Cancun Vacation
Introduction
The History
Lynn and I have been talking about a Cancun vacation for a while. Well over a year, in fact. This year we actually started looking to book something for summer. Lynn came up with the following requirements:
- Swim-up bar
- All-inclusive
- Beach
- Adults-only
We narrowed it down to about 5 resorts, when my friend Shak at work told me that Secrets Capri was by far the best. He had been there for his honeymoon. It was a bit more expensive, but it not only met our requirements, it also had every one of our "it would be nice if" items as well. Choice made.
Overview
Secrets Capri is mind-bendingly stunning. The service is impeccable, the food is superb, the room is gorgeous, the view is breathtaking, the water is perfect.
I'll start with the room. The room is large, air-conditioned, had marble floors, a king-sized bed, a TV and DVD player, a mini-bar (included in the all-inclusive), a desk, a chest, a table, a closet, a jacuzzi, and of course, a shower, toilet, and sink. The closet had a safe for your valuables, and we had a patio overlooking the jungle, with a table and two chairs. It is beautiful. The only complaint we had was that since the bathroom was largely open to the rest of the room, one person would wake up the other by using the restroom at night, or getting up early, etc.
The hotel contains 5 bars, 5 restaurants, a huge pool, and a large stretch of beautiful turquoise beach. All food and drinks are unlimited and included with the exception of a few above-top-shelf after dinner drinks and some of the very expensive champagnes (standard champagne was included). There are cocktail waitresses at the pool, in the gaming area, on the beach and throughout the lobby to ensure your drinking pleasure. Among the restaurants are a steak house, a seafood restaurant, an Asian restaurant, an Italian place, and a casual buffet themed differently every night.
Secrets Capri is relatively small with only 290 rooms allowing personalized service. The entertainment staff knew several people by name, including me. They have daily activities such as Salsa lessons, water polo, archery tournaments, and tequila tasting. At night, there are shows to enjoy. Kayaking, wind-surfing, and other sports are all included, only motor-sports are extra.
Now on with the trip...
Saturday, 08/05/06
Travel
The taxi is schedule to pick us up at 5:45am for our 9:30am flight (have to be there 3 hours early for international flights). We consequently fly through security (no one is waiting in front of us). We then walk to one end of the Bradley International Terminal where our gate is and note the food, and then all the way to the other, again noting the food. After purchasing a chocolate croissant for me and yogurt parfait for Lynn, we eat breakfast and make our way back to our gate, and wait patiently for our flight.
We arrived in Cancun, found the American Express desk (per our travel agent which had arranged transportation to the hotel for us), where the gentlemen there gave us some tips for our time in Mexico, and got us on our merry way with a driver. A few things to note about the Cancun airport: (1) It's way more organized than most US airports. There are many uniformed employees in the halls to help direct you and answer questions (not to be confused with uniformed men trying to sell you time-shares). (2) There are many cross-roads where neither side has a stop sign. It took the driver quite a while to navigate through the maze of the airport, picking up a few others along the way. Then we sped along what I presume is the closest thing to a highway at about 100km/h and we were the first group dropped off.
The Hotel
Upon entering the resort, it was hard not to just drop our bags and scream for joy. The lobby, if it was any indication of the rest of the hotel, was stunning. We checked in, and were directed to our room, where shortly after, our luggage was delivered. We drooled a bit at our room, and then unpacked.
Exploring and Dinner
We then got dressed for dinner, and went to go exploring. We did very little exploring since the entire courtyard was filled with a stage, tables, and a Mexican buffet. The entertainment staff asked if we'd be joining them as they placed some special kind of margarita in our hands, the name of which I cannot remember (we actually declined them briefly to walk around, but after only a few minutes decided to give in and explore later). During dinner they had a dances-of-Mexico show which had dances from various time periods in Mexico accompanied by a mariachi band. After dinner, we walked along the beach, and then retired to our room.
Sunday 08/06/06
Morning View
We woke up around noon the next afternoon, and headed out to find some breakfast. On the way to the elevator, there was a balcony, we stopped, looked out and BAM! Look how beautiful it is!!! There was a lot of flipping out. There was quite a bit of amusement as we tried to keep our camera lenses from fogging up, hence the one blurry picture I still find amusing.
Lunch
With only one place open at the particular time we were out, the choice for lunch was easy. So we grab a table at the Seaside Grill for some lunch! The Seaside grill, as it's name implies, overlooks the ocean and is a casual lunch experience. They have a burger, a hotdog, a steak sandwich, various seafood places, a mixed grill, etc.
The beach
We then headed back inside to get changed for the beach, of course! And a gorgeous beach it was! The beach had three rows of beach chairs, most of which have a hut between then to keep the sun off. There was a bar on the side of the Seaside Grill, and cocktail watresses on the beach to bring you drinks as you wish.
Dinner
We then went back to the room, took a shower, and we were dressed for dinner! We got a table at Portofino, the Italian restaurant (3rd picture below is at the entrance to the restaurant), and then afterwords sat in the lobby bar and enjoyed a drink.
Monday 08/07/06
Lunch
I think we did the buffet for lunch on Monday. And I think I was generally unmoved. But it's the buffet, so I wasn't expecting to be moved.
Pool Time
After lunch, we decided to try out the pool! And of course, Lynn was able to fulfil her swim-up bar fantasy.
Dinner
After the pool, we checked out Himitsu, the really nice Asian restaurant.
Funnily enough, this door labeled "Portofino," is just outside Himitsu... but it's not Portofino!! Portofino had a label outside of it that said something other than "Portofino" as well.
Tuesday 08/08/06
Kayaking
Tuesday we got up early and went kayaking (we had to be at the spa at 2:30 for the couples massage we had scheduled). We got a 2-person kayak and paddled around for a while. Lynn, much to both of our surprise, loved it! We then went back to the room, showered, and went down to the spa.
Couples Massage
We got to the spa at about 2:15 (we were asked to be there at 2:30 for our 3pm massage), and checked in. They handed us robes and told us to be waiting in the waiting area (which is between the men's and women's spas) a few minutes before our massage. Having been in the water all morning, neither Lynn or I were yet in the mood for a sauna, steam room, or jacuzzi, so we got changed and met back in the waiting area to read and await our massage. I had requested a deep-tissue massage, and Lynn a Swedish massage. Our therapists came to us at 3, and led us into a room, instructed us to take our robes off, and lay down on our respective massage tables face down and under the sheet and promptly left the room.
They returned a few minutes later and delivered two massages that were so unbelievably good, there aren't words for them. It was the only massage I've had that even came close to my friend Jason's massages (a very good professional massage therapist). Pure talent.
After that, Lynn and and I spent about half an hour in our own spa areas enjoying saunas and steam rooms and jacuzzis, showered, and met back in the waiting area. A women Lynn was talking to in the waiting area asked me if I had seen her husband in the men's area. I explained there was a man in there before I showered, but I hadn't seen him after my shower. I went back to look for him, but he was clearly not still in the men's area. She wandered off looking for him. I was kind of entertained by this.
Dinner
We decided to go casual tonight and try the buffet, La Riviera, for dinner. I think this was when I was sorely disappointed to find that the white icecream was in fact coconut and not vanilla.
Post-Dinner Entertainment
Tonight there was a show, but it hadn't started when we were done with dinner, so we settled in the bar for some thrilling conversation, knowing me, probably about sex, and of course a few free after dinner drinks.
The show was about dances from various parts of the Caribbean. I was selected to join the gentlemen on stage and do a form of tap/clog dancing. I was apparently good at this given the applause and people generally commenting on it for the rest of the trip. Lynn, of course, cought the point at which I had switched feet from him - but note I was still in sink with the tapping! ;)
Post-post-dinner entertianment
Tonight, I decided Lynn needed to learn how to play pool. She did very well!
Wednesday 08/09/06
Lunch
The next morning, we headed out to lunch, but first we apparently sat and waited for something (based on the pictures of us in the lobby)... probably the concierge. Further, we were entertained at our drinks which were both not typical drinks for ourselves. I had a strawberry daiquiri, and Lynn had a Beach Comber.
More Beach
It was decided at this point, we had not had nearly enough beach time, and we set out to acquire more. Lynn had enjoyed taking pictures with her feet in them - so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Oh, note that the first picture there is Lynn's feet (I was standing behind her taking a picture of the beach).
In addition to laying on the beach, Lynn and I rented a waverunner. This was generally enjoyable, but turns out to be a rougher sport than one might imagine - particularly when doing it in the ocean rather than a lake. At full speed, we would often fly clear off the water, and land again jolting us both forward and Lynn's hands into the dashboard, giving them some nasty gashes. Another couple had warned us they "tip easy," but Lynn and I found that not to be the case. That could be because I ride a motorcycle and was therefore better at handling the machine. We did fall off once, but it was while we were sitting still - Lynn and I leaned in different directions while talking to each other and promptly fell off. The last two pictures here were taken by lynn on the balcony (on our way back from the beach) of the parasailers.
Dinner
After the beach we were off to the steak house, which we'd been saving. The steak house is also the Seaside Grill, but at night it's no longer a casual cafe on the water. They transform it into a formal and elegant dining experience overlooking the ocean! Lynn and I were both amazed by how well they did this. Though we were humored that the two "nicest" restaurants had a table of various liquors on it in the entry-way, seemingly as an indication of "niceness." Look at the stunning deserts!
Full Moon Party
After that, there was a "full moon party" on the beach. They'd setup blankets and pillows on the beach to lay on, along with a bar, and DJ playing dance music, and a large electronic "music visualizer" display. You just laid there, looking at the moon, the stars, listening to the ocean, and the music. It was indescribably peaceful.
And, it turns out... they had hammocks out!! In the hammocks, we met Mark and Sarah. Mark is the meteorologist for Fox News in Seattle! They were cool, and we bumped into them a few more times over the trip.
Oh - and just for the record, in that first picture, it's Lynn's leg. She was indeed wearing underwear that night, and you're not seeing anything inappropriate - it's just the way the picture came out. :)
Thursday 08/10/08
Ruins Tour - Tulum
On Thursday we got up painfully early so we could head out to Tulum, the ruins of an ancient Mayan city from about 1000 A.D. The city of Tulum was really very cool. The corner-stone of the city is a building with a small window on one-side and a doorway on the other. The building, during sunrise on the Summer Equinox causes an effect that looks like a huge star. Every year thousands of Mayans come to see it. Only full-blooded Mayans are allowed, no one else. Our tour-guide has a picture of the event, which he graciously allowed us to take pictures of - and that's the second picture below. The 4th picture below is a picture of the structure while we were there. Back during it's life, the city was completely paved in plaster, and there was no vegetation - one of very few cities at the time of it's type.
Note here, Mayans are very short people:
The next 8 pictures demonstrate the large cliffs the city sites on top of.
This picture, and the third picture below are pictures of the wall that surrounded the city. The first picture is me standing on the wall looking down the length of it, to give you an idea of the thickness. The second picture was taken in one of only 5 gates that exist in the wall.
Here are Lynn's pictures from the visit (for all other sections, are pictures are inter-mingled as appropriate, but here it's just easier to have them separate).
This is the same doorway that was in the picture next to Lynn - note even I have to almost be kneeling to "stand" under it!
More Pool Time
Upon returning, we took a quick shower to get the gallons of sweat off of is, and grabbed a quick lunch, and then hit the pool!
The Odd Sign
This sign appears everywhere - it took us several days to figure out why we were supposed to run in these various directions. These were in the hotel, the airport, etc. Finally, one of them was labelled - it's the direction to the emergency exit.
Dinner
That night we went back to Himitsu, but instead did the hibachi. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I got caught up in the show. During the course of conversation with the 3 other couples sitting with us, one had asked about the various tours. I had started talking about or Tulum trip and mentioned that one person in our tour who had seen Chichen Itza had said Tulum was way better. But one of the other couples said, "oh, we're going to Chichen Itza tomorrow", and I immediately spent 20 minutes back-peddling. Ooops.
Anyway, note that in the 2nd and 3rd picture here the guy stacked the onion liked that, poored some oil in and lit it on fire. The fire isn't immediately obvious, but if you look, you'll see there's a large flame coming out of the onion!
Sunset
Lynn took a picture of the sunset over the jungle from our room patio.
Friday 08/11/06
Breakfast
The next morning, we ordered room service for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised to find out it was a stellar breakfast! The food was fantastic, and they come in, put a table cloth on your table, set the table, lay the food out, and everything! Truly fantastic - and covered by the "all-inclusive"-ness.
Just after breakfast, Lynn noticed a tiny gecko on the wall and took a picture. Behold the gecko!
Kayaking, Pool, Beach, Wave-Runner, etc.
Today we did some kayaking, then laid at the pool for a bit, then the beach, and then I went wave running. I only have pictures of those last two though.
Sunset From The Room
Lynn and I went back up stairs to change, and while we did, I took a picture of the sunset over the jungle from our balcony.
Dinner
As our last night there, we decided to head once again to Seaside Grill, which had proven to hold the best food and the best service. Plus, I like steak. The first picture is us on the bridge that cross the pool. The dinner menus at the Seaside Grill are in wooden picture frames, and thus unwieldy. The second picture demonstrates this.
Post-Dinner
Slightly depressed it was our last night, we took pictures of the property...
The beach...
The moon...
And of course, laid on the beach for a bit. We went to go swing in the hammocks, but to our sincere dismay, they seem only to be put up on special occasions (or maybe only during the day?)
Red is for Danger!
Finally, on two afternoons they had put a "red" flag up. So we went to the sign to see exactly what caused the ocean to be "red" flag worthy. As with all signs, it was available in english and spanish... but was unfortunately not as helpful as we would have liked.
Saturday 08/12/06
Breakfast and packing
We were supposed to receive a call on Friday to let us know when our ride to the airport would be at the hotel. And we did receive a call. It said, "Hello Mr. Dibowitz, This is David from American Express and Travel Impressions. I'm calling you to tell you your shuttle will be there tomorrow at" and then there was a beep, and that was all. Not much with the useful. We guessed that the shuttle would be there between 1 and 1:30, and accordingly decided to get up at 9:30. Since David is usually in the hotel form 9 - 10:30 most mornings, the first order of business would be to find him.
At 9:30 we got up and I ran downstairs, but he was not there. But some days he worked from 10:30 - 12, so we started packing and ordered room service after having such good luck with it the day before, and being potentially short on time. Once again, room service was great. At 10:40, I went to go find David, and once again, he was not there. I called the front desk and requested a 1pm checkout. Then I called American Expresses and found out our shuttle was coming at 12:30. So much for a bit of time at the pool today! We showered, packed the rest of our stuff, rushed down to purchase gifts in the gift shop. Only on our way back, we found out our keys no longer worked. I ran to the front desk, now almost noon, and got my key re-programmed. Up to the room we went and packed our final things. At 12:15, the front desk called us to let us know a ride was waiting for us. At this point, I was still scanning the room for anything we might have left, which I quickly finished up and we went down - still having to check out, and account for the few things that weren't included that we'd charged to our room (the massage, the tour of Tulum, etc.). This took a while as BofA had frozen my card for security, but they didn't realize what was going on. Once they figured it out, I gave them another card, got my receipt, and rushed off to the gentleman waiting impatiently for us. We picked up another couple at the "Secrets Excellence" resort, a more family-oriented and significantly larger version of our resort, and were dropped off at the airport.
Travel
We had found out the previous day about the UK stuff, and thus were prepared for the horrible delays at the airport. We stood in lots and lots of lines, but fortunately made it through security without any problems. We then grabbed some lunch at Burger King, and waited for our flight. The flight was slightly late, and also ran a bit long, getting us into LA an hour and ten minutes late. Making our way to baggage claim, suitcases came out for one of the flights listed for baggage claim 3, but it wasn't for our flight... and then our flight disappeared form the list. Airport personnel assured me our baggage was still coming. 30 minutes later, they told us it was actually the baggage now coming out on baggage claim 4. Bags in hand, we flew through customs, got a cab, and returned home.
The End
