ThePhantomsGirl
I was born to cruise!
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,605
1/27/07 Western - A Pal Mickey Gathering at Sea
I've debated about whether or not to do a Trip Report. First, some people on here are so amusing and witty AND are good writers. I haven't been too sure if I was witty enough. I'm supposed to be a writer - after all I have written a book. Some people even bought it. And it was witty, but then again I was PAID a lot of money to be witty. Here? Probably not.
I guess I could start the "Let's send Holly On Another Cruise Fund". (only kidding...really I am!)
THEN there's the part about the many moments that...well...I can't write about...or I'd have to kill you! (and trust me THOSE were the best parts and you'll never, ever hear about them nah-nah).
Seriously, I'll give it a try. I am NOT responsible for anyone falling asleep. Then again, if you HAVE anyone who has insomnia, I could be a new cure!!!
Cast of Characters:
Me: Holly, otherwise known as ThePhantomsGirl (or ThePhantomsGirlfriend but the DIS won't give me that many letters....) and my Pal Mickey
Taswira: Otherwise known as Shari and her Pal Mickey.
Hmmm, does this mean I have to start referring to the Pals as Holly's DPM, and Shari's DPM?
I'm not going to do this the same way as the other reports. Why start with Day 1? After all it's MY Trip Report. If I want to jump right into the middle - then I will. Do you really care what time I got up on Day 1? (I don't remember anyway)
So...I'll do it MY Way!
Photos to be posted later!
DAY FIVE - COZUMEL - TULLUM LIKE IT IS
Now, my report on the Tullum Ruins Tour - absolutely breathtaking! They are the only ruins near the sea - and the scenery and backdrop to the ruins are incredible! The guide was very informative. (If I did it again though I might wander off on my own making sure I knew the time to meet back at the busses)
Getting there was the negative parts to doing the tour (and probably would be worse for outside tours!) Now my DPM will tell you the negative part was that HE didn't go. That's right I left the poor little guy sitting in the stateroom. I did give him the remote control, but Shari pointed out that I never turned the TV on for him! (well, there IS an "on" button on the remote, right?)
I went by myself and it was pretty much a last minute decision. It had been one of the things I most wanted to do before taking the cruise. But it is also on the same day as the Pirate Party which is A BIG DEAL.
Shari and I had late dining and had been concerned about getting to the party in time to see anything. On a previous cruise she'd been trapped by slow chewers and missed much of the party. We then decided to book Palo for an early dinner to fix that problem.
That then made timing a bit dicey as the Tullum Tour is listed as 7.5 hours. Plus, I'd heard so much about how rough the ferry was!
The day before I decided what-the-heck! The Navigator listing said the tour would be back by around 4:15. PLENTY OF TIME! (folks...has anyone ever told you to beware of what you read?!)
At about 9:15 myself and several hundred other people gathered in the Buena Vista Theater.
Okay, so maybe not that many people - its just that they all wanted to sit in the same row as me and step on me hundreds of times! If you've never been to the BVT it's got very narrow rows. For people to get in and out of the row they HAVE to step on you. Some people are better at it than others. And of course the guy who was the best at it sat in my row and had to KEEP doing it. (wonder what he was like as a little kid...) I ended up changing rows and I promptly found the second best guy!
Actually it's a toss-up as to who was the best. Was it the guy with the big feet, or the one with smaller, but was a heavy footed guy? I'm giving it to the big footed guy because in addition he had a fanny pack that was chin level so that I kept getting smacked by that too.
Pickey was one of the CM's whose daunting job it was to get us all in the right areas. There were two separate tour groups meeting in the BVT. (Do you want to get ruined or have your pasty body fried on the beach?) I like my body pasty so decided how more ruined can I get?
He read out the particulars. We, the Tullem people were to get on a ferry and then a bus. We'd get a lunch which would consist of (verbatim) Subway sandwich, a bag of CHIP, and a cold drink. Pikey commented that it was a cost savings thing to have the bag of CHIP, not chips.
The Jasmine people were getting on a ferry, then an AIR-CONDITIONED bus. They got hamburgers and cold drinks and BEER. Hmmm.....
Well, the Tullem people got Chip N Dale stickers! (nah nah!) The other people got Jasmine. (go ahead Princess people - flame me!
) Then marched us off the ship...the Chip N Dale people following one CM with the little round paddles, the Jasimine people following the other CM with their paddles. Two-by-two...kept looking for Noah...
Marching alone, I met up a woman named Marcie who like me, was alone. We must have had those big post-it notes the CM's put on your back: "warning, female alone!" Shari had other plans, and Marcie's husband was doing a zipline excursion. It was nice to have someone to laugh and talk with.
When we got off the ship, they did quickly gather us together and I can't criticize them for their organization. They did well. They have excellent futures should they ever want to herd sheep or cattle. Tourists must be worse...
They herded us into the proper line as there were other cruise ships at port (Yes Virginia, there really ARE other cruiselines) We ended up on a VERY rough ferry. I didn't get seasick but I know it bothered many. Note: the barf bags are a pretty purple in case you wanted to know.
Fortunately it was not difficult to get on and off - the boarding part was fine. The ferry itself was large and had comfortable enough seats though it was by NO means a luxury ferry - rather it was kind of cattlecar looking. Kind of looked like a very old dilapitated New York Staten Island ferry that they planked down pretty blue and red seats on. Of course they try to sell you t-shirts and stuff during the voyage. (and did I mention it was rough?) It felt like we were being tossed around like a cork in a raging river...) It got very warm - not great air circulation. The ferry held several hundred people I would guess. There were rest rooms on the ferry - but unless I was desperate - I'd have never tried to get up...never mind WALK to them. One would never make it back alive.
Then we get to the dock. They then "marched" us through the town, sort of like a death march of condemned prisoners. I was anxiously looking around for the gallows. All the while vendors were trying to save us...I mean accost us. One comic yelled - "come back so I can rip you off!" It was VERY hot - I drank a whole bottle of water just on that march. They SAID it was to be about a five or ten minute walk. Yeah right... (didn't I mention before to beware of what you read?)
The buses at least WERE modern and kind of reminded me somewhat of the Disney busses. There were busses in the dirt lot that DID have chickens on them - albeit plastic ones.... They were air-conditioned. (see Pikey!) Of course the the tour guy who talks on the microphone talks the ENTIRE way non-stop and it's all building up to where you will stop for the "rest stop" for 25 minutes which really is only an excuse to get you to buy trinkets. (they push really hard for you to buy this map thing for $40 that is done for your birth date). He went into a VERY long story about how this was an "authentic" Mayan shop and the money would go to really support real Mayans and their families. It really was a very, very long drawn
out speech full of pathos and guilt trip stuff. (I am trying to report the facts of the way it came across - I am SURE it is difficult for many people who try to eck out a living)
They provided a bagged lunch. It really was Subway sandwiches (they all seemed to be turkey). Had a bag Mexican version of Cheetos, (no chip) and some muffins that the driver called pancakes. They poured you a small plastic cup of Coke or Sprite.
The stop at the "rest stop" was a real tourist trap. People accost you the second you step off the bus.
Ah..bathrooms....FOLKS: DO NOT DRINK A LOT OF COFFEE before going! Bring disposable wipes like Clorox wipes. First, each stall does NOT have toilet paper. You must get it BEFORE going to the stall. And they do not allow you to flush toilet paper - there is a wastebasket that was propped on the back of the toilet. Very dirty.... Bring disposable toilet seat covers, wipes...sanitizer - did I say that before? I say it again! (Plus there is a "tip jar"....) The bus drive takes about an hour and half including the stop.
Interestingly, the trip back only took about 35 minutes... It really only WAS about stopping at the shop. There ARE rest rooms at the Ruins - or the area before you take the tram to them - but the same thing applies. Billed as "free banos". BRING WIPES/SANITIZER! I think a porta-porty is downright luxurious compared to what I saw....
While we were waiting for our ride on the tram there was a pole with a platform where men climbed up and swung from ropes. One played a pipe and drum, the rest hung upside down by ropes tied to their feet slowly coming closer to the ground. Very ceremonial dress and rather fascinating. (and someone did come through the crowd for donations). There were some shops with the usual trinkets, hats, blankets, bottled water, etc. There were many girls/women/children trying to sell you things like embroidered handkerchiefs.
Note: There were many places to buy bottled water. They keep stressing to get some as it IS hot - but they make it sound like there is no where to get it. Of course they have a stand as you get off the ship.
Okay, now the ruins! FINALLY.
Seeing the ruins WAS worth all of the bother of the trip itself! Incredibly breathtaking in my opinion. It is a large area and there are some spots that would be difficult for older or handicapped people to climb. There were areas where they made an effort to do a stone slope rather than stairs. It wasn't hard, endless climbing - but something to consider if someone in your party isn't that mobile. There ARE walkways down below the ruins themselves so it is possible and I did see some people in wheelchairs, although I am sure it wasn't that easy to GET them there. Some of the terrain before there was not conducive to easily pushing a wheelchair.
I did see one older gentleman and a man who I assume was his son. I felt really bad for him as he was at that age where he was a bit out of it and walked very feebly. My read on the situation was his son was feeling very badly about taking him and putting him through such an arduous trek. Probably was a nice guy who didn't want to leave his elderly father alone on
the ship while he did something fun. I'm only putting this in here as it is something to consider. They say moderate activity and that is one thing they are correct about.
It clouded over and we did get a light rain for a short while. However, after the VERY hot weather in the town I was ever glad! Marcie and I stood under a tree with very big, wide leaves which kept us somewhat dry. Until apparently so much rain built up on the leaves that it then proceeded to dump all it'd collected on us! You never saw two women move so fast!!!! We got wet but not totally drenched. Just enough to frizz my hair so I looked like a wild woman!! (scared off those shop people on the way back though)
Again, I loved seeing the ruins. Slightly hilly country - but grassy and green. Palm trees overlooking that incredible (I am using that word a lot, I know...) light green ocean.
Our guide was an older gentleman and was full of information and stories. If I went again, I'd probably wander off on my own but he WAS worth listening to and pointed out carvings and inscriptions that you might miss. I found his historical knowledge to be rather interesting and in-depth. Kept calling us "guys" which my new friend and I found amusing. He tried very hard to keep us together ...kind of like a good sheepherder. (did everything but whistle when said, "come here guys!")
More to follow......
I've debated about whether or not to do a Trip Report. First, some people on here are so amusing and witty AND are good writers. I haven't been too sure if I was witty enough. I'm supposed to be a writer - after all I have written a book. Some people even bought it. And it was witty, but then again I was PAID a lot of money to be witty. Here? Probably not.
I guess I could start the "Let's send Holly On Another Cruise Fund". (only kidding...really I am!)
THEN there's the part about the many moments that...well...I can't write about...or I'd have to kill you! (and trust me THOSE were the best parts and you'll never, ever hear about them nah-nah).
Seriously, I'll give it a try. I am NOT responsible for anyone falling asleep. Then again, if you HAVE anyone who has insomnia, I could be a new cure!!!
Cast of Characters:
Me: Holly, otherwise known as ThePhantomsGirl (or ThePhantomsGirlfriend but the DIS won't give me that many letters....) and my Pal Mickey
Taswira: Otherwise known as Shari and her Pal Mickey.
Hmmm, does this mean I have to start referring to the Pals as Holly's DPM, and Shari's DPM?
I'm not going to do this the same way as the other reports. Why start with Day 1? After all it's MY Trip Report. If I want to jump right into the middle - then I will. Do you really care what time I got up on Day 1? (I don't remember anyway)
So...I'll do it MY Way!
Photos to be posted later!
DAY FIVE - COZUMEL - TULLUM LIKE IT IS
Now, my report on the Tullum Ruins Tour - absolutely breathtaking! They are the only ruins near the sea - and the scenery and backdrop to the ruins are incredible! The guide was very informative. (If I did it again though I might wander off on my own making sure I knew the time to meet back at the busses)
Getting there was the negative parts to doing the tour (and probably would be worse for outside tours!) Now my DPM will tell you the negative part was that HE didn't go. That's right I left the poor little guy sitting in the stateroom. I did give him the remote control, but Shari pointed out that I never turned the TV on for him! (well, there IS an "on" button on the remote, right?)
I went by myself and it was pretty much a last minute decision. It had been one of the things I most wanted to do before taking the cruise. But it is also on the same day as the Pirate Party which is A BIG DEAL.
Shari and I had late dining and had been concerned about getting to the party in time to see anything. On a previous cruise she'd been trapped by slow chewers and missed much of the party. We then decided to book Palo for an early dinner to fix that problem. That then made timing a bit dicey as the Tullum Tour is listed as 7.5 hours. Plus, I'd heard so much about how rough the ferry was!
The day before I decided what-the-heck! The Navigator listing said the tour would be back by around 4:15. PLENTY OF TIME! (folks...has anyone ever told you to beware of what you read?!)
At about 9:15 myself and several hundred other people gathered in the Buena Vista Theater.
Okay, so maybe not that many people - its just that they all wanted to sit in the same row as me and step on me hundreds of times! If you've never been to the BVT it's got very narrow rows. For people to get in and out of the row they HAVE to step on you. Some people are better at it than others. And of course the guy who was the best at it sat in my row and had to KEEP doing it. (wonder what he was like as a little kid...) I ended up changing rows and I promptly found the second best guy!
Actually it's a toss-up as to who was the best. Was it the guy with the big feet, or the one with smaller, but was a heavy footed guy? I'm giving it to the big footed guy because in addition he had a fanny pack that was chin level so that I kept getting smacked by that too.
Pickey was one of the CM's whose daunting job it was to get us all in the right areas. There were two separate tour groups meeting in the BVT. (Do you want to get ruined or have your pasty body fried on the beach?) I like my body pasty so decided how more ruined can I get?
He read out the particulars. We, the Tullem people were to get on a ferry and then a bus. We'd get a lunch which would consist of (verbatim) Subway sandwich, a bag of CHIP, and a cold drink. Pikey commented that it was a cost savings thing to have the bag of CHIP, not chips.
The Jasmine people were getting on a ferry, then an AIR-CONDITIONED bus. They got hamburgers and cold drinks and BEER. Hmmm.....
Well, the Tullem people got Chip N Dale stickers! (nah nah!) The other people got Jasmine. (go ahead Princess people - flame me!
) Then marched us off the ship...the Chip N Dale people following one CM with the little round paddles, the Jasimine people following the other CM with their paddles. Two-by-two...kept looking for Noah...Marching alone, I met up a woman named Marcie who like me, was alone. We must have had those big post-it notes the CM's put on your back: "warning, female alone!" Shari had other plans, and Marcie's husband was doing a zipline excursion. It was nice to have someone to laugh and talk with.
When we got off the ship, they did quickly gather us together and I can't criticize them for their organization. They did well. They have excellent futures should they ever want to herd sheep or cattle. Tourists must be worse...
They herded us into the proper line as there were other cruise ships at port (Yes Virginia, there really ARE other cruiselines) We ended up on a VERY rough ferry. I didn't get seasick but I know it bothered many. Note: the barf bags are a pretty purple in case you wanted to know.
Fortunately it was not difficult to get on and off - the boarding part was fine. The ferry itself was large and had comfortable enough seats though it was by NO means a luxury ferry - rather it was kind of cattlecar looking. Kind of looked like a very old dilapitated New York Staten Island ferry that they planked down pretty blue and red seats on. Of course they try to sell you t-shirts and stuff during the voyage. (and did I mention it was rough?) It felt like we were being tossed around like a cork in a raging river...) It got very warm - not great air circulation. The ferry held several hundred people I would guess. There were rest rooms on the ferry - but unless I was desperate - I'd have never tried to get up...never mind WALK to them. One would never make it back alive.
Then we get to the dock. They then "marched" us through the town, sort of like a death march of condemned prisoners. I was anxiously looking around for the gallows. All the while vendors were trying to save us...I mean accost us. One comic yelled - "come back so I can rip you off!" It was VERY hot - I drank a whole bottle of water just on that march. They SAID it was to be about a five or ten minute walk. Yeah right... (didn't I mention before to beware of what you read?)
The buses at least WERE modern and kind of reminded me somewhat of the Disney busses. There were busses in the dirt lot that DID have chickens on them - albeit plastic ones.... They were air-conditioned. (see Pikey!) Of course the the tour guy who talks on the microphone talks the ENTIRE way non-stop and it's all building up to where you will stop for the "rest stop" for 25 minutes which really is only an excuse to get you to buy trinkets. (they push really hard for you to buy this map thing for $40 that is done for your birth date). He went into a VERY long story about how this was an "authentic" Mayan shop and the money would go to really support real Mayans and their families. It really was a very, very long drawn
out speech full of pathos and guilt trip stuff. (I am trying to report the facts of the way it came across - I am SURE it is difficult for many people who try to eck out a living)
They provided a bagged lunch. It really was Subway sandwiches (they all seemed to be turkey). Had a bag Mexican version of Cheetos, (no chip) and some muffins that the driver called pancakes. They poured you a small plastic cup of Coke or Sprite.
The stop at the "rest stop" was a real tourist trap. People accost you the second you step off the bus.
Ah..bathrooms....FOLKS: DO NOT DRINK A LOT OF COFFEE before going! Bring disposable wipes like Clorox wipes. First, each stall does NOT have toilet paper. You must get it BEFORE going to the stall. And they do not allow you to flush toilet paper - there is a wastebasket that was propped on the back of the toilet. Very dirty.... Bring disposable toilet seat covers, wipes...sanitizer - did I say that before? I say it again! (Plus there is a "tip jar"....) The bus drive takes about an hour and half including the stop.
Interestingly, the trip back only took about 35 minutes... It really only WAS about stopping at the shop. There ARE rest rooms at the Ruins - or the area before you take the tram to them - but the same thing applies. Billed as "free banos". BRING WIPES/SANITIZER! I think a porta-porty is downright luxurious compared to what I saw....
While we were waiting for our ride on the tram there was a pole with a platform where men climbed up and swung from ropes. One played a pipe and drum, the rest hung upside down by ropes tied to their feet slowly coming closer to the ground. Very ceremonial dress and rather fascinating. (and someone did come through the crowd for donations). There were some shops with the usual trinkets, hats, blankets, bottled water, etc. There were many girls/women/children trying to sell you things like embroidered handkerchiefs.
Note: There were many places to buy bottled water. They keep stressing to get some as it IS hot - but they make it sound like there is no where to get it. Of course they have a stand as you get off the ship.
Okay, now the ruins! FINALLY.
Seeing the ruins WAS worth all of the bother of the trip itself! Incredibly breathtaking in my opinion. It is a large area and there are some spots that would be difficult for older or handicapped people to climb. There were areas where they made an effort to do a stone slope rather than stairs. It wasn't hard, endless climbing - but something to consider if someone in your party isn't that mobile. There ARE walkways down below the ruins themselves so it is possible and I did see some people in wheelchairs, although I am sure it wasn't that easy to GET them there. Some of the terrain before there was not conducive to easily pushing a wheelchair.
I did see one older gentleman and a man who I assume was his son. I felt really bad for him as he was at that age where he was a bit out of it and walked very feebly. My read on the situation was his son was feeling very badly about taking him and putting him through such an arduous trek. Probably was a nice guy who didn't want to leave his elderly father alone on
the ship while he did something fun. I'm only putting this in here as it is something to consider. They say moderate activity and that is one thing they are correct about.
It clouded over and we did get a light rain for a short while. However, after the VERY hot weather in the town I was ever glad! Marcie and I stood under a tree with very big, wide leaves which kept us somewhat dry. Until apparently so much rain built up on the leaves that it then proceeded to dump all it'd collected on us! You never saw two women move so fast!!!! We got wet but not totally drenched. Just enough to frizz my hair so I looked like a wild woman!! (scared off those shop people on the way back though)
Again, I loved seeing the ruins. Slightly hilly country - but grassy and green. Palm trees overlooking that incredible (I am using that word a lot, I know...) light green ocean.
Our guide was an older gentleman and was full of information and stories. If I went again, I'd probably wander off on my own but he WAS worth listening to and pointed out carvings and inscriptions that you might miss. I found his historical knowledge to be rather interesting and in-depth. Kept calling us "guys" which my new friend and I found amusing. He tried very hard to keep us together ...kind of like a good sheepherder. (did everything but whistle when said, "come here guys!")
More to follow......
Oh RIGHT - I have to leave out the GOOD parts!
sad2: ) cheese plate...
Aw schucks... I'll be releasing another in the near future. I'll be sure to include you in my dedication as a fan. 
