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Trip Reviews, Ratings and Comments - Trip Review - Club Oasis Akumal, 5/14-24/01, Part 5
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CLUB OASIS AKUMAL, 5/14-24/01, Part 5
Day 11, 5/24/01
I got up about 5:40 a.m., having spent a restless night. At one point, I encountered a crab in the bathroom. He quickly scuttled out of sight. The damn things are following us!
Heavy clouds over Cozumel this morning, not to mention my heart. A couple of days ago, a note had been slipped under our door changing the pickup time to 11:50. Sigh, 10 minutes less in paradise.
We had a leisurely breakfast, then went back to the room to pack. Divesting ourselves of the things we had brought for the library provided space for all the goodies the Gringos had given us and our purchases. Steve, of course, would hand-carry his hammock seat. Last night, I had given Juan Jose our air mattresses for his two kiddos, so that was one less thing to pack, too.
After packing, we lugged our stuff to the lobby (why don’t we ever call the desk for a bellboy??). Checkout was as efficient as check-in. They cut off our wristbands (sniff!) and gave us a receipt so we could continue to use the facilities (like the bartenders don’t know us?). I had specifically saved some pesos for the contribution to the children’s fund that they ask if you’d like to donate. It’s $2, and I gave them 20 pesos. Exchange rate must have been up because the fellow gave me a peso in change. I hadn’t really intended to get change, but I fumbled the peso away in a pocket for a later date. (I did end up coming home with about 90 pesos. Now, if they don’t change the currency in the meantime, we’ll have “starter” pesos for next time.)
Luggage stowed in the courtesy room, we spent the next couple of hours at the Turtle Bar. Of course, our big mugs were packed, so we had to drink several of the little plastic cups of beer to make up for that. I had a hot dog and suggested Steve do the same. I didn’t expect much on the plane, and I figured we’d need something to tide us over until dinner. But he just kept jacking his jaws and didn’t eat, much to his later regret. (Told you so, honey.)
So we passed the dreaded waiting time chatting and looking at that lovely ocean. I’m always trying to store up the images and sounds of the surf, but I never seem to get enough of it. Just have to go back, I guess...
Close to pickup time we got our bags and moved to the lobby with Dennis and Audrey. Another baño run for me, and then the van was there. They had already picked up some folks from Bahia Principe (who said they’d enjoyed it) and we were the last on. Loaded up and waving goodbye to Dennis and Audrey, we left the hotel at noon for the hour’s drive to the airport.
As I mentioned before, the airport has been totally remodeled. Much of it is now non-smoking. What is strange is that the smoking area is right at the top of the escalator to the gates, an area everyone, smoker and nonsmoker alike, has to pass through. I fail to see the logic in this placement.
All the shops have been moved around, and Steve left me in charge of our stuff while he zoomed off to search for his Lagerfeld Jako. Upon his return, I checked out the baño near our departure gate. It was clean and well kept. I also cruised the snack stands, and found Mexican beer was $3 USD. They’re catching up with the rest of the world, darn it! As we sat at the gate, Steve had to make one last purchase from the store right across from us, some onyx windchimes. (Just what we needed, another set of windchimes. Oh, well.)
Boarding started about 2:35 for our scheduled 3 o’clock flight. We actually pushed back at 2:52, and were off the ground at 2:59! Wow, I think I like flying American. The snack consisted of some tasty Tillamook cheese and crackers, accompanied by Milano cookies. Not terribly filling, but nice anyway. We each had tomato juice with lime.
Originally, our flight was scheduled to land at 5:43, but we were on the ground at DFW at 5:02. Even with the standard Bataan march through immigration, luggage pickup, and customs, we were outside waiting for the Super Shuttle at 5:39. I must say that the flights on this trip were the best I have experienced in years.
Not so the shuttle. Unfortunately, we were the first to be picked up, and since it’s a “shared ride” system, the driver cruised through the entire airport looking for more passengers. Finally, he picks up some elderly couple who live in Arlington and want to be dropped off first, “since it’s on the way.” Well, I knew how to get to Bo’s house from the other direction, but had cleverly left the directions on the back seat of the SUV lo those many days ago. All together now—DUH!
After a brief stop in a parking lot to check the Mapsco, we discovered we were practically on top of the street we needed. Finally, after 1-1/2 hours on that blasted shuttle, we arrived at Bo’s house. Hell, we could have gone back to Cancun in that time!
Warm greetings all around, “how was your trip,” etc. Luggage stowed, Steve and I both had a much-desired stiff drink. Ah, much better! Then we set off to meet our other good friends, Fran and Harold Saviers, at the Texas Steakhouse. Although it was very noisy, and I managed to spill a glass of water all over myself and my purse (don’t ask), the food was very good and the company excellent. It was good to see Fran and Harold again.
Upon our return to Bo’s house, we found her elder son, David, and his new bride there. They had just returned from their Jamaican honeymoon, so we all sat around and exchanged trip stories for a while. After David and Shannon left, we sat outside for a little bit. Bo provided information for where breakfast things were if we wanted to fix something in the morning, and went off to bed. We followed shortly after.
Day 12, 5/25/0
Saw Bo before she left for work and thanked her very much. We drank coffee but skipped breakfast, setting out for home at 9:02 a.m. This time, we took a different route, up 820 to 35E to Gainesville, then over to Sherman on 82 and north on good old 75/69. It was a great route to take! Even with an unscheduled potty stop, a gas stop, a brief stop at a plant/fruit/vegetable/etc. place south of Atoka, and a rather longer lunch than usual at Bledsoe’s Diner, we were home at 3:04. Steve unloaded the SUV and I zoomed off to town to get the cats out of hock ($193 for boarding and bath and dip—ouch!). Of course, since Squiggly Pup had stayed with the neighbors, she was right there to greet us on arrival.
So, another Akumal adventure comes to an end. Until next year...
Submitted by: D. Stevens -- dragon5@fullnet.net
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