Moon Palace Resort, Cancun Mexico
7/4/10 to 7/11/10
Day 1, Sunday, 4 Jul 2010
Off to Mexico. An early rise, but not as early as on some vacation departure days. Thanks to Jason for a 5:30 am drop off at the airport. Our 7 am Delta flight to Atlanta left on time. We met up with Heather, Rich and kids at terminal E for our connection to Cancun. Delta had overbooked our 10:55 am flight and offered us seats on a 9:40 am flight if we wanted to go early (we could have gone on the original flight). They said they would try and get our bags switched if we took it. They were smiling when they made their baggage-switch statement. They probably had their fingers crossed behind their back too.
We scurried off to the other gate. The flight from Atlanta to Cancun was only about 2 hours. We went through immigration then to baggage claim. ‘Surprisingly’, our bags did not make the early flight. We waited in baggage claim an hour for our bags to come in on the original flight. They did. Oh well, we tried.
Cleared customs then got or shuttle van to the resort. Moon Palace is only about 7 miles from the airport. Again, we had an all inclusive package. Food and all drinks including the alcoholic kind were included. The van was just our family. Patti and I were dropped of at the southern most part of the resort the Grand section. Heather and Rich were at the northern most section ‘Sunrise’. Patti and I had an ocean view room. Check in was nice. After stepping off the van were given icy chilled wash clothes to cool off with. Nice. Checking in with the Concierge- they gave Patti a flower and both of us a Pina Colada. Nice. The resort is huge and they have shuttle buses that make the rounds every few minutes. The longest we waited was 15 minutes. Average wait was about 5 minutes.
Our room was nice. The AC was definitely doing the job. The room had a great view of the ocean. We were on the second floor about 80 feet from the water’s edge. Love the sound of the waves. There was an in room Jacuzzi that had a view of the ocean. The balcony was only large enough for 2 chairs and a small table. But I guess if that is my only complaint I should shut up.
After unpacking we ordered room service for lunch. It took about 35minues. Not bad for a resort this size. After lunch Patti and I walked down to the beach then checked out the pool area in or section.
Later that evening we took the shuttle bus over to the Sunrise section and dinner with the family at a buffet there.
Day 2, Monday July 5th
Got up at 7:30 (8:30 Ohio time). We had coffee on the balcony and watched the beach sweeper work it’s way down the beach scooping up seaweed. It looked like a corn harvester. It would scoop it up in the front and shake out the strained sand in the back.
Room service for breakfast. Steak and eggs was an unusual option for a room service menu but was ok with me. At about 9:00 am we headed out to the closest pool. The bar looked like it was open. It was. Banana Daiquiris with a little extra Appleton Jamaican rum drizzled on top. We met our newest favorite bartender Vincente. He took good care of us. Heather, Rich and kids showed up there about 11:30. They liked our pool area better than theirs.
Vincente asked us our names. We told him that at the last resort we were at they called us ‘Party’ (Patti) and ‘Julio’ (Dan) because they could not get our real names right. He had no trouble pronouncing our real names but he called us Party and Julio anyway. Patti and Alysa had their pictures taken with a spider monkey. There were several iguanas hanging out around the pool. They probably were there on a vacation package plan too.
Back to the room around 2 pm and ordered room service for lunch (getting spoiled). Patti took a nap and I did some reading on the balcony. The weather so far has been sunny in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon. Temps in the 90s.
We took the shuttle to the Nizuc (middle section) for dinner. It started to rain. We meet the family there and went to the Brazilian restaurant. The theme here was meat. Meat served tableside on metal skewers sliced onto you plate. How could you go wrong with meat on a stick? The meat courses were:
1. Sausage (linguisa)
2. Flank steak
3. Pork Loin
4. Top Sirloin
5. Lamb
6. Veal
7. Roast Turkey breast
8. Bacon slab
After a slice of each I was stuffed. We sat at the lobby for a bit then called it a night.
Day 3, Tuesday July 6th.
FOX TV- Weather news: A tropical depression forms right over the Yucatan peninsula (Cancun).
Well that sucks.
A rainy day mostly. At least it formed on us and was moving away. Patti and I went to the breakfast buffet in our section. The food was resort average I guess. They did have a cook to order omelets. The fresh fruit was good. Waiter service was outstanding they anticipate your every need. If they see you with cereal a spoon is placed next to you before you even realize you need it. If you get up from the table for something they swoop in, position your chair and refold your napkin. I am not exaggerating.
After breakfast I was standing outside the door waiting for Patti while she used the ladies room. One of the waiters came outside. He thought I was looking for the men’s room which was on the other side of the restaurant. He was going to lead me to it. They do not point or tell you how to get somewhere- they take you to it. This place is all about superior service.
Since it was raining (damn tropical depression) Patti and I headed back to the room for the time being. The family showed up about noon. It had temporarily stopped raining. We headed down to the pool area. Vincente told us he would be at the larger pool area. Unknown to us, we had been at the smaller of the 2 pool areas in our section the day before. The Olympic area had 3 pools, including a swim up bar. Wade ups allowed. There was a BBQ hut for lunch time food. Almost as soon as we got to the pool area the rain started back up. We sat under the bar Palapa with our newest bestest buddy Vincente the bartender. I asked what time the BBQ hut opened for lunch. Instead of answering, they got me a menu and brought the food to us there. (again, the service).
Even though it was raining mostly, we made the best of it. Rich, the kids and I played bocce ball and then I played a game of chess with Rich. The game board was actually 20 foot square section of the pool area. The chess pieces were each about 2 feet tall. I did win. Sweet revenge for all the times Rich has beat my butt at pool.
While I was playing chess with Rich Patti was talking with Vincente and during the conversation and mentioned what a fan I was of Corona beer and showed him my hat (bottle opener built into the bill… cool I know), and my Corona t-shirt. Unknown to me, he told her he would have a surprise for me the next day.
Dinner was at the Mexican restaurant in the Nizac section. It was an hour wait, but drinking Blue Hawaiians in the lobby lounge made the time pass easily. The food was good- 5 courses outstanding soup. We could not make it to dessert and had to surrender. Back to the room and we watched a late movie. Got our fingers crossed for better weather for tomorrow.
Day 4, Wednesday, July 7th
I woke up early at about 6 am. I peeked outside- no rain! I ended up getting out of bed at 6:45 and read on the balcony. The sun was peeking out. Watching the sun rise over the palm tree next to the building was not a bad way to start the day. Patti woke up at 7:30 and we had coffee and enjoyed our ocean. It was ours, at least for a week.
We went to the Buffett again for breakfast again. I liked their Caribbean style spicy sausage but did not care for the Mexican style. The Mexican sausage was too much like a hot dog. I don’t want hot dogs with my eggs.
After eating Patti said we need to stop over at the restaurant bar area because that’s where Vincente was working today. When he saw us he smiled and turned to the bar fridge and removed a 6 pack of Corona. He had purchased it off the resort at his own expense as a gift for me. The beer on the resort was Dos Equis (Which is pretty good) but they did not have Corona. I was very touched by his gesture. I am sure my tip covered his cost. But I honestly don’t think that’s why he did it. Service. This is what he was talking to Patti about the day before when I was playing chess in the rain with Rich.
After breakfast we went to our pool area. Minutes later the family showed up. Our pool side waiter was Louis and he was almost as good as Vincente. Our glasses rarely got bellow half full. The sun played hid and seek for a bit then it was sunny for the rest of the day.
Late afternoon we went back to the room. We watched an Adam Sandler movie on TV. The company that was handling our airport transfers called. They want to meet with you on the day you get there under the premise that you need to immediately schedule your return trip to the airport on your departure day. What they really want to do is sell you some side trips. I always ignore that request. But it was now midweek so I went and scheduled. He said, “Did you forget to come see me?” “No, I decided I would come and see you when I was ready.”
We had dinner at the La Traotti Italian restaurant at the golf course. This restaurant also had just under an hour wait and was a little difficult to get to because of the shuttle system. We hoped it would be worth it. It was, It really was. I had a salmon tartar appetizer, a spicy penne for the pasta course and Patti and I both had Filet Mignon for the main course. The filet was exception, probably the nest I have ever had. We chose cream brule for dessert. It fell short of what a real cream brule should have been (really, it was more of a flan) but it did not take away from an overall fantastic meal.
On the shuttle ride to the restaurant our shuttle driver told us the ghost story. It seems that workers sometimes see the ghost of a Mayan Princess who was executed by a Mayan priest- so the story goes. We did not see the ghost. On the shuttle ride back from the restaurant the driver was just supposed to take us to the shuttle bus stop. He ended up driving us all the way to our room. Again with the service (and of course he got a nice tip). On the way he told us the story and showed us where the Producer from the TV show survivor dumped his wife’s body after killing her. It was in the same section Patti and I were staying. I guess he bought his way out of Mexican prison- too bad.
Day 5, Thursday, July 8th
Heather and family were going zip lining and boating today so Patti and I were on our own. We got room service for breakfast. Patti had waffles and I had eggs rancheros- fried eggs on tortillas with black beans. The weather today partly cloudy but with the usual 90 degree temps.
Went to the pool. Louis or pool waiter again did well. At lunch I asked for Nachos. He did not bring me the regular plate. He had them add grilled chicken breast and jalapenos. Can I take these guys home with me?
A relaxing day not too much to write about. Room service for dinner.
Day 6 Friday, July 9th
I woke up early again at 6:15… I am not sleeping away vacation I guess. I think my body clock is still set on Ohio time. But the older I get the earlier I usually get up. I vaguely remember those 20 something years- sleeping till noon on a Saturday. Anyway, back to the vacation.
The sun was rising over the ocean and the reflections danced and twinkled. There was no breeze and the resort was quiet. It was nice just to enjoy the moment. Soon though, the golf carts carrying resort workers were zooming along.
We went to the buffet for breakfast then back to the room to change for the pool. Patti and I had some fold up pool floats we had packed. We started the day by just lazily floating and working on the tans. Heather and crew showed up about 11:30 am.
Patti and I ordered Turkey sandwiches for lunch. We loved the convenience of the pool side grill. It was nice not having to change out of swimsuits. That afternoon Patti and I tried out our in room Jacuzzi. It faced the windows and had a nice view of the ocean. I did not realize until I was standing naked opening the curtains, that it also slightly faced our neighbor’s balcony. When I opened the curtains the neighbors who were on the balcony looked over. Their scenic view was now included me. They were only there one night. I may have scared them off. Maybe I should have smiled and waved,
We went with the family to an Asian restaurant for dinner that night. This yet another of the 14 different restaurants we could choose from. They had a really good spring roll appetizer. The entrees were ok- the desserts were fantastic. They had a fried tempura banana that made your tongue do back flips.
Heather and rich showed us their rooms on the Sunrise section. Oddly there was a bit of an ocean smell that hung over their area that we did not have in the Grand section. After the tour of their rooms we visited and listened to music in the sunrise lobby.
Day 7, Saturday, July 10th
Probably the best day so far weather-wise. Only a few wispy mare’s tails for clouds. We were both wanted only a light breakfast so we had cereal and fruit at the buffet.
Off to ‘our’ pool. Patti and I usually stared our pool days by walking the length of the pools. The pools were large. The family showed up at their usual time of about 11:30. Our last day turned out to not be much of a drinking day. Mostly just read and ‘chill-axed’ in the pool chairs. Patti and I both had nice tans.
We got up to head back to the room about 3 pm. Louis say us getting ready to leave and hurried over. He wanted to make sure he had our real names (not just Julio and Party). He said that when we return on a future vacation he would make us a special dinner. I think he meant it.
On our walk pack to the room Patti and I stopped at our VIP beach area. It had cabanas to sit in. Patti sat down and I decided to jump into the ocean for a minute. It ended up being about 20 seconds. The water was warm but I received a sting from a jelly fish as soon as I stepped in. I had some fast reflexes for an old chubby go and pulled back quick. It only stung for about 10 minutes. Patti say that the beach was red flagged. She said, “I bet that is for jelly fish.” It was. Jelly fish in the VIP area? It was probably a VIP jelly fish.
As part of that VIP package Patti and I did get a candlelight dinner. We waited till the last night to use it. The dinner was on a 2nd floor terrace overlooking the ocean great view. Champaign and appetizers to start then a minor roadblock when they brought the menu. The selections were seafood. Patti is not a seafood person so we decided we would enjoy the view and a glass or two of the Champaign and hit a different restaurant. When the manager found out were trying to leave (we had thanked them, it was not their fault) he would not have it. He had a steak and baked potato brought up from the restaurant downstairs. What can you say expect again with the service. The bartender working the terrace that evening was our buddy Vincente. After the meal he made Patti and I a couple of special after dinner aperitifs. They contained about 4 liquors layered in an oversized shot glass. You down it. The last layer to hit your throat is chocolate…tasty. We had our picture taken with Vincente behind the bar. I think we were all a little misty eyed as we said our good byes.
Day 8, Sunday July 11
Checked out with the concierge at 8:00 am. They cut off our wrist bands. How final is that? Had some coffee and fruit in the lounge and waited for our shuttle. We went to the Sunrise side and picked up Heather, Rich, and kids and then off to the Airport. Check in at security went ok.
Took off at 10:00 am. It was a little under 2 hours to Atlanta. We said our goodbyes to the family on the airport train. Patti and I had lunch at Chilies then caught our 1 hour flight to Dayton at 5 pm. Josh and Ashley picked us up at the Airport… home sweet home. But it does not take long to be ready to go again.
