is OPEN!! They opened last night!

My second trip to Cancun

This trip took place in November of 2001 about two months after 911 happened, and that made it somewhat strange and different for several reasons. First of all I had lost my job of many years in the aftermath of the terrorist attack and my prospects didn’t look good. Second due to the attacks on NYC there weren’t many tourists in Cancun compared to my earlier trip this same year. In the US business priorities were very different after 911 and hiring new employees were not high on their lists. So I decided to liquefy my assets in order to sustain a lengthy period of no income. I also decided to go ahead with my trip to Cancun, to get my mind off such trivial things like earning a living. So I sold my home, most of my furniture, and put the rest of my stuff in storage. I also sold my hot rod that I had built 6 years earlier. Then a friend of mine, Donna, invited me to share her townhouse temporarily so I had a nice place to live. She also decided to go with me to Cancun. So I would also have company on my trip and the fun of showing a Cancun Virgin around . This trip was for a week and I had booked a villa at the VCI Club International, one of the Royal Resorts in Cancun. I was able to get a beachfront villa on the ground floor so we could walk right out onto the beach. The VCI is located much closer to the party zone and to El Centro, and faces the water in a different direction. I liked the idea of trying a different location so I could learn more about Cancun.

A week before we were to leave I received a call from a company that I had applied to for a job. They made me an offer and I accepted it with the condition that I would start after I returned from Cancun. (After all one has to have his personal priorities straight). So now I had a new job to look forward to when we returned.

While we were on this visit we only went on one side trip to keep our costs down. It was to Xcaret. Upon arriving there we set ourselves up at the beach by the lagoon and I taught Donna how to snorkel. We checked out the dolphin pen and the surrounding areas. We watched the snuba instructors and their students in the lagoon, but generally kicked back and enjoyed the sunny warm weather. The most interesting thing to do at Xcaret for me was the underground river. You walk down some steps into a sinkhole, wearing a life jacket, and step into the water, and begin to float into a cavern just letting the current propel you toward the ocean. Every so often there is another sinkhole that intersects with the roof of the tunnel allowing some natural light to enter an illuminate your trip along the way. At one point there is a photographer set up to take a picture to show everyone back home how crappy you look when your soaked. The underground river was a fascinating experience and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Xcaret. We also saw the Jaguar Island, the Bird Men of Papantla, the coral reef aquarium, the giant sea turtles, and the butterfly pavilion. Oh ……..also I almost forgot, Real Flamingos, not the plastic ones you stick in your yard.

Next up was the night show and it almost defies description. It was approx. 2-hour pageant. The costuming, singing, dance, and instrumental talent were amazing. Don’t miss all this as it is the one of the best entertainment values in Cancun. You’ll never forget it. Xcaret offers so much to do. I think to do it justice you need several trips to fully explore all it has to offer, and never pass up the night show.

We also spent some time exploring Plaza LaIsla and many restaurants in the area. Donna bought a ring at a jewelry store and got herself a terrific deal. We had a great time and came back relaxed and tanned. I was ready for the new job, and to start thinking about my next visit.

I’ve had word Susan is not feeling very well. Hope you feel better soon Susan!! Tim

Part Two

My first trip to Cancun January 2001

……………The next adventure we tried was a dolphin swim. We did ours at Parc Nizu Wet N’ Wild. We decided to go to this venue after listening to the advisor at the sports desk at the Royal Sands describe it. We also like the idea of a day at the water park kind of thrown in to boot. It turned out to be a bright and sunny day in the high 80′s. We slipped into the water around 11am and spent the next hour interacting with the dolphins and learning a few things about them from their trainers. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I have always been a swimmer and lover of the water, but I had never swum with anything larger than myself. It was unnerving for a few moments until I realized what gentle creatures they were. I was amazed how smooth their skin was to touch and how they loved being touched. They made us laugh and we really enjoyed ourselves Later in the program, one by one, we all got to experience the foot push. You lay prone in the water with you hands straight out and two dolphins swim underwater behind you, and then push against the bottom of your feet propelling you forward and out of the water. It was an exhilarating experience. Then we all got our dolphin “kiss” and it was time to say good-bye……….which they did by flapping their fins and splashing water at us as they swam away. We purchased the videotape so we have that memory forever.

We spent the rest of the day trying all the water slides and the wave pool. I particularly liked the Royal Flush, which is sort of like getting flushed down a big toilet, and you have your choice of having the lid up or down. LOL. Unlike other Wet & Wild parks I’ve been at in the U.S. there weren’t any lines, which made it even more fun for us.

The rest of the time we spent eating at places like Captains Cove, The Plantation House, and a couple of places in La Isla. We shopped for the souvenirs that all Cancun Virgins have to buy and take back home for friends and loved ones. We made a trip to Wal Mart in El Centro and that’s when I discovered the “real Cancun”. Now I was really getting really interested. However I was also running out of time. The thoughts of future visits to this magical place started forming in my head. On the flight back to Chicago I kept thinking about all the places I had been to, the things I did, and the good times I had with my friends. The weather was unforgettable. I realized that I had found a very special place that I would have to visit over and over again in order get to know it better.

Trips 2,3,4,&5 to follow…………..

Today was a perfect day in Cancun! The sun was shining, there were big, puffy clouds in the sky, and a nice breeze blowing. I spent the day being rather lazy. Started out having lunch with a friend at the Ty-Coz (inexpensive and delicious sandwiches!!!) restaurant near my apartment.

After devouring my delicious Italian sub, we decided to venture to Plaza Las Americas…not remembering that today is Sunday. In Cancun every place is VERY busy on Sunday’s because it is one of the only days many Mexicans are off work. The mall was very crowded, but we persevered. I managed to find a nice beach bag in Bershka (hip and trendy clothing store for girls and guys) and some over-priced, but gorgeous flip flops in Zingara (a great swimwear store!).

We wanted to enjoy the outdoors so, after the adventure at the mall, we went to El Poblano (my favorite taco place downtown!). There are several locations but we went to the one between Avenida Tulum and El Parque de Las Palapas. I personally believe the food and service to be the best at that location. We sat in the sun and did some people-watching, while having an icy Diet Coke. We mustered the energy to walk to our homes and began our journey. 2 blocks away, our plans were foiled. We saw the owner of Club Sandwich Cafe and sat to chat with him for a bit. Of course, we had to have dessert while we were there. I had a brownie with vanilla ice cream and my friend had a caramel frappucino. We showed off our new purchases, talked with our friend, and enjoyed the afternoon a little more.

Now I’m home to relax and finish enjoying a perfect Sunday in Cancun! Oh, before you ask, I don’t go to the beach on Sundays because it is too crowded! I wait until mid-week to trek to the beach.