Day 3
After breakfast we decided to take the kids to the kids club. They’ve been asking everyday about it already. So we went down, signed them in, and left them with their towels and life jackets to have fun on the many water slides and pools in there.
We managed to find two loungers by the main pool (all are usually gone by 8am or so). We relaxed in the sun for a few hours, talking and reading.
I periodically went to check on the kids to see that they were alright (I’m a paranoid parent) and as soon as the kid’s club was no longer engulfed in shade, I went to sunscreen them. At that time Kelsey did not want to stay there anymore, wanted to be with me and dad. The girls were just then preparing to take all the kids to the beach for beach volleyball, but she still insisted she wanted to be with me. Jorden wanted to stay with the kids club, so I just took Kelsey out. When we saw all the kids file past us towards the beach, we walked down to take pictures and watch. After the game and a swim in the sea, they were headed back to the club for some lunch. Kelsey decided she wanted to go back then, so went with them.
John and I ate lunch at the snack bar, and lounged by the pool some more. Suddenly a big wind came up and it began to pour. We quickly gathered up our stuff and decided to go and pick up the kids, as they only had their swimsuits on and wet towels with them and would be getting cold in this shower. We picked them up and headed up to our room. We hung out for the remainder of the day in our room, until it was time to bathe and dress for dinner at La Piazza, the Italian restaurant. The food here was really good, especially the onion soup and the lasagna. Terrific food, and very nice surroundings.
At bedtime, Kelsey showed me a cut and rash she felt in the top crevice of her leg. I immediately attributed this to the bathing suits she had been wearing that were somewhat too small, she having outgrown them since she wore them last in the summer. Tomorrow we would have to head out to find one (Walmart, perhaps?) as they were ridiculously overpriced in the hotel gift shops and I refused to be ripped off.
Day 4
Woke up to a beautifully sunny day, so we decided that the trip to Walmart for a bathing suit for Kelsey could wait. We put just a pair of cotton shorts on her and a tank top to wear for now. She wouldn’t eat any breakfast this morning, but she has a bit of a cough so perhaps this is to blame.
Grabbed three chairs by the main pool, one for the children to share. The kids and I snorkeled and played in the pool.
Around 2 it began to get cloudy again, so we decided to have lunch and head to Walmart. Once on the bus, we asked another gentleman if this bus went to Walmart. He immediately asked why we would want to go there, when we can get whatever we are looking for at the Mexican market, called the Ceudrauil (not sure on the spelling). We found her two bathing suits, and a few other things too for prices comparable to back home.
On the way back, we stopped to have Kelsey’s beads changed, cost $20 pesos. Her beads were getting all gummed up, we don’t know why. The new ones would also end up doing the same, yet mine didn’t (??) Perhaps the salt water? We got back to the hotel just in time for a short visit to the beach again. Man, we love that Caribbean beach!
As evening came upon us (it seems to come too quick there) we changed for dinner at Wayne’s Boots again. We tried at 8am to make reservations for one of the other restaurants, but they were already full. I’d recommend making reservations days in advance. Wayne’s Boots was fun, though, especially watching all the kids and adults ride the mechanical bull and get tossed around. Kelsey wouldn’t eat again, and I began to worry a little. Her cold was definitely getting worse, good thing I brought some Triaminic and Children’s Tylenol.
After dinner we went down by the pool to visit Kelsey and Jorden’s “pet cat”. This was a very small yet full grown cat that hung around every night outside the buffet restaurant hoping for remnants of food. She was pregnant with a big tummy, and loved the attention flocked upon her by the many children passing by.
Off to bed for the kids, and some quiet time on the balcony for mom and dad. Tomorrow is Pirate time!
Day 5
Pirate Time! Woke up this morning and had breakfast, and then set out for our Pirata adventure. We took the bus to El Embarcadero, the Playa Linda pier. We got there early, so we sat at a bench on the wharf and watched the kids dance to the great Latin music playing on the speakers there. The kids were so impressed with the pirate ships, and decided they wanted to go on the rojo one, but we ended up on the verde (green) one.
When it was time to board they played a recorded scream, and all came out in their pirate garb.
Jorden was very frightened at first, which shows in the picture that they rush you into as soon as you board. They are all dressed just as pirates, looking terrific. We sat down by the side of the boat, were served orange juice (again, that delicious OJ), and a woman came around selling pirate bandanas and eye patches for $5 US. We bought them for the kids and they were immediately decked out as little piratas. They looked terrific, and were just in seventh heaven, especially Jorden, being a pirate fanatic already.
Turns out Jorden would want to wear his pirate banana every day after for the rest of the trip!
There was a short show performed, with pirates climbing the masts and setting off cannons (just firecrackers) and then a continental breakfast was served consisting of delicious sweet breads, open bar, and coffee. The boat was just spectacular,
EDIT TO ADD (Dec/08): My gosh, Jorden was a little cutie! These photos are so cute to look back on, and he was such a little trouble maker you could see it in his face even then!
The leisurely trip to Isla Mujeres took about an hour and a half. There were only about twenty of us on the ship, and all the rest of the people were with an Italian group. We were the only ones who did not understand Spanish/Italian, but the pirates nicely translated everything “for the Canadians”. We felt very strange at first, kind of outcasted, but these people became very friendly towards us, sometimes sending us sympathetic glances when we did not understand. It is amazing how far you can communicate with smiles, nods, and welcoming hands gesturing you to join in.
Once at Isla, you have the choice of going on a snorkeling tour (no extra cost), to be on your own, or to attend a two hour island tour in a golf cart for $30 US. Since we had been snorkeling here before, we opted for the golf cart, and were very pleased that we did.
We climbed aboard the golf cart, John and Kelsey in front and Jord and I in back. Once we were all set, the convoy of five golf carts set off for the first destination: the turtle farm.
This place was great for the children, there were sea turtles of all sizes, from baby to adult. It was great for the children to learn about their potential extinction, and what is being done to save them. We also learned about their mating and nesting habits, which was very interesting.
Back on the golf carts with Kelsey on back with me this time, we went up to el faro (the lighthouse). This was a beautiful view of the tip of the island and the wonderful rocky cliffs.
EDIT TO ADD (Dec/08): I can’t believe how much this Point has changed. Looks so different now!
Heading back down the island to town, the Pirate leading us did a couple of funny turns, turning and then just going in a circle back the way we came. It was quite amusing. Going through the town we saw a lot of what we would term poverty. There were many tin shacks just thrown together, with garbage strewn about. They did not appear to have running water or electricity and seemed to be at the mercy of the weather. It was a nice dose of reality, and really made us appreciate what we have.
Back in town after dropping the carts off, we still had an hour to kill before boarding the ship for home. We walked around the shops for awhile, but not wishing to buy anything that day, we decided to head to the beach beside the main docks. We sat there in the white sand for awhile, and the kids dug for buried treasure.
Back on the boat we cast off and they immediately served a buffet lunch. It was mediocre, as we expected, and the kids would not eat anything. After lunch they started some games. First the kids went up, and had to hold a lime between their knees, walk like a chicken going ‘bock, bock, bock’ and shaking their wings, and finally drop the lime into a glass of water. It was so funny to watch, and the kids had a blast!
Next came the adult games. They dragged me up there and two other women. We had to dance “sexy” for an older man seated in front of us! How embarrassing, but I did it. My children were laughing way too hard! Everyone had to cheer for the winner, and they cheered for all of us so we all won a bottle of Tequila.
Next was the men, and they asked for “one Canadian man”, so John was also forced to go. It was a drinking contest, running round a stool and then drinking beer through a straw. John also tied one other man for first, and they one a bottle of tequila and a bandana.
When the games were done it was time to disembark. The children had an absolutely fabulous time, laughing their heads off at the adult games. It was now 5pm, we caught a bus and were back at the CPC after nightfall. Had some dinner at the buffet, and then upstairs for an early bedtime after our terrific day.
Tomorrow is our snorkel/Sub See Explorer tour.