Gale in KY
13th January 2005, 01:25 PM
Hola one and all!
OMG, what an awesome experience!! Flight was uneventful and arrived on time. Breezed through customs with a green light.
Made it to Avis Car rental counter only to be informed by an Executive car rental agent that Avis was on strike! We decided to make our way outside and were lucky enough to be found by a “Buster’s Auto Rental” agent who offered me a much better deal on a comparable car, standard shift with air…and no hold on my credit card! We were soon off and on our way South on Hwy 307.
Driving…what can I say? It is a different sort of animal in Mexico. You have to be ever diligent about what is coming up behind you as well as what is up ahead. It is a very good thing they have a half lane to pull into on the right to let passing cars around and to avoid the oncoming traffic in your lane! Once we got used to the “left turn signal” system, the drive was an easy one. It might take us a few days to relearn to drive in the states though. I fear several speeding tickets in the near future. It was very odd to abandoned see ramshackle shacks on one side of 307 and luxurious resorts popping up one upon another on the other side…I fear that this part of the Riviera Maya will not be as secluded as it is for much longer, something the numerous construction crews we saw working on new development are a testament to.
Stopped at San Francisco Market for a jug of water and other things we needed and made our way down Boca Paila Rd to Cabanas Copal. Check in was simple and fast...in just a few minutes we got our first glimpse at the shimmering aqua-blue Caribbean as we walked to our cabana…it simply takes your breath away to see such a beautiful sight. I have traveled the Southeastern US extensively and visited beaches on the Gulfside as well as the Atlantic, and nothing can compare.
We were twenty steps from the beach, with our glass/screen front cabana facing the beach, so we were greeted by the gorgeous sunrise each morning, and went to sleep each evening to the sounds of the breakers meeting the beach and gecko’s scurrying across our palm frond palapa roof. The breeze was wonderful and refreshing.
We were unsure of what to expect at Cabana’s Copal, but what we found were the friendliest, most helpful staff who anticipated our every need, a rustic cabana with no electric lighting, which only added to the mystic and beauty of the place. We were provided with plenty of candles for lighting, and had our own private bath with hot water and a beautiful tile shower. What more could one ask for? While it may be rather rustic, it is certainly not roughing it by any means. Our room had ample closet room, table and chairs, a table in the bathroom and a mirror, with a concrete floor. Housekeeping was impeccable, and I would love to know what they use to make their sheets so fresh.
For those who enjoy spa services, Copal’s look to be top notch. The Termecal, a type of sweat lodge, is something I didn’t get to do, much to my disappointment, but, it is also on my list of things to do on our first return trip. They offer numerous types of massages in addition to Reiki, Iridology and Mayan Astral Readings. There is also an energy reading, done in the Mayan tradition that peaked my interest. I have already filled up three days of my next trip, planning on enjoying the spa services they offer.
We were starving after we checked in, so we jumped in the car and headed to Tulum Pueblo, for dinner at Charlie’s. The food was fabulous. We both had Chicken Enchaladas..so yummy. Mary, a beer drinker, tried Sol, but, wasn’t really a fan..so she had a couple of the best Margarita’s we had on our vacation with me. While we were eating, there was a light rain shower, that only freshened the air and we stayed until after dark, enjoying the atmosphere and chatting with the bar tender. Drove back to the cabanas and jumped into our HUGE comfy bed, fell asleep to the sound of the waves.
I am a very early riser, a habit I had a hard time breaking on this trip, but, that was ok, as I arose about 4am and sat outside in our patio chairs meditating and gazing at the magnificent stars..Is it just me, or are they so much bigger in Mexico? This was to be a trip for rest and relaxation, to relieve the astronomical stress I am under with my job and life..and it accomplished just that. After a couple of hours to myself in the dark, the sun started to rise…never have I seen anything quite like a Tulum beach sunrise. The colors are magnificent. the sun, shimmering on the white sand is a sight for which no verbal description is adequate.
We did not venture far from Copal, except to town a couple of times for money exchange, shopping and lunch. We did return to Tulum Pueblo a couple of times just to stroll on the street and take in the sights and sounds of this unique Maya town.
We very quickly fell into a schedule that found us at Copal’s restaurant for dinner, back to the beach bar for a couple of wonderful Margarita’s with Enrique the bartender while we relaxed in the shade of the bar’s palapa. After a pitstop in our cabana, we headed for the restaurant bar and the swings that serve as barstools. We visited with many awesome people from those swings. I quickly found that I have a new favorite drink.. “Coco Loco” is made with fresh coconut milk and an array of different spirits. Around 10 pm each evening we made our way back to our cabana, sat on the patio for more stargazing and then fell asleep peacefully. I must confess to drinking a wee too much a couple of nites, but, hey, what are vacations for?
On Monday, we visited the ruins at Tulum. I felt such a sense of belonging there..a connection I cannot describe to the people who created and lived in this place. We were greeted by several Iguanas’ basking in the morning sun, posing for our cameras. We also had a rather good sized Iguana at our doorstep several times at the cabana’s, but, no bugs, no mosquito’s and no snakes or spiders!
We had planned on snorkeling at Caleta Tankah after our morning ruins visit, but, the surf was just too strong. Caleta was closed, as was the beach at the ruins. That was ok, it gives us something to look forward to next time, as well as visiting cenotes and trying other restaurants. This trip, we were learning about the area, and enjoying the people we met.
Breakfast was hot, rich coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice at Copal’s restaurant with the greatest waiter you could ask for, he always had it waiting for us when we got there. Horhegy (sp) was also our Spanish instructor..he would repeat everything we said in English back to us in Spanish, with a smile. In four days, I can actually follow a simple Spanish conversation, thanks to him. At lunch, he had my Soupa De Lima ready and waiting. My new favorite food, so light and just perfect for a mid day meal. The Chicken and Beef Fajita’s are also very good, and their salsa is to die for. They have a scrumptious breakfast buffet that Mary enjoyed; I am not an early morning eater, so I settled for good lunch food in the early afternoon.
We walked down the hotel road in the early evenings to visit the shops and the families who ran them. Checked out the Posada Del Sol and Zamas, both looked very nice. Also stopped in at Zahra, but, for my taste, Copal is just perfect and I will return there.
Things that made me grin: Every time one of the Mexican men would ask where we were from and we replied, “Kentucky”…they would nod and say…”Si, Kentucky Fried Chicken!”
Copal’s beach, as you know is clothing optional..I watched a couple in their birthday suits on the beach one morning who must have been at least in their 70’s…they were simply having the time of their lives as we all were. The nudity is not overbearing and after the first day, you really don’t notice it much…I hope I can still enjoy The Riviera Maya as this senior couple did when I am that age!
At the Ruins shops, my daughter in law bought a chair type hammock, and I was carrying it for her..one young man who was working the shops asked me if I would like another, very cheap…I told him I have no trees in my yard…he said, “You could hang it from your palapa”…I told him I don’t even have a roof over my patio..he thought for a moment and replied, “Something for your second husband?”..I cracked up. Guess he thought that if I had a husband who wouldn’t plant a tree, and wouldn’t put a roof over my patio, I would surely soon find a second one who would!
Our feeble attempts to calculate dollars to peso’s and vice versa as well as an adequate tip in pesos was comical for all within earshot..our waiters were laughing, the guests were smiling..and in the end, I think we did ok..at least I hope we did.
Our time there passed all too quickly and 5 days is simply not long enough to enjoy all the Riviera Maya has to offer. We sadly made our way back to Cancun to return our rental car Tuesday morning, (no problems here at all) not ready to leave this magical place. Car return was quick and easy, and we found ourselves aboard our flight to Memphis in the early afternoon. I spent my birthday in the air homeward bound, with a stop in Memphis and a two hour layover before we caught a commuter flight home. We ate dinner in Memphis’s airport, and nothing we had could compare to the tasty food choices we experienced in the last four days. We arrived home last night about 11pm very tired, and very ready to return to the Maya. Next time we will take the babies with us..I can just visualize my two year old granddaughter and grandson running naked on Copal’s beach with big smiles on their faces! Next time around, we plan on snorkeling, visiting Coba and possibly venturing further south.
Gale (Holey in Spanish)
OMG, what an awesome experience!! Flight was uneventful and arrived on time. Breezed through customs with a green light.
Made it to Avis Car rental counter only to be informed by an Executive car rental agent that Avis was on strike! We decided to make our way outside and were lucky enough to be found by a “Buster’s Auto Rental” agent who offered me a much better deal on a comparable car, standard shift with air…and no hold on my credit card! We were soon off and on our way South on Hwy 307.
Driving…what can I say? It is a different sort of animal in Mexico. You have to be ever diligent about what is coming up behind you as well as what is up ahead. It is a very good thing they have a half lane to pull into on the right to let passing cars around and to avoid the oncoming traffic in your lane! Once we got used to the “left turn signal” system, the drive was an easy one. It might take us a few days to relearn to drive in the states though. I fear several speeding tickets in the near future. It was very odd to abandoned see ramshackle shacks on one side of 307 and luxurious resorts popping up one upon another on the other side…I fear that this part of the Riviera Maya will not be as secluded as it is for much longer, something the numerous construction crews we saw working on new development are a testament to.
Stopped at San Francisco Market for a jug of water and other things we needed and made our way down Boca Paila Rd to Cabanas Copal. Check in was simple and fast...in just a few minutes we got our first glimpse at the shimmering aqua-blue Caribbean as we walked to our cabana…it simply takes your breath away to see such a beautiful sight. I have traveled the Southeastern US extensively and visited beaches on the Gulfside as well as the Atlantic, and nothing can compare.
We were twenty steps from the beach, with our glass/screen front cabana facing the beach, so we were greeted by the gorgeous sunrise each morning, and went to sleep each evening to the sounds of the breakers meeting the beach and gecko’s scurrying across our palm frond palapa roof. The breeze was wonderful and refreshing.
We were unsure of what to expect at Cabana’s Copal, but what we found were the friendliest, most helpful staff who anticipated our every need, a rustic cabana with no electric lighting, which only added to the mystic and beauty of the place. We were provided with plenty of candles for lighting, and had our own private bath with hot water and a beautiful tile shower. What more could one ask for? While it may be rather rustic, it is certainly not roughing it by any means. Our room had ample closet room, table and chairs, a table in the bathroom and a mirror, with a concrete floor. Housekeeping was impeccable, and I would love to know what they use to make their sheets so fresh.
For those who enjoy spa services, Copal’s look to be top notch. The Termecal, a type of sweat lodge, is something I didn’t get to do, much to my disappointment, but, it is also on my list of things to do on our first return trip. They offer numerous types of massages in addition to Reiki, Iridology and Mayan Astral Readings. There is also an energy reading, done in the Mayan tradition that peaked my interest. I have already filled up three days of my next trip, planning on enjoying the spa services they offer.
We were starving after we checked in, so we jumped in the car and headed to Tulum Pueblo, for dinner at Charlie’s. The food was fabulous. We both had Chicken Enchaladas..so yummy. Mary, a beer drinker, tried Sol, but, wasn’t really a fan..so she had a couple of the best Margarita’s we had on our vacation with me. While we were eating, there was a light rain shower, that only freshened the air and we stayed until after dark, enjoying the atmosphere and chatting with the bar tender. Drove back to the cabanas and jumped into our HUGE comfy bed, fell asleep to the sound of the waves.
I am a very early riser, a habit I had a hard time breaking on this trip, but, that was ok, as I arose about 4am and sat outside in our patio chairs meditating and gazing at the magnificent stars..Is it just me, or are they so much bigger in Mexico? This was to be a trip for rest and relaxation, to relieve the astronomical stress I am under with my job and life..and it accomplished just that. After a couple of hours to myself in the dark, the sun started to rise…never have I seen anything quite like a Tulum beach sunrise. The colors are magnificent. the sun, shimmering on the white sand is a sight for which no verbal description is adequate.
We did not venture far from Copal, except to town a couple of times for money exchange, shopping and lunch. We did return to Tulum Pueblo a couple of times just to stroll on the street and take in the sights and sounds of this unique Maya town.
We very quickly fell into a schedule that found us at Copal’s restaurant for dinner, back to the beach bar for a couple of wonderful Margarita’s with Enrique the bartender while we relaxed in the shade of the bar’s palapa. After a pitstop in our cabana, we headed for the restaurant bar and the swings that serve as barstools. We visited with many awesome people from those swings. I quickly found that I have a new favorite drink.. “Coco Loco” is made with fresh coconut milk and an array of different spirits. Around 10 pm each evening we made our way back to our cabana, sat on the patio for more stargazing and then fell asleep peacefully. I must confess to drinking a wee too much a couple of nites, but, hey, what are vacations for?
On Monday, we visited the ruins at Tulum. I felt such a sense of belonging there..a connection I cannot describe to the people who created and lived in this place. We were greeted by several Iguanas’ basking in the morning sun, posing for our cameras. We also had a rather good sized Iguana at our doorstep several times at the cabana’s, but, no bugs, no mosquito’s and no snakes or spiders!
We had planned on snorkeling at Caleta Tankah after our morning ruins visit, but, the surf was just too strong. Caleta was closed, as was the beach at the ruins. That was ok, it gives us something to look forward to next time, as well as visiting cenotes and trying other restaurants. This trip, we were learning about the area, and enjoying the people we met.
Breakfast was hot, rich coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice at Copal’s restaurant with the greatest waiter you could ask for, he always had it waiting for us when we got there. Horhegy (sp) was also our Spanish instructor..he would repeat everything we said in English back to us in Spanish, with a smile. In four days, I can actually follow a simple Spanish conversation, thanks to him. At lunch, he had my Soupa De Lima ready and waiting. My new favorite food, so light and just perfect for a mid day meal. The Chicken and Beef Fajita’s are also very good, and their salsa is to die for. They have a scrumptious breakfast buffet that Mary enjoyed; I am not an early morning eater, so I settled for good lunch food in the early afternoon.
We walked down the hotel road in the early evenings to visit the shops and the families who ran them. Checked out the Posada Del Sol and Zamas, both looked very nice. Also stopped in at Zahra, but, for my taste, Copal is just perfect and I will return there.
Things that made me grin: Every time one of the Mexican men would ask where we were from and we replied, “Kentucky”…they would nod and say…”Si, Kentucky Fried Chicken!”
Copal’s beach, as you know is clothing optional..I watched a couple in their birthday suits on the beach one morning who must have been at least in their 70’s…they were simply having the time of their lives as we all were. The nudity is not overbearing and after the first day, you really don’t notice it much…I hope I can still enjoy The Riviera Maya as this senior couple did when I am that age!
At the Ruins shops, my daughter in law bought a chair type hammock, and I was carrying it for her..one young man who was working the shops asked me if I would like another, very cheap…I told him I have no trees in my yard…he said, “You could hang it from your palapa”…I told him I don’t even have a roof over my patio..he thought for a moment and replied, “Something for your second husband?”..I cracked up. Guess he thought that if I had a husband who wouldn’t plant a tree, and wouldn’t put a roof over my patio, I would surely soon find a second one who would!
Our feeble attempts to calculate dollars to peso’s and vice versa as well as an adequate tip in pesos was comical for all within earshot..our waiters were laughing, the guests were smiling..and in the end, I think we did ok..at least I hope we did.
Our time there passed all too quickly and 5 days is simply not long enough to enjoy all the Riviera Maya has to offer. We sadly made our way back to Cancun to return our rental car Tuesday morning, (no problems here at all) not ready to leave this magical place. Car return was quick and easy, and we found ourselves aboard our flight to Memphis in the early afternoon. I spent my birthday in the air homeward bound, with a stop in Memphis and a two hour layover before we caught a commuter flight home. We ate dinner in Memphis’s airport, and nothing we had could compare to the tasty food choices we experienced in the last four days. We arrived home last night about 11pm very tired, and very ready to return to the Maya. Next time we will take the babies with us..I can just visualize my two year old granddaughter and grandson running naked on Copal’s beach with big smiles on their faces! Next time around, we plan on snorkeling, visiting Coba and possibly venturing further south.
Gale (Holey in Spanish)