Playa Trip Report Day 1 & 2

On this trip to the Yucatan, our vacation mission was to share with my Mom the History, beauty and magic of Mexico. We visited Chicken Itza, Valladolid, Tulum, Cozumel, Akumal and a day shopping in Cancun. February 5th to February 13th 2000.

Day 1
We took Mexicana's redeye out of LA, with a 2 hour layover in Mexico City, arriving in Cancun at 9:55am on Sunday. Our transportation was already waiting for us, so we grabbed our luggage, got the green light and we where out of there. Easy check in at the Porto Real, suite 372. The suite was large, open, colorfully decorated, had marble floors, a huge marble shower and tub, large sliding glass doors opened on to a private balcony with a table, two chairs and a hammock. The view was just beautiful.



Mom unpacked, (we tend to live out of our suitcase on vacation) and we went out for cokes and munches for Mom and Dos XX's and fruit for us. Later, we all walked down the beach to the doc. Ed and I took a day trip to PDC 2 years ago and the beach sure has changed. I don't know if the time of year makes a difference, but where did the beach go? We were sitting at the El Pirate bar having a bucket of beer and the shore was 6ft away from the little palapa. I just remember the beach being much wider. I wonder if the location of the Porto Real could be part of the problem with the beach erosion. The hotel was filling huge sand bags and they were making a few jetties out of them to protect their beach. Horrible!



Anyway, after our long walk around Playa we showered and got ready for dinner at Chino's. (Laura's recommendation) Ed had the mixed grilled seafood plate, Mom had the garlic shrimp and I had the mixed ceviche. We all shared and everything was yummy:>) Walked around 5th Ave a little more after dinner, stopped for an espresso, then back to the hotel to crash.



Day 2
Ed and I watched the sunrise then we were off to rent the car for our trip to Valladolid and Chichen Itza. Stopped to have our morning cup of coffee at Java Joe's, ahhhhh. Rented our new 4 door Chevy from Holiday near the doc at the rate of $40.US. Included taxes and insurance. Back to the hotel to pick up Mom and we were on are way to Valladolid then Chicken. We took the back road by Coba, which made for a beautiful ride through the jungle.



In Valladolid we walked around the town square, visited the church and ate at Maria del luis, something or other. I forget the entire name, but the restaurant was attached to a nice little hotel. Our lunch was delicious! Ed had roasted chicken, Mom had Tamales and I had the banana leave baked chicken. It was almost like chicken mole'. Again we all shared, yummmy.



Ahhhh the beauty! What more can you say about Chichen Itza. Ed and I climbed El Castillo, Mom went 1/4 of the way up and I had to help her back down, but she loved it. When we were there 5 years ago, they were still allowing you to climb the Temple of the Warriors, not the case any more. From the bottom you can't see the alter and you can barley see Choc Mool. We walked around exploring for hours. Around 4:45pm we headed back to Playa for dinner at Don Emilione.


El Castillo ~ Temple of the Warriors


Mom on her way up!

Don Emilione had a guitarist/singer playing during dinner, which Mom really enjoyed along with her shrimp and grouper. Ed had garlic grouper and I had fried calamari. Mom's shrimp was a little over done (sticking to the shells) but besides that, everything I tried was pretty good. Another stroll down 5th Ave, an espresso, dropped Mom of at the hotel and Ed and I headed for the beach on the North side of the Porto Real. So many stars!


The beach North of the Porto Real.

Tomorrow......Shopping in Cancun and our day trip on Cozumel, the backside.