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Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 5:11:19 AM
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A.J.
Posts: 257
Joined: 9/24/2004
From: Cambridge
Status: offline
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Well after getting intimate with Wilma , i was left feeling cheated of the best holiday i never had and i never thought i would be able to write a trip report..,this had been a holiday we had planned for 18 months..i had digested every nugget of information off the LG sight..i was going to dive..the wife was going to be pampered..my daughter was going to swim with dolphins and my son was going to see the pyramid at chichen itza and go fishing..what a dream..this is what really happened.......
Sunday 16th October
Sprang out of bed ,the next time i would be sleeping was the plane..had a sunday lunch at the pub with my dad ..then finished the last minute packing...this was the longest day!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday 17th October
Left the house at 2am heading for Birmingham Airport , i was so excited i picked up a speeding ticket from a hidden camera..oh well i'll worry about that when i come home..
Got to the airport at 5am..great the flights on time..and sure enough we take off at 8am and head to Manchester where we pick up more fuel and head out towards greenland..my daughter took pity on me (mentioned something about being a big kid ) and let me sit next to the window ..i saw greenland ,most of canada ,the usa and cuba...Then i saw it CANCUN ..what a sight from the air..the hotels, colour of the sea the white sand ( i wanted to just jump in )
After a perfect landing we arrived 2pm local time and were through the airport in no time straight to our minibus via the beer seller and no touts..within minutes we are on the famous 307..and in no time at all we are outside the hacienda on the driveway to the BPT..The bellboys were superb as was the checking in staff and thanks to the e-mails we sent we were close to the main building and bar..
After looking around my room for two seconds it was a race between my son and i who was going to be in the sea first..
I have never in my life been in such warm clear water..contrary to what people have said we found quite a lot of fish of all colours..
Well after the missus dragged us out of the water it was on to the buffet...I thought i had died and gone to heaven..tables with tequila on them , steaks, fruit galore ,paella ,pastas made to your own taste,tacos ,nachos cakes,ice cream, beer ,beer and more beer..I DONT WANT TO GO HOME..
After a long walk we arrived at the bar and after discussing with jorge the intricasies of baileys and irish coffee it was time for some sleep...no chance two hours later wide awake i found the 24 hour snack bar with the help yourself beer on tap..and there it was her who must be obeyed found me asleep at sunrise...
Tuesday 18th October
I spent the day snorkling, eating,drinking,snorkling,eating, drinking,snorkling ,eating and drinking as did the kids while the wife was packed off for a massage and after a bit of sunbathing she slept..
WEDNESDAY 19th October
Dont want to waste the day so at 9 am we are on our way by collectivo to Playa del Carmen and what a
culture shock we got..and i still couldnt believe how friendly everyone was..after a bit of dodging along the street with all the shops we made it to the beach for an hours bit of sunbathing..as i got up to get some icecreams a man with a microphone accompanied by another with a camera pounced the conversation went something like this:
Would you mind being interviewed for mexican tv ??
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No not at all !
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(then came the double whammy)
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Are you worried about the Hurricane that is going to hit us this week ?
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Excuse me..what did you say..is this a hidden camera show..your having a laugh!!
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No No ..there is a large hurricane coming in the next day or two, what precautions have you taken ?
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I think i had better go back to the family..thank you for the information..
Absoluteley stunned i went back to them and told them what i had just heard, and my mind was dismissing it as i had checked the internet for hurricanes on sunday..well my mind was in turmoil so we made our way back to the collectivos and on our way back my son and i decided to stop off at akumal..
Now i know why every body loves it..the beach is superb..unfortunately the water was cloudy but i think that was due to our friend who was on the way..i had a walk up to lol ha which was full and the abr which has a lovely position..then it was back to the BPT in time for the staff to inform us that Wilma was on the way and after our evening buffet we were to get shuttered up for the duration..so after a good session with jorge the barman where the intricasies of whisky were discussed and sampled ..we went off to barricade ourselves in our rooms...
nothing much happened during the night
THURSDAY 20th October
The dark skies and large grey seas were a foretaste of what was to come and we did manage to get out and photograph them but gradually as the day wore on the wind got stronger and by evening it was clear something bad was going to happen..
FRIDAY 21st October
After a very good nights sleep i awoke to a howling from outside ..there was no power, lights or water and so began the vigil in the dark...around lunchtime the staff braved the elements and brought every body sandwiches which were much needed as the friut and minibar had been consumed and periodically we braved the storm shutters and filled the bin with the water that was trying to flood into our room,,whilst doing so we got glimpses of the collapsed trees ,the very angry sea and the start of rooves being destroyed..
the rain was torrential but was falling sideways ,,this went on all day and night and the howling got worse and things could be heard outside being torn apart and groaning at the stress that was being put on them..
Having been brave i managed to scoop some water off the landing and just as i did that there was an almighty crash..when i looked up all i could see was one of the large plate glass windows on the second floor of the main building flying off followed by filing cabinets and chairs being sucked out..that was enough for me..
SATURDAY 22nd October
After prising the wife away from the door so she could get some sleep(i did try to explain to her that she wasnt going to be able to hold on to the door handle all night) i sat there and held on for life as well..
Luckily the two teenagers did what every teenager does in these situations they slept and slept and slept..
We had a welcome delivery of paella and burgers !! where were they making it ?? who was cooking in this weather ??
You just can't commend the people here highly enough....
SUNDAY 23rd October
We awoke to silence..opened the door and although the sky was grey it was warm and there was no rain
Before long people were up and out inspecting damage and as the morning wore on we started to brush and sweep and generally tidy up...a buffet of sorts was laid on and people got into the spirit of helping and then...
THE SUN CAME OUT.....so as the sea was so calm like a good father,we went snorkling and what a sight that was with broken coral every where, fish we hadnt seen before and giant empty shells ...
In the evening the bar started producing beer and soft drinks and there was a good selection of hot food..if you could have seen where the kitchens were and the roof and concrete floor that was missing in the dining area you would have been amazed at how they had turned out thje food they did it was remarkable..
Monday 24thOctober
Sunrise was spectacular and my hour long walk on the beach was magic..Breakfast was admirable with waffles and pancakes back on the menu..then came the bombshell!!!!
At a hastily arranged meeting with our rep (who we hadnt seen or heard from since wed. morning) we were informed that our holiday was being terminated and we would be put on two hour standby from tuesday evening to be ready to go...
So that spurred me on to go somewhere and the only place i had been was Akumal so off i set with my son to see what it now looked like..
Well the beach was still there although it had moved two hundred yards inland ...the bay where the LBV is was decimated...most of the apartments windows had been blown out all along the bay and the ground floor ones had 3 to 4 foot of sand in them and ruined furniture .they had become shells of what they once were..The road that runs all along the back of the bay was buried in some places with sand that looked like snowdrifts.. in the swamp area behind there were air con units and fridges in trees...the LBV was waist deep in sand...But i think the most encouraging thing was that it all looked superficial and not structural (or i hoped so at the time) i remember everyone on the sight saying about peoples livelihoods so we went and bought loads of stuff to take back at the little shop on the back road and had a quick bite to eat at the bakery....all in all it made me realise i hadnt lost a holiday i had gained an experience that will live with me and some of these people had lost a lot more..
That night there was even more varieties of food and the centre part of the bar had been pumped out and we had light and power..
Tuesday 25th October
Another lovely sunrise and pre breakfast walk (what hurricane!!!!!) was it a dream ...then i look at the rooves and it wasnt......
Again selfishly i wanted to see something knowing we were on standby from that evening so when no one else volunteered to come with me i went off in a collectivo to Tulum Ruins...but was only allowed 200 yards away before being turned back....at the crossroads i found a phone with 4 guys from Los Angeles who were trying to phone home and it was at this point i thought it might be a good idea to ring home as well..because no phones had been working at the BPT we had not thought about trying to get in touch with home..eventually i got through to a relieved Dad who gave me a run down on the state of Cancun and how bad it had been there with shelters etc ...So i began to realise how lucky we had been and by going to Qroo in hurricane season how fortunate we had picked the BPT because some of the other complexes close to us had not faired as well...The guys from LA shared their beer with me and told me there story...They had been living in a ballroom of a hotel for 4 days with 60 other people and had tickets for toilet and bathroom availability...so they were making the most of their freedom..!
Food was almost back to pre-wilma at the BPT and after dinner we were informed we were being picked up at 4am the next morning...so it was off to bed
Wednesday 26th October
4am.. after a 2 hour wait we were told the bus would be here at 9.30am
9.30am...after another two hour wait we were told it was now 2.30pm
2.30pm after an hour we were told it would be tomorrow and they would let us know when
10pm we were told it would be 1am (thanks for giving us warning so we could get some sleep!)
Thursday 27thOctober
1am after a two hour wait for the bus and another hour on it we are told we are going to Chichen Itza airfield and going to the Dominican Republic (ironic really as this was the place i had really dreamed of seeing and i was going to be so close but not see it)
So after a 3 and a half hour bus drive we arrived at the airport and were told to leave our cases on the buses as they would be taken care of!!
We went straight to the runway and were told that the buses had gone with our luggage and they would be sent home separately( i had t shirt and shorts on because we are going to Dominican..arent we?)
Then the captain tells us that there arent any steps and we have to go up the conveyor to the baggage hold and through a hatch to some stairs and our seats....it took 400 people about an hour ! then we were off
Dominican came about 3 hours later and it was a relief to land until the captain informed us we had been ordered to refuel and fly straight home landing at manchester...lovely!!
Friday 28th October
Arrived in Manchester at 5 am (a heavenly 3 degrees and still in t shirt and shorts) we were met by women supplying soup and track suits) i felt like a refugee
We got straight on a bus and two hours later i was queued up for my car and two more hours later i was home
This might have been hard work to read through and i thank you for that , but it has been worthwhile from my point of view as it has excorcised some things and has made us realise we are going to go back to the Roo and see it as it should be seen and do all the things we had dreamed and planned on doing ...all we have to do now is start saving after paying the speeding ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good news just as i have finished a cheque has arrived from the holiday company which covers a great deal of the holiday ..we could be going back sooner than we think
_____________________________
""He was a wise man who invented beer."
Plato.
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 8:59:41 AM
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AkEduktr
Posts: 28
Joined: 11/23/2005
Status: offline
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Thank you for the trip report. We will be going to BPT for the first time at Xmas. Can't wait!
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 9:01:16 AM
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greekbeachgirl
Posts: 14161
Joined: 9/3/2005
From: Sherwood Park Alberta CANADA
Status: offline
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WHAT A GREAT REPORT...SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE VERY LUCKY....
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I wish cancer could get cancer and die itself ....
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 9:18:21 AM
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wes242
Posts: 1613
Joined: 10/26/2005
From: Utah & 1 wife
Status: offline
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Nice story, glad you made it out safe.
I was there the same time as you, makes me wonder if we passed on by each other at the beach.
Hope your next trip is better...
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http://www.pbase.com/wes242/mexico
http://www.wesleyaston.com/
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 1:28:26 PM
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Honeyb
Posts: 51
Joined: 11/10/2005
From: bethlehem,pa
Status: offline
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What an amazing story!!! We were there post Wilma, and tried to imagine what it was like during the storm...we only saw small fragments of destruction while there..they have cleaned up and remodeled very well. Never could my imagination come that close to what you actually experienced!!!! I am so happy you and your family made it home safe, to share your story with all of us. Thank you, Honeyb
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 2:57:46 PM
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roxygrl
Posts: 3006
Joined: 11/7/2005
From: Estevan, Sask.
Status: offline
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Absolutely Awesome, Thanks for sharing your story!!
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 5:46:50 PM
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PJamigo
Posts: 7332
Joined: 5/21/2005
From: SW Tennessee
Status: offline
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What an amazing description of your experience with hurricane
Wilma. So glad you and your family returned home safely.
The staff of the Bahia Principe are also amazing people.
We talked to several of the staff last week and they told
us how they made the sandwiches and put their own lives at
risk to deliver them to each room. Extremely dedicated and
caring people.
Enjoy your next trip to ROO....
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/1/2005 7:29:56 PM
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Rindercella
Posts: 484
Joined: 11/3/2005
Status: offline
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It sounds like you had the experience of a lifetime! I'm happy you and your family are safe and sound. Kudo's to you for making the most of the experience!
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/2/2005 7:02:32 AM
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barney1
Posts: 1090
Joined: 1/12/2005
Status: offline
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Wow what a trip!
I very much enjoyed reading your report .
I'm glad you and your family are safe.
I'm sure you know It could have been really bad.
I laughed at the part where your teenagers were sleeping during the storm.
Man can I ever identify with that.
Good news on getting some of your money back and being able to go again
sooner than later.
You are right about the experiance staying with you longer because of Wilma.
Your grandkids someday will here about this one for sure.
Thanks for sharing.
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/3/2005 6:09:56 AM
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A.J.
Posts: 257
Joined: 9/24/2004
From: Cambridge
Status: offline
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I did take a lot of photos but am a novice when it comes to posting them..
I also took a lot of video footage which gives a better idea of the noise and driving rain..there is also some footage of Akumal and the Lbv two days after the storm which shows how the sand had invaded everything and the tvs etc all over the road ..the video of the seas getting bigger and more ferocious are quite good..
_____________________________
""He was a wise man who invented beer."
Plato.
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/3/2005 1:44:37 PM
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GuestI
Posts: 25651
Status: offline
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AJ:
Now I am dying to see the vid & pix.....please please please.....please...please.....
Cheers-
Mags
_____________________________
For Saskia: Odota, anna minun ajaa se pois!
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/6/2005 7:39:32 AM
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A.J.
Posts: 257
Joined: 9/24/2004
From: Cambridge
Status: offline
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O.K i will have ago tomorrow on my day off 7th dec and see how i get on
Thanks for all your good wishes
Alan
_____________________________
""He was a wise man who invented beer."
Plato.
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 12/11/2005 9:52:14 AM
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A.J.
Posts: 257
Joined: 9/24/2004
From: Cambridge
Status: offline
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i have managed to put some pictures in the photogallery under all inclusive..thank you whale
_____________________________
""He was a wise man who invented beer."
Plato.
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RE: Having a holiday with Wilma at the BPT - 
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