Travel Day to Tulum, Mexico

Does anybody really like travel day?   It's always exciting to plan a trip and the anticipation of going on that trip is part of the fun, but the actual travel to get there is not always that great!!

Because our flight didn't leave till 10:50am, we just left our house by 6:00am - I allowed plenty of time for construction because the highway outside of Co. Springs has been a real bear to get through!  But we arrived in plenty of time, parked the car and rode the shuttle to the airport.  It was 10 degrees when we left the house so the thought of some 80 degree weather at the end of the day was enticing!

We had plenty of time before take off so we actually had a nice sit down breakfast and Caribou Coffee (what a great way to start the day!!) before we went through security!  With a sandwich in tow for the flight, we boarded and were all set to take off when the captain announced one of the engines wouldn't start.............and we would have to go back to the gate...................and my thoughts of reaching Tulum before dark were starting to whither................but luckily the engine started without having to call the mechanics in and soon we were on our way!!

Because we were seated in row 12, (purchased seats of course) we knew we would get through customs faster and sure enough, it was one of the fastest trips through customs in Cancun that we've ever had!!  Before long it was time for the dreaded trip outside where you are virtually bombarded by everyone you can imagine trying to get your attention!!  After asking a couple of people we found the guy who was to take us to the rental car agency - and did I mention it was pouring rain???  Our luggage was soaked when we picked it up from the carousel!

Mexico has its' own time frame - we waited at least 15 minutes for our ride to the rental car agency and once it arrived we waited another 15 minutes before we left!  I really do try to be patient but I wanted the process to go fast as I knew we were fighting daylight hours! 

Things didn't go well at the rental car place  -  I had booked a Jeep Liberty (2 weeks ago online) as we needed a high clearance vehicle to go to our second place to stay  and after MUCH waiting and asking, the guy finally admitted they didn't have a jeep - I was livid!!!  All they had were small economy cars and we knew that wouldn't get us where we were going as the road is dirt and it has rained for a month!!

After raising my voice and letting them know how unhappy we were, I demanded a trip back to the airport where the other rental car agencies were - at that time, the travel agent from the other side asked us what was going on and she kind of took charge.  We ended up renting an economy car until Monday and then would exchange it in Tulum where they had another office for an SUV, the next best thing.  FINALLY after all of this hassle we were on our way in a manual vehicle.

BY this time it was 4:30 and by 5:15 it would be completely dark!!  Traffic wasn't too bad but about the time it got dark, it started raining some so the humidity was very high and the darn defrost didn't work well at all!!  I felt sorry for Glenn driving and we finally figured out that if we put the defrost on HOT, it worked better - so we rode with the windows down and the hot air pouring out so we could see out of the windshield!!

The beach road along the side of Tulum is very narrow and VERY dark - no streetlights at all and it's all candlelight, solar and generator powered.  Extremely romantic - but if you have never been there and you arrive at dark, it's kind of a nightmare trying to find your place!!  We knew where we were going and kept an eye out till we saw the restaurant across from our place to stay - but where to park??  After turning in the wrong spot, Glenn pulled in by the restaurant and I went to the reception to find out!!  Turns out a guy opened large gates and we parked across the street from where we were staying.

Only in Mexico would you have a guy deliver your luggage in a wheelbarrow to your cabana!!  The little paths were lit with solar lights and it's tough to get your bearings but we could hear the ocean immediately and then were showed our place!!  All I can say is WOW - rustic elegance at its' best!!

I had booked us an upper unit as I wanted the view and the place was lovely!!  We checked the place out and then walked over to the restaurant for dinner.  The Banana Casa Restaurant had certainly changed since we were there with Teri and Jay years ago!!  Same candlelight and palm trees and ambiance but the prices had probably tripled!!!

My pina colada tasted awesome, as did Glenn's beer and we toasted to the fact we were FINALLY in Tulum, staying at a place we had checked out years ago and told ourselves that one day we would be back - and now we were!!

I ordered a chicken dish cooked in white wine with mushrooms and potatoes - it was excellent - and Glenn ordered an Argentine beef steak which was also excellent - but for $80.00, it should have been!!

Our relaxing trip has begun - and we fell asleep to the gentle sound of rain all night long.