Quickie to Tulum

[Gale in KY]

Feb 29th, Friday-Up at (shudder)2:30am for a 6am flight from Cincinnati to Dallas and then to Cozumel. Booked into Coz due to a great price from my normally outrageously priced home airport...Although it's sleeting and nasty outside, there were no unforseen problems driving the short distance to the airport, hubby drops me off on his way to work around 4:30. Check in an grab a cup of coffee. We board on time and away we go! It's been a long long wait for me to get this far, I am so ready for Tulum!

Arrived on time in Dallas. A quick phone call to a local friend before we board for Mexico. Arrived in Coz on time. This is a good plan folks, small airport, quick quick thru immigrations, green light, out the door. I will do this again. Now it's a short walk off airport property, grab a cab at the street to the ferry to Playa. Beachreader is meeting me there.

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$11 for a one way ferry fare. Rough seas and lots of wind. I know this is going to be a rough ride when the attendant starts handing out Cervesa and barf bags..your choice of pink or purple!

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Arrived in Playa about 3pm..ferry across is delayed due to rough water. I am a boat person and I was ready to get off this ferry..queazy. Found BR quickly. We head for the car and we are soon on our way to Wal-Mart. LOL! A few impulse purchases, and we are outta there headed south on 307. Arrived at Cabanas Tulum around 5pm.

[FITZ]

and........??????????

[TnTWalter]

Good start....:earth:

[AdGuy]

Nice start Gale. Your mention of the purple bags brought back many a memory of how much "fun" that ferry ride can be when the seas are rough! I've never needed to use them but can still hear the sounds of others around me who were enjoying them!!

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[Lynnette]

Mas, por favor!!! :)

[Gale in KY]

Cabanas Tulum- What a diamond in the rough this place is! With a bit of spit and polish, this could be the jewel of Mid-Tulum beach. As it stands now, it is a bare bones but clean lodging that affords one of the best locations along the beach road. What you get here is nothing fancy, just amazingly comfy beds, a big bathroom with a BIG shower (and a toilet seat as my friend Steve O would say), a really great covered patio and an amazing view within a few short steps of the water's edge. I REALLY wanted to ask for a job with the landscaping..the beginnings of something very good are here in this place, but it needs some magic touches to make it a better property. What is here is a GREAT budget lodging for those, like me, who don’t really need or care about fancy as long as it is clean and beachfront.

Although the rooms are all the same size, some are turned a different direction, and seem smaller, a bit more crowded, have only one window and a much smaller patio. http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m180/galee_2006/Tulum%202008/31808049.jpg
# 17 Patio

We started out in #17, one of these smaller units, but thanks to Beachreader, we moved into #6 the next day, a much larger and nicer unit with two huge windows facing the sea, a nice closet area, big bathroom and a double sized patio.

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#6 From the front door

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From the covered patio

[Lynnette]

I didn't know that there were different room sizes. When we stopped by, we were shown a very small, dirty unit, with holes in the screen and a bare, dangling light bulb. The whole place was empty, so maybe they just didn't want to rent to anyone. Was there a room fan, Gale? I'd book #6 in a heartbeat.

[Gale in KY]

When we arrived, we literally dropped our bags, changed to cooler clothes and raced to Zamas for an early dinner. We really enjoyed the entertainment; this guy provided an excellent accompaniment to my decompression from the hurry up world to Mexico time.
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To be honest, I don’t remember exactly what I ate, but I know it was good. Garlic Fish I think?

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Dinner was good, conversation was better, and of course, the tequila was strong and readily flowing.

Sat-Thought sure I would awaken with a hangover, or at least sleep late after drinking my way thru dinner and the show.lol.but of course, my body is still on “work” time. I was awake at 3am, managed to lie there until 4am, and then tried to sneak out the door to enjoy the change from dawn without disturbing BR…alas, I forgot the door was not planed well and it made quite a bit of noise as it drug across the tile floor. Ooops. Sorry BR.
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Ah, this is what it is all about.. I have waited too long to see this sunrise. It was windy, but it was lovely weather, beautiful sun.

And of course, the food. WOW. I have become a foodie. LOL.
I have always been about the cheap eats, but now I am craving seafood.

After the sunrise, We walked down the beach to meet Pierre and try his coffee. You will recognize him by his sign on the beach.
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Suddenly we heard Mariposa call out..she was staying right next door. Met her husband and got the tour of the casita. What a nice suprize when we were invited to eat breakfast with them!

[Gale in KY]

There is a room fan Lynnette, but electric only in the mornings and from around 7pm till 11pm.

[beachreader]

Hi, Gale! Great minds think alike, once again. We're both posting our TRs today! Too funny. Honestly folks, this really is a coincidence.

[Gale in KY]

The rest of the afternoon was a beach kind of day, lazy. I hung out with this guy a bit, trying to coax him off the roof.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m180/galee_2006/Tulum%202008/31808097.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m180/galee_2006/Tulum%202008/31808095.jpgNo can do, he was staying put. After some porch sitting and sunning, we decided to check with Maya Spa about booking some pampering appointments.

For Dinner, we ended up at Playa Kin Ha. EXCELLENT CHOICE!!!Seafood Platter for two. Excellent. Guac and Salsa. Very Good. Good Margarita. Nice glass of wine. Nice place.

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Notice the curtain blocking the beach view? It did protect from the wind.

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Platter's humble beginnings

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My favorite Mayan on a concrete block..one who grills seafood!

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The finished product...absolutely exquisite!

Back to the cabana and we were asleep before the electric went off around 11pm.

[beachreader]

Oh man, Gale, your pics are blowing me away--what a fantastic shot of the white and blue with the iguana in the middle! :star:

Your Zamas pics and your food pics are better than mine, too. Maybe I'll just skip all mine and jump ahead to start again after you're gone!

[beachreader]

What photo site do you use? I'm guessing Photobucket. Hmmm, I might really have to change so my pics will be bigger.

[Gale in KY]

I almost had my daughter in law talked into letting me keep the camera..haha..till she realized her new video camera doesn't have a flash on it for still shots..so now, I will have to buy one just like it..lol. It really did take excellent pics! Panasonic Lumix, I think?

[Gale in KY]

I was thinking I needed to reduce mine a bit..actually I thought I had, but they are still fullsize. Using Photobucket..they have added some captioning features, will have to give that a try. I love your pic of Sophia..I really wish I had the chance for some bodywork with her, such a sweet lady.

[PhyllisB]

Oh, I like the pics big.... better to see all the details and really feel like you're right there!

[TnTWalter]

Awesome!!!:eat-drink:

[pepper]

I think there's a trip report conspiracy today...:)

It's like the Easter bunny has brought me a basket of goodies...I love it!!

[AdGuy]

Yes...a trip report WITH photos! Lllluuuuuuvvvvvviiiiiiiinnnngggg it! :)

[La Luna]

What photo site do you use? I'm guessing Photobucket. Hmmm, I might really have to change so my pics will be bigger.

I like your smaller pictures, they are loading faster!

[Lynnette]

FABULOUS!!! I love the photo of the iguana on the white wall....the contrast and texture is very artsy. That grilled seafood platter looks delish!!!


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[Gale in KY]

I forgot about the bug stomping, shooing thing I did for Beachreader...lololol..yes, I was the critter gitter while we were there..lol. I am sooooo glad I didn't have to see that scorpion..had I seen that, it would be hard to say who would have been out the door quicker..lol. There is a limit to my critter gitter skills.

Sunday-Slept in today, but still caught the sunrise..there's that shimmer across the water than just penetrates my very soul..that's my very favorite sight in the entire world I do believe.

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Cabanas Tulum in the early morning sunshine
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For Breakfast, we didn’t venture far, ate at Cabanas Tulum, sorry no pictures, didn’t think about it, hope Fran got some. I had my usual Mexico breakfast..I am a fruit fanatic and the fruit is always sooooo good in Mexico, so I had fruit, granola, yogurt and of course, Coffee. On a scale of 5 stars, CT's coffee rates a 4.5 with me. Not too strong, not too weak and he actually has Splenda on the table!

I had a bit of a sunburn from our beachwalk on Saturday, so I made use of that wonderful patio and read a bit, walked around some checking out the details of CT while Fran caught up on some of the required reading she had to do for a “working” vacation. We got a couple of hammocks from Carlos, but they were new and stiff and were not very comfortable, so I just made use of the rock wall that borders the patio and the plastic chairs. What a great place to really relax. Fran gave me a GREAT book to read, but since it's not in print yet, I won't say the name of it...but will tell you that one of the main characters is a study in Mayan Mystical Feats..as well as other occult practices and it's very interesting to read about the way that is put to use.

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I can never tire of the colors of Mexico..the blue of the water and sky, the green of the landscape..everything is so bold and dramatic. Check out the Mexican Missles...heehee..also known as Coconuts

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Later in the day, we set out to the north in search of Rene and La Luna, as well as a late lunch. (Fran has lots of pics).Got the grand tour at La Luna with Rene, and ended up eating lunch at Puerta Del Cielo. I think I will give the Guac at PDC a 5 Star, as it had lots of sweet onion, just as I love it. The Cerviche was also 5 Star! I was in the mood to match my drink to the water..so I ordered the house special, “Puerta Del Cielo” of course!

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From the beachside Bar..great place to relax

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Much too soon we had to head back to CT to get ready for our spa appointments.

At 3:30, I headed up to Maya Spa for my reflexology treatment. It was an excellent way to spend an hour. For those who are unfamiliar with reflexology, it is said that there is a “spot” on your foot that is connected to every major organ in your body. By manipulating those spots, you can enhance your health and keep your body systems working as they are designed to do. I have pursued alternative medicine for some time, and reflexology has actually helped both my bone degeneration and arthritis. The treatment that Blanca gave me at Maya Spa also incorporated some leg work, and I came away with smooth legs and a bit of extra energy!

While Fran was off to Maya Spa for her massage, I just hung out around the cabana, took a shower and got ready for the LaZebra Party.

[Lynnette]

PDC looks wonderful! You can't beat that view and the food looks yummy! What was in your "azul" drink?

[Gale in KY]

LaZebra, sorry very few pictures here without people in them, and I can't publish them without consent..lol..But..WOW..what changes have taken place here..I remember this as a quaint cabana place that rented for $35 a night..not any more! It has been transformed to a chic, and I'm sorry, but a "Playa Del Carmen" kind of place, except it's all wood and rusticity. I am accustomed to hanging out in my swimsuit, wearing shorts to dinner..when we walked in, most of the people there, and that was LOTS of people, were dressed up as if they were going to a nightclub at a resort for an evening. Looked way out of place to me. Yikes, I was under dressed! LOL

We pulled up and were immediately directed to our parking spot by the "parking attendant"..who foolishly walked behind BR as she was trying to park..wrong move amigo, danger! :) I am dazed by the fact that there is a parking attendant on the Beachroad, never thought I would see the day...tour busses? Parking attendants?

The walkway up to the restaurant is lined with candlelight and it's most inviting.

The restaurant was packed with people. It was LOUD...not the music from the group outside, the din of the conversations inside. We checked on our reservation that Rene had so kindly made for our group...No can do, it's for next week..wrong. Poor girl looked confused and unsure of what to do next. A few whispered conversations between the staff and we were soon seated.

Drinks were ordered, service was slow, food was good, not outstanding. The very best part of the evening was the company we shared at our table. It was a really nice evening because of those who we spent it with.

A few random shots...sorry, the more I drink the worse the pictures are. LOL! I had more than a few Mojito's and they were very tasty! It was very nice meeting Dianne, who I hope soon joins us here on Tulum Info, The Mariposa's, LuvstheSun and the Mr. and of course, Rene. You guys made the evening special.

Fran and I split the dinner...it was good and there was plenty for two.

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[Lynnette]

Sounds like a good time was had by all!! Any booty shakin? I hear ya about the "chic" people now frequenting our favorite places. Last spring I saw a woman in at least four inch heels, holding onto to fancy hat in the wind, struggle to walk on the beach. HELLOOO!!!

[Gale in KY]

Monday..My last day already! Up early for my last sunrise, I so wish I could see this every day of my life!

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After packing up, we headed out to the south up the beach in search of breakfast.

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I so enjoy walking the beach, taking in the sights, the sounds, the ambience that is Tulum.
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Akin Beach Club
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we soon arrived at the most famous palm tree of Tulum. Now, there is a sign explaining the damage that humans are doing to this aged beauty and a plea for assistance in preserving this magestic fauna.

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At last, we arrived at Ocho. The perfect Breakfast. Dianne joined us. What a great lady. She graciously invited us inside her cabana for a look-see..very nice place, I love the layout of the room and how spacious it feels, and the wonderful front porch of her garden cabana. Just steps to the restaurant and the water..perfect. I would stay here.

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[PhyllisB]

Oh Gale, I just love that picture of the blue water..... I think I could stare at that all day long!!!!

[Gale in KY]

We stopped by Om on our way back to the north so Dianne and Fran could make reservations for dinner. I so wished I was staying another day or two. Even though it was not yet 10am, I was salivating at the discussion of lobster and good food

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Would you look at the crowded beach in Tulum during high season! This is CT's beach looking south, you can see the rock wall of Los Lirios..and those wonderful hard plastic Cabanas Tulum beach chairs that I avoided. LOL!
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Time to go, I am so sad. Grabbed the bags and headed to the pueblo to catch the bus. Already this morning, the sights and smells in town are beaconing me to stay. I could cry but I don't have time. LOL..The bus is ready to leave for Playa, so I quickly buy a ticket, 42 pesos, and hop on the bus.

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We arrived after a very nice ride at the Playa Bus Station about an hour later. I had to walk down to the ferry dock, then wait until the 1pm ferry to Cozumel. It was a much smoother ride than a few days earlier.

Grabbed a cab to the airport, checked in and waited for a flight to Houston that was two hours late in departing. Missed flight in Houston, wormed my way onto a flight to Dayton rather than sit in Houston airport all night. Called my son, after some grumbling to a reminder that I suffered thru birthing him..lol..he drove an hour and picked me up in blinding rain. A sign of things to come. Arrived home at 1am.
Two days later, this is what I saw out my kitchen window..16 Glorious inches of snow!

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[Lynnette]

Your beautiful aqua water photo definitely trumps the snowy picture! You really packed a lot into a short trip....I hope the next one is much longer for you!! I hated to see your report end...loved it..... thanks for the GREAT report and photos!!

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[Jana]

Beautiful beach photos! That snow must have been hard to take after Tulum.:(

Jana

[Gale in KY]

to put it politely...the snow sucked, the rain sucks...I wanna go back! We have been deluged with wet stuff, and it's not over yet. First rain, then snow, now rain again tonight. YUCK.

Phyllis..is there any sight more beautiful than that azul water?

Lynnette..don't know what was in that Azul colored drink..lol..dont' remember but it was potent and very tasty!

I am loving and hating Beachreader's report, so many things I missed after I left. I have never eaten at Mezz..but I am going to change that next time!
The food looks wonderful.

The sweet Sofia..this is just the most precious woman...she is the kind of person you immediately feel a link to..I have to have a massage with her. I so enjoyed talking with her..and believe it or not, while we were at Lamar's giftshop talking to her, I heard a gecko chirp for the very first time!

No matter how many times I go to Tulum, or the Yucatan in general, I always feel a sense of wonder and experience lots of firsts..I can't wait until I can return and feel that wonder once again!

[luvthesun]

great photos! I love the one of the iguana peeking his head over the wall!

[AdGuy]

Thanks for taking us along on your way too short journey, Gale. I've made a note to myself...if interested in heading somewhere in March, pick Tulum before Kentucky! :)

[beachreader]

Sorry you had such a rough trip home, especially followed by all that snow! Yuck. I arrived home to driving rain for a day or so, but much better than snow.

That iguana/wall picture is one of the absolute best photos that has been posted here in a long while. I might have to steal it from you, or maybe I'll just buy a print. Will you send me an e-mail with the link to your album? Can you buy prints from Bucket? If not, maybe you can just send me an attachment with the original and I'll load it to Shutterfly so I can print it. Either way, I want it!

[MarkHNH]

Gale,

Great report. Loved the pictures.
Hope that we get a chance to meet soon.

Mark

[Gale in KY]

Fran..Will be happy to have my Iguana friend in your hands!:) I'll send him to you via email. I have noticed the lack of big iguanas in the last two visits..lots of little guys but none of the big daddies that used to be plentiful. I wonder if they are learning to hide themselves more efficiently, or perhaps Emily, Wilma and Dean have something to do with it?

Mark..So many great friends I would just love to take over Tulum with..lol..wouldn't that be awesome if we could just book the entire area?:) Hopefully someday soon we will find ourselves on the same beach at the same time! When is your next visit? We need to do that beach crawl! Trying for another short visit in May and then a whole week in October or early November.

Lee..My home state is lovely, but the only white stuff I want to see beneath my feet is sand. It's terribly hard for a "barefoot" gal such as myself to suffer the wrath of shoes for months at a time and we won't even discuss coats, hats and gloves..YUCK. I would gladly shovel sand away from a cabana, but this girl won't shovel snow!

[TheWindyCity]

Thanks for taking me back to Tulum this morning, as I sit at my desk and read your report. The photos are fantastic and so is the account of your trip. I had no idea KY gets that much snow...I thought only us poor saps in the upper midwest get cursed.

[Gale in KY]

Windy..we get a crazy mix of weather in the second 1/2 of winter..March can be a mixed bag of most anything and everything..and this year, it certainly has been. We seldom have this amount of snowfall in one episode. Your part of the world has certainly seen it's share of the white stuff this winter...I am thankful we don't get nearly the snowfall you do in your area.

My DH has been fishing in Tennesee this week and he reports snow that we didn't get..ours is again heavy rain this morning..rain we don't need with our swollen creeks and flooded rivers. My backyard now looks like a lake..no grass in sight..DH could have stayed home and fished off the patio. LOL.

Next trip: Early May, a few days here and a few days there, starting in Playa and hopefully a short visit to Xamach Dos! If Spring doesn't come along here...I am happy to set out to find warm weather and sunny skies in Mexico!

[minniemex]

Wonderful report Gale!! I am not feeling as jealous as I might have usually felt, just coming from warm sun, blue water and sand!! But I did miss the beaches of Tulum........ I have yet to find anywhere to rival them....:p:p

[visita tulum]

Hi Gale,
I am just back from tulum also.
Your trip info and photos are delightful, thank you so much!
I stayed at Zamas and for the past two years have had a german born woman from Tulum named Arianna come to my room and od massage. I am a chiropractor and consider myself extremely particular when it comes to massage. I feel Arianne is either the best or 2nd best masseuse I have had in my life! To the point that if I ever work down there I will choose her to work with me. For starters, she kneads 50 loaves of bread a week which she sells to restaurants in town. Her hands are very good with muscles...not tooo hard or soft. I have her email if anyone needs it.
I look forward to meeting you down there, down the road!
Dr. Kathy

[Gale in KY]

Minnie..I am sooo glad you are back! Sure missed you on the beach! I am like you in thinking CT is the best value EVER on Tulum beach, maybe you can sneak away for a girls trip soon?

Kathy..thanks for your kind words. I hope you will share some pics and your experiences at Zamas..I am quite curious about their accomodations..especially that quirkly itty bitty cabana on the beach.
It's always good to have recommendations for good bodyworkers, I am sure your recommendation will come in handy!

[Toni]

I loved!!! the pics too. I have a Panasonic 9wondeful wonderful cameras)and they really help me get better shots than I deserve. But you have quite the eye for good shots. Hurry back and report more!! ahahahaha

[Gale in KY]

Thanks Toni..and everyone..but I can't take credit for good shots, most of the time, I couldn't see anything about the picture I was trying to take (no viewfinder)LOLOL..just dumb luck.

[susan]

We walked buy this place a number of times always wondering how it was. It looked like a good location with decent cabanas, I'll have to keep this in mind for the next trip.