked it out. It was beautiful with all kinds of shade - both palapas and lots of palm trees. We got an idea of where we wanted to be. There was a nice little slope down to the beach from where we wanted to be in the morning. Today there were some good rolling waves. It looked like very little coral close in, even though there were pieces of coral on the beach. The rope was way out, which Les was glad to see. Out by the rope is where the good snorkeling is supposed to be. The red flag was out today, which didn't look as bad as Gulf Shore's pretty much continuous yellow flags. We stopped at the Kentenah beach bar and got a drink. Technically he said he was closed but still gave us a drink-really good. Bob gave him a $1 tip for his trouble. We had a few more drinks at a couple of the bars. We met 3 or 4 English couples that we had a good time talking to. We weren't really hungry since we had such a late lunch so we ended up drinking our dinner. We really enjoyed the Hemingway Bar and the bartender there. Also we enjoyed the piano player there.
The next morning was our 1st time on the beach and swimming on the Kentenah side. Bob went for a long beach walk, and Les went on a long swim. It was a good thing she wore her aqua shoes. There was lots of dead coral - rough walking with rolling waves. This was straight out from our palapa. Later she would discover that farther to the north there was a sandy area where you could get by without aqua shoes. This was where you saw all the people in the sea-most of them just standing. Les swam clear out to the ropes. There were only a few places that were over her head. She didn't have her snorkel gear on this time, but there was lots of living coral and some assorted fish. She swam about 40 minutes. The 2nd time she snorkeled for about 1/2 hr. The waves were larger so it was not as clear as earlier. She snorkeled about 50' beyond the ropes, where the snorkeling was supposed to be best-lots of living coral and more fish. Bob saw some turtle tracks back through the foliage on his walk.
We ate lunch at the Grand Azul buffet near the beach today. Now is supposed to be low season, but it seems to be really busy everywhere, including the beach. Our favorite beach spot is right at the crest of a slope down to the sea, with a palapa and palm trees, with a nice breeze. The weather forecast calls for hotter the next 3 days-up to 89, with a low in the 70s. It is definitely warmer than last year. Last year the days were in the high 70s/low 80s and the nights were often down in the 50s - jacket weather at night. Tonight we ate at the ala c arte - El Dorado Steakhouse. Here at the ala carts no shorts are allowed - men have to wear long pants. Les lover her filet mignon. Bob had the same thing, and his was a little underdone-he said it was so-so. We have been catching trams to the lobbies at night really easy. After eating we stopped at the Hemingway Bar again, but tonight it was too hot. It is supposed to be air conditioned, but it didn't seem like it. We also stopped at the Kentenah lobby bar. While we were at the Colonial lobby we walked around where the vendors were set up, but Les saw nothing she couldn't live without.
Wednesday we both snorkeled this morning fairly early. It was a lot calmer today so the snorkeling was better. The last 2 days were a red flag-today was a yellow flag. Today was also hotter with little wind-hardly any waves, but great snorkeling! Our new non-throwaway digital waterproof camera, a Kodak Easy Share sport model, is working well. We found the better spot to enter the water - about 100' to the north of our spot - sandy a long way out. We could actually enter without aqua shoes, whereas where Les went in yesterday had a lot of dead coral, including holes. We saw a lot more living coral and more fish. Bob got into some coral close to the surface and got scratched up a little bit. It rained some on and off this morning - then was really hot. We ate lunch at the Azul buffet again. Tonight we ate at the ala carte, La Adeila, the Mexican restaurant. We each had different things, and both were really good. We again looked at the vendors in the Colonial lobby. Bob bought a Maya T-shirt and a beautiful hand-painted tile with Chitzen Itza on it We then went to the Hemingway bar again. The piano player was there again, and for the 2nd day in a row, played Bryan Adams for Les.
Thurs. Yea, a Tulum beach day! We ate breakfast for the first time - at the La Hacienda-ok-nothing spectacular, then walked out to Hwy. 307 from the Colonial lobby and caught a colectivo ($3 US for each of us) to Tulum (Coba/beach road intersection). I thought that's where the new Chedraui store in Tulum was, but no sign of it. No sooner did the colectivo drive off then Bob realized he left his straw hat on the van. Darn! So we went in the San Francisco store there to look for one, but they had none that fit him. We caught a taxi to Ana Y Jose Beach Club, $5 down from asking price of $6. Ana Y Jose was as great as last year. Today there were fun, easy waves and swells - great swimming. Les was in the water immediately swimming way out a little farther than the huge rock formation just to the north-fabulous! There is nowhere else on the Riviera Maya or anywhere else we've been in the Caribbean that looks as turquoise as here!
We took a 50 min. round trip down the beach to the south as far as Cabanas Tulum and Ziggy Beach Club, picking up some cool little pieces of coral along the way. Les had wanted to see what the rooms looked like at Cabanas Tulum, but we didn't bring any shoes, so we didn't go up there. Ziggy is 2 x 1 drinks all day, but we forgot to bring money also, so another time. The beach is really nicer at Ana y Jose's than here. There is more seaweed and coral on the beach to the south, and it smells a little. Also, the sand isn't nearly as deep and soft. After we got back, we had a couple of Margaritas (65 pesos each) and a meal at the outdoor deck. Les had chicken nachos for 75 pesos - huge, enough for 2 people and delicious, the best Mexican food we've had this trip! Bob had to help her eat them. Bob had a hamburger, which comes with delicious fries for 100 pesos. It also included free chips and salsa. Bob went in the next time Les swam, and we both had a fabulous time here today.
We caught a taxi back to Tulum pueblo for 45 pesos, and he offered to take us back to the Grand Palladium for $20, which was a good price for a taxi. We shopped in Tulum for awhile and ended up taking a packed colectivo, packed in like sardines clear in the back - never again! It was the time when all the workers were getting off work. How we were wishing for that taxi driver! We went back to the room when we got back and relaxed for awhile. Tonight we went to the Tikal buffet restaurant on the Kentenah side for the Gala (meat) buffet. It was really good - better than the La Hacienda buffet at lunch. We stopped at the Hemingway bar again for a few drinks, talked to a new British couple. We love the Brits and Canadians!
Sat. we caught a colectivo to Playa del Carmen, buying several Christmas gifts, plus Les finally found the silver necklace and bracelet she's been looking for. We ate at Carboncitos just north of 5th Ave. on Calle 4, sharing a Tex-Mex platter of chicken nachos and 2 humongous Mango Margaritas for about $20, which also included free chips and salsa. The Tex-Mex nachos were as great as the nachos at Ana y Jose. We walked to 20th & Calle 2, and caught a colectivo back to the Palladium. Bob caught up on emails while Les went to the room to get ready for evening. Later we caught the train to the White Sands side and ate at Ribs & More ala carte. Les had Barbeque chicken, and Bob had pork ribs. They were both good. We stopped at the Hemingway bar for while. That seems to be a nightly thing for us.
Most of our remaining days we walked, swam and snorkeled. Les saw 3 baby barracuda at least 2' long one day and a lot of small and medium sized Angle fish in knee to waist deep water. We ate at Portofino's, the Italian ala carte one night and both agreed that the main courses were the best yet. Another day we rode the pontoon boat and the trams around and explored the rest of the resort. We went to the salt water pool, Las Rocas and enjoyed it.
We took another day long trip to Tulum the 2nd week, enjoying the Tulum beach again. Les got the huge waves she likes that day, not good for swimming, but for playing in the waves. She wasted no time getting in them! They were large and somewhat rough, but great for playing. Bob also enjoyed them. Today we met Guylene Lamour, a lady that makes beautiful, original jewelry out of natural shells and stones at Ana Y Jose Beach Club. We enjoyed chatting and having a drink with her, and Les bought a beautiful blue quartz necklace, bracelet and earrings from her. Later in the week we took another trip into Playa del Carmen. On the day we returned from Playa the 2nd time we waited at the Colonial lobby for a tram to take us to our villa, but none came along - for our longest time yet. Bob said we might as well walk back the back way, the way we came up this morning. Unbelievable - because we didn't have the map with us, we got lost and ended up walking the paths around in circles for 1/2 hr. We actually ended over next to the White Sands. We saw none of the posted maps around the resort, and finally made it back to the Colonial lobby where we got a tram - we felt like fools! On this same day we got out to the beach later in the afternoon. It was windy and cool. The water was rough with bunches of seawood on the beach for the 1st time.
Thursday, our last full day, was totally different on our beach because the beach where everyone enters on the previously totally sandy north Kentenah side is now covered with small rocks and pieces of coral that have been uncovered by the rough waves. It is right where you enter the water, and you cannot step across all of them - very hard on bare feet! You see now why you should never pack away your aqua shoes. This is the only day this trip that it was like this. There was also still a lot of seaweed on the beach. Toward evening during the time we were getting our boarding passes printed we left our new waterproof digital camera somewhere .We felt really bad about losing the camera, not for it so much because it only cost $70, but for losing probably a couple hundred pictures, and we had never been to this resort before. We have some pictures on our other camera and some on the throwaway waterproof camera, but most were on the missing camera, including all most all of our Tulum pictures. We hung out with Randy and Maureen, our freinds from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, our last night at the Hemingway bar.
Friday, our last day we got up fairly early and called the bell boys for a ride to the Colonial Lobby with our luggage. We checked out and had breakfast at La Hacienda and took a few more pictures with our other camera. We checked on our lost camera, but no luck. Pickup by Apple was on time. There were no hitches at the Cancun airport. We used the rest of our pesos to buy some snacks for the plane. The plane left on time in Cancun, but in Atlanta, where we only had about an 1 1/2 hrs. to go through Customs and Immigration, get our luggage, and recheck it, we made in to our gate on time. Then we had 1 1/2 hr. plane delay due to them losing power at the terminal to start the plane's turbines. We arrived back in Pensacola with no more mishaps.
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/15/2012 7:13:23 AM
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FinsUP
Posts: 6896
Joined: 1/16/2008
From: Oakville, ON ...we have squirrels here!!!
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My first trip to Quintana Roo was in 1994 - on my honeymoon with my (now) wasband. We stayed in Cancun and did an 'excursion' to the newly opened Tulum Ruins....so new, you could wander wherever you wanted within the ruins. The 307 highway was 1 lane each way, and there was only 1 stop along the highway, at a little 'souvenir place' that is now PDC.....jungle on either side of the highway as far as you could see, except this one stop.
Due to circumstances, I didn't get back until 2008, when we stayed at the Barcelo. I really fell in love with the area then. It was through a co-worker that I found out about Loco Gringo. His wife had been planning their family vacations every year, and they'd been renting Casa's on Solomon Bay though LG. He wrote down the website, and I was hooked. Akumal is my drug of choice. I can't get enough of it. The day I have to leave, I'm already missing it. The beauty of the area and what's under the water seeps into my soul and leaves me longing for more.
I've been back every year since then...and some years I've been fortunate to make 3-5 trips (2010 was awesome! - Jan/Feb, Apr, May/Jun, Jul!)
I've seriously thought about buying property....we'll see what the future holds.
This past February we spent a whole month in the Roo. Loved it. Started planning about 4 months out, trying to find a place to stay that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. (Maybe just an arm). We ended up back where we've stayed the past 3 years. Lol KaNa'ab. We really like having a ground floor unit. Easy in and out and makes me feel like we really LIVE there.
I think the thing I love most is waking up being beachfront. Waking up to watch each sunrise. Taking photos, photos, photos! Walking the beach looking for 'subjects' for my photos.
The thing I REALLY love most: BEING THERE....and knowing I have all sorts of friends close by. Friends I wouldn't have met, if it wasn't for Loco Gringo!
I love it so much.............I'm headed back again in 8 more sleeps, for a 12 day vacation, and I'm headed back down in August to volunteer at a spay/neuter clinic.
If it wasn't for this forum and the friends I've made as a direct result of this forum, I would not have the network of dog lovers, advocates and rescuers that I have, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to join in something very special to me in August. It's a life long dream that's being realized at that time............and none of that would have been possible if not for the people I've met, which is directly related to this forum and Loco Gringo.
THANK YOU!!
< Message edited by FinsUP -- 4/15/2012 7:23:33 AM >
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/15/2012 2:53:45 PM
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VisageGYC
Posts: 11
Joined: 3/2/2006
Status: offline
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First Trip Highlight 1999 - "discovering" Akumal - just me and hubby at Vista Del Mar. Two minutes' walk to LBV!
Second Trip Highlight - introducing the boys to Mexico, day tripping from AI in PA to Xel-Ha, Akumal and Coba (and climbing the castillo)
Third Trip Highlight - waiting out a hurricane for a long weekend with a friend and riding GORM's rusted out bikes to Yal-Ku and LBV...
FourthTrip Highlight - discovering "the pattern" - a week in a condo (La Sirena) with a short trip to something a little more isolated (Sol Caribe resort on the road to Punta Allen). Still walking distance to LBV and Yal-Ku.
Fifth Trip Highlight - lovely condo at Seven Seas, but too far from LBV for hubby, and short trip to Holbox for golf carts, Italian hospitality at Hotelito Las Tortugas and amazing seashell hunting.
Next trip - Not soon enough! Hopefully before our oldest graduates from high school and is off into the world.
HUGE thanks to Locogringo for resources, research and reservation help for so much of our travel. And thanks to everyone who posts their experiences, photos and memories for keeping it all fresh in my mind!
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RE: Post Your Vacation Story and get a LG 2012 commemor... - 4/15/2012 2:55:02 PM
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diddl_maus
Posts: 303
Joined: 2/3/2009
From: Winnipeg, Canada
Status: offline
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We arrived in the wee hours of the morning on February 6. We faced a long line and an x-ray machine, which kept stopping and eventually spit out my backpack without my new water bottles and clips.
We sped at warp speed through the fog, on our way to ABR. As soon as we turned onto the driveway I felt like I was home. This was my fourth time and my husband’s second. After a speedy check-in we got to our third floor room in Building 7. Great view and a nice breeze that we appreciated when the AC was less than effective. With the combination of the fan and the balcony door open we were usually comfortable at night.
The first few mornings were foggy but it burned off quickly. We were amazed at how little seaweed there was on the beach. How things can change! The next week the wind picked up and the seaweed cleaning crew could not keep up with it. Mind you, they had a very unusual method of trying to pick the stuff up. I sat there, day after day solving the problem privately, wondering if they would EVER get it all cleaned up. Maybe not so privately. I drove my husband crazy with my What if they… Why don’t they… What if there was a machine…musings.
Friends of us were unable to get a room at ABR and stayed a GBP. We met up every couple of days and walked to Yalku twice, snorkelled in Akumal Bay, ate at Turtle Bay too any times, explored Akumal Pueblo, and spent Valentine’s Day shopping in Tulum. We had lunch at Pancho’s Grill in Tulum and when the owner, Jesus Torres, found out that we were Canadian he brought out his can of Tim Horton’s coffee. Cute!
Having a wonky knee and a terrible fear of heights I was hesitant to zip-line. We went to Aktun Chen for the day and swam in a cenote, zip-lined, explored a cave and had a delicious lunch. Unfortunately we did the cenote swim first rather than last. The day was very organized and they have strict safety rules. I felt safe and enjoyed the ziplines but hated the suspension bridge. We ended the day with many laughs, great memories and some fantastic photographs.
We were happy to see so many of the same ABR staff still there. That is part of what keeps me going back.
And the turkey!!! They prepare the most delicious turkey I have ever had (sorry mother and mother-in-law), moist and perfectly cooked. Their soups are also fantastic, Posole, Sopa de Lima and Tortilla soups being my personal favourites.
After 2 weeks of relaxation on the beautiful beach, long walks and daily snorkelling we came home, vowing never to take a one week vacation again.
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