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ISLA HOLBOX - PICTURES RESTORED - 3/18/2013 12:09:25 PM
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2WOOZ
Posts: 68
Joined: 9/26/2012
From: Graham, WA
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Better late than never, November 2011 Isla Holbox part one
It is our 25th Wedding Anniversary vacation and we were excited. We booked Isla Holbox staying at Casa Las Tortugas for 4 nights and then to Bahia Principe Tulum in Akumal for 8 nights. We had heard a lot about swimming with the whale sharks starting in May so we wanted to check it out for a future trip there. I wanted this trip to be special, after all we were celebrating our 25th. This trip was booked about a year in advance. We were catching a redeye out of Seatac airport a 10:30pm flight with a connection in LA and then arriving in Cancun around 10am. We board our plane and we sat for quite awhile around an hour at the gate and nothing was happening. Finally the captain stated that there was a malfunction and we had to wait for a part for the plane and everyone had to deboard and wait. Well, this means that we will miss our connection flight out of LA. Another hour passed and everyone could board the plane but there were no more flights out of LA they were all booked. So we were told that there was a seat open on another flight leaving Seatac at 6:00 am with a connection in Dallas arriving in Cancun around 4pm. Oh if you could see the tears. We only had 4 days on Isla Holbox and now one was already gone. I had contacted the hotel- Casa Las Tortugas to let them know that we would be arriving at 4pm instead of 10am. No problem they stated, your transportation will be waiting. We had booked the redeye originally so we could see the sights on the drive to Isla Holbox in the daylight. Well this obviously was not going to happen. The plane had left with our luggage on it to LA (they could not get it off the plane ) and we were put up in the most scroungiest motel by the airport with no luggage and a toothbrush that the airlines provided us. It was now around 1am and there is no way I can sleep in that room. I couldn’t even take my shoes off. So we hire a taxi and back to the airport we go until our flight at 6:00am. Everything from here went perfect as it could get. And our luggage was waiting for us in Cancun. I was very happy at this point to start this vacation. Our transportation was waiting for us at the airport and we were off. And now it was dark.
Very scary ride with our driver driving very very fast on a dark jungle road & texting the entire way, and we couldn’t see anything outside. And then… a road block with a spotlight. What is this? Policeman with machine guns are now stopping our van, opening all doors and shining lights inside with our driver calmly telling them that we are going to Isla Holbox. 5 minutes later we were off. That was scary. Finally we arrive 2+ hours later in Chiquila to catch the ferry over to Isla. It was the last ferry over and they were waiting for us. By now we both needed a few margaritas. Maybe more than a few. We arrive at Casa Las Tortugas ( recommended by you LG’rs) by golf cart ( no cars on the island ) and we get to the reception desk. By now it’s about 8:00pm. We give our name and I had my reservation through LG – Ocean front.. and another blow. Wham… I cant remember the girls name at the desk, I believe she was the daughter of the owner. She let us know that they have no ocean front room available that is was given to a wedding party that had arrived earlier that day. WTH? And we would have to stay in another room and to return to her in the morning and she will see what she can find. We both were so angry but there was no arguing. There was nothing available.
We arrive to a small room facing the street. It was clean but it wasn’t the room I paid for. It was very small barely enough room to walk around the bed.
I wanted my ocean front room darn it. We left our bags in the room and went down to the small restaurant on site to get something to eat .
 yes I am smiling.
I don’t recall what we ordered. We were starving at this point and very tired. We could hear the ocean but we couldn’t see it and we called it a day to get on with our vacation that was suppose to be so special to us.
We wake up the next morning to a very beautiful motel/boutique it is called. The grounds were immaculate with workers constantly raking the sand everywhere.
The ocean was beautiful.
The boutique offered a complimentary breakfast every morning that was very very good.
We went back to the reception desk to find out about another room facing the ocean so we could unpack and enjoy this vacation. Again no room. There was one that would be available at around noon that she called an ocean view room and she would offer us 2 free 30-minute massages. What else could we do. She knew we were angry and she knew she did wrong but she didn’t want to face us much longer. What about a romantic dinner on the beach ??? that would be nice, or offer us a great deal on another vacation in May to swim with the Whale sharks. Nope , nothing that was it.
Recepcion
We go to our room at noon that had only a view of the ocean if you looked really hard around the corner through the trees.
I was trying to be very calm and again just get out and enjoy. There was a big tropical storm a few weeks before we arrived. Because of the storm, Isla Holbox was having issues with red tide. It was almost gone when we arrived but they recommended not to swim in the ocean. Could cause rash and possibly sickness. On our walk down the beach there was seagrass piled high everywhere because if the storm. The smell at times was unbearable.
The beach was littered with the most beautiful shells though. In spots so many small shells that completely covered the sand.
Fisherman fixing their nets
Random pictures of hotel etc
There are hammocks and swinging beds on the beautiful beach at Casa Las Tortugas
Anyone thinking about going to Isla Holbox don’t get me wrong. It is beautiful. Casa las Tortugas is beautiful this just happened to be a lousy experience for us. There is no snorkeling there. Strictly for relaxation and doing nothing. Which we knew going in. Or swimming with whale sharks starting in May.
The bar was not open during the day at our place so we had to go next door to the Miwambi to get a beer or margarita etc. which was fine as its right next door a few steps away
We walked around to find great places to eat. There is not a whole lot of restaurants but we did find a favorites for ceviche and for grilled fish, shrimp and octopus. Very good.
To round up this trip to Isla Holbox: We are not sure if we would return. We are glad that we did see this beautiful island. 3-4 nights is really long enough. We did relax and felt like noodles when we left.
We were looking forward to the ferry ride and the sites in the daylight. Little villages along the drive. Signs for cenotes all over. Thick jungle, beautiful. Just as we were coming to the intersection of the highway something caught my eye running across the highway. OMG did you both see that ? I was freaked out. The driver and I saw it but hubby did not. The biggest tarantula I had ever seen was running like a cat across the highway. No exaggeration.. It was as big as a dinner plate. Grande the driver said. Mucho Grande I said as I shivered. I am still haunted by that and never want to see another again. Wish I had pictures of it but it went fast. So off to Cancun airport to catch our shuttle with USA transfers to Akumal for 9 days at the Bahia Principe Tulum.
Part 2 coming soon.
< Message edited by 2WOOZ -- 3/21/2013 10:44:37 AM >
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RE: ISLA HOLBOX - 3/18/2013 12:59:11 PM
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2WOOZ
Posts: 68
Joined: 9/26/2012
From: Graham, WA
Status: offline
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Fins, yes I think everyone should visit Isla Holbox. Its very uncrowded and truly beautiful.
Crunch, yes the first 2 days did not go well when we wanted everything to be perfect. It turned out to be great even tho we scowled at the wedding party everytime we saw them.. We have so many more great pictures of the beauty there and the local vibe. A quick trip there should be on everyone's bucklet list.
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RE: ISLA HOLBOX - 3/18/2013 3:46:13 PM
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tmbutler
Posts: 2053
Joined: 11/16/2005
Status: offline
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I must say that you and your hubbyhave a wonderful attitude to be smilin' for any pix! Not sure Marguarite or I could enjoy as much as you did under the circumstances. But if you were there during whale shark season, and were able to experience that magical moment, one would not be so remiss. In the meantime, I'll just have to watch "Life of Pi" reruns (saw last night for first time).
I think when the time is right for us, we'll just book 4 nights, and use USA transfers for up front transportation, on the front side of a longer trip.
Hope your bahia part of your trip was a little more as expected.
TMB
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RE: ISLA HOLBOX - 3/18/2013 4:51:09 PM
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ChrisandCindy
Posts: 4693
Joined: 12/24/2005
Status: offline
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Thanks enjoyed the report and pix
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