20⁰ 08’ 50.68” N, 87⁰ 27’ 31.31” W (Latitudes and Attitudes, A Tuluminary Tale) [Archive]

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 12:39 PM

T and I left for NYC’s JFK airport at 6:30 am for a 10:30 flight. A wee bit early but one never knows what one will find with NYC traffic. All in all it made for a good start to the trip, and we were very excited. No lost rings, no huge wedding dress to lug and our plane arrived on schedule:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5682_000.jpg

A last minute text to Utmcks to let them know we were off (they were leaving an hour behind us) and the flight was over before we knew it. We arrived 30 minutes early which was a first! T got some AWESOME shots coming into Cancun:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5686_001.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5690_002.jpg

I’m sure Utmcks will have their commentary but I will continue for now… As I said we arrived early, zipped through customs, green light means go, to the ATM (none of the Gestapo gave us a second look so we must look like we know what we are doing LOL), out the doors to that beautiful hair-curling humidity and we are off to pick up the rental car. We are now pros at this and are loaded up in our bright fire engine red 4 door something or other and back to Terminal 3 for Chuck n Lainie!! In the meantime, our timing is PERFECTO. We get the text from Chuck and Lainie that they are on their way out and the madness begins!!!!!!! I’d love to tell you we got pics of the meeting and the drive down but there was way tooooo much laughing, drinking and being merry. And the photographer was now the driver so the first pics we got were of our stop at Urge Tacos. A first for all of us and now probably a tradition! We loved it! We grabbed a quick little snack as it was after 4 and we had a big night at OM ahead.
Now let me “back the bus up” (quote 1 of the weekend- oh and there’s so many more, many of which can’t be repeated)…. The girls are in the backseat like giggly school girls and Lainie presents me with the coolest Koozie ever! In one of many group text chats in the prior weeks, Lainie texts ODG! None of us knew what that meant but Chuck game up with what would become a very true statement….Oily Drunk Girls! And so it begins:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5695_003.jpg

Great Lainie shot!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5699_004.jpg

The four trouble makers in a somewhat calm spell, not many of these moments in the days to come!
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http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5703_006.jpg

Now its time for the San Fran trip... of course we are already in full blown happy mode and Lainie and I are immediately trouble when put together. T parks the car, Chuck gets out to move a "buggy" (that's shopping cart for all you non-texans) and a moment ensues that would repeat itself a few times. It starts with a Chuck expression that looks something like this:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5852_033.jpg

We are spilling out of the car laughing hysterically and Chuck is wondering what conversation could have taken place in the 3 seconds he was gone. And while that is a great question to ponder I’m afraid I can’t share. Not on TI at least. :)

Of course the camera comes with us into San Fran, and we will take you on our journey as it will give you a very good idea of the frame of mind of the 4 Amigos, who seem to have become BFF's (yup Lainie, I said it) from the start... So, what's shopping for a bag of limes without a stack of hangers to go with it:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5704_007.jpg

And of course the unrefrigerated Huevos (which never bothered us but some are deeply troubled by this):
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5706_008.jpg

And let’s not forget the Mayonesa in case you want egg salad:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5707_009.jpg

And the Corona to go with it:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5710_011.jpg

Of course somewhere in this escapade we realize we are as gringo as it gets and providing entertainment for the locals in the store. In fact some are suggesting things for us to buy! And suddenly, somewhere in the distance we hear, Suuueeeee, Suuueeeee. I'm looking around like, huh? Is someone calling me? And they were! It was the MOJITOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept 2011 tr- thurs/DSC_5709_010.jpg

TortillayTortuga

24th September 2011, 12:53 PM

Of course the camera comes with us into San Fran, and we will take you on our journey as it will give you a very good idea of the frame of mind of the 4 Amigos, who seem to have become BFF's (yup Lainie, I said it) from the start... So, what's shopping for a bag of limes without a stack of hangers to go with it:

Some would think that BFF stands for Best Friends Forever...well, in this case it stands for...oh wait...I want to remain able to post on Tulum.info

utmck

24th September 2011, 12:54 PM

After making it through customs with no problemo we hit the ATM for 12,000 pesos (6,000 twice) and make a mad dash for the beer stand just outside the airport. As we were heading right, we hear our names being yelled at from the left and there she was --- Sue!! Before I could even say wait I need to get some beer, she yells back "we have a six-pack in the car"... we knew right then that these two yanks were our kind of peeps!!!

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 02:50 PM

After a quick chat with the Mojitos and then a stop in at Covi, we were off to NVR. Pinch us, was this real????? I honestly think we truly fell in love with Lainie when she looked at the 6-pack we had waiting for their arrival and she wanted to know how we were splitting 6 amongst 4? Who was getting the 2nd beers? Ah…. Now that’s what I’m talking about, a woman who loves her alcohol!!!

Of course, second best is a woman who can wear 2 hats, lol!! (hey I was trying to unpack and grab what I could!)

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5712_012.jpg

I was a bit of a hot mess (quote 2 for the weekend, which I'm not sure we actually quite defined) but I had it in me to pose!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011002.jpg

Juan came along and filled the famous wheelbarrow full of luggage... Chuck had his doubts as there was NO air in the tire but darn if Juan didn't get 'er done!
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We were running a bit behind having wayyyy too much fun and now its almost 6 pm while we are settling in, unpacking and taking in our surroundings. When all of the sudden it happens again! Suuuueeeee, Suuuueeeee! Huh? Why is someone calling my name again? And there is a motley (I really mean beautiful) crew walking by on the beach on their way to the OM party!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011004.jpg

They left after a quick hello so we could get ready for OM and join them shortly after. And we're off to join the party...

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5750_015.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5752_016.jpg

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 02:57 PM

Oh, yea! I totally forgot about taking out the candy display at the checkout! Like we hadn't made enough of a spectacle! This guy followed Sue and Chuck for two aisles insisting we had to buy these crackers and cranberry juice to go with it??????

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 04:14 PM

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As always, Angelo outdid himself. He had 6 (not 1,2,3,4 or 5) drinks prepared.... cucumber margaritas, oh man, someone has to chime in here, every one was different and delicious and I cannot remember the rest!

So, we had these fun tapas followed by his famous pizzas at the end, everyone visiting chatting, visiting, laughing, partying..... We took a picture of one of the first tapas and it fell apart from there, probably about when the WW's arrived (so happy!!)

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5799_023.jpg

Ww's, they are too cute!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5778_019.jpg

The ODG koozie!!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5776_018.jpg

The rest will speak for themselves....
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5787_020.jpg

Jaeger:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5791_021.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5797_022.jpg

Lainie, this was where we pinched it to slide it in sideways!!!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5807_024.jpg

Happy Bday ILW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5809_025.jpg

Solbound is just one coooollll dude:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5811_026.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011016.jpg

Good depiction of us this weekend:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5846_031.jpg

Hot Couple!! We love you guys!!!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5849_032.jpg

This is NOTHING but trouble
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5853_034.jpg

Angelo being Angelo MWAH!!!!!!!!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5870_035.jpg

And the kiss goodnight :)
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5882_036.jpg

The Westy/TyT/Utmck/WW clan left the party and decided they needed to have their own full moon party. Sorry, there were 4 moons that night but we can't show you. :)

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 04:19 PM

Utmcks, tell us about the name tags!!!!!!!!!!!!

TortillayTortuga

24th September 2011, 04:19 PM

The Westy/TyT/Utmck/WW clan left the party and decided they needed to have their own full moon party. Sorry, there were 4 moons that night but we can't show you. :)

Money TALKS!!!!! if you want to see them! LOL...NOT!

utmck

24th September 2011, 04:28 PM

OK, regarding the name tags.... In past party experiences of mine, they have become useful as an ice-breaker, so I thought it might be fun to bring some to the TI peep meet at Om. In retrospect, did we really need an "ice breaker"??? NOT!!!!

The best part of the name tag experience is that you can choose who you want to be for the night, and live vicariously through your alter-ego!!! This is why I chose to be "Dee Bauchery", and labeled Chuck as "Daryl Licktum" right away. We needed to have these names from the start so the 'real' Chuck and Lainie could never be blamed for what would transpire during our trip!

Sue chose "Ivana Seymour", I think to throw us all off and pretend to be sweet and demure. WTH?

Of course Tom chose two names: "Jack Inoff" and "Chase N. Tail". Dual personalities for sure and oh so appropriate! Lord knows he is a master of the term a 'multi-tasker'! Who else can party like a rock star, and record our every move over 5 days on film, so it all goes down in the 'anals' of history????

Maybe next time we will choose more "tame" names (Justin Case, Sarah Nade, Anita Mann, Bruce Key), or maybe not. Somehow I see the guys wanting to be "The Mikes" as in "Mike Oxlonger" and "Mike Oxbigger"!!!!

I guess we'll find out in about 372 +/- days!!!

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 05:11 PM

They were soooo cool! I love Ivana, Jack, Dee and Daryl! :) Okay, I'm off to start Friday....

Westybchbum

24th September 2011, 07:14 PM

We rise to... well, a beautiful sunrise and a moon as well lol. God Bless Chuck, he has come up with the best idea ever, a naked morning swim to start the day....
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5910_037.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5922_038.jpg

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Then it's off to breakfast at Casa Banana... as we are sitting, I notice a photo op:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5945_042.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR-%20Friday/DSC_5946_043.jpg

We've all seen the CB continental bfast, so we decided to offer a different view for bfast.... Now the beach is calling to us and the goal is to let sand gravity set in and get to know one another:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5947_044.jpg

Tyt being Tyt:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5950_045.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5951_046.jpg

Time for us to descend:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5957_048.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5953_047.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5959_049.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011029.jpg

After a morning of amazing beach time, we decide we need lunch... and where else but:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5961_050.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5963_051.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5967_053.jpg

So here we have another moment... where Chuck needs to take care of business and leaves the 3 of us and next thing you know, our waiter is using Lainie as a pillow:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5966_052.jpg

He can only look at us rolling in laughter as he joins us wondering, yet again, if he should be leaving the 3 of us alone, even for a minute!

A couple random photos:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5968_054.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_5994_055.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6006_058.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6004_057.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6013_060.jpg

After a great lunch and afternoon soaking in the Tulum cool laid back vibe, it's time to start thinking about dinner.. And we decide on Villas Las Estrellas... A great choice for us but I fear we may have been a bit much for that intimate setting....

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6014_061.jpg

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http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011038.jpg

They've made a few changes to VLE, including this cool guy made of coconut:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6015_062.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6018_063.jpg

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http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6031_067.jpg

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, probably too much though we did have a sense of DECORUM (oh, yea Chuck) at first:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6033_068.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6020_065.jpg

We started with a ceviche appetizer that was amazing:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6037_069.jpg

And then dinner, Pescado VLE, Ceasar Salad, Fish Tacos and Coconut Shrimp:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6040_070.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6041_071.jpg

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After an amazing meal and too much debauchery and derelictum, we were told that SandBar may have live music. Can we walk? Sure! You can do anything on tequila... and so our journey begins...

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6049_074.jpg

This walk went on forever. And then another forever. We stopped into a place with lights on to ask how much further and were told by a guy its up on the left... as opposed to the right... in the ocean. Oh yea, good directions. We plowed forward, Chuck our fearless leader in the darkness over rocks, sand and god knows what else and finally... the great buzz that carried us from the start was long since over. Chuck claims his trip to the top of Mount Everest was less work? Really?? It felt like an 8 mile walk. We would find out the humble truth the next day. It was less than 2. Anyway..... We Arrive!!!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR- Friday/DSC_6062_077.jpg

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This place is awesome and was well worth the walk even though there was no live music when we got there. It didn't matter! We land at this amazing table literally feet from the water and are enjoying the gorgeous night. There was electric lightening going on in the background yet no rain. Awesome. We get our drinks after scoping out the place and the topic of going commando comes up. Chuck says something about his boxers pinching. (insert cricket sound here) We all stop in our tracks and turn to Chuck. Boxers???? Really???? It was quickly determined he was odd man out. There is no underwear allowed in this little clique! He is told he cannot be in the group wearing underwear, it is simply not allowed. Upon contemplation, Chuck stands, drops his shorts, drops his boxers and proceeds to hold them above his head and flick them... The sea air carries them right to:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011054.jpg

A fence!! Of course the 2 camera holders go running for pics... and here we discover that these boxers are not just boxers. They are bright yellow with red print that reads none other than "HOT and "FAST". I swear you can't make this stuff up!! There is no end to the heckling at this point but at least Chuck is now in the "in" crowd.... and now nicknamed HOT PANTS!

We just could not get a grasp after this:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011055.jpg

And the story doesn't end here, be thankful we don't have pictures. After enjoying the night of gorgeous lightening and drinks with our feet in the sand and all hanging loose so to speak, it is without question that we grab a cab back to NVR. The cabbie overshoots our Corazon entrance slightly, no biggie. So we are walking along the road when Commando Chuck goes rogue. He decides that sans boxers is not a good thing as chafing has set in. And no better way to fix the problem then to drop trough and carry the shorts back to the cabana. Oh... What a night. And we still have 4 days left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TortillayTortuga

24th September 2011, 07:26 PM

I'm literally just sitting here chuck....ling!!!!!! LOL! That night and a few other memories are literally seared into my memory FOREVER. Like the cheer Sue and Lainie made up while out in the water! :):eek::D

stonecold

24th September 2011, 08:38 PM

Sounds like fun was had by all, great T.R. Looking forward to the rest..:beerchug:

utmck

24th September 2011, 09:07 PM

ByTheBay

24th September 2011, 10:03 PM

OK, wait a minute, I majored in Mexican law and you have to have some sort of 2nd hand eye witness in order to validate a story, especially one that involves this level of debauchery...and seeing that you don't have one means this can't be proved in court so therefore it never happened.... yeah thats the story, this never happened because it is your word versus mine and I say that I was back at NVR reading scriptures all night long, never left, not once!!!!

What a fun trip report! I had one of those trips in 2007. Me and my 4 best girlfriends from college celebrating our 40th for a week in Playa del Carmen. I made a CD for each of us of the pics and erased the original memory cards in case any of us ever become famous!

Westybchbum

25th September 2011, 06:28 AM

Denying it just makes you guiltier... Scriptures, really???? hahahahahahahahahahaha!!

On this same night, the four of us decided a late night swim was in order. After shedding clothes and donning a towel, we head to the water which oh by the way was the most gorgeous it's ever been. We were just in and enjoying our dip when security came along to ask us to kindly get out. What a buzz kill!! Though in retrospect, it kind of made sense. I mean who wants to find 4 loco gringos floating at water's edge the next morning!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Westybchbum

25th September 2011, 08:14 AM

I'd love to start this day with a lovely sunrise photo.... but I can't. See, after watching Chuck in the water the prior morning, we all decided he really had the right idea. So, the remainder of our mornings were spent watching the sunrise from the ocean. Wow oh wow do I miss starting my day like that!

As I stated before, I do believe the water during this trip was the most amazing its ever been. The temperature was delightful, not too choppy, and almost NO seaweed. Chuck and Lainie saw a Stingray the very first morning, but he would not return the remainder of the trip. I don't blame him, gringos locos scared him off for sure!

Today is the day we are headed to Pelicanos at the kind invitation of the the WWTulum's. Love those guys! We were very excited to see Pelicanos for ourselves and moreso to spend an afternoon with 2 awesome people- more amazing friendships formed compliments of TI! The fun part is that we all share a love for tiny weeny bikinis designed by Wicked Weasel.... hence the WW party. Sorry though, another moment we can't share on the forum. Suffice it to say, I think the 3 of us ladies looked pretty fine!!!! :p

The WW's were very kind to invite us for lunch but they did let us know being their last day, they were low on alcohol. No problema! Of course Tyt does inventory and sees we have 2 cases and says, okay, we're good. I quickly remind him that we went through 18 beers between 4 of us before lunchtime yesterday. Hmmmmm. Off to Pueblo we go, for Don Cafeto's breakfast and a boos run!! Oh, and a pink cowboy hat for Westy!!

Okay, enough talking, here's some pics.... though none of breakfast as we were a bit slow moving that morning. But here's where the ironies kick in... We order and the food comes to the table. Lainie and Tom across from each other looking down and noticing they both ordered papas fritas and a diet coke. Chuck and I are across the table looking down and notice we both order beef tacos and and OJ. Breakfast of champions and the similarities don't surprise us. :)

Random Pueblo sights:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sat/DSC_6099_003.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sat/DSC_6098_002.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sat/DSC_6097_001.jpg

Wow look, Chuck and Lainie's portrait is posted in town!
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sat/DSC_6092_000.jpg

TortillayTortuga

25th September 2011, 08:28 AM

OK, wait a minute, I majored in Mexican law and you have to have some sort of 2nd hand eye witness in order to validate a story, especially one that involves this level of debauchery...and seeing that you don't have one means this can't be proved in court so therefore it never happened.... yeah thats the story, this never happened because it is your word versus mine and I say that I was back at NVR reading scriptures all night long, never left, not once!!!!

I'm validate Westy's story!!!! No way you were reading scriptures unless it was after we got back and you where hugging the bowl praying for the spinning room to stop!

Westybchbum

25th September 2011, 08:55 AM

Ooops, didn't mean to post so quick!

Now we are headed south full of piss n vinegar, little bikinis and lots of cold beer! Who's better than us? We hit the arch and cannot believe it but WW's did say they started grading the road. What a HUGE difference from last February! We couldn't believe we got to Pelicanos in less than 15 minutes from NVR. I really can't say enough about how gorgeous this house is so I'm just going to post pictures.

By the way, I want to plug in here for all you camera buffs that TyT finally splurged on a lens he has been wanting and after seeing our trip photos I wish he had gotten this long ago. He brought this and another lens and never, ever used the other lens. Oh wait! This reminds me of another story that happened within 2 hours of getting to NVR.... I'll come back to it, for now pics of Pelicanos:

I just have to say even with our great camera, these pics don't quite do it total justice:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6102_004.jpg

Looking to the south:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6103_005.jpg

Looking to the north:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6104_006.jpg

Living room, check out the natural carved wood pole on the right, this is one of two that stand right as you walk in the front door:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6110_008.jpg

Living room, looking into dining/kitchen area:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6111_009.jpg

The kitchen to die for:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6114_010.jpg

More living room shots, now you can see the 2 poles and front door:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6131_020.jpg

Getting ready for lunch:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6132_021.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011064.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6130_019.jpg

There are are 3 bedrooms, all with their own private baths. Two are on second floor, one on first floor but all have ocean view. There are also kid-style bunks in a basement room. We only photo'd the one main bedroom and bath:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6121_016.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6123_017.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6125_018.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6134_022.jpg

Now for rooftop views- Northeast:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6120_015.jpg

Southeast:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6119_014.jpg

Southwest:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6118_013.jpg

Northwest:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6117_012.jpg

The bedrooms on the 2nd floor have access out to the rooftop, this is where WW's stayed (the inside of their room is pictured above):
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6115_011-1.jpg

And as much as I can show you of the tres amigas bonitas:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6108_007-1.jpg

We had a really enjoyable, lazy afternoon. We sat down at the beach, came in for lunch, sat back down at the beach.... Lots to chat about and we found we had a lot in common! It seems we have quite the crafty men in our group. :P

It was time to bid our new friends farewell and head back up beach road. Tonight was the night we had been invited to see Ricardo play soccer! We did make time to stop in at TDS as it is on my bucket list and I had promised Sparklegem I was going to do some research for her. We did not see inside any of the rooms but we did take a few pics of the property as we walked in from the roadside. It is really a very pretty property and for us, we determined just a little too close together for our preferences but still very nicely maintained and decorated:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6144_023.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6146_024.jpg

If I stayed here, it would probably be in La Terreza:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6150_025.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6152_026.jpg

More Saturday to come.....for now it's siesta time before dinner:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011072.jpg

Westybchbum

25th September 2011, 09:02 AM

A quick backup to Thursday.... I can't believe I forgot this part!!

We decided to join the ranks of derelictums that remove their mosquito netting so as to let the ceiling fan breeze in.... T sets his camera with his brand spanking new lens that has only taken about 12 photos on the bed. He then jumps up on the bed to remove the netting only to watch his camera BOUNCE to the hard tile floor. Oh holy crap. I have to say he handled it very well considering at first the camera was not working at all. Somehow with a lot of tinkering he managed to get it to a functional stage for the remainder of the trip!!

Needless to say it's already been sent to Sigma for repair though.... I'll let TyT tell the camera buffs what lens he got, I haven't a clue other than it's the perfect lens for Tulum.

TortillayTortuga

25th September 2011, 09:15 AM

It seems we have quite the crafty men in our group. :P

Seriously though!!!!! A garage door opener???? Holy cow DUDE!!! That rocks! On of the other two men just seriously sent it out of the park! I will forever look to him as the person who trumped them ALL!!!!!!

Playakath

25th September 2011, 09:37 AM

Did you find that you preferred not having the mosquito netting? I'm guessing it must block the breeze from the fan. I'm hoping the Corazon units get a good breeze in the bedrooms, my DH is leery of sleeping without A/C and I've promised ocean breezes so I need to be able to deliver! LOL. Great TR, that camera takes awesome photos..

TortillayTortuga

25th September 2011, 09:48 AM

did you find that you preferred not having the mosquito netting? I'm guessing it must block the breeze from the fan. I'm hoping the corazon units get a good breeze in the bedrooms, my dh is leery of sleeping without a/c and i've promised ocean breezes so i need to be able to deliver! Lol. Great tr, that camera takes awesome photos..

dh????

utmck

25th September 2011, 10:54 AM

DH = Drunk husband???

Seriously though!!!!! A garage door opener???? Holy cow DUDE!!! That rocks! On of the other two men just seriously sent it out of the park! I will forever look to him as the person who trumped them ALL!!!!!!

I have been trumped before but never in the way that only Zach trumped us that day!!!! I bow to his greatness!!!!

Mojito!!!

25th September 2011, 10:57 AM

We took our mosquito netting off after the first night, as well. It totally blocked any ocean breeze or air movement from the fan. I have to admit the first night in our Corazon unit, Suspiro, was tough. I ended up sleeping on the deck in the hammock until the rain drove me in. It seemed like the bed was placed in a "dead zone" for air movement. The next day, we moved the bed away from the wall about 2 feet and took down the mosquito netting and it made a world of difference. We mentioned to the staff that we moved the bed and when we returned to the room, there was new floor fan wired for use. Our last 2 nights were rather still, so we were grateful for the extra fan. :fan::)

DH = Dear Husband, but I think Chuck's definition is more apt for Tulum =D

Playakath

25th September 2011, 11:12 AM

We took our mosquito netting off after the first night, as well. It totally blocked any ocean breeze or air movement from the fan. I have to admit the first night in our Corazon unit, Suspiro, was tough. I ended up sleeping on the deck in the hammock until the rain drove me in. It seemed like the bed was placed in a "dead zone" for air movement. The next day, we moved the bed away from the wall about 2 feet and took down the mosquito netting and it made a world of difference. We mentioned to the staff that we moved the bed and when we returned to the room, there was new floor fan wired for use. Our last 2 nights were rather still, so we were grateful for the extra fan. :fan::)

Oh dear. We will be in Deseo. Well thanks for the tip and we may ask about an extra fan if we need it. I assume that mosquitos weren't a problem if you didn't need the net?

Mojito!!!

25th September 2011, 11:22 AM

I think it all depends on whether or not mosquitos like you. Mr. M came home with nary a nibble. I, on the other hand, am covered with bites. It seemed like the mosquitos treated the DEET I bathed in as an hor d'oeuvre and went on to dine. =D The bites aren't all mosquitos, though. Some are mean, nasty ant bites that hurt like the dickens when attacking. =D

TortillayTortuga

25th September 2011, 12:18 PM

We've found that with the upstairs units in Corazon you have to open both doors and the breeze is SIGNIFICANT!

Mojito!!!

25th September 2011, 12:31 PM

I don't think our situation was typical. I agree with the doors open it was breezy. It was just didn't reach beyond the foot of the bed. If a stationary porthole window had been larger and able to open, we could have created a cross breeze and the problem would have been solved without moving the bed. =D

Mel

25th September 2011, 01:04 PM

Great trip report and pictures. I do choose to believe all the stuff about Chuck! We stayed at Pelicanos in June - but don't have appropriate beach photos that can be shown on TI. Waiting for more of your report.
Barbara at Casa Pelicanos (http://www.melcoker.com/casapelicanos.jpg)

Westybchbum

25th September 2011, 01:32 PM

Oh dear. We will be in Deseo. Well thanks for the tip and we may ask about an extra fan if we need it. I assume that mosquitos weren't a problem if you didn't need the net?

I don't mean to speak out of turn, but Chuck and Lainie were in Deseo and did not have the extra fan. In Extasis there is that extra fan and we never turned it on. We did enjoy the air from the ceiling fan once the netting was down. We have stayed in Extasis 4 times- in May, October, April and September. By far, September was the most humid. I remember it being HOT in May, but not so humid and at night the ocean breezes did the trick. We never slept ONCE with the mosquito netting down around us, we always tied the side up as it is STIFLING if you don't. I am a breeding ground for mosquitos and never had a problem while sleeping. We also only shut our doors only once when rain was driving in sideways, you will love sleeping with those doors open and the lull of the ocean sounds. I have to think that Deseo is situated nicely, it has the shade cover of palm trees and in all the humidity, the Utmcks never once said they couldn't sleep. I've often wondered about Suspiro, always suspecting it might not get the same breezes that we felt and Mojitos confirmed that based on where the room is situated in relation to the others.
Playa, I think your DH will be okay!! October is not going to be sooooo hot. And as you heard from the Mojitos, an extra fan can always be brought in!!!

Mojito!!!

25th September 2011, 01:52 PM

I think it was just a Suspiro problem and you will be just fine in Deseo. =D Kind of ironic when you consider suspiro means sigh, LOL!

Westy, when you were at Casa Pelicanos did you by any chance notice about how many the kids bunkroom slept? My sister and I are having fantasies about having a joint family vacation.

Playakath

25th September 2011, 05:15 PM

Thank you both for the info. And yes I was excited to see your first pic Westy! I like the look of the shady porch on Deseo.

P.S. I just wanted to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE those "matching" dresses in the earlier pics - the pink and black with the beads. ACK I need one of those!

sparklegem

25th September 2011, 05:53 PM

You are leading us along on another fantastic trip report, Sue!! Thank you for the photos of TDS. I especially like your brightly colored photographs of the pueblo. It does sound like you all had an incredible time. I have only one question so far, what is this commando tradition of Tulum?!

Westybchbum

25th September 2011, 06:55 PM

beachreader

25th September 2011, 07:17 PM

OK, I am totally not going to compete with this TR, it rocks! I really wish I'd spent more time with you guys--maybe next time. But for now, I'm actually too busy to do a TR, so I'll let you guys finish and then take my time next weekend.

Tom, fantastic pics as always! Really loved seeing you all, wish we were still there!

Playakath

25th September 2011, 07:28 PM

We did not even plan that!!!!! :))))

Seriously? Lol, you guys really are SISTAHS! ;)

utmck

26th September 2011, 03:25 AM

As far as Deseo goes, be sure and open all windows on the back to the cabana as well (bathroom and the ones over the sink) it will help with cross wind. To be honest since you are going mid-Oct I don't think you will have any problems, enjoy!!!

wwtulum

26th September 2011, 07:06 AM

MH? Would that be McGuyver Husband? Or better yet... This MF'er

minniemex

26th September 2011, 07:35 AM

Great trip report! I can identify with you guys on your instant bond and love for each other. We too have this type of friendship with our English mates. I found myself being very jealous that you were in Tulum!

I love this picture ~

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR-%20Friday/DSC_6013_060.jpg

Westybchbum

26th September 2011, 08:19 AM

MH? Would that be McGuyver Husband? Or better yet... This MF'er

LOVE MH!! That definitely fits you and your wife totally cracks me up when she starts a sentence with that.... This MF'er... don't let those sweet blonde looks fool you!! LMFAO

Westybchbum

26th September 2011, 08:24 AM

minniemex

26th September 2011, 09:01 AM

Thanks Minnie, so you have English buds?? HOW cool!!! Do you get to see them often?

Yes, we met them thru the USA Cup soccer tournament. We homestayed the coach & his wife (now our soul mates). I can understand your instant "rapport" as we experienced that on our first meeting too.

We don't get to see them as often as we like. We have tried to vacation someplace every other year for sure and have managed it. They are the ones we went to the Maldives with. Of course, every time we go over to visit it is a "vacation" for us!

wwtulum

26th September 2011, 10:13 AM

Mojito... 4 beds in the bunk room. I think the mattress' were at least doubles each, so you could probably get 2 kids in each if they are smaller. There is also a day bed in the downstairs bedroom. I will put up a link for photos in our report coming up soon.

Westybchbum

26th September 2011, 10:17 AM

Yes, we met them thru the USA Cup soccer tournament. We homestayed the coach & his wife (now our soul mates). I can understand your instant "rapport" as we experienced that on our first meeting too.

We don't get to see them as often as we like. We have tried to vacation someplace every other year for sure and have managed it. They are the ones we went to the Maldives with. Of course, every time we go over to visit it is a "vacation" for us!

Hey, if you are going to make friends, you found good ones, love that!! I've started peskering T about getting to Texas... never been and now we have a reason to go!! :)

solman2

27th September 2011, 08:33 AM

Hey!!! This is a great start!!!!.....but there's more right?????:beerchug:

TheWindyCity

27th September 2011, 11:25 AM

I liked the same pic Minnie posted.....what an odd cloud formation, and being able to capture it!...Also wanted to know about T's new lens. What a great trip it's been so far...you guys all had a great time!

Westybchbum

27th September 2011, 11:27 AM

Hey!!! This is a great start!!!!.....but there's more right?????:beerchug:

Actually the best parts remain untold! I used to have a job with nothing to do but that has changed recently so this is taking longer than it should lol.... Will get crackin' tonight, otherwise Chuck might start telling it and boy that could get ugly!

utmck

27th September 2011, 12:10 PM

otherwise Chuck might start telling it and boy that could get ugly

and she doesn't want the whole truth to come out seeing as how I have tire tracks up and down my back for things that I have been accused of.... just sayin'

solman2

27th September 2011, 05:00 PM

Actually the best parts remain untold! I used to have a job with nothing to do but that has changed recently so this is taking longer than it should lol.... Will get crackin' tonight, otherwise Chuck might start telling it and boy that could get ugly!

And we all know that what happens in Mexico USED to stay in Mexico...now it comes back home in the form of trip reports, and you ALWAYS want to make sure you get your version out first!!!!!

Westybchbum

27th September 2011, 05:36 PM

So go ahead Chuck, do you want to finish??? haha (insert evil grin here)... Actually Chucks debauchery ended here, now we are on to the rest of us...

Westybchbum

27th September 2011, 07:49 PM

After a wonderful day of relaxation and bonding with people who really connected... it was time to think about dinner. Earlier this day, Ricardo made his arrival to NVR and we had a wonderful reunion. It started with us apologizing for our nude midnight swim only to be told that we were family and no worries. Oscar y Gea were so warm and inviting and truly manage an amazing property. They are so genuine and real and we enjoyed seeing them both and chatting with them. They make us feel like family. Oscar spoke of the lightening strikes that really caused a lot of damage and we wish them all the best in the repair. I am sure they are back to normal by now. In any case, Ricardo invited us to his soccer game that night. We were so excited!

As for dinner, T and I were so lucky to be with the Utmcks who embraced the fact that we have been to Tulum lots and were so willing to just go with the flow. We had suggested one of our faves, Mateos, for dinner and they were totally on board. It seemed like the perfect place to start our evening.

T got a few pics. One of the things Mateos did this time around is offer the fresh fish of the day up close and in person... a very cool touch:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6155_028.jpg

Other cool pics:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6154_027.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6159_029.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sat/DSC_6161_030.jpg[/IM

I know Lainie ordered baja tacos which she loved and I went for my comfort food of shrimp burritos. I believe both guys ordered hamburguesa..... we ALL enjoyed the meal even though we forgot pics. And then it was onto Pueblo to watch futbol.

T and I had been before so we knew right where to go. 4 stand out gringos settled in the middle of very full stands. What a game! Ricardo went in later and scored 2 goals, his team won 8-2. In the middle of the game, he spoke to Tyt (thks to Lainie who kicked in as photographer):

[IMG]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011084.jpg

Next thing we know, we are invited to a private party in Pueblo at Jorge's (he works at NVR!!) mom's house! At the end of the game, Ricardo puts his brother in law with us (that boy had a great seat in between me and Lainie in the back seat) so he could get us to the party. What a treat! We find ourselves drinking the very beer Chuck found at San Fran:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/sept%202011%20tr-%20thurs/DSC_5710_011.jpg

That stuff is strong!! This group was so good to us but we were not able to keep up for long. A nice evening regardless!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011086.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011087.jpg

Memories that will stay with us forever... And up next the explanation of those numbers in our TR title.... Wait for it, best is yet to come!! (oh, and NVR beach beer pong rules coming also!!)

solman2

28th September 2011, 09:42 AM

Excellent!!!!! The pueblo at night is great isn't it??!!! We've been to a few soccer games there and some volleyball too, but haven't made it back for the after-party..(yet...)...Can't wait for more and can't wait for Mateo's....

joshsgirl

29th September 2011, 10:18 AM

Westy you've inspired me to finish my trip report;) I know I suck but just had to pop in and say great reporting as always. Looks like you kids had a great time!

We are finally getting around to planning another trip which won't be until May 2013 but at least it's on the horizon. Speaking of that...do you know if NVR has changed their policy on kids? I can't find anything about the no kids under 12 anymore but before I start banking on that I should find out for sure. My mini me will be 7 when we come and we're also bringing my Mom. We are considering Blanca Duna if we can get away with having a child there, otherwise I'm not sure where we would stay...Possibly Las Ranitas.

Jorge&Marcia

29th September 2011, 11:41 AM

Great job Westy. Bringing back some fond memories of the Zona Corazón. Can't wait to hear more...
.

CoconutShrimp

30th September 2011, 07:58 AM

Great TR Westy! Sounds like a great time was had by all! Looking forward to more, don't keep us waiting to long! ;)

TortillayTortuga

30th September 2011, 01:23 PM

Westy should be along with another Chapter to the TR soon. I think she's trying to figure out how to describe the next couple of days, without getting kicked off of TI.info, and still do justice to the TR!!!! I blame Mr. Utmck for all of what happened next.

sparklegem

30th September 2011, 01:26 PM

Can't wait for the next installment!!

Solbound

1st October 2011, 06:49 AM

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011064.jpg

So Westy you look worried and Tom and Chuck are lookin' a little too friendly; either that or there was some Devilry (another D word) afoot!....hhahahaha! Oh yeah enjoying the rest of the story too!!

utmck

2nd October 2011, 09:03 AM

Has everyone noticed that up until this point it has been pretty much the "let's kick Chuck in the nuts TR". Well now is the point in our little get together where Tom took the reins and turned the derelicktum knob up a couple of ticks...the Werner household is in full "spin control mode" right now figuring out how to tell the next string of events, especially since the "voice of reason" (me) is lurking and isn't afraid to let the truth be told. Just wanted everyone to understand why it is taking them so long...just sayin'

Westybchbum

2nd October 2011, 10:58 AM

Actually while there is some truth to that....

Fact is my hard drive crashed last week and I can no longer get online from home on my laptop :(

Sadly I cannot post a TR from my ipad.... I was so anxious to have this done this weekend, too!!

beachreader

2nd October 2011, 02:30 PM

Oh no! Hope you didn't lose anything critical in the crash. Reminds me I need to do another backup.

And maybe, just maybe, I can start posting something in the meantime.

Westybchbum

2nd October 2011, 03:09 PM

Oh no! Hope you didn't lose anything critical in the crash. Reminds me I need to do another backup.

And maybe, just maybe, I can start posting something in the meantime.

Yes, please! Anxiously awaiting your trip report!!! I jumped on T's Mac which I am a novice at navigating but gonna try and get some more TR done from here....

Westybchbum

2nd October 2011, 04:37 PM

Our day starts like this:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6165_000.jpg

There are storms rolling in but it doesn't stop us. We head down for our morning swim regardless. These mornings have become priceless. We literally roll out of bed, into a towel, out of a towel and into the most perfect temperature water. They are moments of sharing and teasing and great, great conversation. As we all hang gently rocking to the ocean, we suddenly notice a rainbow has formed quite literally over NVR! (no photos obviously as we were all in the water). This is when Roy G Biv comes up. I happened to do a science project in 8th grade about rainbows and ROY G BIV was how you remembered the colors.... Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.... Chuck took a few minutes to get this (yup, chuck, those are more tire marks wink, wink)....

Next thing we know there is a double rainbow! Can't make this up!! We continue our awesome chats and suddenly Lainie points out that it is rumbling thunder. "Should we be in the water?" she asks.... We agree she has a great point and decide to get out. As we head back up to the rooms, it is sprinkling. We decide to dress quick and run for Casa Banana. It was truly a charmed day as we got under cover just before the downpour. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast looking over the pics T had taken so far and savoring it all. Just as breakfast ended, the sun started to come back out. You seriously can't make this sh*t up! We decide it's going to be an amazing day of relaxation and we decide to start it off by walking south.

Lainie starts us off by sporting some amazing navel bling...

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6171_002-1-1.jpg

And some pics of the walk:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6218.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6216.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6213.jpg

I'm not gonna lie, we got some awesome pics of the 4 of us jumping off the OM bench... but Lainie and I chose thongs for the day so I'm afraid we cannot share. (insert evil grin here)

Suenos Log plus 2:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6206_004.jpg

When we arrived at Las Ranitas, we couldn't believe it! They tore up the entire deck/restaurant area attached to the main building! Major construction going on and we can't wait to see what they are doing:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6207.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6208.jpg

We arrived at upside down Noah's ark, the main reason for our walk. We wanted to see the progress! Not much I'm afraid...The sign they have posted:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6211_007.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6210_006.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6209_005.jpg

We head back to NVR for nothing but relaxation. And the day has turned GORGEOUS (note how the beach beds are placed together, Juan treated us RIGHT):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6227_009.jpg

And the day starts like this:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011094-2.jpg

And at lunch the most amazing men ever tell us they are going to head to La Zebra and bring back fish tacos! Oh yea, and let me tell you there were no social graces when they got back...

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011097.jpg

The day was just awesome and somewhere along the line we came to the decision that Posada Margarita was the dinner choice before heading to salsa night. We all needed a siesta before dinner but first the Utmcks asked us to meet them down under the Zona Corazon arch. As we head down, they are standing there with sh*t eating grins on their faces, a camera and a towel folded in the sand. I'm thinking we are about to cut ourselves and become blood brothers/sisters. Not exactly. They begin telling us what a special place we are standing in, one that has captured all of our hearts and brought us together through marriage (T and me) and friendship (Us and them). And they ask us to unfold the towel and there is the most amazing wedding gift EVER. It is a piece of field stone and on it is inscribed the latitude and longitude of the place we are standing! WOWOWOW! And even better, they have the same stone in their home! We were so touched and I cried!!!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011091.jpg

More than ever there is so much connection to this amazing place... And yet there is MORE to come! I hand the mic to my hot chica friend, LAINIE to finish this Sunday tale...... (xoxoxoxoxoxo baby!)

utmck

2nd October 2011, 04:49 PM

It started off like every other day: waking at sunrise, walking in the powdery sand to the cool inviting waters of the Caribbean for a naked morning swim…. And then as Sue so aptly wrote, the details for our Sunday in Tulum, it was another perfect day in paradise.

And then…. We were in our cabana in the late afternoon, getting ready to meet Tom and Sue for dinner. I stopped midway through getting ready and said to Chuck “I’m having a Memorize Moment!” These are moments in my life when I am fully engaged in ‘living’. Meaning that I am aware of all my senses and recording each of them to create the strongest type of memory-byte to refer to for the rest of my life. The palm trees were rustling in the breeze, my skin was warm from being in the sun all day, I could smell the warm ocean air, and I was looking at Chuck’s face, telling me he loved me with his eyes.

Just then he told me “wait right here”. He walked over to the corner of the room and brought back something bright and shiny in his hand. He showed me a beautiful silver band with the same engraving as on Tom and Sue’s stone, with two hearts intersecting in the middle of it. He said he wanted the ring to be his promise to marry me.

I was speechless, and stunned, and so so happy. I will never forget those moments. It was the most beautiful proposal a girl could ever ask for. And of course I said “yes”. I’m sure anyone who is reading this TR is as in love with Chuck as I am, right? Tire tracks and all……………..

beachreader

2nd October 2011, 05:09 PM

OMG OMG OMG!!!! That is so exciting, how did you guys not tell us all about it that night at salsa? I guess I had just assumed you guys were already married.

Oh, congratulations, that is such a wonderful moment, thanks for sharing it with us! Do we get to see the ring too?

Westybchbum

2nd October 2011, 05:24 PM

GOOOSSSSEEEEBUMMMPPPSSS!!! Wowowowow what a story! These amazing people have decided to make a life together in the best place ever! And OH thank GOD this story is out because it was NOT easy to keep quiet all this time!!!! XOXOXOXO love you guys!!!!!

So, Chuck's tough guy, "I'm not guilty" MO forever tainted.... he is a big ol' softee.... HOOK em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As has become custom, we took turns meeting for a cocktail on decks of each other's rooms before dinner. The Utmck's arrive on our deck with HUGE smiles and we are looking at them like, what???? This is when Lainie shows us her beautiful engagement band, perfectly engraved and they tell us they are getting married!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!

Let me just tell you, if there are two people meant for one another it's these two. They are SPECTACULAR to be around, so fun and happy and loving. We are blessed to have them in our lives! And how convenient... A personal photographer for their engagement photo session! There were LOTS taken but here are some of the best and you can see the true love and happiness in every one (quick note, there is no ring in the photos only because it was a bit big and Lainie didn't want to risk losing it!!!!):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6249_014.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6239_013.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6235_012.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6233_011.jpg

With excitement in the air, we head to Posada Margherita (sorry for misspelling earlier):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6285_015.jpg

As always the charming (don't know his name) comes and tells us about the menu and takes our drink order.... we get the awesome cheeseboard for an appetizer:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6291_016.jpg

Between the 4 of us we ordered 2 things, pasta and marinara and the fish special.... all AMAZING:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6293_017.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6294_018.jpg

We didn't photo dessert because we were all just enthralled with it, a combination of helado, 6 flavors and each better than the next. **SIGH** what a night!!!!!

And to think, it was followed by the most debaucherous, derilictous (no such words but believe me they fit) day EVER. :)

Much love,
Sue, Tom, Chuck N Lainie (nvr lovebirds)

TortillayTortuga

2nd October 2011, 05:29 PM

Congrats to you both!!!!! I'm in tears reading all this, and couldn't be happier for two of the most amazing people ever.

I'm a bit fuzzy on how this particular night ended, but I'm pretty sure I remember some of the more memorable parts of the next day! Yeah...we even have pictures....but they'll remain private....

Westybchbum

2nd October 2011, 05:32 PM

Westybchbum

2nd October 2011, 06:31 PM

Ooops, I need to go back. First, I found this:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Sun/DSC_6268.jpg

And I forgot to post about Salsa night! For me and T it was the first we actually engaged in! We had been to several, one under the LaZ roof, as it was pouring sideways.... then a couple that we sort of walked by. This one, we met friends and danced and kept, as you all now know a BIG secret!

The newly engaged Utmcks:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011115-1.jpg

Fab 4:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie%20pics/Tulum2011109.jpg

What a night. :)

elvo73

2nd October 2011, 08:42 PM

congratulations! what an amazing trip, thank you for sharing with us!!

sparklegem

2nd October 2011, 09:38 PM

Congratulations to the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Utmck!! What an incredibly romantic proposal!! I got tears and chills! You all shared such a momentousness trip! I am so happy for all of you!!

xox gem

P.S. Westy, that sunrise photo is the most beautiful one I have ever seen! It did foreshadow an incredible day!

wwtulum

3rd October 2011, 05:29 PM

Westybchbum

3rd October 2011, 06:35 PM

chuck...that is some cool effing shiznit my friend. a rock and a ring! both seem to weigh you down.. ok just kidding had to put that in there, sorry. you going to tell your momma about the wedding...? maybe i will have to start building a wedding gift!

oh yeah. #24 in the house during outdoor bed tequila tasting activities...and it really is a woman on that bed.

Just make sure you include a remote with that garage door opener.... And a big red bow on it, now that's a gift! But you cant forget the ballons and champagne either.....

TortillayTortuga

3rd October 2011, 06:40 PM

Just make sure you include a remote with that garage door opener.... And a big red bow on it, now that's a gift! But you cant forget the ballons and champagne either.....

It's all about the horsepower!!! I'm thinking 1/2hp just won't be enough ww......

TortillayTortuga

3rd October 2011, 06:57 PM

Needless to say it's already been sent to Sigma for repair though.... I'll let TyT tell the camera buffs what lens he got, I haven't a clue other than it's the perfect lens for Tulum.

For anyone interested....

I've been hemming and hawing over a Nikon 17-55 2.8 or a Sigma 17-50 2.8 lens. I really wanted something I could keep on the camera 90% of the time. I've been using a lens leftover from my "film" days...it was a great lens just a bit "short". On my Nikon "crop sensor" DSLR a 17-50 gives the equivalent of around 24-70 which is kind of optimal for a "everyday" lens. So anyway, I chose the Sigma because the Nikon was just way too expensive, and although the image quality on the Nikon is supposedly marginally better, I just couldn't justify the cost. Plus this model Sigma has Image Stabilization, which is a bit of a plus. Yes, I dropped the camera, it hit lens down, which isn't good to say the least. I got it working although the zoom was a bit sticky. Focus and I.S. was fine THANK GOD! I sent it off to Sigma for repairs, and $180 bucks later, it's as good as new, if not slightly better. It seems to be even "sharper" in some test shots I took.

So for anyone looking for a less expensive alternative to Canon or Nikon lenses, I highly recommend this company. I have 2 other models from them, and I couldn't be happier.

beachreader

3rd October 2011, 07:04 PM

I'm so impressed with the pictures you took with the "broken" lens, I can't imagine what's coming next!

Westybchbum

3rd October 2011, 07:37 PM

The Beach Beer Pong almost needs its own thread. I mean there are the set up, the rules, the play, and ultimately the PASS OUT. But I am getting ahead of myself....

This day started much like the others. PERFECT. Now because it is taking me so long to tell this tale, forgive me if I am repeating myself. First, Tom and I have been to Tulum now in May, October, February, April and September. This September by far was the most humid. I'd say May was the actual hottest temperature-wise. April was simply perfect. October we got some rain and February was too cold. Now take that all with a grain of salt because I'm certain others would have different weather stories. In any case, I just LOVED the September humidity. I loved sleeping in it. Call me crazy. But to wake slightly hot and sticky and then walk down to perfect warm/cool water as your "wake up" was just amazing.

We didn't start off with the devil in us... I swear! We swam, went to Casa Banana for b'fast and decided we needed to run to town. Mainly for a pink cowboy hat (my first one fell victim to a wave) but we also needed beer and tequila. Again. Not to mention, we were curious about the building near attached to Sandbar AND wanted to see where Beachreader was staying.... so off we went before camping out for the rest of the day on our beachbeds.

I'm not sure what the hotel is attached to Sandbar but it's cute. We didn't really capture the reception inside but this is outside:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6311_002.jpg

We got to town and did a little shopping. Chuck n Lainie had found the neat jewelry shop that a few have mentioned on this forum... Ugh the name escapes me but hopefully they will fill in:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6319_005.jpg

And us in town:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6318_004.jpg

We got what we came for and went off to find Beachreader. She was at Cabanas Las Luna. Just a few quick pics as we walked in... Honestly, I was so happy to see another property but I also knew it was our last full day on the beach so we didn't stop to photo a lot. I was mostly anxious to see Villa Shanti which frankly we were way too busy checking out to really stop and photo, again, wanted to get back to NVR. But here's what we got:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6323_006.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6325_008.jpg

I think perhaps BR will speak more to Villa Shanti but I just will say the house is gorgeous. The architecture and decor are quite stunning. We have promised our daughter a week in Tulum with 3 friends for her graduation present in 2013. This house could be it. The set up is slightly awkward in that there is a master suite with bath on a second floor. The second bedroom and an third bedroom (stand alone from the house)share a separate bath that you have to walk outside to get to. It's all close in proximity but perhaps just one downside of this place. But that's it. For the right group, the kitchen, living area and views as well as proximity to the beach are just amazing. Okay, enough, I have debauchery to get to but here are the 2 pics we did get... The second bedroom in the main house on the first floor:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6326_009.jpg

The master bedroom:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6329_010.jpg

Sorry we didn't get more but if you google Villa Shanti Tulum it will come up. And maybe BR did better. :)

So... off we finally were to get beers on ice and sit our butts on the beach for as long as we wanted. We had no plans the rest of the day and figured we'd hang on the beach til sunset. Well almost. Well, not really. It started with this set up:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6338_011.jpg

Lainie and I cut too many limes and since it was our last day we decided two limes per beer... And Lainie made the most of that:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011118-1.jpg

T and I had found this great small speaker to hook to an ipod and we decided to see if we could play it without disturbing anyone around us. Turns out you can! Between the ocean and the breeze, we realized we could have it playing for the 4 of us and you could not hear it past our little set up! Sawweeet!! So DJ mix master T starts with none other than Neil Diamon and Sweet Caroline! We even had Chuck mouthing, So good! So Good! So good! Chino walks by, smiles at us and says, "very happy!". Yes we were. We were like a gosh darn beer commercial, four of us side by side clinking glasses, sucking limes, toasting and singing. Of course, next up was Kid Rock and then Chuck really did start singing. And then we got really comfortable:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6340_012.jpg

The bikini tops hung from the umbrella poles:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011120.jpg

And that's when Dee Bauchery (aka Lainie) stepped in and announced that it was time for beach beer pong. Now I have to say, Utmcks had told us weeks ago they bought supplies for beer pong in Tulum. Having played it was kind of hard to understand how they saw it happening but what the hey! We are almost always up for anything! And so it began. The beginning of the end of any sanity. I think I will post this and continue....

Westybchbum

3rd October 2011, 08:11 PM

Requirements:
NVR Beach Beds (2 preferably)
4 NVR beach chairs
4 crazy wack jobs (totally necessary)
Beer
Tequila
12 plastic cups
Ocean water
4 ping pong balls

The set up looks something like this:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6345_014.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6344_013.jpg

You see, we decided we needed to stay in our seats. So we simply used the back pillow rest as a stop by putting at the opposite end of the bed. We then filled the glasses with ocean water:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011124.jpg

If you've played Beer Pong you know that these cups are typically filled with beer and if you bounce the ball in the cup your opponent must drink. Well, that doesn't work with sand everywhere. So we used water to weigh the cups down and came up with some different rules.

1) If the girls hit the rim of a cup, the guys had to take a drink of their beer.
2) If the guys hit the rim of a cup, the girls had to take a drink of their beer.
3) If anyone got the ball in the cup, they picked someone to do a half shot of tequila.
4) T and I threw at the cups set up in front of us, taking turns. Then C and L threw at the cups set up in front of them, taking turns.

Little did we realize just how many times we would get it in the cup. In the real rules, you are supposed to bounce the ping pong ball on the table into the cups. Well, beach beds don't bounce so we just chucked it. And we got it in a lot. OH THANK GOD there was only half a bottle of tequila.

The game ends when the tequila is gone. And so are the participants. Gone, gone, gone. But man oh man was it fun! A bunch of 40 something year olds acting like they were 20 in college. With tequila gone and really good buzzes, we go- where else? To our fave La Zebra for fish tacos. We decide the walk will do us good:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6365_015.jpg

Chuck calls this frolicking just so you know.

And our favorite waiter Santiago which T renamed Fillie- but that's a story for another day..... this guy loved us. Actually, he really loved Lainie. :)

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6373_016.jpg

Some fun pics (I know you keep hearing this but these are the ones we CAN show):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6403_019.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6423_020.jpg

Perhaps one of my all time favorite Tulum pics ever... This one shows the "very happy" that NVR Chino spoke of and is my current profile pic on Facebook. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these guys:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6433_022.jpg

A quick attempt at sanity, this is their tortilla soup and spectacular:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6429_021.jpg

And then it goes south:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6451_024.jpg

We had been joking about all the people that won't come to this gorgeous paradise because of the violence... And Santiago decided to poke some fun with us:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6380_018.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6377_017.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011131-1.jpg

And you can't make this up but we struck up a conversation with 2 nice Danish guys at the next table who gave us a set of porcelain clogs. I'm not kidding. Lainie and I split the pair so we can each hang one on our Xmas tree each year. I'm still trying to make sense of this in my sober mind but at the time it made sense???!!!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011147.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6434_023.jpg

And so... the Beach Beer pong story comes to a very quick end as it would seem. Somehow Lainie and I lost our clothes on the walk back and all I know is Mr. Mojito told us a few hours later that he was VERY tempted to come grab T's camera that had been sitting on the table near us and take a picture of 4 very naked rear ends passed out cold that afternoon. I wish he had. We missed the whole thing. My apologies to the poor Mojitos who sat a couple beach beds down and had to witness the derelictum. I don't think we made it to 1 pm. It was a great nap though. Somewhere around 3 or 4 I think we started to roust ourselves and realized we still had the night ahead of us. Whew.

utmck

4th October 2011, 05:53 AM

Oh the beer pong!!! What a great way to drink massive amounts of alcohol very quickly!!! What Westy forgot to include was the sexy ways in which Lainie and Sue would retrieve the balls after they had been thrown!!!! Now if Tom could have shot video of that we would never be invited back to this forum, to NVR and probably would have our visas revolked!!!!

But the memories are forever burned into our minds!!! Ain't that right TyT!!!

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 06:21 AM

3 words....

Out Of Control

minniemex

4th October 2011, 06:57 AM

You guys had the times of your lives! I do wish Mr Mojito had documented the afternoon snooze. :eek:

Jorge&Marcia

4th October 2011, 07:08 AM

OMG I don't get on 3 days and we miss the engagement. Congrats Chuck m Lainie - the new Mr & Mrs to be...next round is on us!

ilovewyoming

4th October 2011, 07:42 AM

Congrats on the engagement.. and the entertaining trip report..!

TortillayTortuga

4th October 2011, 07:47 AM

But the memories are forever burned into our minds!!! Ain't that right TyT!!!

OHHHH Mama-cita!!!!!! What a memory...and let's not forget about the cheer the two of them came up with while out in the water, while we were back on dry land!!!!

utmck

4th October 2011, 09:15 AM

OHHHH Mama-cita!!!!!! What a memory...and let's not forget about the cheer the two of them came up with while out in the water, while we were back on dry land!!!!

Ah, yeah..... we will allow the girls to tell them about the cheer. I am distancing myself from that one.

Chuck

TheWindyCity

4th October 2011, 09:38 AM

Lovin' the wack-job adventure....I think I caught a buzz just reading about it! :p

Congrats on the engagement....many fun years lie ahead, no doubt!

Thanks for posting the pics of Villa Shani - the Moorish architecture inside reminds me of Venice...of all places.

Also, great shot:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Sun/DSC_6165_000.jpg

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 07:21 PM

I'm just sayin'... Joe Nichols knows what he is singing about. That darn tequila just makes the world a better place. I appreciate that Chuck used the word "sexy" to describe our ball retrieving skills. I'm not sure I would have used that same description. Oh, but fun we had!!!

So... now its late afternoon and we are all starting to come back to life.... Okay 3 of us are. While we are trying to find the license number of the bus that came along and took us out, we realize Lainie is MIA. She actually was the smartest of us and made her way back up to the room for some recovery time. She made quite the heroic come back as I think she may have been hit the hardest. That's my ODG partner!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
And here's my girl in her comeback:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6563_031.jpg

At some point of the day (earlier, later, I have NO idea) we had come to a conclusion that Mateo's was calling our name for our last night there. We really love the atmosphere there. And no lie, it's got to be pretty dang good to pull us off the water, right? So as we are all showering and pulling our sh*t together, T and I go find Jorge. I had promised Sparklegem I was going to get photos of her room. Jorge is the best. They all are at NVR. And now we've actually partied at his mother's house in pueblo so we are true amigos:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6526_028.jpg

In any case, it didn't take long until trouble came back to play... and here it starts with the infamous pre-dinner cocktail hour (our last for the trip):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6577_033.jpg

While Lainie made her great recovery, she ended up being the well behaved of the gals that night... Me? Not so much. Oh boy... but here we are at Mateo's:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6578_034.jpg

It only took me 5 days to get the hook 'em sign... up til then only my middle finger had seemed to work hee hee:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6582_035.jpg

And that craziness about Mateo having a tv or not on Sunday? Well, it appeared for Monday night football. I have to say, it was pretty crazy watching the NY Giants in espanol:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6583_036.jpg

We were presented not only with the fish of the day, but also a lobster! Wow:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6585_037.jpg

A few cool pics:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6587_038.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6589_039.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6590_040.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6592_041.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6594_042.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6598_044.jpg

And T taking the above pics as captured by Utmcks:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011077-1.jpg

Now here I have to go backwards for a minute because we met Mateo. I thought it was this night but as I look at this picture, it was actually Saturday night before the soccer game! We bumped into Solbounds (yea, LOVE them!). We all got to chatting and Penny and Kevin had already met Mateo and was telling us how cool he was and all of the sudden he appeared! He is the greatest guy. He is an American making a great business in Tulum. He has the vibe of the place but is adding little touches that really work. He can be found bopping around and even came to us to let us know we had left the lights on in our car. He just has it going on. When T and I first went to Mateos, it was May 2010 and he had a couple of tables and plastic chairs, no liquor and a small grill. We told him about that and he laughed saying back then, he really didn't know if he was going to make it work. Well, you can see by the pics above he has. And we mentioned being on Tulum.info and next thing you know shots were being poured! Here is Mateo (next to T with the striped shirt) with the TI gang:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011079.jpg

We got a very cool tour of these high decks he is building in the back so that people can see the sunset!? Could be pretty cool when it's all done, we'll have to go back to see the progress...

So back to Monday. It's my last night and I'm leaving nothing behind. Mateo's are my fave margaritas on all of beach road and I made it my mission to have several. The dinner began with the best french fries any of us have ever had. No lie... Lainie, right? T, right? Chuck, right? (or maybe chuck can't remember after the hot sauce he poured on his fish tacos...)

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6600_045.jpg

And then this crazy cat appeared. I would tell you it was all the margaritas I had but there are actual photos to prove it... We got such a kick out of this. The crazy thing was stalking in all the trees above and around us:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6601_046.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6605_047.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6607_048.jpg

Now, I am more than happy to let Chuck and gang rag on me here.... cuz man I let my hair down. At some point I realized I had to hit the little girls room and couldn't walk there alone. So, Lainie was kind enough to chaperone. As I did, cha cha cha from our table, past the kitchen/bar to the back restrooms I think I may have been the entertainment. Not long after my benevolent hubby next chaperoned me to the same dance. I think. Or so I've been told. There may be more.... I wouldn't want Mr. Utmck to be the only one who gets kicked in the you-know-whats..... Well, dinner came. We ordered, ummmm, here's the pics:

I think vegie burrito?? for Lainie:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6611_049.jpg

Baja tacos for T that Lainie had ordered Saturday... these made such an impression I attempted to recreate back home:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6612_050.jpg

Shrimp burrito for me, oh I love it!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6613_051.jpg

And for Chuck, fish tacos smothered in a hot sauce he poured on them before knowing how hot it was (ask him how that worked out):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/DSC_6614_052.jpg

All in all the 40 something year olds made a swift recovery from Beer Pong to have a wonderful evening of laughter and great food and one last night in great company. Or so I think I remember. I'll let the others chime in at my expense, after all, I've had most of the pokes here and fair is fair. There was something about me shushing obnoxious neighbors and trying to do a beach walk that didn't go well. I think I may have fallen asleep on the beach..... anyway..... A WONDERFUL day all in all and now we are on to the "Adios on Tuesday".....

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 07:46 PM

It's the day to say goodbye. Gosh I hate this day but I also know we will be back. And we will have tickers up again, counting down and the excitement of being back. Which helps to soothe the pain. There is no doubt the Ct/Tx duos will be rockin it back in Tulum. Unless of course, somehow they get pre-warned and put an iron gate up knowing all the debauchery and derelictum that comes with us. But I highly doubt it. :)

It was an unusual morning in that we somehow missed each other in the ocean. T and I swam, Utmcks walked but nonetheless we all four enjoyed our last peaceful morning. Maybe it was meant to be that we did it as couples rather than a foursome. Tulum has that kind of magic you know. We reconvened on decks as our last breakfast was delivered to our rooms.

One of the things that was great about the 4 of us is we seem to travel alike. No one wasted time and all were packed fairly early. So, it was decided that we should just started heading north and hit PDC for an hour or so before the airport. With a teary adios to Ricardo and a promise to be back soon, we piled in the fire engine red 4-door rental and got, oh about 1/2 a mile up the road until T realized he was barefoot and missing his flip flops. Ricardo's last words to us were, "Don't leave us alone here too long". Little did he know we'd be back in 5 minutes.

All that tequila did its damage. We not only found T's flip flops but the wedding gift stone the Utmcks gave us and another bag we had accidently left behind. It turns out it was a darn good thing T forgot those flip flops!

As we are driving Lainie says, "Wow, this trip back north is a bit different than the one south 5 days ago". She was right. I think there was a relaxed exhaustion and just a slight sadness in the group. Mostly it was positive and I know we all knew it would not be our last outing but the first of many. Next stop: PDC. Somehow we got behind this, not every day you ride behind guys pointing guns at you....

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Lainie pics/Tulum2011167.jpg

We meandered a bit, shopped a bit and enjoyed some last moments together. The guys were walking ahead and I couldn't resist this great photo. LOVED it!

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6619_001.jpg

A couple cool buildings:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6620_004.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6621_003.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6622_004.jpg

Trouble 1 and Trouble 2:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6624_005.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6626_006.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6628_007.jpg

Happy Gringos:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6629_008.jpg

We piled back in the rental, headed to Easyway to return the car and it was off the airport.... I think any sadness was supersceded by the fact that we had partied as hard as we could and as much as we loved each other we just knew any more days together might have killed us. With promises to meet again, big bear hugs and smooches, we all said,

"Adios, mis Amigos.... Hasta Luego, Hasta la Vista" ***MWAH****

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept%202011%20tulum%20TR%20-%20Mon/sept%202011%20Tulum%20TR%20-%20Tues/DSC_6617_000.jpg

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 07:49 PM

Ah, yeah..... we will allow the girls to tell them about the cheer. I am distancing myself from that one.

Chuck

Blah blah blah, you weren't distancing yourself in Tulum... just sayin MFer ;)

utmck

4th October 2011, 07:52 PM

Wow, it is hard to believe that we could "rock" any harder than we had up until "Beer Pong Day" but that day took its toll, or maybe the amount of tequila took its toll on all of us. Lainie had been hit really hard, but rallied, put her game face on and dove right back in the middle of more tequila shots before heading back to Mateo's...way to go girl!!!!

When we got to Mateo's we had some chips and "hot sauce"...key word "hot sauce". It was perfect; not too hot and not mild at all. So when I ordered my tacos I asked the waiter for some "hot sauce". Now you have to understand in TEXAS that "Salsa" is what you do on Sundays at LaZebra, not something you put on food. So when I said "hot sauce" I meant the stuff that you just brought with our chips -- but in my brain that was clearly not functioning after 4 days of serious drinkin', it didn't register that the stuff that he brought was green, not red and I smothered my fish tacos with it..... such a wrong move on my part. After eating about half of one taco, and spending more time wiping sweat off of my forehead than time spent eating, I gave up and just picked around the "caliente sauce".

Now what I hadn't noticed was Sue.... and how drunk Sue was. I missed that she had to be escorted to the restroom both by Tom and Lainie, and when we got up to leave, the table of 10 or so that she had already passed more than once had seen too much of her and by the looks on their faces they were glad it would be their last!!! As we walked by I simply said to them "alcohol is a terrible thing to abuse". It was at that moment that I realized that we all needed to get home and seriously pass out. Which Lainie and I did!!!

wwtulum

4th October 2011, 08:01 PM

Holding a cooler with no flops on (while I must point out, everyone else has theirs on) the rock and doesn't realize....ha!

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 08:03 PM

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 08:41 PM

Holding a cooler with no flops on (while I must point out, everyone else has theirs on) the rock and doesn't realize....ha!

hahahahahaha! Hey WW's keep an eye on the mail... went to the post office yesterday. :)

beachreader

4th October 2011, 08:41 PM

Westybchbum

4th October 2011, 08:57 PM

What a blast I've had reading your report. Once again, I wish I'd spent more time with you guys, but to be perfectly honest, I don't think I could have kept up, and that is quite an admission coming from me and my history. :o

So many fabulous, truly fabulous photos, I'm not even going to copy them here, but some of my favorites are the "hook'em" shot at Mateo's, the frolicking shot and Lainie with the lime. Just so much fun in every photo, I bow to you guys. Not just in your ability to have fun, but your ability to capture and share it with the rest of us, thanks so much!

Oh, and this picture just made me think of that book The Ruins (vines give me the willies):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/suewerner11/Sept 2011 tulum TR - Mon/sept 2011 Tulum TR - Tues/DSC_6621_003.jpg

Oh we left some of ourselves behind on this one BR.... it was just so cool knowing you were down there and text chatting throughout those days. I'm SOOOO glad we caught you Monday morning before Beer pong LOL!!

I just have to say, those very vines from the Ruins are climbing all around NVR. The amount of growth from May 2010 is downright creepy.... I mentioned it to my playmates while we were there! I don't think I could watch that movie again!!!!!!

sparklegem

4th October 2011, 10:11 PM

Fantastic report Sue!! What an amazing trip the four of you had! It is hard to believe that this is the first time that the two couples had met in the non-virtual world! You four are sole mates!

Was it coincidence that Sue and Lainie's outfits were so coordinating each day? I thought that it was especially cute that Tom and Chuck were dressing alike by the end of the trip, too!

Your trip was very special. Thank you so much for sharing it with us! xox gem

Solbound

5th October 2011, 03:44 AM

Quite the fantastic time you all had! Congratulations to Chuck and Lainie!:cool:

minniemex

5th October 2011, 06:47 AM

Thanks guys for a very entertaining report. I really doubt I could have kept up with you guys but it would have been fun trying!;)

Oh and I keep forgetting ~ Congratulations Chuck & Lainie!!

Grasshopper

5th October 2011, 08:35 AM

Ranger

5th October 2011, 11:01 AM

Great TR, Thanks.

beachreader

5th October 2011, 01:49 PM

Oh we left some of ourselves behind on this one BR.... it was just so cool knowing you were down there and text chatting throughout those days. I'm SOOOO glad we caught you Monday morning before Beer pong LOL!!

I just have to say, those very vines from the Ruins are climbing all around NVR. The amount of growth from May 2010 is downright creepy.... I mentioned it to my playmates while we were there! I don't think I could watch that movie again!!!!!!

Have you ever read the book? I never did see the movie, might try it one bold day, but the book was really creepy. I always think things are usually better in your own head than shown on screen. It's funny, I just read another book (great fun, called Gutshot Straight, kind of Elmore-Leonardish) where there's a scene where a guy has been reading a book about these evil vines in Mexico and he couldn't wait to see what happened to these people on the ruins but the last three chapters were missing. He spends the next chapter searching for a replacement copy. Which is funnier than you'd think, and I laughed out loud that he was talking about The Ruins!

Sorry for the hijack.

utmck

5th October 2011, 04:29 PM

I do wish Mr Mojito had documented the afternoon snooze

I wish he would have taken a pic of all 4 of us passed out naked on the beach beds and not said anything, only to have Tom see the pic the next morning and not know who took it!!!!

wwtulum

5th October 2011, 04:42 PM

Got our prizes today!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! The Tortuga rocks!! And well us 6 know the photos kick gluteus maximus!! (and possibly hold it too!)

wwtulum

5th October 2011, 04:43 PM

oh yeah #24 back home in the South!

Westybchbum

5th October 2011, 08:54 PM

oh yeah #24 back home in the South!

Omg we never meant to be snatchers and when we realized we had it, it was a fight to see who would send it back.... Glad it is home where it belongs but I also find it ironic that #24 is the number of our room at nvr that we soooo love. I dont think that is a mistake btw..... Love love love having shared that wonderful place with u both ww's and i cannot wait for the day when the 6 of us return.....

Westybchbum

5th October 2011, 08:55 PM

Got our prizes today!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! The Tortuga rocks!! And well us 6 know the photos kick gluteus maximus!! (and possibly hold it too!)

Please tell kristen i have one hanging in my office and another that hangs on our xmas tree.... Think of u guys every day......

Westybchbum

5th October 2011, 08:58 PM

Have you ever read the book? I never did see the movie, might try it one bold day, but the book was really creepy. I always think things are usually better in your own head than shown on screen. It's funny, I just read another book (great fun, called Gutshot Straight, kind of Elmore-Leonardish) where there's a scene where a guy has been reading a book about these evil vines in Mexico and he couldn't wait to see what happened to these people on the ruins but the last three chapters were missing. He spends the next chapter searching for a replacement copy. Which is funnier than you'd think, and I laughed out loud that he was talking about The Ruins!

Sorry for the hijack.

Read the book first and then couldnt resist the movie.... The movie is mainly the same but it definitely took creative liberties switching characters around and the end was not exactly the same. I am gonna have to look at gut shot straight now thank u very much!!!!

utmck

6th October 2011, 04:45 AM

Love love love having shared that wonderful place with u both ww's and i cannot wait for the day when the 6 of us return.....

Ditto to all that!!! Can you believe the trouble we would get into when this happens and we know it will!!! Lainie sill thinks of you Zach every time the garage opens up... I wonder why!!!!

TortillayTortuga

8th October 2011, 06:07 AM

Ditto to all that!!! Can you believe the trouble we would get into this happens and we know it will!!! Lainie sill thinks of you Zach every time the garage opens up... I wonder why!!!!

I started working on our own...

wwtulum

8th October 2011, 07:12 AM

new idea, kitchen aid mixer!!

TortillayTortuga

8th October 2011, 09:07 AM

Hmmmm very interesting. I spend some time on the McMaster-Carr website yesterday looking for parts.

utmck

9th October 2011, 09:13 AM

How about a Briggs & Straten 10hp motor????? If people only knew what in the hell we were referring to......

wwtulum

9th October 2011, 11:05 AM

You got 1 bad ass woman for 10 Clydesdales

1 Hiem Joint on Kitchen Aid i think would work

manitou

1st April 2012, 10:05 PM

For anyone interested....

I've been hemming and hawing over a Nikon 17-55 2.8 or a Sigma 17-50 2.8 lens. I really wanted something I could keep on the camera 90% of the time. I've been using a lens leftover from my "film" days...it was a great lens just a bit "short". On my Nikon "crop sensor" DSLR a 17-50 gives the equivalent of around 24-70 which is kind of optimal for a "everyday" lens. So anyway, I chose the Sigma because the Nikon was just way too expensive, and although the image quality on the Nikon is supposedly marginally better, I just couldn't justify the cost. Plus this model Sigma has Image Stabilization, which is a bit of a plus. Yes, I dropped the camera, it hit lens down, which isn't good to say the least. I got it working although the zoom was a bit sticky. Focus and I.S. was fine THANK GOD! I sent it off to Sigma for repairs, and $180 bucks later, it's as good as new, if not slightly better. It seems to be even "sharper" in some test shots I took.

So for anyone looking for a less expensive alternative to Canon or Nikon lenses, I highly recommend this company. I have 2 other models from them, and I couldn't be happier.

Been catching up on different threads here and there the last couple of weeks and stumbled on this one-great entertainment with the photography and the dialogue! I know, kinda late, but hey...

Anyway, had to laugh when I read a few pages about your camera body and lens taking a dive onto the concrete floor of your room. I too own a Nikon DSLR and had a similar experience. Our daughter, for many, many years, played competitive soccer. One of her last matches was a high school state tournament match. Her Coach and I worked together, camped together, fish together, etc. Well, after this victory we went out for several beers following the match. When I arrived home, I grabbed my camera out of the back seat and promptly dropped it and the 300mm f/4 (with the lens pointed straight down) onto the concrete floor of the garage! The UV filter shattered and bent, but it still to this day makes wonderful photos! I screwed another UV over the top of the old one as I couldn't get the old one off as it was bent so bad. BTW, I have the Nikon 17-55. It is a dandy.

Thanks again, for a wonderful report, but thought you might appreciate knowing you're not the only one to dumb ass things with your camera gear.