10 Days in Tulum - Tierras del Sol

[SassyGirl]

Hi Everyone,

My trip report is in a different format than usual...I created a blog which I intend to add to every time we go on a trip. For now, I have started the Tulum trip report and you can read about Day 1 here (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/).

I will let you know when each subsequent entry is posted by posting a message on this thread.

Enjoy!

[northern boy]

Great start! Can't wait for more . . .
Tierras Del Sol; is that about 5-6k down the beach road? That stick fence in the video looked like Zamas.

Paul

[BP.]

Excellent job, Mrs. Sassy! :beerchug:
I love to use Winner flying out of Philly!

[minniemex]

Great start !! Thanks!!

[SassyGirl]

Tierras Del Sol; is that about 5-6k down the beach road? That stick fence in the video looked like Zamas.


Yes, that's about how far it is. It's a 10 minute drive from Zamas to get to TDS.

[PhyllisB]

Thanks, Sassy! Love the videos too! :)

[marjan]

How to hook your audience! Great beginnings, the videos are so inviting and give lots of info. Can't wait for mas, mas, mas.

[TheWindyCity]

Wowza...ya got me on the view...amazing! I love that remote, no people around, nothing but Caribbean, feeling your report gives. Nice style trip report with the videos embedded in it. And it looks like you have some electricity? Is there lighting, or only candleight? Can't wait to hear more.

[letele]

Wow...very cool, Sassy! I really like the blog idea! That picture of the ocean with the storm clouds is just beautiful. Can't wait to read the rest!

[Linda S.]

Loving your report- hope there is lots more to come!

[BP.]

Assateague- love it there! The ponies trampled our tent one year, and there was such a storm that we had to haul our keg into the bath house and spend the wee hours there havin' a party. It was fun.

Anyway, lovin' your blog!

[SassyGirl]

Yes, those ponies can get VERY frisky! We've been going there almost every year since we met...so I'd say we've been there about 14 times and we could tell you some pony stories!

The Windy City, there is only electricity at night and no outlets in the cabana.

Glad you are all enjoying the trip report so far. Here's day 2. (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-friday-october-24-2008.html)

[pinky]

SassyGirl, http://www.freefever.com/animatedgifs/animated/wow001.gifI am really enjoying you travelogue!!

I love the idea of including the video's...http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/signs107.gif...Can't wait to try the mexican hot-chocolate too!!http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/signs101.gif

[Margoinmexico]

Great Job Mrs. Sassy! I love the blog site you're using, I plan on starting a blog there myself. I've been going to since I got to Mexico, but haven't quite gotten it done.......Love the video and you do great narative!:eat-drink::eat-drink::eat-drink:

So, you're the writer and the photographer, what does Mr. Sassy do besides show up?:o:p:o

[beachreader]

Yay, great report, SassyGirl! I liked the videos, too, especially the one of the interior of the cabana. Do you know if any of the beachfront rooms there have two beds?

[PhyllisB]

Assateague- love it there! The ponies trampled our tent one year, and there was such a storm that we had to haul our keg into the bath house and spend the wee hours there havin' a party. It was fun.

Anyway, lovin' your blog!

I gotta go catch up, clearly I missed something! I used to visit Assateague all the time -- growing up in Baltimore. We got married on the Virginia side, in Chincoteague. Just beautiful places. If only the mosquitos were less pervasive!!!!!

[SassyGirl]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Glad you are enjoying the blog. It's such a fun project!! It's like scrapbooking on-line.

Beachreader, I do not know about the layout (bed-wise) in any of the cabanas, but if you e-mail TDS, they will let you know. Perhaps they can be flexible with the bed layout?

Phyllis, when we go to Assateague, we always get a campsite by the ocean and have very rarely had a problem with mosquitos. The sea breeze tends to keep them away.. The only time we've had bad mosquitos there is when the wind changes and comes from inland. In that case, we take cover in our pop-up camper until they leave!

Margo, Mr. Sassy is totally type B and I am type A, and he is more than happy to go on any trip I plan, read any trip report I write, be the subject of my relentless photos and videos. He's a great sport. Guess it's not too hard to be a good sport when your type A wife is planning all kinds of fun trips for you! ;)

[Lynnette]

Good start....you just can't beat the beautiful Caribbean water and white beaches!! It's a shame about Oscar y Lalo...they just are not not same since moving to the 307 location. Maybe it was the view that made it wonderful after all.

[PhyllisB]

Beachreader, I asked a couple of other TDS folks about the bed situation. I don't think any of them have two regular beds. Someone mentioned that the seating area that had a cushion could be used as a very small twin bed but probably wouldn't be so comfortable since it just has a cushion and not really a mattress. I'll go back and look at my PM's to see what they said for sure though. I think I asked Carlos in an email too, but he didn't really reply to that question.

Sassy, you're right about the bugs. I camped there a few times, too--love camping by the ocean! It really is wonderful, and you're right about the stars. I just love that place. The bugs just make it harder to do any hiking or walking on trails off the beach, though. I can remember having my sweatshirt totally covered with the buggers once! Aaaah the memories. :D

[SassyGirl]

Hi Everyone

Here is my report on DAY 3. (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-saturday-october-25-2008.html)

[heenan]

Enjoying the trip report and all the pics and videos!
We were in Tulum just after you and were lucky to have five days of great weather and not a rain shower the entire week.

[pinky]

More.................More.............More!!!
http://www.blackthornesw.com/discus/clipart/bounce2.gifhttp://www.blackthornesw.com/discus/clipart/bounce2.gifhttp://www.blackthornesw.com/discus/clipart/bounce2.gif

Por Favor!!!

[SassyGirl]

Hi Everyone,

Here's Day 4. (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-sunday-october-26-2008.html)

[minniemex]

Thanks for day 4!! Made me laugh alot!! I remember someone else's trip report where they had an iguana in the room with them ~ tried to find it but I couldn't. I wonder if it was the same room or not?? Does anyone else remember?? I remember (?) a picture an iguana in the rafters of the room and the person said they never noticed him until they were packing to leave??

[PhyllisB]

Oh, I love that picture with the storm clouds. You should post that here too! What a great shot!

I too discovered some unpleasant things on my pillow at La Via Laktea one day. I think it's because of the palapa roof -- things fall through the cracks, I guess. Eeeeewwww. :o

[TulumDreamin]

Excellent blog SassyGirl-
Although I have to say I have a biased opinion. Why?
Well, first of all SassyGirl is the name of my female Jack Russell (the one I miss so horribly when my wife and I travel to Tulum)
And, TDS is my favorite place in Tulum.


You're in Mexico. You just kinda move yourself so that you are positioned in between rain streams and the waiters negotiate around the leaks. Just laugh and shrug your shoulders.This is why I enjoyed El Marriachi so much one evening. My shrimp eating buddy "El Gatto."
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll193/dshackdas/Marriachi_6.jpg

[SassyGirl]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_x09lXkC-wBM/SRhlpPrI8PI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/6T_uOUgWcyw/s320/Tulumz.jpg

[SassyGirl]

Awwww.... a Jack Russell named SassyGirl? Adorable!

I have a cat named Sasquatch (who we call "Sassy") so that's where I got my name.

[pepper]

Loving all of this, Sassy.

BTW - It was probably iguana dukey. It's very similar in size to a cat's.:eek:

[SassyGirl]

And now....Day 5 (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-monday-october-27-2008.html)...

[minniemex]

Sassy, I share your feelings about Playa! I remember the first time I saw the town and it was nothing but dirt roads and a beautiful beach.:p Just nothing like that any longer.

[Linda S.]

Sassy- Still loving your report and pics, anxiously awaiting the next day!!

[TheWindyCity]

Excellent blog SassyGirl-
Although I have to say I have a biased opinion. Why?
Well, first of all SassyGirl is the name of my female Jack Russell (the one I miss so horribly when my wife and I travel to Tulum)
And, TDS is my favorite place in Tulum.

This is why I enjoyed El Marriachi so much one evening. My shrimp eating buddy "El Gatto."
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll193/dshackdas/Marriachi_6.jpg

This was our visitor at Zamas one morning. What a life!:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/100_1418.jpg

[Lynnette]

I'm lovin your blog...and your iguana encounters! :D

[SassyGirl]

Thanks everyone. Glad you guys are liking it. I feel like all I write about is eating and the iguana!

[lazydog]

That is a gorgeous photo, I love it too. What a great trip report! Love the parts about the iguana. Was it him on the pillow? I also remember the trip report with the iguana in the bathroom rafters. Same guy?

I have refused to drive that highway at night and after your recount I am glad I have not! Nice to see I made the right choice. When we went to P.D.C., I panicked and insisted that we leave before it got dark because I was so terrified to drive it at night. Looking forward to the upcoming days.

[SassyGirl]

Lazydog, we never did find out who was on our pillow. We never saw Harry there. We also thought maybe it fell through the thatched roof, but we eliminated that idea. The thatched roof was too tight (I mean, rain doesn't get in so why would a solid object?) and the feces was so small and light. I just can't see it falling through the roof.

You are going to think I am weird but we were so curious about this, when we got home from vacation, I did a google image search for "iguana feces" and sure enough, a photo popped up that looked like what was on our pillow (it was a photo from a veteranian's web site).

Here's Day 6 (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-tuesday-october-28-2008.html).

[TulumDreamin]

Again, great report Sassy.
Ref: Tita tipping, I believe another couple on the forum experienced the same reaction from a waiter at Tita. I seem to recall a story about a parking lot encounter. It was nice that management replied to your email. We had a late lunch (2PM or so) once at Tita. The place was empty except for us and the service sucked, even by Mexico standards. The food however was delicious once it arrived. I could care less who gets the included 10%, whether it's the waitstaff or kitchen-not my problemo. That's on management. Having said that I believe in tipping generously when provided exemplary service, but don't hold me hostage :mad: OK, That's my:twocents:

[TheWindyCity]

Another great installment. We visited Yaxche in PDC in '06 on our first trip to Tulum. The fish dish you had was Tikin Xic! Yaxche really goes all out to make their dishes autentic and flavorful.

And that night ride on the 307....scary:eek:! I've never driven the 307 at night and probably never will.

Sorry to read about your tip hassle. Glad you guys stood your ground!

[SassyGirl]

The Windycity,

We saw that calico cat at Zamas that you posted a photo of. A very laid back cat indeed! We kept commenting to each other that she really has the life. Thanks for remembering the name of that dish we had at Yaxche. It was soooo delicious.

TulumDreamin,

I agree with you about the tipping thing. And also, if it IS true that Tita management gives 10% of the tip to the kitchen staff (which I do not believe is true, but let's say it is...) we would have no way of knowing that, since that's not a standard practice. Yet he acted as though we should be ashamed for leaving a 15% tip.

Our standard tip is 20% for very good service. His service was decent, but not great, so we tipped 15%. Very reasonable.

[SassyGirl]

Day 7 (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-wednesday-october-29-2008.html)

[Lynnette]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_x09lXkC-wBM/SRsqkeF2ZXI/AAAAAAAAAH4/HelCVsZ8LnI/s320/God.jpg

I like this sunrise capture! You're eating at so many of our favorite Tulum restaurants....the pizza looks yummy. I agree with you about Charlies....IMO it just isn't what it was years ago.

[PhyllisB]

Oooh, I'm sorry to hear about your Tita's experience. I'm glad they fired him. Breakfast on the deck at Tita's is one of my favorite things! Oh, that fresh OJ. Mmmmm!

A lot of folks come back feeling badly about the animals in Mexico. There are a couple of really good organizations that try to do community education & awareness, as well as medical clinics, and other good work. The one I know of is NACER (http://www.nacer.org) -- is VIDAS the other? I can't quite remember. But check them out and support their work if you're able to.

[SassyGirl]

Thanks for that link, Phyllis. I will check it out. Yeah, seeing all those homeless animals is really hard to take.

Anyway, here's Day 8 (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-thursday-october-30-2008.html).

[letele]

I'm loving the blog...sorry you had so much wind, I know how that goes.

The animals are really sad....I wanted to take home this one dog in particular. Hope she is doing okay. Nobody seemed to want her around. :(

[Jana]

Thanks for day 4!! Made me laugh alot!! I remember someone else's trip report where they had an iguana in the room with them ~ tried to find it but I couldn't. I wonder if it was the same room or not?? Does anyone else remember?? I remember (?) a picture an iguana in the rafters of the room and the person said they never noticed him until they were packing to leave??

I'm just catching up on this report now and I was going to chime in and say that Harry was our iguana first. ;) I have a picture of him in the rafters outside the bathroom but I can't remember if that was in my report or not. He was far more sociable with Sassygirl than he was with us and he clearly has his favorite cabana! :)

Enjoyed your trip report and it's making me miss TDS.

Jana

[beachreader]

I just had the best time catching up with the days I've missed this week! What a great report, thanks!

So where exactly is this gelato shop and what's it called? Margo was raving about gelato in town, I wonder if it's the same place?

I was also thinking that for an afternoon/evening trip up to Playa, it might be worth driving into the pueblo and hopping on the bus, then either the bus back later at night (if they have buses then) or pop for a taxi for the one-way back down to the pueblo to pick up the car. I drove at night back down from Akumal last year and it wasn't much fun, and that was half the distance you did! Isn't it crazy how the lanes shift and move like that?

Oh, and I can't believe the calm water days you enjoyed early in your trip! I am absolutely praying for at least one good calm day. In the 30 or so days I've spent in Tulum, it's been rough and windy every single day. I'm due for good water weather, right? Please? :-)

[SassyGirl]

Jana,

That's so funny that Harry visited you too! Isn't he just sooo cute? (I know I am obsessed with him).

Beachreader,

I never did figure out what the name of the gelato place is but it's easy to spot...it's just a few doors down from Don Cafeto's (heading north on the same side). I think one of my upcoming reports will have a photo of the outside...it's painted in colorful colors and you can't miss it. I think it's the only gelato place around there, at least that I could tell.

Yes, I LOVE calm water but it didn't seem like it was in the cards for us most of the vacation, although we were lucky to get at least a couple of days. If I had known we would only get 2 days of calm water, I would have stayed in the water all day.

[SassyGirl]

Hi Everyone,

Here's Day 9. (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-friday-october-31-2008.html)

[Linda S.]

Thanks for another great day's report. Love the sound of the surf in the pelican video. You've definintely sold me on the gelato, will be trying it in exactly 10 days!!!!

[beachreader]

I never did figure out what the name of the gelato place is but it's easy to spot...it's just a few doors down from Don Cafeto's (heading north on the same side). I think one of my upcoming reports will have a photo of the outside...it's painted in colorful colors and you can't miss it. I think it's the only gelato place around there, at least that I could tell.

Yes, I LOVE calm water but it didn't seem like it was in the cards for us most of the vacation, although we were lucky to get at least a couple of days. If I had known we would only get 2 days of calm water, I would have stayed in the water all day.


Yay, gelato! I'll be there soon!

I love calm water too, which is why it's funny to me that I love Tulum so much. I mean, given my experience, you'd think I'd have found a new place long ago, but I love everything else about the place other than the rough water and wind. People keep telling me it's not always rough, not always windy, so I keep the faith and keep trying. Praying now that we'll get at least one calm day!

[TheWindyCity]

I'll have to give a shameless plug for the gelato place towards the South end on the East side of the main drag, Los Cantaros , since there will be some of you visiting very soon:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/IMGP5227.jpg

Nice little place with excellent, homemade gelato:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/IMGP5226.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/IMGP5225.jpg

We had the coconut, and the cacahuate (peanut). It was excellent! Also got to keep the little cantaros as a momento. They will refill it for half price.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Tulum2008/IMGP5223.jpg

The owner, Hugo, is a very nice guy and will light up talking about his place. His gelatos have just the right amount of sweetness and flavor....neither one overpowering.

[beachreader]

Ooooh, competition! We'll just have to try each place a different night!

I love the idea of having those little pots to refill and/or take home, though, could be a selling point! :)

[SassyGirl]

Hi Everyone

Here's Day 9 (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-saturday-november-1-2008.html).

[mayaflya]

Sassy,

It's good to see Cetli mentioned again...it doesn't get the attention that it deserves...I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner there. It was the best meal of our Tulum visit last March!

[TheWindyCity]

Great! You tried Cetli! Claudia's tortilla soup is awesome...one of the best I had in Mexico! Were you two the only ones there? A friend of my wife's came back from Tulum last week, and dined at Cetli. She was the only one there as well, as were we when we visited in May. I think if her restaurant were on the main drag, it would be packed! Not many people are aware of it's hidden location.

[SassyGirl]

Claudia was on vacation when we were there - so our chef was Olivia. We were the only people there for most of our meal, then a young couple came in. It really felt going over a friend's house for dinner.

The food was YUMMY. We just wished there was more of it! :)

[SassyGirl]

Happy Friday everyone!

Here is the last day (http://sassyduotravels.blogspot.com/2008/11/tulum-mexico-sunday-november-2-2008.html)of my report. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading.

[TulumDreamin]

Excellent report Sassy! Thanks for sharing:beerchug:
TDS Rocks!:wave:

[heenan]

Great trip report!
Enjoyed the pics and videos!
Zamas and Don Cafetos are two of our favorites too.
And since we returned, I have been craving that gelato from Tulum.

[letele]

Bravo, bravo!!! Love all the pictures at the end....how lucky you are to have gotten even a couple of days of calm water - it's beautiful! Great job!

[Linda S.]

Sassy- thanks so much for the great report, I hate to see it come to an end.

[beachreader]

Can't wait to read this later, it's been a great trip report.

Where is Cetli, exactly? I really hope to get there this trip. Can we park right there? I haven't driven in the neighborhoods, usually park on the main drag and walk back.

Hmm, I think I need to go search for Maya's Google map.

[mayaflya]

Can't wait to read this later, it's been a great trip report.

Where is Cetli, exactly? I really hope to get there this trip. Can we park right there? I haven't driven in the neighborhoods, usually park on the main drag and walk back.

Hmm, I think I need to go search for Maya's Google map.

Cetli is one block west of the main drag on Calle Orion...an easy walk if you park anywhere in the north half of the Pueblo. There is parking on the street in the neighborhood around Cetli as well.

Another "landmark" is that Cetli is one block west and one block north of Pollo Bronco (on 307/Tulum Ave)...

Two blocks south of Cetli, on the same street, is Los Pepe's....home of the breakfast margarita! They may look small, but they sure are wiry!

Have a great trip, BR!

[beachreader]

Thanks, Maya, would you mind sending me a copy of the Google map? Maybe I can update some stuff when I'm down there.

It's funny, since I'll have friends with me, I know I'm not going to be taking as many food pictures or checking out addresses and whatnot, but then again I might, so I'm planning appropriately. :)

[marjan]

SassyGirl, thanks for the beautiful TR, great writing and pictures. We'll be doing the Yucatan in March for 10 days and I hope I can write up something.... half as good as yours & I'll be ecstatic! :eat-drink::eat-drink: 2 thumbs & 2 cervezas up.

[BP.]

It's funny, since I'll have friends with me . . . I'm not going to be taking as many food pictures

And what's funny about that?? :D




but then again I might, so I'm planning appropriately. :)

Whew!!!

[susan]

fantastic- thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PhyllisB]

I just caught up on the rest of the report--woohoo! Great job! I love the pelicans too. I watched the video and hauled Kevin over to watch it with me. Oh it's so nice to feel like you're almost there!!!

I noticed you never ate at TDS. I thought they offered breakfast for guests? and/or lunch?

[BP.]

Mrs. Sassy, great explosion of photos in your Grand Finale!

[Lynnette]

I loved your blog and wonderful photos! Thanks for the fabulous Tulum report!!!! http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/bravo-009.gif


http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/respect-037.gif http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/respect-037.gif http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/respect-037.gif

[dcap]

Great report. Loved the videos and your pics. We stayed there as well and loved the place. Look forward to another trip soon.

Dave

[beachreader]

I'm so sorry it's over, what a great trip report! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us, sounds like you had a wonderful time, and you kept Zamas and the gelato shop in business for another season. :)


One week from this moment, I will hopefully be making the final approach into CUN, peeking out the window at the Caribbean Sea. I am strenuously praying for at least a few days of the calm, clear water you enjoyed. :boat: It will be a new experience for me, so I'd appreciate others' prayers as well! :star:

[SassyGirl]

Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone. Glad you enjoyed the report - it was so much fun doing it. I've always been a "documentor" so this project was right up my alley. I'm looking forward to adding to the blog as we take other vacations. We're talking about where we will go next and I think we are actually going to pull ourselves away from Mexico and the Caribbean and venture into Europe. We've only been there once - to London - and we really want to explore other places.

Phyllis, I don't know why we never ate at TDS. I guess we just liked the adventure of leaving the property and going someplace different. Also, the kitchen area always seemed to be really empty, so maybe we felt a little awkward asking them to cook for us too.

[Swimmer1]

Sassy Girl, I enjoyed your report so much. It was very helpful. Thank you.

Beachreader, we are leaving on Monday, Dec. 1, for the Tulum area for 12 days. We will be at Posada Luna del Sur for 4 nights and then at Catalonia Royal Tulum for 7 nights. The whole time we're in Tulum we'll be exploring the Tulum beaches, not just up around El Paraiso, but the southern beaches also. I want to check out 2 or 3 of the places to stay on the beach for a possible future trip. It sounds like the southern beaches will be great for body surfing and boogie boarding!

Swimmer1

[pinky]

SassyGirl, I finally have some time off and I got to finish reading your wonderful report!!

I appreciate your efforts and the food reports & pics were great! http://www.blackthornesw.com/discus/clipart/thanks.gif

Lynnette asked me to start making a list of places I might want to try, & I for sure will put Cetli on it!! I also love thin crust pizza (when I'm not visiting Lynnette in Illinois, she insists I eat thick crusthttp://www.blackthornesw.com/discus/clipart/rofl.gif)so we will be trying the thin in Tulum!!!:eat-drink:

Thank you for sharing your vacation with us, you are such a cute couple!!

[SassyGirl]

Thanks, Pinky!

[minniemex]

Sassy ~ what a wonderful report!! Felt like I was back in Tulum!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us!!

Let us know where you are going next!!