Akumal 2011

Our trip to Akumal in September 2011, started at 0400 am on Sept 5th, when we were up and getting ready to head out to the airport. It was a beautiful day, great for air travel, but, still dark, and after the mad last minute dash to make sure we hadnt forgotten anything, we were already dragging. Still, it was time to go on a trip of a lifetime, so, our spirits were high.

We arrived at the airport at just after 6am, when the ticket counters open up, Tim dropped me off with the luggage and drove our car to long term parking while I navigated our three large suitcases, two carryons, one laptop case, and my wedding dress in a large garment bag, to the ticket counter area. Thank goodness for luggage carts. We paid the requisite $30 for the extra checked bag, and made our way to security, sailed through, and then onto the gate. I was starving, so, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the bagel shop by the gate. The plane was on time, and being in the first 10 rows, we thought we would be boarded at the beginning of boarding, but, no, Continental, now that it has been taken over by United, boards from the very back of the plane first. I've always thought it would be smarter to do it that way, saves a lot of blocked ailes, but, after years of waiting til the last boarding because we booked seats so far back, I was thinking, great, finally, we can get on first, get a shot at the aircraft closet to hang my wedding dress, and settle in without having to fight for overhead bin space. Nope, we were in the very last boarding. Thank goodness there was just enough room for my dress in the cabin closet, and we were lucky enough to get the last spot in the overhead bins. The couple of people after us weren't so lucky and had to gate check their carryons.

So, off we went to Houston for our connection to Cancun. We had a four hour layover, which was kind of nice, we were able to get a leisurely lunch and just chat for a while. I used the laptop to chat on facebook and on locogringo, so, it was a nice break. Then, a repeat of the last boarding, except this time the plane wasn't more than a three quarters full, and our seats had been upgraded to the bulkhead seats where no one else seemed to want to pay the extra for leg room, so we were kind of on our own. No problem with closet or bin space. Off we went, through gorgeous clouds. I just had to snap some pics, as they were so amazing, I hadn't seen formations like that in a long time.