<Insert catchy title here> Joshsgirl returns from NVR

[joshsgirl]

How to get to Tulum in 12 easy steps:
Step 1 – Go to airport
Step 2 – When first flight gets cancelled find another one on another airline
Step 3 – When 2nd flight gets delayed commence drinking
Step 4 – When 2nd flight is doing laps over Northern Texas waiting for weather drink more
Step 5 – When flight gets diverted to Midland, Texas drink more but this time right from the mini airline bottles, don’t bother mixing
Step 6 – While on the tarmac in nowhere Texas start talking like you’re a NASCAR fan to entertain yourself
Step 7 – When finally in route to Dallas, begin crying when they announce there is no more alcohol
Step 8 – Spend the night in Dallas because there are no more flights to Cancun for the day
Step 9 – Depart Dallas
Step 10 – Drink
Step 11 – Get in Transfer and hold on for dear life
Step 12 – Stand on the beach at NVR with your chin in the sand for a solid 47 minutes.

We made it and we made it back! I’m still trying to get a grip on reality but it sure came back today when I had to wake up to an alarm and come back to work! I’m still sorting through our 1,000ish pics but I plan on starting our TR tonight! I do have to break the news that we didn’t get a pic on the bench at Om. I am very ashamed. On my behalf I was so worried about getting JunkyBurritos camera case that I just totally spaced it.

[beachreader]

Yay, Joshsgirl is back! Sorry for the crappy trip down--I think companies should allow extra vacation days to cover delays like that. :(:airplane: Would that we could all just drive there!

Looking forward to hearing more whenever you can, sounds like you had a great trip if you took so many pictures, can't wait to see them!

[sparklegem]

I am sorry about your stressful misadventure getting to Tulum! I hope that rest of your trip was fan-tastic!!

[tbpeaceful]

Dam, girl! This sounds like an adventure. :) Dramatic start,...... I hope the rest of the trip was enjoyable, at least.

[courtleigh]

Too cute! If it makes you feel any better, I LIVE in north Texas! LOL! I'd love to have gotten out of all this crazy weather and be sitting on the beach at NVR!!

Sounds like a crazy start, but so glad you guys had a safe trip. And looking forward to TR!! :D

[JunkyBurrittos]

Welcome Back JG!! What a great start to your TR, but wow girl, what a stressful start! Ugh.

Sorry I messed up your Om Bench moment. It was during my own failed attempt at the bench jump that I spaced out and left my bag there in the first place. I have a pic of the bench itself if ya wanna Photoshop it!

Have I mentioned lately that you rock? Jess is my hero, saved my bag and kid's pics for me. You're the best!

So hey girl, way to represent and put the pressure on for us slackers that don't have our TR started yet! In my defense I've been sorting through the 2500 or so photos I managed to snap (how the heck did that happen?) and have most uploaded.

Looking forward to hearing of your adventures!

[ilovewyoming]

Glad you got there, despite all the delays! After a hurricaine, Wilma I believe, When we arrived in Atlanta, they said our flight to Cancun was cancelled. MELT DOWN!! They had cancelled our trip mid air! Are you serious, i said, in tears!!! Then i said: I am NOT spending a night in Atlanta, unless you guys are going to pay for that, and the night i am missing in Tulum! A couple minutes later they had a Air Mexicana flight, that we literally had to RUN full speed to catch. (Pretty much empty) Problem: Baggage missing for a day, but Delta had someone deliver way down to Tulum on the BP road. Impressive.

[minniemex]

I can certainly identify with your stress getting down to Tulum!
Mine turned out much better than yours, but you finally got there. I just hate losing even that one day of vacation, they are all so precious. Loved your sense of humor too!

[joshsgirl]

I'm back! This is obviously much more time consuming that I had anticipated and I just spent the last hour trying to figure out how to post a pic!

To prove that I am working on this I will share these two pics we snapped somewhere over Texas!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture002.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture004.jpg

[utmck]

That's it????? A pic of an airport in west Texas and a pic of a race track????

All that help with where to stay, what not to do, and what not to pack and you went to a Nascar race??????

[Melissita]

Good on you for starting your report, JG. I am still shell-shocked from the return to this alternate reality and wondering how I'll manage to start mine! But you working on yours might buy me some time!

[Westybchbum]

I want you to know that I thought of you EVERY single day you were there and smiled.

Holy crap, after all your excitement of this trip it must've been SHEER torture to deal with the mess in Dallas. Hey Utmck, didn't you have a word with those weather gods, SHEESH!!!????

Cannot WAIT to hear all about it and hope you and your hubby had an AMAZING, AMAZING time honey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not going to say welcome back as I know how it feels to NOT want to be back, so I will simply send hugs your way and warm sunny thoughts. XO:sun::sun::sun::sun:

[utmck]

Hey this time of the year tornadoes blow through here almost everyday.......

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:And thank goodness you didn't follow my advise to schedule your massages for the "FIRST FULL DAY IN TULUM" which ended up being your arrival day! YIKES.

So nice to meet you two, such a long trip even before you left for the airport. SUPER SUPER great time with you guys and look forward to many more....

...Don't worry, they're hooked! Welcome to the addiction! one of my favorite lines from them......"it just looks fake"?!!"! said as they looked out at the view from their room at NVR!

Besos!:sun:

[TortillayTortuga]

That's it????? A pic of an airport in west Texas and a pic of a race track????

All that help with where to stay, what not to do, and what not to pack and you went to a Nascar race??????

Zackly! What the heck!!!!!

[utmck]

"Earth to Joshsgirl, earth to Joshsgirl, come in Joshsgirl"

[TortillayTortuga]

Well...I've seen some of the pics, kinda got an inside contact, and they look fantastic!

So....GET POSTING JOSHSGIRL!!!!!!!!!

ps...what kind of lens did you put on that camera?

[Westybchbum]

Way easier to post to FB, right JG??? So glad we got a preview- it really looks like you had an AWFUL time and couldn't figure out how to relax!!!! LOVE the views from Nostalgia... that's hilarious that you said "it looks fake". I remember showing people our first pics from May and no one could believe how empty the beach was!! Cannot wait to hear all about it girl!!!!

[joshsgirl]

OK OK, the Texans are getting crabby up in here!

I had NO IDEAR that the upload to photobucket would be such a pain. I did like a 333 picture upload last night thinking it would be done by this morning but nope it stopped at 278 and wouldn't restart. Oh well I do think I have enough uploaded to get this party started!

Junky - You should have your camera case today, please let me know when it arrives to I can cross that off my list of things to worry about;)

Margo - I still think I was in an alternate universe where everything was slower and more beautiful! We can't wait to get back!!!! Next time we're bringing the midg and a nanny though. 7 days was a LONG time for this Mommy!

Melissita - Well I can confirm you were there and I have some great OM pics to prove it! I don't think I have those ones uploaded yet but it'll happen!

[joshsgirl]

Day

[beachreader]

Yay, thanks for taking the time!

One of these days I'm going to join Facebook so I can what everyone else sees. And maybe we can figure out why it's so much easier to load pics there than here!

[joshsgirl]

Oops:

Day 1 - So after our "flying through Dallas" issue and a "where is our bag issue" we made it to Cancun! Oh sweet salvation! The lines for customs and immigration seemed long to me but we whipped through them really fast. Maybe 20 minutes total? We also got the green light and were out of the airport practically running until we hit that hot humid air outside! Roberto from playa.info was waiting for us no problem which I think was pretty fantastic since I had called them 87 times during our travels! Off we went to Tulum!

Our first view of Mexico:
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture015-1.jpg
Here we come!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture019.jpg
Travel makes us thirsty!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture020.jpg
Thankfully Josh's flipflops double as bottle openers. Winning!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture021.jpg
Thirst quenched!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture024.jpg
Our first view!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture026.jpg

[joshsgirl]

P.S. We switched between our Lumix TZ5 and my new Nikon D90 so pics may vary;) That and I'm still getting a grip on the D90.

TyT - I used my 18-200 Nikkor lens, I think it looks big in the pic on that other site because I have the lens hood thing on backwards;) Oh and that crab said he was a friend of yours, is that not accurate?

[joshsgirl]

Day

[joshsgirl]

What the crap? I don't know why I keep doing that!

Day 1 continued:

So after we arrived (approx 2 pm) we were starving so we walked out to the reception area and said we'd want beach service. Two seconds later a gentlemen brought out dos Sols and a menu. We ordered calamari and some sort of chicken skewer. No pics of that meal but it was delish! I mean like the best calamari we ever had! We were pretty shocked by the lack of people and actually it got quieter as the week went on. Oh quick side note, when we stopped to get cerveza I got some pesos out but $500 is actually $500 pesos. What a dork! I totally knew that too. So anyway after we filled our bellies and went for a dip we decided to catch a cab into the pueblo for pesos/supplies. P.S. the red cooler was waiting on our deck for us;)

Our first walk on the beach we walked I think to Las Ranitas and never went further than Om the rest of the week:
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture036.jpg
Pretty stressed (I think this is actually day 2, oops)
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico/Picture037.jpg
You can tell we just arrived by how white Josh is!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico033-1.jpg
Such a princess
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico035-1.jpg
Can we stay?
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico043-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico038-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico040-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico056-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico067-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico050-1.jpg
These said nacho doritos which are my favorite thing ever but they were spicy nacho. SO FRICKING GOOD!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico060-1.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Day 2 - After some much needed rest we woke up to our first sunrise!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico074-1.jpg
Followed of course by NVR's famous breakfast
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico085-1.jpg

Today was Margo massage day and boy were we ready to unwind! It was so good to see Margo! Even though we've never met her before it's hard not to feel like we've known her forever! She is by far the most relaxed and chill person we've met and she really rubs off on you! Josh had never had a massage and is pretty shy so I stuck close-ish without interupting but after a few minutes he was putty in her hands so I laid on the beach, went for a walk, read a magazine (did I not mention I don't sit still?) and of course snapped a few pics of Margo working her magic!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico086-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico088-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico090-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico095-1.jpg

Josh is definitely a believer! He talked about that massage all week!

My turn!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture067.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture075.jpg

After massages Margo said there was live music going on down at Playa Azul so after chugging some water and a quick bake in the sun we walked down to check things out. We liked Playa Azul, it had a cool vibe and there was a lot going on with the kitesurfers etc. Seemed like a pretty young crowd but everyone was super chill. We went up to the restaurant since we were hungry and ordered nachos, grouper something or other and carne asada tacos. All very good. Only got a pic of the nachos.
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico099-1.jpg
Margo love!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico100-1.jpg
From our table
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico098-1.jpg
The band was really awesome, apparently they are all from different bands so this was a callaboration. Margo can give better details than I but we really liked them.
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico103-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico111-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico113-1.jpg
Random
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico119-1.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico123.jpg

This kiteboarder was showing off for the ladies which was so precious to me! Kids!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico124.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico125.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico126.jpg

On our walk back we saw this cute young man! He was all tuckered out! I believe he is a Villa Las Estrellas dog?
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico131.jpg

[wwtulum]

1st line... Somewhere over Texas

did you?

Think of your Lexus and all the stuff you worked so hard for?

thanks, Kenny Chesney

It's wild to see how much the vegetation has grown up in front of Nostalgia since we were there in 9/09. Balcony and view still looks the same however!!

We had the same issue with Cheetos as you did with the Doritos! I liked them, but had to go get the wife plain Ruffles.

[TortillayTortuga]

TyT - I used my 18-200 Nikkor lens, I think it looks big in the pic on that other site because I have the lens hood thing on backwards;) Oh and that crab said he was a friend of yours, is that not accurate?[/QUOTE]

He sure does...I think it's his younger brother!

Let me know how you like the D90...I know that thing inside and out, and I could probably answer most of your questions.

[joshsgirl]

Again we were in bed pretty early and again we didn't have dinner after a huge lunch. Our original plan for Monday was to go pick up our car and head to Xamach but since we were a day late we decided we'd hit the ruins and the pueblo for some shopping and eating.

Day 3 - Called Charlie our new b.f.f. cab driver and he picked us up exactly 7 minutes after we called. Can you say fast driver? We were getting eaten alive by mosquitoes until Charlie saved us. Our b.f.f. wasn't very happy when we said we were renting a car so our friendship quickly faded:( We rented from tulumcarrentaldotcom which is actually American and all went fine. We had a Chevy Aveo manual and I did the honor of driving. Made it to the ruins no problem. I like to call it Disneyland. It was WAY too touristy for me and it was bloody hot as we didn't get there until about 10:00. FAIL! Josh was all about the ruins and I'm afraid he thinks he is Indiana Jones so I couldn't shatter his dreams.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico135.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico139.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico147.jpg
See all the terrorists?
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico160.jpg
This iguana was probably 3 feet long and 60 pounds. I said it was a kimodo dragon and ran screaming to see if we could clear the place out. Didn't work.
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico171.jpg

[joshsgirl]

TyT - I used my 18-200 Nikkor lens, I think it looks big in the pic on that other site because I have the lens hood thing on backwards;) Oh and that crab said he was a friend of yours, is that not accurate?

He sure does...I think it's his younger brother!

Let me know how you like the D90...I know that thing inside and out, and I could probably answer most of your questions.[/QUOTE]

Actually if I could just hire you for a week to be my instructor that would be fantastic! Tulum?

[joshsgirl]

1st line... Somewhere over Texas

did you?

Think of your Lexus and all the stuff you worked so hard for?

thanks, Kenny Chesney

It's wild to see how much the vegetation has grown up in front of Nostalgia since we were there in 9/09. Balcony and view still looks the same however!!

We had the same issue with Cheetos as you did with the Doritos! I liked them, but had to go get the wife plain Ruffles.

That's a negative ghostrider. I'm deathly allergic to country music! Get this: From Cancun to Dallas and Dallas to Seattle they played Country Strong. I watched it both times. I need to be exercised and I don't mean by Jillian Michaels!

[joshsgirl]

Before I forget the red cooler is alive and well and we did sign it. It didn't have anything in it when we got there but it now has the following supplies: Eco friendly dish soap, a knife and some paper plates all inside freezer bags to hopefully stay salt free.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico306.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico307.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Day 3 continued:

So the best part of the rental car was when we got back in after visiting the ruins and realized we couldn't figure out how to put the car in reverse! Turns out you have to pull up on some doohickey which we figured out after trying to read the manual in Spanish! Oh the joys of travel;) Driving in the pueblo was a little nerve wracking for me the first time as there is the main road then the little road on the other side of the median which we finally figured out is where we could park. We parked a little south of Pollo Bronco and did some walking.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico187.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico188.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico189.jpg

If I had a peso for all the "original" plans we had that got changed I'd have at least 10 pesos. So the original plan was to get pollo bronco and take it back to the beach but after some walking and SWEATING we came across Don Cafeto and since we both needed the bano and were super parched we decided to eat there. We split the chicken fajitas which was the perfect amount since they bring chips and of course the amazing pickled veggies. This was in our top 4 favorite meals.
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico184.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico185.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Day 3 part 3: After lunch we booked it back to the beach because it was HOT!

More stress
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture135.jpg
Happy couple!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture138.jpg
Making Margs!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture151.jpg
Salud!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture143.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture145.jpg
Crowds
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture142.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Note

[joshsgirl]

DAMMIT! TI hates me sometimes!

Please note that on one full day our camera had a sweet finger print on the lens. Der!

And yes I changed my bathing suit like 2 or 3 times a day. I have issues.

[joshsgirl]

Day 3 part 4! Day 3 ends with a bang people! So after several margs and lots of swimming we decided we should "carb" up so we decided Om would be the place. Of course THE ORIGINAL PLAN was to go to Om on our first day so we could get Junky's camera case etc but yeah I'm so over those original plans! So we set off for Om and come across these guys:

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture170.jpg
He was glad to pose for us which was ironic considering we later found out from Margo it is illegal to catch lobster right now!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture171.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture172.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture173.jpg

We saw Margo in front of NVR on our way down. She had just gotten done with Melissita (Melissa) and Andy's massages and said they would join us at Om shortly.

Angelo was standing at the top of the stairs when we got to Om and of course I called him by the wrong name. Stefan? I watch too much SNL. He forgave me and I told him we were TI friends and also had a camera case to pick up. Eduardo had it out in about 17 seconds and was glad to finally hand it over! I must have asked Josh 543 times if he still had the case that night! We made fast friends with Angelo and he brought us out some good tequila for a toast. We decided on two different kinds of pizza. One was the Pizza Om or Om Pizza which is a seafood pizza and was AWESOME. The other was artichoke something or other and was good.

Camera case!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture175.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture174.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture180.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture181.jpg
Anyone know who this guy belongs to?
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture183.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture187.jpg
Melissa, Andy & Angelo
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture185.jpg
From left: Andy, Margo (duh), Jess, Josh, Melissa
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture191.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture192.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture197.jpg
Angelo Sammich
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture198.jpg

So as you can see we had a terrible time at Om and no one laughed or smiled. Terrible, just terrible.

[joshsgirl]

Day 3 Summary: Day 3 was probably the most eventful and entertaining! We had a ton of fun with Melissa, Andy, Margo & Angelo! We hit the bed hard that night!

Coming up: The road to Xamach, Mexican rest-stops and sardines for breakfast!

[TortillayTortuga]

We hit the bed hard that night!

Oh boy...you know who (utmck) gonna have a field day with that one!

[joshsgirl]

Day 4 - A little slow to roll out of bed and we see Melissa and Andy at Casa Banana for breakfast and they look like they are moving a little slow as well;) After some coffee and carbs we are ready to hit the road to Xamach. If only we knew what to expect! We were through that arch with our fee paid by about 9:15 a.m.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico190.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico191.jpg
you too can be a property owner
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico192.jpg
We made a quick stop at the observation something or other which I was too terrified to go up in so Josh took the camera up
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico196.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico196.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico203.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico205.jpg
I took these while Josh played jungle book
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico195.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico194.jpg

Back on the road we saw this bird and her babies but I was too slow to get the babies
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico207.jpg
Onward! Indiana gets us to the bridge and we keep up treking!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico209.jpg
You can't tell from the pics but the road gets worse the further south you go
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico211.jpg

Dilema #1 of the road to Xamach: The bouncing shook the pee outta me and um, there are no rest stops until:
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico215.jpg

Most of the road you don't see the water until this one stretch. Thank goodness because I almost wet my pants, I mean bathing suit and there was NO WAY I was going in the jungle!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico218.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico215.jpg
Our ride
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico221.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Oh boy...you know who (utmck) gonna have a field day with that one!

Hey we did that during the day! It was too dark at night;) Hey now! You do mean play Yahtzee right?

[joshsgirl]

I'm getting sloppy and posting duplicates, crap!

[joshsgirl]

Luckily Margo warned us about the last mile of the road to Xamach because I can see why people might have turned around! It was slow going! We were about to kill each other by the time we arrived but once you get there you realize it how worth it the drive was!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico225.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico226.jpg
This is Pinky, he is Francisca's granddaughters? who has somehow become a new fixture of Xamach. He is full grown! Seriously adorable!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico228.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico231.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico233.jpg

Meow Meow was getting her breakfast when we arrived. A fresh sardine!
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico235.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico238.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico241.jpg
this is what was left
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture210.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Xamach was by far the highlight of our trip but we both agreed that next time we'll stay a couple nights to make the trip really worth it. There were two couples staying at the time, both were as super nice and you could tell they were really in the zone! Michelle (Dan's daughter) is looking after the place while Dan is away right now. She is so sweet and we would have loved to have stayed a few days and hang with her! After we did some swimming in the warmest water ever and a little exploring and picture taking Francisca whipped up a batch of chicken wings, pico, guac, homemade tortilla chips and some super special hot sauce. Best food I've eaten in my entire life. I don't think anything will ever compare to it. When we do get back I fully intend on watching Francisca cook so I can learn a few things! I need her pico recipe like a crack addict needs their fix. LIKE BAD! And FYI I didn't like pico de gallo OR guacamole until Xamach. More pics around Xamach:
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico245.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico246.jpg
ladder golf?
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico250.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico257.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico255.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico262.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico261.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico263.jpg
it's a lens size showdown
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture238.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture234.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture207.jpg
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture214.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Leaving Xamach was hard because A) the drive sucks and B) it's just so fricking awesome but it was around 4:30 and we wanted to get the heck off that road before dark. Again we were borderline insane by the time we hit pavement. Was it worth it? YES. Would we do the drive just for a day again? NO. Would we do the drive to spend a couple nights? HECK YES! I actually think this would be the perfect place for kids because the water is SO CALM and WARM!

We had made tentative plans to celebrate Andy's B-Day at Om that night but we got there early and were so stinking tired we bailed and got some take-out from La Zebra and ate on our bed. Turns out we just missed Andy & Melissa but it sounded like they had another good meal at Om. We got a quesadilla and a chicken sandwich blah blah blah from La Zebra and it was just fine. Nothing to write home about. We did have a quick cocktail at Om and I had the Om Cocktail or Cocktail Om and it was SO GOOD!

Coming up: Day 5 and more ORIGINAL PLANS!

[joshsgirl]

Day 5 - The ORIGINAL PLAN was to go to Coba this day since our car was due back by 9 a.m. Thursday but I convinced Indy that we'd just been on the go too much and I wanted to stay on the beach that day and we'd go first thing Thursday and get the car back a little late. I woke up feeling a little wonky and just plain overheated so we ran into town and got some gatorade and it really helped. On our way back I was starting to feel better so we stopped at Zamas ate some lunch and did some shopping. I really like this area down by Zamas, it's super cool and just bustling with business even considering the slow season. There are some cool places to shop here like Mixik which Westy had in her last trip report. We almost bought that store out! Mateos is right near here and if we'd had more time we probably would have ate there. It has a super cool vibe going.

I just realized these pictures are a part of the ones that still haven't been uploaded so I'm going to break here!

[FITZ]

Except for the "winning" part, I love your pics and report. Sorry, that "winning" term needs to be illegal.
I mix gatorade 1/4 to 3/4 water, and bring it along. Very replenishing.
Next Mex getaway will include the biosphere for a few nights. We liked it when we went last, but there was no gas in Punta Allen so we semi freaked and left. The road was a joke, of course.
Isn't it fun discovering all the area has to offer?! We've just scratched the surface after 5 trips.

[beachreader]

"On our walk back we saw this cute young man! He was all tuckered out! I believe he is a Villa Las Estrellas dog?"


http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico131.jpg


Unless you're sure that it was a "he" and not a "she", I believe that is Goa, the dog from Petit Shambala (pictured behind her). She hangs out at the VLE with the boys a lot, so much that she may as well live there, but she's a bit older and a bit whiter than they are, more of a beach dog. If it is a "he", it could be Polo, who is one of the VLE dogs.

A minor clarification.


I am SO enjoying your report, glad you got down to Xamach. And I love that picture of Andy and Melissa at Om--all oily from their massages! Last time I was at Om, I looked exactly the same! :eat-drink:

[JunkyBurrittos]

JG,

Looooving the report so far. Have you done this before? :) You seem like you've been chillin in Tulum your whole life!




Junky - You should have your camera case today, please let me know when it arrives to I can cross that off my list of things to worry about;)


Ohhh, Jess!!!! Guess what came today???

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee455/JunkyBurrittos/DSC01713.jpg

For anyone out there that doesn't know what Saints JG & J are, they just saved me more than 2 years of:

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee455/JunkyBurrittos/P1030010.jpg

and

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee455/JunkyBurrittos/P1030693.jpg

And with my feeble brain, if I don't have a picture, it never happened. :p

Not to hijack your thread, hon, but just want to say how fabulous you are!!!

[joshsgirl]

Junky - Yahoo! Your little man is adorable, I can see why you wanted that case!:wave:

[beachreader]

Yay, camera case and card are recovered! Now, upload those pics and get them off your card!

[tbpeaceful]

Woo Hoo! Love this TR and the entire vibe of the trip. Off to a rough start, but you obviously managed to turn it into something even better.


We were about to kill each other by the time we arrived but once you get there you realize it how worth it the drive was!

I loved this! I can sooooo imagine this, but want to try it anyway.:) Must meet Meow Meow, and give her a scratch behind the ears. Great photos you two.

[heenan]

Great stuff! Thanks!

[JunkyBurrittos]

Thanks JG! I'm kinda partial to em.

BR: Working on it!!! Got some food pics coming your way!

[sparklegem]

Your trip report is terrific! The beach and sand in your photos look like perfection. I had forgotten how amazing it is down there. I loved getting to read about your adventure to Xamach Dos! I have been going back and forth about adding a few nights there and it was so fun to see your photos and to find out what you thought of it. I am so glad that after your rough start that you seem to be having the best time!

[patmex]

That's Polo, BR et. al., one of the VLE dogs who prefers to snooze anywhere but his own property.

I'm sorry to report that Goa hasn't been seen for a couple of months now. ... She was getting old, really old for a beach dog.

[pacia]

Loving your report and all of your fabulous pictures! Can't wait for more. :)

[utmck]

We hit the bed hard that night!
Oh boy...you know who (utmck) gonna have a field day with that one!

Again TyT has no clue who we are (never met us).


Hey we did that during the day! It was too dark at night;) Hey now! You do mean play Yahtzee right?

Yeah, that is what I meant we played "Yahtzee" a lot of times!!!!!

[beachreader]

That's Polo, BR et. al., one of the VLE dogs who prefers to snooze anywhere but his own property.

I'm sorry to report that Goa hasn't been seen for a couple of months now. ... She was getting old, really old for a beach dog.


Oh, Pat, that makes me sad. I really liked Goa, even though she was a bit of a tagalong; acted like an older cousin/aunt for the boys. She was very sweet, sorry to hear she hasn't been seen. She was definitely in residence in February. If she is gone for good, at least she had a wonderful beach dog life!

Sorry for the hijack, JG, just a moment for Goa. :(

[minniemex]

Totally wonderful report going!

I was trying to figure out if this was the same guy ~

http://minniemex.smugmug.com/photos/1027969554_XhFty-L.jpg

[Westybchbum]

Man oh man.... I was caught sleeping JG!!!!!!!!!! You are doing an AMAZING job!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have sooooo many comments, I don't know where to start..... SO glad you had such a great time at OM with Angelo and gang. There is no place like it in the world, esp when you get him and Margo there at the same time!! LOVE love love those guys!!
LOVED the word "wonky". I got that same exact feeling the thursday of our trip!!! Don't know where you got that from but that's gonna be the word from now on, hahahaha!

What else, oh Josh AKA Indy, what a riot and I love that you tried the scare tactic of screaming dragon to get the crowds to dissipate, too bad it didn't work! I can imagine that the ruins in May are hot hot hot! I'm sure it was good you did it though.

Xamach.... also a great story. I love how you just roll with it and I loved your potty stop. Gosh, sounds just like something I would do. Glad you got to that very special place. It really seems like you guys soaked the whole experience right up. While you were gone, I checked in several times to see if you were posting..... have to say I'm glad you just let the Tulum vibe grab you even though I was so excited for you guys and was dying to know how it was going. You two are friggin awesome!!! Can't wait for more honey!!!!! XO

[Westybchbum]

I have mirror envy!! The downside of our room just above yours is that there is just one smallish mirror in the bathroom. Seeing this, I think I'd like to say something!! This is awesome! Oh, I love the shaker and dorito bag LMAO


http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Picture151.jpg

[Solbound]

Good stuff JG...loks like you had a great time...glad to see you got to XD....thanks for the pics on this cold, wet morning in Nothern Ontario. Come on with the rest!

[Margoinmexico]

:wave:Good job Josh's girl! I missed all of this! Me and westy both? weird! I'm trying to catch up!!!!:p

Love the story, but most of the photos won't load on my "super great" internet connections, I'll have to take my computer into town and see if they will load there, looks like you put A LOT of the Massage photos on! Would love to see them, can you send me some?

You and Josh were really a lot of fun, I think you may be the cutest thing ever! So happy to have met you both adn we really did do a number of angelo, no?

Peace honey and thanks so much for the kind words......hugs to you both!

Besos,

margo:beerchug::eat-drink:

[joshsgirl]

So I have a lot of excuses for why I never finished my trip report but none of them are really that good and I know the only way back into your hearts is to post an insane amount of pictures of Tulum so...

I think I'm day 4 or 5, not 100% sure. I know this is the day I was feeling some major affects from the heat so we ran to town for gatorade them hit Zamas for lunch. I wasn't crazy about the food there but I also wasn't feeling awesome so it could be one of those weird sickness assocation things. Ya know how you drank a bottle of Peach Schnapps when you were 19 and puked for 2 days straight and now you can't eat or smell peach anything? No? Just me?

<a href="http://s1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/?action=view&amp;current=mexico019-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico019-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I'm going to post this to see if I remember how to add pics, hang with me here...

[joshsgirl]

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico019-2.jpg

[joshsgirl]

There it is! Like riding a bike, I only fell once!

More pics around Zamas:

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico017-1.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico013-1.jpg

Our little friend
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico024-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico022-2.jpg

I even found espresso! This is the cute little espresso/juice bar at Mateo's.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico026-2.jpg


http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico027-2.jpg

[joshsgirl]

After some lunch, gatorade, coffee, shopping and beer I was feeling a lot better so we headed back to the beach for another day of this:

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico045-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico038-2.jpg

My days are probably a little mixed up but I'm doing my best so I think it was this evening that we went to Casa Violetta. We LOVED it here! Awesome food and the restaurant is just way cute.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico054-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico053.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico048-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico047-2.jpg

[joshsgirl]

OK so I think today is day 6 which is our last full day. We had planned on going to coba on day 5 but since I was feeling crappy we waited until day 6. We were scheduled to return our car that morning so we figured we could get to coba when it opened and then bust it back to Tulum in time. Turns out we rolled in about 45 minutes late because coba opens at 8 not 7 but all was good and they didn't charge us extra. Driving out to coba was really easy but it was a little strange when we sat in the parking lot for an hour with no one around but the little ones walking to school. The bathrooms at coba are really scary and there is no TP. I honestly wouldn't go back just because I am a bit of a princess and I was uncomfortable walking through the jungle to get to the ruins. We saw a huge jumping spider and a coral snake, which was thankfully dead. The pyramid itself was pretty cool and it was just the two of us and a small family.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico061.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico065.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico057.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico066-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico072-2.jpg

I did enjoy this little guy

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico062.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Day 6 part 2: Back to the beach for more Yahtzee, drinking, eating, swimming, napping, people watching (although there were hardly any people to watch). We ordered beach service from Casa Banana again and it was very good.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico081-2.jpg

For dinner we went to Villas Las Estrellas and had the whole place to ourselves the whole night. We felt like rocks stars! They had my vodka, the food was awesome and we enjoyed the music they played. We even had dessert and lingered over the whole experience since it was our last night.

Josh had a salad which was awesome.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico086-2.jpg

I had this pasta dish that was TO DIE FOR!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico085-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico084-2.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico083-2.jpg

Dessert

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico088-2.jpg

[joshsgirl]

Day 7, bon voyage Tulum:( It was so hard to leave but I missed my midget terribly so it was I was ready. Our transfer picked us up right on time and our trip back to Seattle was without issues! On our last morning we had time to putz around and take a few more pics, go for a final swim and we hurried down to Casa Violetta for one more plate of chips/guac! Here are some random pics from around NVR, some might think they are weird but for someone like me who is an obsessive planner might find them useful!

Westy will probably know this kids name, he was my favorite. I tipped him daily to bring my umbrella out early. One day his hand was all bandaged up so I went out and helped him dig the hole. My spanish is terrible and his english isn't the best so we communicated with smiles, pesos and holas!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/mexico007.jpg

closet space and safe inside Nostalgia

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico304.jpg

toilet room

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico305.jpg

shower

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico300.jpg

sink area

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico301.jpg

outdoor shower, which we used A LOT!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico302.jpg

parking area for Zona Corazon

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico332.jpg

parking security

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico335.jpg

walking into zona corazon

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico343.jpg

beach bed/chairs storage area is under Nostalgia. We heard them most mornings but it never bothered us.

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico346.jpg

This is the lower unit of the unit next to Nostalgia/Extasis, can't remember the name but it had a super cool deck.
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico349.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico348.jpg

Beach bed and hammock right in front of Nostalgia
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico351.jpg

[joshsgirl]

If I had looked at my own pictures I would have known that the unit with the extended deck was Emocion. Der!

Things I learned:

Rent a car the whole time. Granted we were on our first trip to Mexico so were apprehensive about driving but it turned out to be really easy and I wished we would have had a car the whole time. We may or may not have used it daily but the convenience is very worth it.

Ice was an issue and we had asked Roger for ice daily when we arrived but apparently there was an issue with the ice service. I felt like we were struggling to keep our water/beer cold the whole time and we had 2 coolers. We went for ice several times but it would melt faster than you can imagine. Mini fridges in all the units would be AMAZING!

What we loved:

NVR! Everyone was so friendly and attentive or non-attentive if you wanted to be left alone. We loved the continental breakfast and switched between having it delivered to our room and eating at Casa Banana. Casa Banana is way cool. By the way they have killer chocolate chip mini gellato! We loved Nostalgia and would definitely stay there again. It felt very private even though there were other units around us.

Don Cafetos, Casa Violetta and Villas Las Estrellas were our top three restaurants.

Xamach Dos. I still can't believe we were there. We still feel like we were witness to something that is reserved for a sacred few. You've got to want it but the pay off is amazing.

My Tulum Bucket List:

Mateo's
El Tabano
Taking my daughter

We have plans to head back to Tulum next May. We're going to bring my daughter (collective gasp), who will be 7, and my Mom. My in-laws are thinking they want to go too so we're probably looking at renting a house. Thinking of Casa de las Palmas or Villa Sian Ka'an. Would consider Casa Mexicana and renting the units above it for my in-laws and anyone else wants to come down if NVR would allow my perfectly well behaved child;)

[utmck]

Well look who is back in town!!!! Where have you been??? Don't you just love NVR, we stayed in Deseo when we went down with Tom and Sue and loved the room as well!!!

We would walk down the beach road to the convenience store and buy ice. But yes a mini-fridge would be perfect!!!

Mateo's is a really cool place to eat and Lainie thinks the fries are to die for!!!!

[joshsgirl]

Oh I've been around! I heard a rumor you scheduled a little trip...

[utmck]

Yeah.... Tom got so wasted everyday, it probably was because Sue would just up and leave us for hours at a time...I think they were having marital issues. So I had to reserve myself and keep everyone in line.

[JunkyBurrittos]

Yeah!!!! JG is back! We've missed you girl!

Awesome pics! love the ones from the water at Zamas and the one of your beach bed/chairs/umbrella. I want to be there NOW!!!

Hey, any idea on how early Matteo's opens for a tasty coffee drink? And can you eat breakfast there, or is it only take-out?

I think your daughter would have a blast in Tulum! Different vacation for you, to be sure, but wonderful to introduce to her.

Thanks for a great report!

[joshsgirl]

Hey JB, yes long time no chat! In fact I owe you an apology because we got the book you sent and I never said THANK YOU! My manners are not that terrible normally so I'm sorry and thank you so much for the book! Josh actually read it, I haven't yet;)

Not sure on what time that little coffee place opens, we were there around 10 I would say. I want to say it was open on a few of our earlier mornings as we drove through. 8 or 9? There were people eating in the restaurant at that time so I'm sure you could order coffee and grab a table.

Really looking forward to A) getting back to Tulum and B) taking my Mini Me. It will definitely be a different trip but I think I'll be able to enjoy myself even more not worrying about my one and only child being thousands of miles away! Plus we'll be bringing my Mom so a few dinners out with just the hubs will be doable.

[minniemex]

I loved the blue color that you got in this crab ~ I also enjoyed and chuckled at "parking security"

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j435/jurassica1823/Mexico335.jpg

[beachreader]

Hey, welcome back! Thanks so much for coming back and finishing, I have really loved this report!

I think it would be great to bring your daughter and your mom. 7 years old is right where she'll be "getting it", I think. If you're going to get a house, maybe let her bring a friend (assuming friend's parents would pop for airfare and all that)? Just remembering that age was right about where you started getting attached at the hip to your BFF of the moment.

I'm bringing my family in July, youngest will be 11, oldest will be 82. Should be fun! :)

[itsjustme]

JG what a fab time you two had!! Can't beat sitting at my desk soaking up your beautiful pictures and LMAO. Especially when it's -25F with wind chill outside here in Nebraska.

BTW...I've emailed your trip report to a friend whom just asked me to line up a quick trip this March for them. Funny NVR has openings for the dates so your TR hopefully will seal the deal. They've never been to Tulum and so trying to get them to go!!

[tendebar]

Wonderful report and your photos are awesome. Years ago I also talked my family into making the drive to Xamach Dos in hopes of meeting the infamous Margo.... Spent the day but unfortunately it was just after Margo "retired her position" there.
Thankfully we 've resolved that and now I am looking forward to my 4th Margo Massage!!!
And, yes, our family always brings the kids and love having them there and they love being there!!
Definately take your " mini me"
Casa de las Palmas is a great Casa. We stayed there last year.

Karen

[TortillayTortuga]

Looking at the snake picture...I think thats a coral snake..."red touches yellow, dangerous fellow" God...I hate snakes.