Round trip prices from:
USA Transfers is run by Entertainment Plus Cancun.
Trip Reviews, Ratings and Comments - Trip Review - Club Oasis Akumal, 5/14-24/01, Part 4
Main Page | Trip Report Main Page | Add a Trip Report | Search Report's
CLUB OASIS AKUMAL, 5/14-24/01, Part 4
Day 8, 5/21/01
Had a really weird dream that woke me up early. I tossed and turned for a while, then gave up and got up at 5 a.m. I sat in the cool darkness of the balcony and watched the slim crescent moon dance on the water. Soon, the sun began to rise. I took a picture of the sun and moon together, then the sun was all there and the moon faded in the daylight. Sigh, only 3 full days left.
Steve and Dennis were going fishing this morning. The boys went out to sea in their boat about 8:15. Audrey took some pics and I videotaped them all the way over the reef. I went upstairs and got my suit on and stuff together and was back on the beach about 8:35.
Lionel, Shirley, and Audrey were going to Puerto Aventuras to shop this morning. I would have joined them, but I wanted to stay off my busted toe, which by now was a lovely purple-black color.
The fellows came back before the troops had returned from Aventuras, but Dennis had one of their disposable cameras with him, so could take a pic of the nice barracuda he caught. Amazingly, Steve didn’t catch anything, but it was Dennis’ birthday, so that was okay. Jorge gave Steve the tail of the barracuda and explained how to cook it. As usual, I was seconded to transport said fish to the restaurant and make arrangements. We were eating at the Galera tonight because it was Lionel and Shirley’s last day, so I asked for the barracuda to be served as an appetizer so we could each have some.
Ran into the Colorado couple, Rick and Pam, with whom we had shared the dorado the other evening. They were leaving today, so we exchanged “safe journeys” with them.
For lunch, Steve had what basically amounted to a good club sandwich. I scarfed down guacamole and chips—they make very good guacamole—and tried the ceviche. The ceviche was good, but a little too spicy for my taste.
We lounged, chatted, and snorkeled. We talked with Jorge to set up a fishing trip for Steve and Tommy in the morning. Dennis and Audrey gave Jorge a big insulated mug and we got it filled with Corona for him while we chatted. After he left, we walked with Dennis and Audrey over to the big pool, which was very short-lived as a swim-up bar when it first opened. I generally avoid pools (“dead” water) when the ocean is right there, but the pool was rather nice. It was pretty hot in that area, though, since the ocean breeze was blocked and the sun was beating down quite strongly. As we sat on the now-defunct underwater stools, we sipped the drinks we’d brought over. Even the tile counter was so hot you could hardly lean your arms on it. In not too long, we retreated back to our lounges on the beach.
Eventually we went up to get ready for the evening. Hot water again, yea! In the Akumal Bar, I talked at length with Johnny Ross about his idea for a book on Irish show bands in the 50’s and 60’s. I read a bit of what he’d jotted down and encouraged him to continue. It was really descriptive and quite interesting.
At dinner, I didn’t eat a lot. We all had some of the barracuda, which was quite good. I ate most of my salad and finished most of my Azteca soup, which is like a tortilla soup and very, very good. I could really make a whole meal of just that. I didn’t put much of a dent in my T-bone, although again it was very good and tender. (We took the leftovers for Mitcha again. She ate quite well while we were there.) Of course, I had to eat my bananas flambé!
By this time I am feeling very sleepy, so Steve dragged me off to the room. However, I said I would meet Johnny again after the entertainment to discuss his book further, so I just took a little nap on top of the bed. I woke up at 11 and went back down to the Akumal Bar. I had just a glass of water and we talked for nearly an hour. I then said goodbye to him and Gabriella from Steve and me, since their next show was Thursday night and we wouldn’t see them again before we left.
On the way back to the room, I saw a hermit crab on the steps. Maybe he was coming to visit us?
Day 9, 5/22/01
Up before 6 a.m., the usual balcony routine. I have been fascinated this year by the morning haze that softens the point after sunrise.
Steve and Tommy off to fish at 8. When I came down from getting ready for the beach, saw Miguel and got him to blow some more air into my mattress—much better!
In preparation for departure, Lionel and Shirley had left their battery-powered cigarette lighter with Rafael (bartender/waiter), who had admired it very much. They also left their air mattresses behind the Turtle Bar for me to give to Louis for his two kids later. By this time, I have gotten all the photos from Tom distributed.
Steve and Tommy returned triumphant from fishing. Tommy had hooked an 80-pound white marlin, which we hope to get a pic of soon. Steve had landed a big male dorado, about 40 pounds. We only took one of the fillets from this monster, giving the rest to Jorge. Once again I trudge up to the restaurant with the fish, and arranged with Jose to have half of it for our dinner tonight.
I just had a hot dog from the Turtle Bar for lunch, then we “power napped” on the beach and snorkeled. The water was just perfect, felt like bath water and very clear.
Dennis and Audrey and Steve and I went to the lobby to see Lionel and Shirley off. Big hugs and wishes for a safe journey all around. They apparently had a good flight and were home in Louisiana about 7:30 p.m.
The usual cleanup, Akumal Bar, then dinner. Again, the fish was presented beautifully, with tomato florettes and a tasty garlic sauce on the side. (I forgot to mention, the other night they did some steamed green beans and zucchini for us, too.) We stuffed ourselves silly, then I had a very good flan for dessert.
Back to the Akumal Bar for “Caribbean Night” with the six dancers from previously. There was no breeze, it was very hot, and the dancers had sweat running into their eyes throughout their show. Still, they put on an enjoyable series of dances. After that it was “Crazy Games,” so we got one to go and retired to our balcony. We were in bed by 10:30.
I woke up several times during the night, then went to sit on the balcony at 3:30 a.m. There was a big storm over Cozumel, with a lot of lightning (which I love to watch). A bat flew past as I listened to the far-off thunder. I got back to sleep around 4:30.
Day 10, 5/23/o1
Up at 6:15 a.m. Our last full day, waaaaaaahhhhhhh! Hoped to get some good snorkeling in today. Still not much breeze, but it was picking up a little.
After breakfast, Dennis, Audrey, Steve, and I went to the mall at Tulum to do some shopping. Audrey bought the ruins--just kidding! Boy, can that girl bargain. Steve got a hammock seat he just loved for $45. It is very well made and pretty with its different colors of string. That particular shop was very nice, no pressure and the fellows were very pleasant.
At another place, I saw a leather painting I liked, depicting the sacrifice of Pakal. The guy started by asking 480 pesos, over $50. No, thank you, I was just curious. Then ensued what seemed like hours of high-pressure bargaining. I know, I know, I should have walked away, but I didn’t. I finally got the darn thing for $30. I probably could have got him down to $25, but by this time (about half an hour), all I wanted to do was get out of there. And then, he has the gall to ask me for a tip for his beverage! I felt like telling him not to bet on slow horses, but I slapped a 10-peso coin in his hand just to get rid of him. We joined up with Dennis and Audrey and made our escape, with all our hard-won goodies, back to COA for a much needed cerveza.
After lunch, we spent the afternoon snorkeling, chatting, and sipping our drinks. At one point, I tried the tennis ball thing. I had previously watched Xavier deftly maneuver two tennis balls, each tied to about a 3-foot length of string. I managed to get them going synchronously and even did a few crossovers with them. Since I didn’t suffer any permanent damage from being clobbered by an erratic tennis ball, I guess I didn’t do too badly.
Eventually, it was time to get cleaned up for dinner. I absolutely hated leaving the beach and stayed down for quite a while after Steve went up to the room. I managed, just, not to cry, although my eyes were a bit moist when I picked up my stuff and headed for the room. Must have been the salt air...
Akumal Bar, dinner with the rest of our dorado and garlic sauce, then back to the Akumal Bar until about 10. We had our last drinks on the balcony and watched the hermit crabs on their mysterious nightly rounds.
Submitted by: D. Stevens -- dragon5@fullnet.net
Hits: 0
Want to add a Review on this report?
Please completely fill out the form below, and we'll add your review as soon as possible.