Akumal 2012 Day Three

Well, we are almost done with our second full day, and what a trip it's been already. Antonia, Alejandro, Marianne, and everybody are just as we left them, all smiles and hugs. Got a cheek kiss from Renato, always a sweet guy. Found out that the rooms in the older section are on his plan for remodel to make them as nice as the superior rooms. He is currently moving the gym from its jungle side location to a new room they are just finishing under the theater. It will be much nicer, with more equipment, and AC. He's looking at new curtain fabric to spruce up the rooms, and just in general doing what he can a bit at a time.

Yesterday was Cheyenne's birthday, so she wasn't here, and today she looks a bit under the weather, can't imagine why. Maybe a little too much birthday cake.

Today there was a wedding on the beach in front of the Moonrise. An italian couple, so cute.

Stopped in at Turtle Bay yesterday and ran into Gary. Haven't had a chance to see Bart and to meet Jennifer. She helped me put on our vow renewal last year, and had to go to the states before we got there, so, we still haven't met. I really want to thank her in person for all she did.

In case anyone is interested in knowing what is provided in your room at ABR, here is a snapshot of the shampoo, conditioner, two bars of soap, a few hand towels, a bottle of water and clean glasses.  No washcloths, and the bottle of water will only be replaced if you specifically request it.  We had no problem with that as each floor has a water dispenser and we brought Bubba Mugs that we refilled when we wanted clean drinkable water.  I have heard that the resort has a reverse osmosis system and that the tap water is drinkable, and I had no issues when I brushed my teeth with the water. 

Early morning in Akumal.  The rain from yesterday has all but disappeared and the humidity is rising.  I just love the moisture in the air.  Each day I got up earlier and earlier trying to catch the sunrise.  Today was not the day, tomorrow may not be either.

Breakfast was always good.  Two kinds of scrambled eggs, and a chef making made to order omelettes, bacon or sausage, hash browns, chequilles, pancakes, french toast, lots of fruit, cottage cheese, yogurt, granola, cold cereals, too many things to list, but, my favorite were all the breads, especially the sweet breads.  There is always hot freshed brewed coffee and an urn of hot water for the tea bags they had.  Yes they have equal and splenda.  The juices alternate, they always have orange juice and usually grapefruit juice, but, they alternate the other tropical juice, sometimes its watermelon, sometimes honeydew, and so forth.

 

Last night Tim, Matt and I took our red turtle lights and headed out to south of ABR to see what we could see. Well, almost immediately saw a mama coming ashore just beyond the bent over tree in front of the condos. She couldn't find a spot she liked, so back out to sea she went, and at the same time another came ashore north of the condos. Watched her for a while, but, she never liked any of the spots she tried on the beach, so she went up onto the driveway, and that was a no go, so, back to sea she went. While she was up in the driveway, we saw another mama come ashore right by the bent over tree and she started digging right away, pretty near the shore. She dug for quite a while, and then started laying her eggs. It was such a surreal experience. I've waited so long to see just one mama laying her eggs, and here were three in a row. I'm sure others were coming up around us. While she was digging we stayed well away from her, just watching.. Then, when it was clear she was going to lay her eggs, I moved up closer to her. It felt like it was just her and I, sharing that quiet night. Tim and Matt just sat back on a log, but, I wanted to be close to her, not so close as to intrude, but, close enough to share her space. I know, it's a weird thing, perhaps, but, I felt a bond with this mama after watching her for so long. 

Then, as she was half way through laying her eggs, a large group with some CEA workers came up the beach. The woman in charge immediately started measuring the mama, and talking to the group as they surrounded her and stood between the mama and I. Our moment in time was over. I know CEA has to do this to gather data, I know it helps with the turtle conservation, but, I couldn't help but wish that the mama and I could have completed our time together with her heading out quietly to sea, undisturbed. As it was, there were so many people talking and pointing. I just stood and gathered our things and headed back down the beach. Maybe another night.

As we walked past building 6 there was a group of people watching something up behind the palapas. I saw the tracks and knew it was another mama. It was still early, it was going to be a busy night

Taking a walk behind the resort.  I just love the jungle side.

 

This picture is for Katie, yes they do have Magnum bars in Akumal.  They have them at Super Chomack and a few other pl

aces in town.

One of the pelicans that hang out in front of the moonrise and Lol Ha.  Every so often they will dive down for a fish, and narrowly miss some unsuspecting tourist.

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The maids sometimes leave towel art, we had one cute animal in each room one of the days we were there.  Well we had an animal, Matt had a sail boat.

The weather has been amazing, mostly sunny (take that crazy weatherman , not a sign of 70% chance of rain). We had some rain yesterday, it was nice and refreshing, and short lived. Today, not a drop. The waves are kind of rough though, and the sargassum is piled high in front of the round restaurant building. The wind has been kind of steady, too. None of it is a deal breaker for sun and swimming, but, snorkeling is not as fun since its so murky. Maybe tomorrow will be clearer.

We have reservations for the a la carte, and plan to get back on the computer later tonight. Matt just showed up after spending the entire day in his room in bed sick. He had some kind of bug before we left home, thought he was done with it, but, it came back on him today. He's feelin better now, so, onto dinner.