February 12th, 2005 Western. Who's going???

[disneypilots]

Neither i or df big shoppers. If there is a must buy let me know

Wendy, Key West is known for Famous Bar Tshirts, Keno Sandals, and Key Lime Pie. Grand Cayman is the place for Upscale Jewelery, Gold, Perfume, and Rum. Cozumel is the place for Silver, Footwear, Mexican Artwork and Crafts, Diamonds, and Booze.

I will be shopping for Diamond Solitare Earrings in Cozumel. DW has hinted a few times. Will leave me clear to shop at the Bar shops in Key West, The Harley Davidson Store in Grand cayman, and the Duty Free Liquor in Cozumel.

Mark

 

[MImom]

Me,tan? Nope, I'll be the pasty white gal with legs so white they could blind you. Had a few pre-cancerous spots so try not to tan. Use SPF 30 - 45 and apply frequently. May try self tanner, so I could be a strange shade of orange if it doesn't work out.

Also heard that the vanilla is great in Cozumel. Has anyone else heard this?

Francisca(beautiful name by the way), glad you are going to brunch.

Mark, where do you buy your booze in Cozumel? Duty free store? If so, where? Do you buy rum? Are there any other specialty liquors you purchase?

I know I shouldn't pack so much stuff on the way there, need room for my purchases! But, I am a "heavy" packer and like some of the comforts from home. And yes, I started packing a few weeks(months?) ago. I have a first aid kit with all sorts of OTC medicine, it's the nurse in me.
See ya' soon,
Anne

 

[JenGang]

Anne, I have heard about the vanilla in Cozumel but I won't be buying any. I did a little research on the vanilla and found that quite often, it's not real vanilla at all and can in fact sometimes be made from some plant that is toxic! Here's a link to an article that tells a little more about it http://www.vanilla.com/html/facts-mexican.html If it doesn't come up as a link, just copy and paste it into your web browser.

 

[JenGang]

Yep Jen I'm tanning, but I'm always tanning. Friend owns business that hz tanning to I go on & off all year. I'm a redhead so I never get very dark & alway use @ least spf 15 on face. What type of lotion do you use on your girls? I have spf45 & 30 that we used last summer. Do you think I will be enough? They both are blond & fair. But they do brown up in summer. My youngest gets dry skin & rashes fairly easy, never leave home w/o corizone 10.
How cold is it there? Just heard about some real low temp your way
Bye for now

Wendy, I use SPF 15 for myself and I think I used 30 on the girls last year. I need to go get some new sunscreen because mine it 2 years old and I've heard it can weaken over time.

And it's been terrible cold here! Today was the warmest it's been in a week and I think it only got to something like 15°. Of course that wasn't factoring in the windchill that was really bad. But otherwise, it's been below 0° since Weds. night. I really can't wait to be out of the cold and in the sun!

 

[MImom]

Yuck! Jen, thanks so much for the info. Scarey stuff, glad I asked.
No vanilla for me.

Anne

 

[disneypilots]

Anne, The Duty free is the best place to buy. Its right at the end of the pier in Cozumel. We noticed the rum prices were a bit cheaper in Grand Cayman. The price for Vodka (Absolute), Baily's, Kaluha, Crown Royal etc......... was very reasonable. We tend to keep to the coffee, vodka, or rum drinks. Mudslides will work also...... lol

We have found the best way to manage the stuff we buy is to bring an extra suitcase. We have a rolling duffle (disney, of course) that we bring empty, and it gets kinda full coming home. I do not pack a full suitcase going, so I have some extra room as well. My DW has threatened to control my t-shirt purchases..... We'll see........

Jen, just wanted to say thank-you for starting this thread. As a newcomer, I felt welcome as soon as I started posting. Your commitment through the year was great !!!! Mark

 

[disneypilots]

I have a first aid kit with all sorts of OTC medicine, it's the nurse in me.
See ya' soon,
Anne

Ok, I vote that Anne will be the Medical Expert for the cruise. A Nurse and a DISer.....sounds like a plan. OTC Medicine......sounds like hangover comfort !!!!!

 

[kyydd2000]

Hi Guys,
Sorry if I have missed something here but just want to see if I can get a few answers here. Can someone tell me if Nachi Cocom is the same beach as the Cozumel Beach Break Excursion?? If not has anyone done the Cozumel Break excursion?? Or has anyone already booked it?

If you purchase any alcohol from the duty free shops are you allowed to bring them back onto the ship and keep it in your room??

Mark ---Have you already booked your parasailing yet? Just wondering if we should book now or wait til we arrive at Castaway. Any suggestions? Do they offer tandum so I can drag the ol' dh up with me?? lol

If anyone has boys aged 7 to 10 and are interested in meeting our boys just give me a shout.

Have a good one!!

Julia

 

[MImom]

Oops sorry OTC = over the counter, like Tylenol, Dramamine, Benadryl
And my specialty before I went into management and now stay @ home.......yep, mental health.

So, although I may be able to help the anxious sting ray wanna be swimmers and simple first aid, not sure you want to put any major medical decisions in my hands

Oh and I am a firm believer in prevention...drink H2O while drinking "adult beverages". If all else fails, some believe in "hair of the dog"
although I don't recommend it.

Julia, I haven't booked a beach excursion for Cozumel. My understanding is that the beach on the beach break is Nachi Cocom.
We will prob take a cab to one of the beaches. Most of the excursions include a buffet lunch. DH is freaked by buffets, esp in Mexico. Rightfully so, he ended up with food poisoning after eating at a buffet while on vacation a few yrs ago at WDW!!! Anyways, my nurse advice is don't eat anything on a buffet with mayo. At the hospital, the medical team told us that mayo/mayo based foods like coleslaw, potato salad, etc are usually the culprit for food poisoning. Making sure everyone in the kitchen handling the food washes their hands....whole 'nother ball game. Sorry got off on a tangent. Bet you really want your kids to meet my 7+ yo DS, you'll know where he gets his talkative nature from Anne

 

[JenGang]

Anyways, my nurse advice is don't eat anything on a buffet with mayo. At the hospital, the medical team told us that mayo/mayo based foods like coleslaw, potato salad, etc are usually the culprit for food poisoning. Making sure everyone in the kitchen handling the food washes their hands....whole 'nother ball game. Anne

I had to take a food safety class for work this year and let me tell you, I was shocked to learn of some of the foods that can easily cause foodbourne illnesses. Ham was one that I didn't expect but apparently it's quite the breeding ground for bacteria. I never used too worry to much when eating out but now I find myself really checking out the places we eat.

 

[JenGang]

Jen, just wanted to say thank-you for starting this thread. As a newcomer, I felt welcome as soon as I started posting. Your commitment through the year was great !!!! Mark

Thanks Mark! It just seems like the year has gone so slowly and there were times I felt like I was going to just have to keeping bumping us up to the top forever! LOL I'm glad it's become an active thread. I think we're all going to have a ton of fun on our cruise!

 

[MImom]

I know what you mean. I try not to be too paranoid about it and just enjoy.
The week after my DH was in the hospital we read a travel article about food poisoning and buffets. Just a little too late. We still occasionally eat at buffets and will on the boat. I'm sure it will be fine.
Anne

 

[rifgirlsmom]

Good Morning, I spent most of the night up with youngest dd. She seems to have a belly issue. Hope this passes soon. So now i'm home again today. Will try to get stuff together for cruise.
Mark--where did you df & dd find clothes to buy? Its hard to find summer type clothing around her. DD 11 can really use new shorts.
Julia & Anne--Ive been lurking on the cruise critic boards under ports. Seems to be easy just to get there & take a taxi to beach.
Jen-I picked up new suntan lotion @ target the other day. I got some of the face stuff its greasless. The girls think they want their hair braided,so I'll need to protect the parts. My thanks to you also for this tread, I really have enjoyed it. Never have used anything like this before. Thanks again
Wendy

 

[MImom]

Wendy,
Hope your DD is feeling better. Saw some shorts and summer stuff at Limited Too this past weekend. Not sure if there is one near you or if your DDs like the store. I believe they carry up to a juniors size 7. I also found shorts and bathing suits at a sports store for DD and DS, as well as Target. Good luck to you in your clothes hunt.

To all - Have your girls had their hair braided before? DD is interested and considering it. I showed her some pics that were posted. She has a tender head, so is worried it may hurt too much.

Mark - thanks for the booze advice.
Jen, more kudos to you for making this thread active, fun and welcoming.
I had just lurked before I read this thread and decide to join in.

Anne

 

[JenGang]

To all - Have your girls had their hair braided before? DD is interested and considering it. I showed her some pics that were posted. She has a tender head, so is worried it may hurt too much.

Jen, more kudos to you for making this thread active, fun and welcoming.
I had just lurked before I read this thread and decide to join in.

Anne

Both my girls had their hair braided last year and want to have it done again. Kaela had really long hair and it took 2 hours to have it all done. Beth just had a headband thing done so that didn't take too long, especially since she has such fine hair. Kaela's was done on the ship and Beth had her's done on Castaway Cay. I know you can have it done on the islands for cheaper but I have an paranoia about head lice and have read that if they aren't clean enough doing them that lice it a very real possiblity. What can I say, I have cleanliness issues.

And you all have to stop thanking me for starting this thread or I'll get a big head. LOL I just really wanted to have the chance to get to know some of the people we'll be cruising with because it makes it so much more fun! Now, group hug to you all.

 

[MImom]

Jen, feel free to get a big head, you deserve it, plus then we'll be able to recognize you when we are aboard the ship
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Anne

 

[disneypilots]

Julia, my ds is 11, looking for other boys who will be on the ship. Let me know.

Sign up for hair braiding as soon as it opens. The Concierge cabins get first pick, then its a long line that fills up space quickly.

Wendy, they found clothes at Marshall Fields and EBAY. No luck anywhere else like Target, Kohls, or Walmart. Mark

 

[disneypilots]

Julia, its best to book the parasailing before you get on the ship. We are doing a tandum at 3:30, I think. That way if we fall or anything else happens it will be at the end of the day on castaway cay and near the end of the cruise !!! LOL.......................

Jen, just make sure we can find you at Studio Sea, Big head or not...........

Mark

 

[MImom]

Jen or Mark,
Do you know where the long hair braiding line starts?
And/or when we can start signing up?
Thanks,
Anne

 

[disneypilots]

Hi Anne, If I remember its around 5 pm. It will be listed in the passporter once we get onboard.

Mark