Celebrating Ten in Tulum!

[courtleigh]

Drum roll, please!!! :D At long last...the Trip Report for our 10 Anniversary Trip! Buckle your seat belts and enjoy the ride! :D :) <3

As we all well know, I've been a bit excited about this trip since I stumbled upon this little forum some four months ago, but I thought I'd give you a bit of backstory. This trip was planned to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Originally, we were planning to go back to Virgin Gorda where we honeymooned, but an extended family trip to Grand Cayman in June ate through our savings on that idea pretty fast! So, after much discussion, we decided to finally throw in the towel and try an AI resort. This was something we had always ranked just under “Cruise Ships” as last place we'd ever go, but suddenly, after 10 crazy, wonderful, stressful, miraculous years, the idea of a mindless, glutinous vacation really appealed to us!


We had settled on one on Maroma Beach, but, as we do, I kept researching. And researching. And researching. Until I stumbled onto this cute little bunch of people on this little forum called tulum.info. I knew immediately they were kindred spirits! This happened to correspond with a horrible tummy bug terrorizing everyone in our household and I comforted myself by reading trip report after trip report. In no time, I was hooked and KNEW this was where I wanted to spend our 10th Anniversary vacation with my partner-in-crime and best friend of the last 10 years. Finally, when the tummy bug had finally passed, I hesitantly made hubby (let's call him JM!) a drink one night and said, “I really want to go HERE!” In less than 10 minutes of looking at trip reports he was, “HECK YEAH!” and the rest is history!


So, fast forward to the morning of December 1. 6am. We're ready. We have our cary-on roller bags and back pack each. We have our zippy bag full of our travel sized toiletries. The kids had spent the night at my folks. We were good to go! Leave the house at 6:15, arrive at D/FW at 6:45. Breeze through security and before 7:30 I'm in Gate D eating breakfast and booking our massage sessions with Margo on my Paypal ap! (Which, by the way, we both agree is the greatest invention ever for small businesses and we think they should put our savy selves in the first commercial!).


So, onward! Flight leaves at 8:15ish...arrive in Cancun about 10ish, walk off the plane, right up to customs, “Hola. Hola.” Push button, get green light, walk out to Santander atm, get $6000 pesos, say, “NO, GRACIAS!” to the people in blue, and are standing outside with our USA Transfer rep before 10:30! CRAZY!!! We just look at each other with our mouths open thinking, “Why have we never been to Mexico before?!!” It was by FAR the easiest international travel we have EVER done! Absolutely crazy!


Some flight pics...not the best, but I was adjusting to my new point and shoot!


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Cancun...


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Standing outside airport in shock of how easy this was! Seriously, we've had harder trips flying Southwest to Houston! LOL!


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On the road...


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Fernando, our transfer driver was awesome. We stopped and got some beers because I was still pretty nervous about this drive, but once we got going (and I got a few beers in me!) I was “no hay problema!”. We can't say enough great things about the professionals at USA Transfer (they are ON the ball in every aspect of the trip), but we will definitely be renting our own car in Cancun and driving down from here on out. It's just such a simple drive, there's no reason not to, and then you're done with the whole transportation issue for the week.


http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00229.jpg



Anywho, we stop at Super San Fran and I swear it was the first time of MANY on this trip where I felt like I had just jumped inside my favorite storybook and was meeting all my favorite characters in real life! I couldn't believe we were actually there! AT THE SAN FRAN OMG!!! :D


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Some happyhippylocalcolor. :D


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So, we stock up and FINALLY we're on our way to NVR. Enter Beach Road. Happiness ensues.


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{Ok - I have to edit to add that, at this point in our trip, I'm pretty much beside myself! I keep pointing at everything (subtly, I thought..ha!) saying, "LOOK! There's this! There's that!" as we drove through town, etc.

The driver kept asking me, "you've not been here before you sure?".
Me: "No, but our friends have!"
Him: "Ohh! Where are your friends from?"
Me: "Hmmm...all over?"

Bless his heart, he was so confused! And when I walk right up to Marsiella and ask for our cooler he was like, "you do not act like this is your first time here!!!" He was so flustered!! Poor dude! - End edit! :D }

So, that's about the first 1/100th of our trip! Yes, this will probably be long, wordy and pic heavy. That's how I roll! Love it or leave it! :D


I have to say, once again, an ENORMOUS THANK YOU to all the kind souls on this forum who went out of their way to make sure that our 10th Anniversary Celebration trip was everything it should be. You guys are the good guys!! XOXOXO!!


Oh - and in the next installment...WINNER WINNER!!!



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XOXO MWAH!

[utmck]

WOOOOHOOOO!!! It's about time, I was starting to get really jealous thinking you were going on a month long vacation....haha. 30 mins to DFW, where do you live, we live in McKinney?

Can't wait for the rest of the TR!!!

Chuck & Lainie

[TortillayTortuga]

Can't wait for more! I'm sure Westy will be excited about this.

[beachreader]

What an awesome start, and thanks for all the kudos! That's what we're here for, to make it easy for people to figure things out, even on their very first trip. So you "knew" everything right away, but you had to be there to feel it, and I'm really getting that sense of excitement and discovery from your writing. Thanks!

[CoconutShrimp]

Fantastic start! I can't wait for more!! ;)

[Westybchbum]

Considering the craziness of this time of year I'm totally impressed with your start and that you took the time to give us a dribble.... don't worry, we will all be here when you have time for more... Really looking forward to it- there is something awesome about hearing the first timer report, reminds me of my own first excitement!!
Cheers dolly for a great start! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Westybchbum]

Can't wait for more! I'm sure Westy will be excited about this.

Oh yea!! :cool:

[courtleigh]

So glad y'all are loving it! It's so fun to relive it via the report! I fell like most of our pics are replicas of ones I've already seen here, but whatever! Todo bien! :D

Continuing right along....

We drive down the beach road and I'm in hog heaven. I couldn't believe we were there and couldn't get over how many places there are and how long the road was. It just kept going and going! Finally we arrive at NVR and the valet helps us with our bags!

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Cute reception area for Zona Corazon...(they were remodeling the big reception area in anticipation for the high season, so this was actually the only reception area they had at this point. I'll share the new-and-improved main reception area at the end! :) )

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See the red cooler under the desk?! That's T.I's cooler! Score! We were able to set it up with the blue one we bought (and also left there for posterity, so look for it!). We had one with beers/diet cokes on ice and another for ice for cocktails. A fine setup, indeed! Thank you, T.I!!

And off we go to our first room. #26 Deseo. <3!

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Our home for the next 3 nights...(note the coolers in their places...ready to please! :D)

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We get situated and Chino brings us our welcome margaritas. Wow. Really? This is perfection!!

Off to the beach beds we go...just in time for the clouds to roll in...LOL! No hay problema! Beach stroll it is! At this point it's about 2pm we think. We decide to stroll south.

A panoramic of the beach that afternoon.

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strolling along...



As I mentioned, I am a hard core beach bum. I have been to more than my fair share of beaches and, while I love every beach for its unique attributes, I have my own set of qualities that make a beach my perfect kind of place. Ranking high for me in these attributes is "sand density" (yes, I made this term up!). Sand density is the propensity of sand to let your feet sink DEEP down into it in that area really close to the water but right above the tide line. You know what I'm talking about? Tulum is now the reigning champion in sand density. I felt like a kid again walking the shoreline down the beach that afternoon! :D

You can see proof of said "sand density" in footprints in the bottom of this picture. Heavenly!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00256.jpg

So, here's about the time where I really started feeling like I'd been magically transported into my favorite story book...

Look! La Zebra!!

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Casa Violeta!

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OHHHHHHHHMMMMMM!!!!!

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It's all really there and really exists!! I'm downright giddy!!

We decide to turn around and go back to La Zebra for our first food experience in Tulum. Yeeeee!!!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00271.jpg


Salsa platter, guac, civichi and a mojito thankyouverymuch!!!! Courtleigh is in bliss! JDM says, "WOW!! I think I love Tulum!!!"

JDM loving Tulum..

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And suddenly, it's DARK!!!

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No one mentioned that it gets dark at 4:30 in Tulum!!! Haha! JDM had to run home for some more pesos at one point and thank goodness grabbed a flashlight or we would have been toast!!! Even given the flashlight, though, we still walked clear on past NVR and it wasn't until we asked the security guard at Esmeralda K where we were that we realized how far past NVR we had walked! OOPS!! Multiple cocktails may have contributed to our confusion as well! :D

We finally make it back to our home and settle into our balcony living room. Both of us decide to nix dinner (we had a late lunch at La Z, right?!) and just hang out on the patio with a cocktail. We get in our jammies and get ready for bed and suddenly realize it's only 6:30!!! Hahaha! We're getting OLD in our old age!!! So, night happens and I go to sleep dreaming of a famed Tulum sunrise. :D

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00287.jpg


XOXO!!!

[Solbound]

Off to a great start....love the wheelbarrow! Very practical! Looking forward to the rest.

[mayaflya]

So much goodness in this trip report! Ten year anniversary, first time trip report (you can only be a Tulum virgin once!)..and the stirrings of a Tulum addict....A trip to Tulum changes the way you think about vacation forever.

Great job!

[heenan]

Really enjoying your report!
Fantastic sunrise pic!

[TortillayTortuga]

2 Coolers!!!!! NICE.

[beachreader]

Loving this, just loving it. I feel like a proud parent for some reason. :D

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:I want you guys to all know, she is just as CUTE in person! Her excitement and love for all of us is super fun. What a doll. :o

It is so funny reading trip reports for me, because it is like watching the movie after you've read the book? I know what is going to happen next, and even a BIG surprise that happens after that, and I'm waiting to see how the Director decides to play these scenes.....

GOOD JOB CHICA! Vamanos!!!!!:beerchug:

[Kitsapkat]

Love the TR keep it coming....We plan on using a foldable cooler and pack it along with us.

[courtleigh]

Thank you guys!!! Next installment coming soon, I promise!! And, yes, Margo is right, there is a big surprise coming and this director still has no idea how she's going to tell it!! YIKES! Just thought I'd roll with it and see what happens! LOL!

Glad you're enjoying our first TR!

[beachreader]

OK, the anticipation is properly building (did you work that out with Margo in advance? ;)), can't wait for the next part!

[tbpeaceful]

Wowsa girl! Way to get our attention. I am so feeling the magic here...I love first timer reports and this is a super fun one.

Your arrival is a great introduction to arriving in Mexico. Congrats for making it look so smooth.

[courtleigh]

I'm so glad y'all are enjoying our little Trip Report!! So, here we got to day 2!

I remember when I was a kid, I had the hardest time sleeping Christmas Eve night. I was so excited and so eager for the surprises the morning would bring that I would wake up about every hour and check the clock only to find that it was still the middle of the night and I needed to go back to sleep. This was me my first night in Tulum, as well! I was SO excited about the sunrise and all the surprises the day would bring that I woke up every hour from about 1am on!


Finally, after 3 or for hopeful peeks, I woke up and opened my eye to this: LAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!


http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00296.jpg



Let the day begin!!

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Now, JDM is NOT a morning person! His idea of R&R is not getting up and hitting the ground at 6am. But, even he could not resist the lure of the Tulum sunrise. How can you sleep through that kind of quiet beauty? So, up we were and out in the water for a sunrise swim VERY EARLY!

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pano of Zona Corazon

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Pano of surf and sunrise

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Me staying warm and dry on beach bed. I think it's about 7am now!

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After our Tulum sunrise baptism, we decide to dry off and head to Casa Banana for our first breakfast!

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View from our balcony...

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Off to breakfast!

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We loved the jungle paths!

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and the recycle truck!

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A sunrise swim. A beautiful, cool morning. Sounds of the jungle in the air. The hustle and bustle of the beach road behind us. A day with no deadlines, emails, conference calls, clients, customers, commutes or cares. Just Tulum. Todo Bien.

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Some Casa Banana details...

Fruita

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Cafe.

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Huevos...


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You'll notice in the above picture by the marked absence of our soon-to-be-beloved habanero sauce that we had not yet discovered that if you want it spicy on Tulum beach, you gotta ask for it! Don't worry, we learned how to say "muy picante por favor!" pretty fast, but we were really surprised by the blandness of the dishes compared to what we were expecting to find in Mexico. We suspect that some of this has to do with the fact that it's a tourist area and there are a lot of people visiting who have a much milder palette. The only caveat we will give for asking for "muy picante" is you better mean it! Ask a local for spicy and they take it as a challenge to slowly melt your face off! :D We also noticed that food in the pueblo had much more of a kick than the beach restaurants furthering our theory that they're menus are catered to the milder palette of tourists. Just some random observations and speculations I thought I'd share! :)

I brought by DSLR to breakfast with us this morning, but really only used it a couple of times. I was much more comfortable throwing the point and shoot on my wrist and traveling light. Next time, I think DSLR will stay home safe and sound. I know there have been some discussions on this so, I thought I'd add my two cents. I preferred the freedom of the P&S!!

Some Casa Banana details.

The yummy grill (details of its splendor to come!)

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adorable bar where they make the most tasty AND killer margaritas ever! Swoon!

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My happy place.

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We leave CB and decide that before any beach relaxing takes place, we first we need to get some ice for our coolers. I tell JDM that there's a store on the beach road that sells ice and we can walk there. No hay problema! :cool:

So we start walking. And walking. And walking. Donde esta el hielo?!!!! :confused::confused::confused::confused::p:p:p

Next up....we give up on walking! :P

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1615.jpg :p;)

Thank you all for being patient with my long and detailed trip report! I have to go bake Christmas cookies now!

Hasta manana! :D

[utmck]

You gave up on walking to the "convenience store".... it can't be but about 100 yards or so??? You must have missed it, supposedly there is one further down on the other side of the street, but we never made it further down the road.

It is so cool to read a trip report and see the "jungle path", the "recycle truck", and the exact table we sat on in CB!!!!

Bring it on!!! More pics!!!

C & L

[beachreader]

Thinking maybe they took off walking in the wrong direction? :o

[tbpeaceful]

You gave up on walking to the "convenience store".... it can't be but about 100 yards or so??? You must have missed it, supposedly there is one further down on the other side of the street, but we never made it further down the road.

It is so cool to read a trip report and see the "jungle path", the "recycle truck", and the exact table we sat on in CB!!!!

Bring it on!!! More pics!!!

C & L

HA Ha! That is 'our' table too. Very fun to see these photos.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1578xx.jpg

JDM has "the" look of Tulum....total contentment and happiness.

[Westybchbum]

I'm so glad there was a pic of you Courtleigh with your hubby!!! I will never tire of seeing NVR, especially through other's eyes. LOVE the view of the grill that you got, we usually sat up under the covered part of CB so our view is always from the other side. We wanted to sit down in the open on our last visit but there were some sort of nuts or shelled things falling from the trees onto our heads so we opted for cover lol....

So my question is, if you were standing in the road with CB behind you and the NVR rooms in front of you did you turn right and walk or left? Cuz IZGUIERDA (RIGHT) was the correct way.... Darn, we should have specified that better!!!

And LOVE the pic of the huevos con chaya.... I had those my last breakfast of our last trip and I MISS that CHAYA.... YUMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!! Thanks for the warm and wonderful continuation, can't wait for more !!!! :) :) :) :) :)

[courtleigh]

You gave up on walking to the "convenience store".... it can't be but about 100 yards or so??? You must have missed it, supposedly there is one further down on the other side of the street, but we never made it further down the road.

LOL! It would have been a lot more "convenient" if we'd been walking the right direction!!



Thinking maybe they took off walking in the wrong direction?

DING DING DING DING!!! Beachreader for the win!!! :D


Darn, we should have specified that better!!!

LOL! It's okay! It was all part of the adventure!!! :D We did eventually locate the the "convenient" store when we made our move down to LuvTulum! So, no hay problema! :)

[minniemex]

Congratulations on your anniversary!!

Loving your report ~ can't wait for more!

[Margoinmexico]

So my question is, if you were standing in the road with CB behind you and the NVR rooms in front of you did you turn right and walk or left? Cuz IZGUIERDA (RIGHT) was the correct way.... Darn, we should have specified that better!!!

:) :) :) :) :)

Westy honey, love you chica, but you better go back to the Spanish Word of the Day thread, cause Izquierda is LEFT! Derecho is right and derecha is straight......so if you walk out of NVR, you do go IZQUIERDA, but if you go out of CB, you need to go Derecho.

A cute note on Derecho, it literally means "rights" so an amigo con derecho gets privilages that other friends don't get if you knwo what I mean.:o

Ok Courtleigh.....do we need to send out the bagette lady? :p

[courtleigh]

Hahah! So, YES, we walked the wrong way. For a long time! LOL! But, it was a beautiful morning for a walk down the beach road! JDM finally had enough of my positive persistence ("but, they SAID there was a shop on the beach road!!":D ) stopped a cab and we went on into town and rented a car for the week at the Hertz!!

The comedy of errors continued as we realized when we got to hertz that we didn't have our driver's licenses. So, Wilbert (I kid you not!) drove us back to NVR, got our DL, then BACK to Hertz. Here is my new driver! I'm kind of smitten with him! :D
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By now, I'm REALLY jonesing for some beach time and the slow arrival of wispy clouds are making me antsy! I'm in serious need of a vitamin D fix!!! :D We high tail it back to home base (after finally stopping at 7-11 for hielo!) and plop ourselves in a beach bed!
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(this is probably the most unflattering position to have your picture taken, but how else can you illustrate the awesomeness of the NVR beach bed?!!)
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Soon Chino stopped by to see if we'd like a margarita. Don't mind if I do!

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Notice the increased cloud cover? Beach wind + no sun = kind of frio!!! :) We decide to take the party on the road and stroll north for a bit. We wind up at this cute little gem.

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I'd read Beachreader's trip report of her stay at Villas las Estrellas and it was REALLY weird to step in here and see everything. Sitting on the sofa was the beautiful family that runs the Villas and their little girl (who's hair has really grown since BR's report!) I felt a bit stalkerish that I actually remembered the baby's name!! I kept that information to myself, however, and played it very cool and laid back. Well, as cool and laid back as I could while working on margarita #2!

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Ceviche! They had a really interesting spin on the dish that we really enjoyed!
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After lunch, we hung around out front and chatted with guests and kite boarders for a while...may or may not have had another margarita ;) ...played with Tequila...

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Buried my feet in the beautiful, velvet sand!

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By now, it was quite apparent that clouds were here for the duration, so we grabbed our margaritas and decided to continue our party stroll north! I spotted Ziggy's and decided we really needed to try one of their margaritas...after all, they're 2 fer 1!! :D

We're also pretty down-right silly by now. JDM doing his best TELEMUNDO!!! impression!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00353.jpg

Me, thinking I married the funniest man on earth! :D

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00355.jpg

And, the star of the show!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00357.jpg

At this point, after all the margaritas we'd sampled in the last 24 hours, we both agree that NVR's are the hands-down best we've ever had in our life (and this coming from 2 native Texans is a pretty bold statement!) and we should probably mosey back up to home base and make double sure!

Now, my best guess is that we then went back up to #26 and fell face first into a nice, long margarita siesta afternoon! However, I seem to have no pictures (mental or digital!) to tell me what happened next, so, we'll just call this "The Lost Afternoon"! :D

Apparently, somehow we managed to rally and get cleaned up. We decided to walk sounth and ended up walking down to OHM for a very nice dinner. I had the creamy calamari appetizer that is amazing and then the shrimp with garlic sauce for entree. I don't really remember what JDM had, but I know we ate every.single.bite. Ceviche at lunch was a long time ago!

Handsome, candlelit hubby. :)
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00360.jpg

OHM looked just like I imagined only MUCH smaller! Like a miniaturized version! hehe! It was really cool!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00362.jpg

All in all, a fun and adventurous first full day in Tulum! We are looking forward to Friday (the next day!) because we have massages with the Mighty Margo at 9 the next morning! Can't wait to meet her and I know it's going to be a great day! I'll leave you guys at the end of day 2 with some more random Tulum pics!

Cloudy at La Zebra from first afternoon.


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La Zebra yummy salsas

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00274.jpg

More sunrise swim...

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I love these...it's so not him to jump in something with both feet like this (literally and figuratively!)...I'm usually the one dragging him into the water...something about Tulum just clicked for him, I guess :)

And Zamas - we never got to eat there (too much beach, not enough time!) but it's so cute and I'm definitely going back next time! How could you resist that little cove and those multi colored chairs?!!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1602.jpg

And NVR Beach beds all lined up and ready for Vitamin D! :)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00340.jpg

Next up...Margo Massages AND I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!!!!!!!! ARRRRGGHGHH!!! :D

[courtleigh]

OK - I have a pile of Christmas presents that really need wrapping, but I spent an hour and a half waiting in line for the kids to see Santa this morning and I'm feeling a bit humbug! I'd much rather relive our Tulum trip that was only two weeks ago but feels like it was another world away!

So, onto day 3. It's massage day and our last full day at NVR before we pack up and leapfrog down the beach to LuvTulum.

I'm a bit of a morning person and I married a certified night owl. Sometimes I feel like we're ships passing in the night, but we make it work for us! (and when our kids were babies, I found being married to a night owl when you have a newborn who is up 4x a night can definitely work to your advantage!) Also, I love to read and it's really a guilty pleasure at this point in my life. So, over the last 10 years, I've discovered that one of my very favorite things to do on vacation is to wake up, grab my book and leisurely lay in bed and read all morning while JDM snoozes away. (sleeping in is a bit of a guilty pleasure at this point in our lives, too! :D) It's down-right decadent! No breakfasts to fix, no homework to check, no lunches to pack, carpools, emails, clients...ahhhh!! Just me, a book, a sunrise, and a warm, happily snoozing huband by my side. Life is good!

BUT, on this particular morning, I knew we had a 9am massage time with Margo, and even if we weren't on Mexico time, we were cutting it pretty close to fit breakfast in before, so my bliss would have to wait...until about 9am! :) Now, this was also the morning that we learned to ask for "muy picante por favor" and were in habanero sauce heaven at Casa Banana, but I was really worried Margo was going to show up and us not be in our rooms and something happen where she couldn't find us, so I kept my eyes peeled on that beach road. After the 3rd attempt at "la cuenta, por favor", I look up and there she is! Well, who else could it be?! An adorable blond tromping up the beach road WITH A TABLE ON HER BACK!!!! LOL!! She's so cute!! Anyway, I screamed "MARGO!!" and hurdled over the fence probably scaring the pee out of her, but I was so glad we didn't miss her!!

So, how to describe Margo?! :D Mostly, I felt like I already knew her and she was like one of those friends that no matter how long you go in between visits, you feel like you just saw them yesterday. You know what I mean? I think that's really a gift for someone in her profession, too! And speaking of her profession, OMG!!!! The woman is fantastic! She's so subtle, but specific in her work. I can't explain it. It's like you know she's doing amazing things to your body and it feels awesome while you're getting the massage, but you never feel like she's on a mission to massage the demons out of you...even though she does massages the demons out of you!! Haha! How's that for an explanation?!

I guess another way to say it is I've had some effective massages where I DID feel like they massaged the demons out of me when it was over, but I didn't really enjoy the massage itself even though I felt better when it was over. Then, I've had massages that I enjoyed GETTING, but didn't really feel better afterward. She's got a way of walking a fine line between the two and it results in an amazing experience. Plus, there's Margo herself which is just part of the deal to me. As a fellow female small business owner, I really enjoyed hearing how she has found a way to make her dreams for her career come true. We did her "Feel Good" seminar and massage on Sunday, which I'll touch on more when I get to that day, but I have to say now, this woman knows her stuff!! It was so eye opening and so "DUH! That makes so much sense!!". JDM particularly got a lot out of the Feel Good class. We're both feeling like "we're not getting any younger" these days and with his constant air travel, hotel stays, it was really good for him to hear that there are small little things he can do to make a big difference in halting this aging process. Her mission in life is to keep us all young, healthy and beautiful!!! Where do I sign up?!

So, I went first, then JDM. By the time we wrapped up, Margo was about to be late for another sesh down at Suenos, (ok - editing to add she wasn't LATE yet, we just had lost track of time and it was later than we thought. I didn't mean to imply that Margo would be anything but professional! hope it wasn't taken that way!) so I didn't get to snap a pic with her like I had planned. No worries, I thought, we'll see her sunday for like 5 hours, surely I can manage to snap a pic then. :rolleyes::( You'll read why when I get there, but Sunday, we were pretty out of sorts (FORESHADOWING!!) and I just plum forgot! So, no Margo pics for the TR. Sadderz. :( But, still, thank you again, Margo for a great morning and then an awesome afternoon on Sunday! We really enjoyed getting to know you! :) See you soon!

Rest of day went like this:

Guac, ceviche and quesadillas on beach bed.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00367.jpg

NUM!! More Casa Banana Ritas and habanero sauce!!! :eat-drink:

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00368.jpg

The sun set at 3:30. LOL! :sun:


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We knew we wanted to eat dinner, but neither of us could really make a decision where we wanted to go. We decided to go ahead and get cleaned up and then see what we felt like. Turns out we felt like more Casa Banana! 3 for 3 today! LOL! The Argentinian grill was smelling amazing and we were walking down that jungle path before we could stop ourselves. Oh, and margaritas. That may have helped sway the vote! :D

I used my iPhone for this night because I was trying to text my mom and find out how the switch to the in-laws went for the kids! LOL! Not the best pics, but at least they help tell the story!

The grill in action.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_0864.jpg

Quite possibly the worst food pic ever taken. Sopa de lima!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_0865.jpg

Happy man with beef!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_0868.jpg

This was probably my favorite dinner we had all week. We also had the asparagus with garlic chips (yum!), calamari salad and a fantastic bottle of Argentinean wine. Finish this off sipping on some Don Julio...we were feeling no pain! :) After a morning of Margo massages, an afternoon on the beach and a dinner like this, I was asleep before I hit the pillow! I think it was 9:30pm! :D

XOXO

Next up...

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00370.jpg

And, Margo, I still have no idea how I'm going to tell this!!!!!! :confused::confused::confused: I'm praying for divine inspiration! :p

[Westybchbum]

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00377.jpg

This picture is priceless as is your TR.... your description of Margo is absolutely PERFECTO............... I love your down to earth and "real" vibe... it's no wonder you loved Tulum so much!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for taking us there with you..... it's about 18 degrees with with chill in lil ol' Westport, CT... TyT is looking at your pics right now on his laptop as I type this muttering "OMG Tulum is sooooo beautiful".... lol.... You guys ROCK... can't wait for MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOX

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:You are so cute honey. Isn't she adorable folks? And you married a truly nice guy. what a gem. I LVOE that photo as well, and if it won't distract you from your report, I think you should go make that your new avitar. It is you guys to a Tee! Let's pretend I'm in that one.....

:beerchug::eat-drink:
Someday someone is going to get a good one of me with the table on my shoulder.......!

So, wow, I mean really way wow on all the nice things you said. That is exactly what I am going for, so guess I must be doing something right! To me there is NOTHING more important than FEELING GOOD< so when I massage someone I do it EXACTLY how I would want it done to me. Deep, effective, but painless and relaxing. Mmmmmmm. It is a gift and an honor to be part of the experience!

And thanks for saying how much JDM liked the FEEL GOOD Class. It really is a guy thing but their eyes glaze over at the thougth of a class about the body. They think it's going to be a chick thing, but that couldnt' be farther from the truth, guys love the class, they really get it from a mechanics point of view.....is he doing the stuff?

Oh yeah and late for Sueños, you would have thought that 4 hours WAS enough to do 2 one hour massages, right? NOT, there is the best friends that have never seen each other factor which I actually add in when I schedule my appointments! :p

Don't worry, you will say it perfectly....you've done such a good job so far, why would that change?

Love you chica, love your report and I am deeply moved by your words, Gracias. :o

[minniemex]

Really enjoying your report. Nothing like a first timers report. It brings tears to my eyes to see someone enjoying it as much as I do!

I think this says it all ~



...something about Tulum just clicked for him, I guess :)

[manitou]

What a great report! Thanks so much for taking the time to post!

Oh, and for all you future massage receivers, Margo does not operate her business on Mexican time. If she says she will meet you at a specific time, she will be there at that time or at least pretty darn close.

Can't wait for the next installment!

[courtleigh]

it's about 18 degrees with with chill in lil ol' Westport, CT.Ugh!! I'll never understand how anyone can live in those temperatures! LOL! We had high of 78 on Monday and Tuesday this week! It's cold again, but like in the 40s, not TEENS!!! Scary! Glad I can help warm your souls with some Tulum love at least! :D


guys love the class, they really get it from a mechanics point of view.....is he doing the stuff?Exactly!! And, face it! Everyone wants to FEEL GOOD! Yes, he's doing the stuff...we decided that we needed to take notes or get a pdf version of the class...we need a refresher course!! You'll love this: we were texting back and forth while he sat in an airport in Norfolk, VA for 11 hours last week and he said everyone was starting to freak out and lose it as the started canceling flights, etc, but he was all chill using your techniques! He said a few of them REALLY needed a Margo FEEL GOOD class! :D Awesome, huh?!

And, I hope my wording didn't make it sound like you weren't prompt or professional or anything!! I certainly didn't mean to, but I'm worrying now that I said something wrong!! :D You run a ship-shape operation!! :D



What a great report! Thanks so much for taking the time to post!

Oh, and for all you future massage receivers, Margo does not operate her business on Mexican time. If she says she will meet you at a specific time, she will be there at that time or at least pretty darn close. So glad you're enjoying, Manitou! And, yes, I agree! Margo is prompt and professional! :D

[courtleigh]

Day 4 - The Transition Day!

Well, first I have to tell anyone reading this that Zona Corazon at NVR is not exactly rustic! LOL! It's darn near the Ritz Carlton compared to what I was preparing myself for! I don't know who these folks are on other review sites saying that it was to "roughing it" for them and high tailing it back to Cancun. Who are these people?! NVR was elegant, beautiful and so peaceful. The service was consistent and attentive but never in-your-face. The staff were sweet and friendly and really made our stay feel like home.

So, this is why when it came time to move up the road, it was with a bit of a heavy heart! While I was certain we would fall in love with Luv as well, I had grown attached to my beach bed, my outdoor shower, my jungle paths! Ha ha! I had even confided to Margo on Friday that I deep down really wished we could spend the rest of the vacation at NVR. But, I embraced my inner adventurer and onward we went! Honestly, by the time we pulled into Luv's parking lot, I was really excited to see our new home!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00396.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00400.jpg


Our room wasn't quite ready for us, so we walked up to La Zebra and grabbed some lunch. It was a truly gorgeous day in Tulum!

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http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1632.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1629.jpg

Couldn't resist grabbing a shot of this for myself!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1617.jpg

Free beach wi-fi!!!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1622.jpg

Only in Tulum do you find topless Christmas decor!!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_1627.jpg

Cucumber margarita...sounded good in theory! :) It was good...just not great...and rather filling! :)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00386.jpg

Really tasty beef empanadas and shrimp tacos. And salsa picante, por favor!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00385.jpg

Walked back up to Luv and got ourselves settled in. Loved the beach road and we finally found the "convenient store"! It was down by Playa Mambo next door. We were psyched to not have to drive to 7-11 anymore!!

Beach road and the back part of Luv.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00399.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00397.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00393.jpg

Cute little cabinet where they kept all the cute little keys.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00415.jpg

Our room!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00404.jpg

This place is CUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!!!!! And the owners think of every little detail like little vases of bouganvilla in our rooms, candle light, etc. After exploring the entire property, I am now very certain that the owners are very stylish people with impeccable taste and I want to be their friends! Everything was just CUTE!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00403.jpg

towel art...

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00410.jpg

view from bed...nice, huh?!!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00411.jpg

Balcony...you could practically jump into the water from the balcony!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00406.jpg

JDM thinking he could get used to this!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00408.jpg

Looking south from balcony..

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00409.jpg

me and the caribbean ocean reflected. :)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00413.jpg

The cutest bathroom ever!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00405.jpg

Me thinking it was really cool of them to coordinate the bathroom with my bikini and cover up!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00414.jpg

In an earlier report on the property, there was a chain link fence separating the cabanas at Luv from the other half of the property which was supposedly still owned by the original owners or something? That's gone and they are very busy working on the other half of the property now. You can see where they're going to bring a restaurant area back on the downstairs on the right. They are currently serving breakfast upstairs above that right now.

See the area to the right of the arch? That's the area I'm talking about. The glass part on the 2nd floor is where they're doing bfast right now.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00419.jpg

Quick pics of dining area. Say hi to Daisy!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00401.jpg

Amazing view!!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00402.jpg

Finally settled onto the beach just in time for the sun to set! LOL!

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Always willing to make the best of a situation, we made cocktails and went for a beach stroll!

What you look like after 4 days in Tulum!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00422.jpg

(this is actually a better shot of the dining area and the downstairs part they're working on - wish I had gotten some more pics!!)

Me and surfboard leg rest.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00433.jpg

We got cleaned up and walked next door to Casa Violetta. Now, I never had intended for us to go to Casa Violetta because everything I had read about it seemed to be basically, if you like pasta, go there. I'm not really into pasta, so I figured we'd just skip it. However it WAS cute. AND, the locals we picked up hitchhiking on the beach road (yes, we now pick up hitchhikers. We're that cool. My husband at this point has completely embraced the Tulum spirit. Another week and I'm afraid he'd be that nekid man walking up and down the beach and wanting me to make jewelry and fruit for him to pedal...which may not be a bad thing...he IS in sales! :D ). Anyway, our hip and trendy local hitch hikers said we HAD to try it if we were staying at Luv, so who am I to argue with hip and trendy local hitchhikers?! Off to Casa Violetta we go.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00434.jpg

It was love at first sight!

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There's a restaurant in Dallas that we lived next to when we were dating. We ate there at least 3 times a week back then and we loved it because it was so chill and mellow. They had live jazz on the weekends and served dinner til 3am. I walked up to Casa Violetta and immediately thought of that place! It was like Avanti on the beach. Courtleigh was very happy!!

I had fish that I'd seen them bring in off a boat earlier in the day. :) JDM had some kind of seafood pasta thing. We split bottle of wine. It was heaven!

We decided to go hang out at the bar for a bit before returning to our new abode. Made friends quickly and helped name Casa Violetta's newest cocktail. Behold El Diablo Rojo!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00445.jpg

Want to know what it is? You'll have to go to CV and try it for yourself! Oh, and remember to ask for it by name!!!

After a great night at Casa Violetta, we walk back next door and drift off to the sounds of waves crashing outside our new home. I sleep peacefully through the night...until about 2:30am when I start dreaming that I smell smoke. Yeah. SMOKE.



________________________________


Ok - gifts aren't going to wrap themselves! :) Must get some work done!!! Until next time! Enjoy!

XOXO

[TortillayTortuga]

I so can't wait to get back down there. It's sooooooo COLD here!

Great great trip report!!! Anxiously waiting for more.

[courtleigh]

I so can't wait to get back down there. It's sooooooo COLD here!



96 days according to your ticker!!! :D

[utmck]

Courtleigh -

I didn't know they served food on the beach at NVR??? Did you tell the people at CB to bring it to you? Also, were there very many shops down south on the beach road. We thought it would be cool to have some bikes and ride up and down the beach road.......

Chuck

[beachreader]

Wait, none of you guys noticed this?


After a great night at Casa Violetta, we walk back next door and drift off to the sounds of waves crashing outside our new home. I sleep peacefully through the night...until about 2:30am when I start dreaming that I smell smoke. Yeah. SMOKE.


How can you leave us and GO WRAP PRESENTS at a time like this? Holy cow!

I don't know that I'll be able to check in again before the 27th, but I'm going to have to try now.

[utmck]

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00329xx.jpg

We like how she is balancing her cocktail between her right boob and her arm!!!! Just another one of those talented Texas girls....got to luv em'!!!!

[utmck]

"I had grown attached to my beach bed, my outdoor shower"

Do you have a pic of the outdoor shower?

[minniemex]

SMOKE??? You smelled smoke?? and you are leaving us hanging? You must be so chuckling to yourself. Got me waiting!

Really lovin your report!

[courtleigh]

How can you leave us and GO WRAP PRESENTS at a time like this? Holy cow!

I don't know that I'll be able to check in again before the 27th, but I'm going to have to try now.

Oh, no, Beachreader!! Haha! You have no idea how behind I am on Christmas this year, though! I keep dreaming of Tulum instead of sugar plums!!!


Just another one of those talented Texas girls....got to luv em'!!!!

Yep, us Texas girls got skills!



Do you have a pic of the outdoor shower?

Ask and you shall receive!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00515.jpg



SMOKE??? You smelled smoke?? and you are leaving us hanging? You must be so chuckling to yourself. Got me waiting!

Really lovin your report!

Haha! I promise I'm not trying to torture you all! Just trying to balance trip reports and Christmas! :D OK - on with the show!! :D

[utmck]

I would love to have an outdoor shower at my house!!!!!

[courtleigh]

Night 4 - FUEGO!!!!

Ok - I have to begin with I've really struggled with how to tell this part of the story. So, I'm just going to tell it like it happened..the whole nitty gritty! I apologize now for the long-winded nature of this installment. If you want the shortened version, scroll down to where it says "SHORTENED VERSION"! :D


So, I wake from my crazy dream and realize that SURPRISE the smoke isn't just in my dream. It's in the room and it smells like burning rubber. JDM has woken up as well and we turn on the lights to find the room is completely filled with smoke and the floor is HOT! We're now FULLY awake and FULLY freaked out! We throw on jeans and sweat shirts, grab our passports, and head outside. The same time we're coming out, our neighbors (who we had met the day before) are coming out of their room, too. (We're in the top 2 rooms in that front building at Luv and there's no one staying below us) They're as freaked out as we are! So the 4 of us come down the stairs and start to try and find the source of the smoke. One of us ran to find a security guard and the rest of us walked around to the front of the building to find FLAMES coming from inside the bottom right room. Yes, the room below us was on fire. Four Americans standing alone on the beach in Tulum at 2:30 in the morning watching their hotel burn.

Emergency mode kicks in and we split up - neighbor girl and I manage to rouse multiple security guys by running up and down the beach yelling "FUEGO!!! FUEGO!!! EMERGENCIA!!" and JDM and neighbor guy are trying to get our Casa Violeta neighbors (who had so much to drink that night they won't wake up) out of their room because if this fire gets going any bigger, it's going to take them down, too. Security guys finally get a key and open the door to the room and we quickly determine that the fire is coming from the electrical wiring in the wall and that's where the rubber smell was coming from. Also, from the look of the room, this wiring had been smoldering for quite a while now.

So, we've got about 6 completely freaked out security guys who speak very little English, us who speak very little Spanish who are equally freaked out, CV neighbors who still don't quite understand what was going on, an electrical fire, strong winds and a beach full of thatched roof huts. We need to put this fire out pronto. I guess security guys come to the same conclusion because they all start grabbing buckets and running toward the ocean. We realize they're going to fill them with ocean water to put the fire out. Like the freaking bucket brigade!! OMG! In the same moment that was probably ½ a second but felt like an eternity, neighbor guy spots a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall of the building, grabs it, aims at fire and puts the whole thing out himself.

It's over, it's done, we're alive, our stuff didn't burn, LuvTulum lives to fight another day, Casa Violeta and the rest of Tulum are none the wiser that the whole dang beach could have gone up in flame in one night.

***SHORTENED VERSION: THE ROOM BELOW US CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND WE AND OUR NEIGHBORS PUT IT OUT! (This is the room that was on fire. We were in the room above...the wilted looking thing hanging from the ceiling used to be the ceiling fan and our bed was immediately above it. The room now looks like a Salvador Dali painting!! LOL!)
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum%202/DSC00454.jpg







Security guards (who are so sweet and still completely freaked out) help us get our things (which completely reek of burnt rubber and covered in black soot - as are we) and get us and neighbors settled in new rooms. What room do we get?


http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum%202/DSC00447.jpg



Funny Mayans!


We stand around chatting with our neighbors (who are our new best friends for life) and then we all go off to our new rooms. By now it's about 4am and there ain't no way I'm going back to sleep! So, I lay here and read


http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum%202/DSC00449.jpg



until I see this


http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum%202/DSC00448.jpg



by 6:50 I've dragged JDM out of bed and we're walking back up the beach to NVR hoping desperately that they have a room for us. I loved Luv, and I know the fire was an accident and not their fault, but I just really wanted to just get back to my happy place at NVR. We're covered in soot, sleep deprived and I realized I still have nightgown on under my jeans and sweatshirt. In short, we're a mess!


Sweet Marciella greeted us at the reception desk and OMG they have a room for us!!!! Halleluiah!! I felt like I had come home! JDM ran back down to Luv and grabbed our things while I checked in with Marciella. She had breakfast brought to us on our porch. BEST BREAKFAST EVER!!!


http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00455.jpg


I sit down and pour a BIG cup of coffee and wonder if 7:30 is too early to call Margo and tell her that we're gona need a Plan B for our Feel Good Massages!!



Wow, that was pretty emotional to re-tell! It seems like peoples first reaction when we tell them about it is to laugh - and it IS so insane that it's laughable - and we get that. But, the reality is, it really freaked us out. There are so many "what ifs" that if hadn't happened, could have been disastrous or even deadly. We really have only told a handful of people about what happened because it really shook us and we don't want it to take away from the amazing time we had in Tulum for the other 5 nights.

I have to say that the owners were very prompt drove down from PDC immediately that morning. They tracked us down at NVR to see if we were okay and tell us they would refund our stay. They were very professional and I in no way want to disparage their name or Luvs! I feel bad for them that they have this disaster that they need to get cleaned up right before their first high season and I really hope they were able to pull it off. I think an electrical wiring fire could happen to any number of the places constructed down there and it was just bad luck for Luv. We've talked about it since and we both agree that we would be willing to give Luv another try at a later time because it was just such a lovely property, has very sweet staff and we think they have a lot of potential (though teaching security staff how to recognize and use a fire extinguisher would be a plus!) but after our adventure there this particular visit, we were very ready to get back to our beach beds for the rest of trip!

[mayaflya]

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum%202/DSC00454.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum%202/DSC00447.jpg

OMG! I'm so glad you were OK....even better than OK, you guys and your neighbors were heroes! The room change is too funny! If they can't get it cleaned up, maybe they could just switch the signs on the rooms ;-) When a guest comes, they just open the door and shrug.....

[courtleigh]

Alrighty - time to wind things up! LOL!

We finally track down Margo and bless her heart, she has to hear all our tales of woe. But, honestly, if anyone could turn our day around, Margo can, right?! She told me, "Well, you said you wanted to stay here at NVR, right?! Be careful what you wish for in Tulum!!" Boy, no kidding!

We do our Feel Good class on the beach and, again, wow, this lady knows her stuff. It's all about feelin' good and feeling as young in your body as you do in your heart! We loved it and really wish we had a printed version to review! :D XOXO, Margo! Thanks for putting up with us!! :D

Now settled in our new room at NVR, the last 2 days of the trip looked about like this:

My view...
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00491.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00481.jpg

Chino welcoming us back with open arms and a cold margarita!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00483.jpg

Lots of margaritas, chips and habanero sauce!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00485.jpg

My beach bed. :)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00475.jpg

El Pollo Bronco picnic on beach bed. I remembered to pack paper plates in my cary-on just for the occassion! Husband who rolled his eyes when I was stuffing them down in the cary-on now thinks his wife is very handy and clever!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00463.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00469.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00471.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00472.jpg

Our new room, #28 and our beach spot. Oh, we got the red cooler back, too! LOL!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00473.jpg

We particularly liked #28's mini fridge! (note leftover Pollo Bronco and habanero sauce in fridge!)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00518.jpg

The night we moved back to NVR, we arranged with our Luv neighbors to meet at Casa Violeta for a survivors celebration! When we got there, we learned that they had just gotten engaged!! So, there we were celebrating our 10th and them starting their journey. Kind of special! The funny part is, the night before guy neighbor got very freaked out that he had left his backpack in the room once we realized there was a fire. He kept wanting to go back up and get it, but we kept saying, NO! Let it go! Finally, he ran up and got it and now we know why...the RING WAS IN THE BACKPACK!!! Could you imagine?!! Poor guy! It all turned out great in the end though, right?! The kitchen staff carved them an amazingly anatomically correct celebratory langosta out of carrots! That's talent, people!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00458.jpg

We all got this grilled seafood platter that was delicious beyond words and I HIGHLY recommend!!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00457.jpg

Oh, and we did manage get our lazy butts off our beach bed the last night long enough to go back up to OHM and have their famous sangria and pizza. JDM and I both admit that we didn't get why you'd want pizza on the beach, but now we both understand! This is some OUTSTANDING pizza!! :D

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_0870.jpg

Sangria...

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/IMG_0869.jpg


They were getting everything spruced up for the high season and I though you all would enjoy some pics of the progress. They brought in a GORGEOUS new carved reception desk made from a tree that had washed up on the beach this year.

Me modeling beside said desk.
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00501.jpg

New family photos up on wall. Very fun to see!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00497.jpg

Major work on Casa Banana the morning we left!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00528.jpg



I want to thank everyone on here for helping us plan such an amazing trip to celebrate our 10th year as a married couple! Honestly, you guys are the best and I thank everyone who's shared a TR or answered my frantic posts because I know how time consuming keeping up on here and writing TRs can be! HAHA! I hope I can pay it forward with this report and that our little fuego adventure doesn't dissuade anyone from visiting this beautiful, friendly, laid-back destination. It's truly paradise!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00468.jpg

Now I need a new ticker!!! :D

XOXO

JDM and Courtleigh

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00376.jpg

[utmck]

OMG!!!!!

That would have to be the scariest thing in the world, I am so glad that it turned out to be in a room that no one was in and no one got hurt.

Isn't Maricella the sweetest girl ever, we loved her, she was so nice and cute, if she would have fit in our bags we would have brought her back to Texas!!!!

[heenan]

Wow, el fuego real, a little too much excitement!
Enjoyed your report! Looking forward to more from your return trips to Tulum.

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:You did it honey, good job. See what I mean about saw the movie now reading the book! This trip report seemed that way even more than MOST!

So so so so glad everyone ended up ok. I actually noticed a vacancy sign on Luv Tulum the next day, so they must have gotten it cleaned up ok.

Yes they were pretty shook up when I got there, but troopers for sure, had a pretty good excuse for canceling on me, but we had us a good class on the beach WITH COCKTAILS and the students didnt' fall asleep once. J was really into the class and it was fun to see that. I really encourage couples to take it together then they can remind each other of things to remember, ok, nag. ja:wave:jaja!

I wanted to touch on something she mentioned at the beginning of the report, we really should have been a comercial for PayPal at one point. She scheduled these massages kind of late, so we were scrambling to fit them in and all, so she litereally was using her PayPal Ap on her phone at the airport, and I was at Pelicanos a mansion on the beach in a Biosphere reserve spending the money 5 minutes later! What a wonderful wacky world we live in.

So does anyone remember how worried our little beach model was about her hair and other things before her trip?????


[QUOTE=courtleigh;66019]
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00501.jpg
QUOTE]

ADORABLE!!!! And the handouts for the FEEL GOOD Class are on their way chica, check your in box. I have them for the classes now and making more all the time.....thinking of a FEEL GOOD WEEK next year, so getting everything set.....

LOVE YOU, Love your husband, and THANK YOU SO MUCH For your support and for letting me be such a big part of your vacation. I'm a fan. You are good people. :sun:

[Margoinmexico]

We decided to go hang out at the bar for a bit before returning to our new abode. Made friends quickly and helped name Casa Violetta's newest cocktail. Behold El Diablo Rojo!

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00445.jpg

Want to know what it is? You'll have to go to CV and try it for yourself! Oh, and remember to ask for it by name!!!



:wave:The bartender is a famous local. He is a hoot! He is also one of the stars in that movie that Pepper found that was filmed at El Parayso....Changa Monkey or something like that. I saw some of the clips for it and it and he were hillarious, I actually checked Amazon to see if they had it but I don't think it's ever been released. I didn't know he was at Casa Violetta, will have to go and say hi.:star:

[tbpeaceful]

Fabulous story courtleigh ~ and such beautiful photos. I am so glad that your inferno turned out to be an adventure and not a really bad experience. Your attitude and spirit are just amazing. Thank you for your story. I look forward to seeing more of your spunky humor here. So glad it turned out OK ..... T.

[kimierich]

Courtleigh, I don't know what I would of done, but at least everyone was ok and you have one amazing story to tell!!

[equik8]

I'm kinda glad I didn't read this till you were finished writing your report so I wasn't kept in suspense about the smoke. :) Glad you are safe and had a wonderful trip despite the fire. I truly enjoyed reading your story and I look forward to future trip reports from you. :)

[minniemex]

I almost choked on my tea when they put you in "Fuego"! Too too funny. Story can't get any better than you told it!!

Thank you for taking the time to share with us!! It is greatly appreciated!

[Solbound]

Really enjoyed this great story and pics.....by the sounds of it this TR will not be your last!!

[CoconutShrimp]

OMG!! That was a Trip Report! So glad to hear that you are okay, as well as your neighbors. You were braver than I... there is no what I would have stayed in the room called "fuego"!! To freaky if you ask me.

I truly enjoyed your TR and all of your photos. They bring back such great memories!! The reception area at NVR looks really nice, open and inviting. Much better than it used to be.

Happy Anniversary! Thanks so much for sharing.

[Westybchbum]

Muchas gracias amiga for an amazing TR and smack dab in the middle of the Xmas holiday to boot! You are one talented lady!! :) Oh, I cannot WAIT to get to CV for the red drink!! We did not go there for the same reason, thank you for opening our minds to new things!! I'm so glad you got to OM for pizza.... we thought the same thing on our first trip, why do pizza on a mexican beach? Because of OM, that's why!! Thankfully we got smarter on our second trip.

I cannot believe your fire experience. We are happy you could tell a happy ending to the story, you are so right, that could have gone completely differently, so glad you were okay and even got to go back to NVR. This picture is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chino frequented our beach bed as well, WE LOVE him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But we never got a pic, though, this is awesome!!! :)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00483.jpg

Thanks JDM and Courtleigh for sharing your trip... hope your holidays were wonderful and can't wait to hear about the next trip you plan! Maybe 2012 with Utmck and us?????!!!!!

[utmck]

Why didn't we get "beach service"????????? Damn!!!!!!

[CoconutShrimp]

We should have asked for our beach service to me more continuous and frequent. You all saw Chico on the beach with drinks way more than we did. :(

[manitou]

I have to say that the owners were very prompt drove down from PDC immediately that morning. They tracked us down at NVR to see if we were okay and tell us they would refund our stay. They were very professional and I in no way want to disparage their name or Luvs! I feel bad for them that they have this disaster that they need to get cleaned up right before their first high season and I really hope they were able to pull it off. I think an electrical wiring fire could happen to any number of the places constructed down there and it was just bad luck for Luv. We've talked about it since and we both agree that we would be willing to give Luv another try at a later time because it was just such a lovely property, has very sweet staff and we think they have a lot of potential (though teaching security staff how to recognize and use a fire extinguisher would be a plus!) but after our adventure there this particular visit, we were very ready to get back to our beach beds for the rest of trip!

Great, great report! Your words and photos got me as close to Tulum as I'm going to get for the time being, so thank you very much! So, did the folks at Luv, refund you for the nights you didn't stay there? Did they charge you for the night of the fuego? Just wondering how they handled something like this as it does look like a property where we might like to stay. I thought from your report that LUV is toward the biosphere from NVR. Is that correct?
Again, thanks so much for taking the time to post this report! Bravo!

[Justine]

thanks for the great TR courtleigh!!

[beachreader]

Manitou, Luv is in the old Amansala location, between Om and La Zebra. So yes, farther south than NV, but not real far south.

[manitou]

Thanks, BR.

[Westybchbum]

Why didn't we get "beach service"????????? Damn!!!!!!

sounds like a good reason to go back, quick! :)

[Westybchbum]

We should have asked for our beach service to me more continuous and frequent. You all saw Chico on the beach with drinks way more than we did. :(

CS, Tortillaytortuga asked Chico to come every 45 minutes one day! It was awesome!! He did as requested too! (that was our may trip)

On our Oct trip, we hardly saw Chico as the NVR famous bar set up kit was started and we did our own thing. Up side, beers are colder. Down side, you have to defy that beach gravity to walk the 100 feet to your room, which, upside again, gives you an opportunity to visit el bano which is a necessity when drinking a beer/per/hour... lol
:beerchug:

[utmck]

Westy -

That is true but if you could also get some chips and queso or food then that would have been nice to know......

[Westybchbum]

Bugger, well we won't let it happen next time! ;-)

[utmck]

No WE won't!!!!!!

[courtleigh]

Hey guys!! Happy New Year to you all!! Sorry I'm just now getting back on here! I have been "offline" a couple weeks and it's so fun to come back and see all the comments! Thanks for all the kind words on our trip report!! Glad you all enjoyed it!

Regarding Chico, he came out usually around 11:30ish and then like every so often after that. There were guests that were friends of the owners staying by us and using the beach bed near us and he was making sure they were happy, so I think we may have benefited from his hospitality! :)

And, we actually took our cooler down to the beach, so beach gravity could stay in full effect!

Thank you all for keeping up with the question answering for me, too! We had one thing after another during the holidays, and I've missed my tulum.info!

I made JDM a shutterfly book for Christmas of our trip. I keep catching him looking through it again...we've definitely got the bug!! We can't wait to go back, but need to figure out the kid situation - do we beg grandparents to watch them for a 4 day weekend alone just the two of us or do we do a longer trip, rent house and bring the kids? We need to decide on something soon because I'm ITCHING FOR A NEW TICKER!!!!!

:D

[Dale]

We can't wait to go back, but need to figure out the kid situation - do we beg grandparents to watch them for a 4 day weekend alone just the two of us or do we do a longer trip, rent house and bring the kids? We need to decide on something soon because I'm ITCHING FOR A NEW TICKER!!!!!

:D


My vote is to really beg the grands to keep the kids for 2 weeks!!!

[courtleigh]

:wave:You did it honey, good job. See what I mean about saw the movie now reading the book! This trip report seemed that way even more than MOST!

So so so so glad everyone ended up ok. I actually noticed a vacancy sign on Luv Tulum the next day, so they must have gotten it cleaned up ok.

Yes they were pretty shook up when I got there, but troopers for sure, had a pretty good excuse for canceling on me, but we had us a good class on the beach WITH COCKTAILS and the students didnt' fall asleep once. J was really into the class and it was fun to see that. I really encourage couples to take it together then they can remind each other of things to remember, ok, nag. ja:wave:jaja!

I wanted to touch on something she mentioned at the beginning of the report, we really should have been a comercial for PayPal at one point. She scheduled these massages kind of late, so we were scrambling to fit them in and all, so she litereally was using her PayPal Ap on her phone at the airport, and I was at Pelicanos a mansion on the beach in a Biosphere reserve spending the money 5 minutes later! What a wonderful wacky world we live in.

So does anyone remember how worried our little beach model was about her hair and other things before her trip?????


[QUOTE=courtleigh;66019]
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/verdeverdeverde/Tulum12-10/DSC00501.jpg
QUOTE]

ADORABLE!!!! And the handouts for the FEEL GOOD Class are on their way chica, check your in box. I have them for the classes now and making more all the time.....thinking of a FEEL GOOD WEEK next year, so getting everything set.....

LOVE YOU, Love your husband, and THANK YOU SO MUCH For your support and for letting me be such a big part of your vacation. I'm a fan. You are good people. :sun:


And we love you too, Chica!!! Thank YOU for rolling with us that day...I'm sure it was the longest Feel Good class you're ever done...we were zombies, but had a blast and YES, we have been reminding each other about little thing, so I agree that doing them together is the way to go. Plus, it's like a party with a really cute guest speaker! :D

I've got to second the Paypal wonderment. Love it! And the ap is amazing! Easy peasy!

And ha ha! You're too cute with the adorableness...didn't feel so adorable when we saw you Sunday afternoon, lol! :)

I'm laughing that Mateo is local legend! I'm not sure if he had been there that long yet when we were there. He was trying to come up with some "signature" drinks, so we benefited from his efforts! That guy to his right in the picture (JDM will remember his name!) had just gotten there and he's like a restaurant guru from Brooklyn who is friends with the owner and came down to check everything out. It was fun being down there right before high season because everyone was gearing up for the busy time!

Hope YOU'RE busy, lady and sharing all your FEEL GOOD love!! :D

XOXO

[courtleigh]

My vote is to really beg the grands to keep the kids for 2 weeks!!!

Bwahhahaha! YES! (except secretly, we start to miss them around day 5! :P)

I think what we need is a house with a nanny for the kids for 2 weeks. THAT would be perfect! Oh, and to win the lottery first! LOL!

Geez, I couldn't even imagine 2 weeks! I might not come back after that long!

[Westybchbum]

Bwahhahaha! YES! (except secretly, we start to miss them around day 5! :P)

I think what we need is a house with a nanny for the kids for 2 weeks. THAT would be perfect! Oh, and to win the lottery first! LOL!

Geez, I couldn't even imagine 2 weeks! I might not come back after that long!

LOVE how Dale thinks!!! Although the Nanny thing.... hmmmmm, nice to dream. :) I vote you do with kids in 2011 and the 4 day without in 2012 with us and utmck and whoever else we can down there!!!! PS- we are doing the 2 week thing in 83 days and I keep pinching myself. I am worried I won't return!!

[courtleigh]

LOVE how Dale thinks!!! Although the Nanny thing.... hmmmmm, nice to dream. :) I vote you do with kids in 2011 and the 4 day without in 2012 with us and utmck and whoever else we can down there!!!! PS- we are doing the 2 week thing in 83 days and I keep pinching myself. I am worried I won't return!!

I vote for all the above!!! Oh it's so FREEZING!!!! I'm sitting by the fire sipping on tequila DREAMING of somewhere where I don't need 6 layer on to leave the house!!

I can't even begin to grasp the concept of 2 weeks, Westy! Do you know how hard that's going to be to come back from?!! Haha!

We're doing 2 family beach trips this summer (one with each sides of our family), so I'm trying to figure out how we can fit one in this year...I need to make some dinero!!

I can't wait to follow you guys on the excitement building up to your wedding day!!! :D

[Westybchbum]

You are too sweet Court.... tequila by the fire sounds just divine! We are sitting in a frozen tundra of 2+ feet of snow and temps in teens with no end in sight. Oh thank GOD for our wedding trip, I might be going out of my mind otherwise!! We've just had a bunch of people start booking their airfare so now I need to start asking the forum about travel help. This is sooooo fun!
If you can't make 2011 work, think 2012... we are trying to find a date for a bunch of us to hit at the same time!!! Would LOVE to meet you and the Mr. :) :wave:

[Ed Cevoli]

Great report Courtleigh, i'm glad things lived up to your expectations. That part with the fire es loco. I stayed in Luv middle of December and they were finishing renovating the room that caught fire. Actually I never even knew it had caught fire when i was there, just saw it on your report now. The upper 2 rooms were opened from the day we arrived and the room that caught fire reopened on our second day there and had a guest stay in it.

[courtleigh]

Great report Courtleigh, i'm glad things lived up to your expectations. That part with the fire es loco. I stayed in Luv middle of December and they were finishing renovating the room that caught fire. Actually I never even knew it had caught fire when i was there, just saw it on your report now. The upper 2 rooms were opened from the day we arrived and the room that caught fire reopened on our second day there and had a guest stay in it.

Hi Ed! Wow! It's so great to know how it turned out. That's some fast renovations for Mexico time! I'm so glad they were able to renovate and not miss the entire high season, though. Also glad you guys enjoyed your stay!

Yes, it was pretty loco! The damage was pretty bad in the downstairs room with the fire, too. Upstairs was just sooty and everything was black...and stunk! Actually, the whole beach smelled like burned rubber for hours...not to mention everything we owned! LOL!

The fire happened the night of December 4th, so that's really amazing they could get it habitable that quickly!

[sparklegem]

Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic trip report! I love your writing; it seems to reflect and incredible amount of spunk and humor! I do not know if it is a Texas-thing or not, but your writing reminds me of two of my very dear friends who so much fun; they are the really the best and both are from TEXAS! Best wishes to you and JM on your ten year anniversary!

[utmck]

You can't beat Native Texans!!!!!!

[sparklegem]

I think that must be very true!

[cjbambi]

BTW..what DSLR did you use to take some of those pics???

[courtleigh]

:wave:

This was so fun to read back through! It feels like ages a go! Sorry for taking so long to reply. I think I was secretly born on Mexico time!

Sparklegem - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I had fun writing it - it's like getting to live it all over again!

UTMack - yep! gotta love us native Texans! :) You guys survive the storms?

cjbambi - sorry for the delayed response - it was a Canon Mk 2 with the 24-105L lens. Too much equipment in my opinion to be lugging around Tulum, but now that I have the pictures, I wish I would have used it more because they really did come out beautifully!

XOXO :sun: