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Take 2 back on track - 1/15/2013 12:36:43 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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Well alrighty then! After having to cancel our long awaited adventure when I shredded the bisep tendon in my left arm and tore the labrum, we are rebooked and anxiously awaiting our (shortened) trip of a lifetime. I had surgery in Dec and am already back at work so I figured it was time to reschedule everything. I have learned a few things in the meantime.
If you have a medical emergency that prevents you from taking a scheduled trip, my airline of choice, Virgin America would have refunded the entire trip amount WITHOUT having trip insurance. I did have trip insurance so I'll get everything back anyway but you should check with your airline to see if they have a similar policy. If you are daring and don't buy trip insurance, I usually don't, you can at least get your airfare back as long as you have documentation.
Cancunrentacar has revamped their website since I booked for the first trip. Everything defaults to Carribean Car Rentals. We've known for many years that they have nine different names for the same company but they are my prime car rental source and I am super satisfied with them. I have rented from them for a total of close to 4 months in the last three years. They now include the airport tax like everyone else should (even offsite vendors are required now) however their math is unusal. They compute 10% of $595 to be over $74. I'm waiting for that explanation. They now also include a documentation fee for international travel (Mexico-Guatemala). When I booked the first time they said most people take their chances and go without it. I guess I woke up the sleeping giant with my questioning whether it was required, desired, or unnecessary. I now am going to pay the $150 for the notarized docs you need to get to Guatemala. Aside from the doc fees, the car was about $200 a week fully insured. I opted for the Gol which wou
Ok! Here is what Pam and I are doing this time. We fly into Cancun on a Wednesday, get the car and go to Tulum for the first night and then head to Belize and Guatemala for a week. We are going to Tikal and Flores and anywhere else we find interesting.
After the week in Guatemala we are going to be in Akumal for a couple of weeks in April. We were able to move our deposit from our original date for our favorite casita on HMB. We'll be making the rounds of as many of the cenotes within 30 miles as we can (I am equiped with directions and details for close to 20 of them), and if you want to go with us one day, shoot me an email or pm. I'll also be looking for anyone who wants to share fishing expeditions for the time in Akumal, April 10-24. With any luck the dorado will be running and we can feast on the best fish you can catch. If you are going to be there and want to go fishing PM me or post it here. I've been out fishing several times on each trip.
We're working on packing already as we are going to do this with only one rolling suitcase, a backpack and a collapsible cooler. We always take waaaaaay too much stuff and will stick to the essentials this time. If you ever do any major trips to ruins that you can still climb I recommend you pack a pair of leather gloves. You'd be surprised how beat up your hands can get while climbing pyramids. We had gloves for Calakmul last year and climbed the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan! Not bad for a couple of geezers.
By the way the gloves are excellent gifts to leave when you depart. Trust me on that one.
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Heading back, can't get enough
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RE: Take 2 back on track - 1/15/2013 2:55:44 PM
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Jamie
Posts: 2553
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: online
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So glad to hear your trip is back on again, have a great one
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RE: Take 2 back on track - 1/15/2013 4:04:49 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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I've gone back and forth with the car rental place and here is their reply to my request for them to arrange all of the paperwork for the car going across the border.
"Thank you for your email. As a Loco Gringo Member, you are authorized 5% discount of your total quote. As stipulated on our page, we furnish the necessary documentation for you to drive our vehicle into Belize at no cost to you. However, if you want to enter or exit Guatemala thru Mexico or Belize, the Guatemalan government requires an original notarized affidavit, that cost 150 USD and needs 24 to 48 hours to process from the day you sign your contract. Some clients pay for it, the majority does not, the decision is always up to the client, whatever they decide is fine with us. "
Majority looks good to me! I can use the $150.
So far today I've booked flights, confirmed the car res, our first night in Tulum with our dear friends at itour, and a couple of nights at the park in Tikal. Already have the casita taken care of so I'm down to finding a place to stay in Belize the second night. We could probably make it to Tikal in one day but if we take two days we will have time to enjoy the ride and make many stops.I'm getting excited already. This trip is almost entirely paid for by cc miles. Airfare, casita, car, no cash just miles. Outstanding.
This trip is going to be awesome. After my accident I lost 40 pounds and am in the best shape I've been in for over 30 years. I quit drinking last April so we won't be on the Mexican binge patrol (come on admit it, most people go to AI's because of the complimentary booze, it certainly isn't for the buffet meals). Probably save enough money that way to pay for a few fishing trips. I may still have a Marg at Cueva, we'll see.
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Heading back, can't get enough
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RE: Take 2 back on track - 1/15/2013 5:32:10 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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I'll be at Playa Caribe from 4/11-4/26. Let's fish!
_____________________________
Heading back, can't get enough
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RE: Take 2 back on track - 1/16/2013 6:31:51 PM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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Ahh Mexico,
I got another email from Caribbean stating that the affidavit to cross the border is absolutely necessary so I am trying to get the process moving ahead of time. Has anyone ever had to obtain the paperwork to enter Guatemala with a car? Please pm me or post something here if you have done that. We know what the paperwork is like trying to take a car to Mexico that you want to leave there (and get Mexican plates) but this is much different.
_____________________________
Heading back, can't get enough
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