Following Dr. Seuss to BCV- a November 2011 TR Updates 6/11

[podsnel]

Both of your brekkies look amazing! I'd eat either one!

The crafter pics look awesome. I'd love to visit sometime while that is going on.

A boy that didn't want to buy any legos? He must've been not feeling well!

Not to worry about Sean and the Legos- he got a bunch of kits for Christmas(including the one I wanted to buy for him in DTD) and happily did them all week on his break!

And yes- both the Fest & the breakfast were excellent! Definitely check them out if you ever get a chance!

Great Update! I love the guy posing for you in your DTD pictures.

I had to go back and look! YES! That CM did know I was taking his pic, didn't he?

 

[podsnel]

[SIZE="4]


[SIZE="3"]So where is the bucket list? I want to see what you're doing! I hope there's some shave ice with mac nut ice cream on that list! And Hula Pie! And Kualoa Ranch!! And snorkeling with turtles- and you can go whale watching (I can only see dolphins in the summer).... .[/SIZE]

Well, now I see I need to add a few more things top my list... I did see the ranch on a TR and was telling Jim about it. I know some of the wives are planning to take a tour the base offers - --- Diamond Head Lookout and Crater, Kahala Neighborhood, Hanauma Bay, Halona Blow HOle, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Lookout, Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Punchbowl National Cemetary, King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the beautiful Olomana Golf Course, nestled against the lush Koolau mountain range.

WOW! Sounds like a great tour! You will see alot around Waikiki-
Here's my list:


1. Pearl Harbor of course Us too!
2. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Us too!
3. Hike (mild, mind you ) to a waterfall for a picnic Doing waterfalls on Kauai
4. Eat lots of pineapple - maybe visit the Dole place cuz you can buy Dole Whip mix I hear the Dole Whip at the plantation is even better than the one in WDW!
5. Sunset Dinner Cruise Wonderful!
6. Attend a Luau I am debating on this- I want to go to a small one (they have one at the Marriott that is limited to 200, OR we may do this on Kauai)
7. Check out Aulani - I guess they have a free "luau type show" on Wed. Be sure to double check what nights the Starlight Hui is held- the show is 1/2 an hour long and focuses solely on Hawaiian culture- most luaus would have many polynesian cultures and food, that is what is different, I think. So no fire eating at this show.
8. Shop at the big flea market or whatever that is??? Is that the swap meet?
9. Visit some historical places or a museum (pre-dating PH)Sounds good!
10. Maybe swim with Dolphins?ALWAYS a treat!!

I think we need more days! Especially with Jim working most of the days I'm there - although I think they'll find ways to take a little more time off. Oh, and what is this Hula pie you speak of?

OK...so THIS is Hula Pie-

It is a chocolate cookie crust, a HUGE amount of Mac Nut Ice Cream, Hot fudge, whipped cream, and macadamia nuts. Duke's is the restaurant that is known for it, but I believe it may be elsewhere.

If you make it to the North Shore, look for Giovanni's Shrimp truck- I have read that's good too! And plate lunches! And eat at Roy's! Oh.....I can't wait!! Isn't it so exciting???

 

[podsnel]

Pods & I took our annual vacation without the kids this January on our own- we were on hiatus from St John, USVI due to the fact that Pods DESPERATELY wanted to go to an All Inclusive for a change (primarily for the attractions of golf and a swim-up bar). Ironically, our BFFs, Janie & Kevvie, of STJ fame, were traveling to the same resort as us- only, they were going 2 weeks before us with their 21 year old son and his girlfriend- oh well, hopefully next year we can coordinate things a little better, because I really missed me some Janie/Kevvie time!!!

Anyway, we stayed at a resort called Iberostar Grand Paraiso which was just 30 minutes south of the Cancun Airport. Last year, this was voted the #1 All Inclusive in the World on Trip Advisor- and may I just say- it REALLY deserves that title! This resort was all adult- and all luxury- and alot of fun! Here are some pics....

A welcome glass of champagne upon arrival-

We were escorted up to our Ocean front Suite by our butler-

And THIS was our view from our balcony-

The Butler asked if he could unpack our clothes (which we declined) and offered to bring us whatever we would require to be happy. What we required on this vacation to be happy was Havana Siete (Cuban Rum, aged 7 years), Grey Goose, Sauvignon Blanc, diet coke, water bottles and a bucket of ice. 10 minutes later, he returned with-

I'm sure you can see where this is going.

We put on our bathing suits, headed down for lunch, then sat on the beach- which was very windy, so we retreated to the swim up bar. Oh, bother!

Pods was a very happy camper!

We met many lovely people right off the bat- and immediately began having fun! At night we had a very nice dinner in the Surf & Turf restaurant, followed by a visit to the lobby bar before calling it a night. In the morning, we had a lovely breakfast, then took a walk around the grounds, which were gorgeous-

the spa-

coti- the animals that live in the jungle-

a look over to Iberostar Maya, one of 4 other resorts which is geared towards families-

Back to the pool-

In the atrium off of the lobby-

A walk back through a stunning and always empty hall-

Shrimp fajitas for lunch-

An afternoon wine tasting of all the included bottles of wine (which I passed on because I didn't want to need a nap & I figured I could just include them some other time!)

And Pods did THIS for a looooong time-

Our favorite Wisconsinites! We just LOVED this couple and always seemed to find each other!

That night, dinner was my favorite- rack of lamb at the Gourmet restaurant-

We ended the evening with a chocolate martini from Perfecto, who we adored!

When we arrived back at our room, we were surprised by....

Aaahhhhh...BLISS!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Awesome resort ...... awesome photos!

 

[podsnel]

The next morning, we were golfing- so I had ordered room service the night before by hanging the menu on our door (just like on DCL! ) and it served as a wake-up call (AWESOME!!!!!). Except...I woke up at sunrise and ran out to capture the moment-

I then took a nap out on the balcony swing which reminded me of sleeping on a ship...aaaahhhhh.... Eventually, though, our breakfast was being delivered. Room service is all included, 24 hours a day- it was a heavenly and delicious way to start our morning!

Once we had finished, we went down to our building's lobby, where the concierge called for a golf cart to pick us up and bring us to the course- which was also included-

We were there in just a few minutes-

We were paired up with the nicest couple from Long Island, whose brother lived in the next town from us- SMALL WORLD! After golf, we all had lunch together back at the Grand, and Pods & I spent some time at the swim-up bar. (SHOCKING!!) That night our dinner was at the Japanese restaurant, and afterwards, Pods surprised me (cough cough) with a new bracelet!

I had a Kir royale, which was light and delish-

This was the night we met Andrea & Karen- Andrea writes a blog all about this resort called Iberostar rocks (google it- she is an AWESOME writer!!!!) and Karen, her BFF, is a dog trainer in Manhattan. (Google her dog, Paul Newman, the white basset hound- he is adorable!) They were on their annual girls trip, and I had a WONDERFUL time with them both! Andrea EVEN let me try on her SHOES (for which she is FAMOUS!!) but I have to admit- I just don't have Jimmy Choos feet! Perfecto made a round of chocolate martinis to celebrate the occasion-

I stole a pic from her blog post-

On day 4 (of 6) we had breakfast in the restaurant, followed by some pool time...which Pods spent some of like this-

We also went for a walk down the beach and checked out the other Iberostars. The pool at the Maya/Lindo was ENOURMOUS!!!

At lunch, I said Hell-ooooooo RITA! Or maybe...I said HOLA!

I also enjoyed a gorgeous piece of swordfish-

La Brisa, the restaurant we chose for lunch, was a buffet- but like all the buffets we went to at the Grand, there was always an option to order off of the menu as well. LOVED that!

Back with more in a bit!

 

[KristiMc]

The resort looks wonderful Ellen.

 

[ortholablady]

Wow that looks like an amazing place! I keep looking at your room view and I want to go there now and never leave! Do you think my boss will just send my checks there? Haha!

 

[podsnel]

After our lunch, we went to check emails on the CRAZY computer (it had a latin keyboard, so NO @ sign...and the keys were totally different- I was completely baffled!). So back through the hallway....

where is everybody????

And by the gorgeous atrium-

And to the keyboard where a z is a y-

Then back outside for more fun in the sun!

Until....we got the only rain of our vacation.

Back in our room, we ordered up some room service....

Oh...that was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! And then took a little nap. Dinner that night was back in Toni's, the Surf & Turf. I had scallops-

arrecherra-

Pods had a seafood starter-

And surf and turf-

That was VERY good. Babbooo (ok, his name was not Babboo,it's really Rene, and he is the most fantastic waiter, but that's who he looked like, so that's what we called him) introduced us to a new friend named Benjamin-

Hell-oooo/Hola Benjamin!

And we really liked our new friend Benjamin quite alot! We went to....the Lobby Bar...AGAIN....to say good-bye to our favorite Wisconsinites who were leaving in the morning-

And to Perfecto, who would be off-

The next day, Pods was golfing again....I was supposed to, but guess what? I got a better offer from the Iberostarrocks team! But first, Pods & I had lobster for breakfast-

Which I have to say is waaaaaaay underrated as a breakfast meat!

To be cont'd....

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Sorry! I have been trip report slacking. Let's see if I can remember all my comments:

Glad Sean enjoyed his breakfast at WGPE. The breakfast pizza looked yummy, but might be tough for me as we tend to either rush to rope drop or sleep in until lunch.

I am impressed with the pictures Pods took. My husband is terrible at taking pictures.

I am so jealous, Punta Cana and Mexico already this year. The all inclusive looks wonderful. Keep the updates coming.

Your new bracelet is beautiful.

I'm sure I had more to say, but can't remember off the top of my head. That is what happens when you are being on trip reports.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[podsnel]

Awesome resort ...... awesome photos!

Thanks Karin! It was an amazingly pampering experience!

The resort looks wonderful Ellen.

We loved it. Going back next January. Hopefully with friends (although we made a bunch while we were there, and that was really nice!).

Wow that looks like an amazing place! I keep looking at your room view and I want to go there now and never leave! Do you think my boss will just send my checks there? Haha!

I'm sure that all depends on what you do for a living..... I'm with you- I want to go there now and never leave, too.

Sorry! I have been trip report slacking. Let's see if I can remember all my comments:

Glad Sean enjoyed his breakfast at WGPE. The breakfast pizza looked yummy, but might be tough for me as we tend to either rush to rope drop or sleep in until lunch.

I am impressed with the pictures Pods took. My husband is terrible at taking pictures.

I am so jealous, Punta Cana and Mexico already this year. The all inclusive looks wonderful. Keep the updates coming.

Your new bracelet is beautiful.

I'm sure I had more to say, but can't remember off the top of my head. That is what happens when you are being on trip reports.

Looking forward to reading more!

Puh-leez. I am a consistent repeat offender in the TR Slacker department- glad you are back, I've MISSED you!! Thanks for the comments!!

 

[Mysteria]

Breakfast at WPE looks great! Sorry Sean didn't have a great time at the Lego store. I never knew about the craft thing before. Have to find out more about that.

I am loving your mini report. Wow!! That place looks heavenly.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I'm sooo jealous! That place looks marvelous, I would never leave. I'd find a hiding place & hope to stay forever!

Too bad Sean had a bad time at DTD, but I suppose all was well later.

Do you bring your own clubs to Disney or do you rent the clubs? Inquiring minds want to know or at least mine does!

 

[podsnel]

Pods left for golf, and i went to the beach to meet the chicas-

Where it took a good hour for me to realize i was supposed to be sitting in front of my building which was also their building as well as the other building. DUH. Lovely chicas that they are, they had a chair all set up for me with multiple comfy towels- these women are alllllright! Andrea thought it would be a good idea to order some fine champania, so that's what we did- and it came to us on a silver tray! With champagne glasses!! Karen posed with our beloved waiter-

That was AWESOME!! Eventually we went in for lunch, and were soon joined by Pods who had ended up golfing with our couple from the first day!

We ladies had a fabulous day together- I loved meeting and spending time with these gals.

Pods had some lunch-

I had lobster for lunch, but forgot to take a pic. OOPS! Afterwards, we all returned to the beach-

Where much needed naps were taken. Then...it was time for Yoga-

I had done this with Andrea and Karen the day before and loved it, but today I was just the photographer. We said goodbye to the girls (for now) and went over to say goodbye to the other friends we had made during the week- at the swim up bar.

Especially the bartenders who had worked TIRELESSLY all week for us, Norberto & Marcellino.

These two were hysterical- they kept us completely entertained with jokes, toothpick tricks... everything. We had more fun than I can begin to say busting around with them all week. Just such a blast!! When Norberto asked me what i would like to drink, I said- "you know what I like- surprise me!" And....

he made up a drink JUST for ME. And named it..................

Elena Especiale.

It's freakin PURPLE!!!! That's my favorite color!! AND...it tasted like a grape slurpee!!! Which i would live on if I could!!!! How did he know????



To top it off, Babboo came by with late day cake & coffee-

BABBB-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

What a great last day at the GRAND!

To be cont'd.....

 

[rndmr2]

That Corn Flake French Toast looked really good! I loved WPE for dinner when we were there a few years ago, I'll have to try it for Breakfast someday too...

Love your mini TR, too. That looks like a beautiful resort, and that VIEW!! Awesome!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

You and Pods are amazing! Meeting people and making friends everywhere! You are now famous on a blog - you're just SUPER STAHS! What an amazing resort! I had a friend who really recommended Iberostar but your resort is heads above the one she went to.. You got alot of great relaxation shots of Pods


Oh, and thanks for the Hawaii comments and suggestions! That Hula Pie looks TDF! I'll have to add it to the list. I have seen alot about those shrimp trucks - looks like a reason to go North! I am getting sooooo excited!

 

[karajeboo]

Uh..... Jeff and I are IN for next year!!!! See ya in Mexico!

 

[podsnel]

This last night, Pods and I were returning to the Gourmet Restaurant. 3 of our reservations had been made prior to leaving for Mexico by our travel agaent- the other two we asked the concierge what was open one day (the first time we ate at the gourmet) and if we could return to the Surf & Turf(last night). There was also an Italian Restaurant, which we skipped but I will try next year, and themed buffets were offered each night. I think La Brisa was also always open for dinner (but since we had lunch there, we didn't want to have dinner, too). While I was not crazy about the Japanese restaurant, (although the Tempura was really good) we both thoroughly enjoyed the rest. Hey- who doesn't love a place where you could literally live on lobster 24/7? Anyway.....

Our new girlfriends were also having dinner here tonight- don't they look gorgeous?

Check out those shoes!

Our other new friend...Hola Senor Benjamin!

We both tried the Pheasant appetizer-

Out came our entrees. One, two, THREE!

I had the duck (on Andrea's spot on suggestion)

Pods had salmon and scallops-

For dessert we had-

We headed over to the Lobby for a last Chocolate 'Tini- this time with Humberto, another prized Grand bartender-

Once again, we had a little too much fun with all of the patrons- but what the heck? It's vacation, and it's not like we live like this at home!

We had a chance to say goodbye to all- including our new girlfriends who were in and out since they had gone over to see the evening's show- which we will definitely be doing next time- then retreated to our room to pack it up.

Sunday morning, our private driver was scheduled to pick us up for the airport at 11 am. So first, we had another gorgeous room service breakfast

Then took a final walk on the beach-

And said good-bye to some people, including Daniel the swim-up bartender who had been off for most of our stay. I never did get to try one of his cucumber mojitos, but I guess there is always next year. We went back up to the room to collect our belongings and take one final look at the view-

Before the Butler brought us down to the golf cart which whisked us away from paradise....

It had been a wonderful vacation- my only regret is that I did not join in any of the activities that were offered- I just relaxed and read my book and power-mingled like a champ! But that's good too, sometimes.

Oh! One other regret- the diet coke ON ICE that i drank in the airport. Before we departed. THAT made for a not-so-fantastic flight home. OOPS.

Otherwise- Iberostar Grand Paraiso was the MOST wonderful all-inclusive- and we will be sure to return again and again, beginning with next year!

Thanks for reading my little mini-TR...now back to the mouse!!!

 

[podsnel]

Breakfast at WPE looks great! Sorry Sean didn't have a great time at the Lego store. I never knew about the craft thing before. Have to find out more about that.

I am loving your mini report. Wow!! That place looks heavenly.

The Festival of the Masters is an Art fair- with a ton of interactive activities. It gets EXTREMELY packed in DTD when this is going on (it occurs over a weekend in November every year) so we were very fortunate to enjoy it on a cool Friday morning with low crowds.

And yes- IGP was COMPLETELY heavenly!!

I'm sooo jealous! That place looks marvelous, I would never leave. I'd find a hiding place & hope to stay forever!

Pretty sure that's how everyone feels who goes there- so nice to be treated so well in such a gorgeous place!

Too bad Sean had a bad time at DTD, but I suppose all was well later.

Do you bring your own clubs to Disney or do you rent the clubs? Inquiring minds want to know or at least mine does!

We do bring our own clubs- Pods packed the boys clubs in his bag with his. When he and I went down together, we brought our clubs in seperate bags. For a while they were running a special where they would GIVE you the club rental free with a round of undicounted golf. But we use the DVC membership, so that doesn't work for us.

That Corn Flake French Toast looked really good! I loved WPE for dinner when we were there a few years ago, I'll have to try it for Breakfast someday too...

Love your mini TR, too. That looks like a beautiful resort, and that VIEW!! Awesome!

The cornflake toast was on bagel slices- it was very different and very crunchy!

And the resort in Mexico was like a palace. Seriously. Pods and i would walk around with our jaws on the floor everyday!

You and Pods are amazing! Meeting people and making friends everywhere! You are now famous on a blog - you're just SUPER STAHS! What an amazing resort! I had a friend who really recommended Iberostar but your resort is heads above the one she went to.. You got alot of great relaxation shots of Pods


Oh, and thanks for the Hawaii comments and suggestions! That Hula Pie looks TDF! I'll have to add it to the list. I have seen alot about those shrimp trucks - looks like a reason to go North! I am getting sooooo excited!

There was a BIG difference between what we saw at the Grand and what we saw at the other Ibero resorts. They were very pretty- but no top shelf. The quality of the Grand is head and shoulders above the rest (and is meant to be).

And you SHOULD be getting excited for Hawaii!! It is the MOST incredible destinantion!

Uh..... Jeff and I are IN for next year!!!! See ya in Mexico!

 

[JKSWonder]

The Iberostar looks amazing! I think I just found a potential new resort choice to look into.....

 

[podsnel]

The Iberostar looks amazing! I think I just found a potential new resort choice to look into.....

You two would LOVE IT. Absolutely blissfull!

Be sure to check out Trip Advisor and Andrea's blog- she has been to IGP eight times and has a way with words when she describes her trips (and her shoes!!).