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Perfect Cozumel Trip

Plaza Las Glorias
 

Posted on 03/27/02
Name: Al
State: Louisiana
Traveled: March, 2002
Weather: Excellent
Highly Recommended
Value: Excellent Value

Comments: Hola everybody!  This is not your typical trip report.  This is a very edited version of a report that I sent to a group of our friends that wanted to know how the trip went.  The days aren't lined up in any particular  order.  What I did was compile the events in groups just to let you know some of the great stuff you can do when you go there.  We had a great time from start to finish so Bare with me I hope you enjoy it.     Thanks

Nivla Notes - A trip to Cozumel
A nonsensical vacation guide
edition 1

TRAVELING WITH NIVLA
MARCH 6, 2002
Although a world traveler (some worlds are smaller than others) I, Ross Nivla am not fond of airplanes.  I know that planes are generally the safest way to travel, but they are also the only way to crash into ocean from 30,000 feet.  That aside we loaded up the suburban and headed to the airport.  Approximately 1/2 way across the causeway I realized what I was about to do.  Turning around seemed like a very good and reasonable option until I heard Dave and Rick plotting my demise saying that since they were going to Mexico anyway that it would be the perfect crime, Shirl and Nance agreed.  Hopelessly out numbered I gave in and took my travel medicine.  You know Xanax goes down very easily with beer especially at 4:30 in the morning.  Soon I would be ready for the rigors of air travel.  After checking in we made our way past security.  With clean socks and underwear (in case of a body cavity search and also to look good in the wreckage) we made our way uneventfully through security with only a few sidelong glances at the guitar case and my ever increasing glassy eyed smile.  Safely on the plane I tightly strapped myself in, put Pink Floyd on the C-D player and closed my eyes waiting for my date with destiny.  Everything went as planned.  We arrived on time at Cozumel and, after waiting on the plane an extra 10 minutes for the circulation to come back to my lower extremities, made it through customs and was greeted by 20 guys in white button down shirts all saying Hola senor, which is Spanish for I would like as much of your money as possible.  We got in the appropriate taxi for the 4 mile ride to our hotel and arrived with white knuckles 30 seconds later.  I love this place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

INVISIBILITY
Perhaps the true challenge of a vacation is being able to relax in spite of the vacation itself.  In my Recent travels not only was relaxation achieved, but it was achieved to a point very close to being comatose.  By far, the most interesting form of relaxation is Invisibility.  I witnessed just such Invisibility by Madame S. and Mexatrixie.  They were sitting on a little beachette in back of the Plaza Las Glorias hotel (Not really an official beach but it had sand so who cares) catching delightful 82 degree rays while drinking Margaritas made from too much Jose Quervo and Jet fuel.  Then It happened, All of a sudden Madame S disappeared.  You could hear her voice and see foot prints in the sand, but gone nonetheless.  She was closely followed by Mexatrixie, poof gone.  She was last seen giggling to herself " tee hee heee hee I'm in Mexico".  This was slightly disturbing, but not without a certain entertainment value.  Why I myself began to become invisible just by the fumes or was it the 10 Coronas, I'm not sure.nk.  Speaking of gone, there was one among us capable of invisibility at will.  A man semi-transparent since the 70's so he is always halfway there to start with.  Of course I am speaking about non-other than Rick.  It's hard to believe, but Rick's Invisible alter ego is more laid back than he is.  Cozumel will agree with these people.

SAN MIGEL
This is the charming little town in Cozumel.  I highly recommend visiting it, but try and go a few blocks inland and stay off of the main strip if possible.  It's way to commercial.  San Migel is a lot of fun.  I reccommend El Moro and Prima's.  These two restaurants are your best bang for the buck. great food and lots of it.

THE EAST SIDE
Perfect!!!!!!!  Here is a typical east side day.  Oh by the way, the east side of the island is primitive.  There is no electricity, running water or plumbing.  It faces Cuba, which is the only land on that side of the island for about 300 miles.  It is rocky with some sand in certain areas.  95% of the people on the cruise ships don't know about this place (thank god).  Rent a car and Bring you camera, your appetite, your thirst and your friends it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Depending on which direction you start from Mescalito's is first.   Picture a Giant thatched roofed beach umbrella with beer.  Magically a Corona with the juiciest wedge of lime appears with ice crystals glistening down the bottle.  You walk 20 ft to the beach and sit next to the sign that reads "naked beach" and pretend to look at the ocean, but really your hoping somebody takes the sign seriously.

After an hour or so you hop in your convertible death trap with bald tires and head south to Coconuts.  This place is up on a cliff overlooking the water.  Imagine if you will the same giant thatched beach umbrella with beer as before, but on a cliff with big waves crashing around you while you sit under little thatched beach umbrellas drinking cervezas and eating the best shrimp fajitas and shrimp quesadillas.  After you suffer through this for about an hour or two you head further south, passing small beach clubs along the way, to Marleys Paradise cafe.  Only one word is needed to describe this place, Hammocks-----------------with lots of beer and waves  and graffiti all over the building and Reggae music and a bathroom with buckets of water to flush the toilet all guarded by killer attack dogs and did I mention cerveza.  Anyway you get the point.  It's wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!  After Marley's you can go around the bottom tip of the island near Chankanabb to a place called Xul Ha (pronounced Xul Ha--I don't know).  This is actually a small snorkeling and diving club on the old road between chankanabb and the cruise ship terminal.  Very quaint.  It is a great place to finish off your day.  You need this change of pace to recover from all of the stress of laying in hammocks all afternoon.  Great guacamole and did I mention cerveza.  After an hour or so of this living hell you mosey on back to the hotel just in time for happy hour, which at the Plaza Las Glorias is from 4:00 to 5:00.  2 for 1.  Life is good.

PLAZA LAS GLORIAS
As far as hotels go you can stay in nicer places, but you will have a hard time staying in a hotel in as nice of a place.  Everything was just about right.  The service overall was wonderful.  The appetizer combination plate by the pool can feed five.  We know!  Each room is a mini suite with a small kitchen area (no stove just a fridge and a sink), a living area, a bed area and of course the balcony.  The view from the balcony is as good as it gets.  The bluest, greenest water with a great breeze.  You could see Playa del Carmen across the water.  Stay on the 3rd floor or higher.  Possibly the best thing about it is the location.  10 minute walk to town, 5 minute walk to the Rock and Java for breakfast, across the street from the Mexican Wal Mart (cheap rum, snacks  and beer).  It gives you the real feel of being in Mexico because you get to interact with the local people of the island not just the hotel staff.  Say hello to Lorenzo for me, he's the doorman at the PLG.  Get in good with him he will take care of you.

THE FINAL DAY
MARCH 11, 2002
A sad moment.  After breakfast it was decided that an early check out and another trip to the other side of the island was in order.  Since our flight didn't leave until around 5:00 it made perfect sense to destroy the three remaining brain cells we each had.  The hotel checked our luggage for us and showed us a shower and changing area we could use after we got back so we could clean up for our flight.  Then it was off to the other side of the Island.   I hate to admit it, but personally I was really kinda good, I didn't drink much at all.  I was bound and determined to make sure everything went alright.   Anyway, somebody needed to drive and make sure we got on the plane.  Imagine that, I'm making sure people are getting on a plane.  I can't wait to come back again

Al, Mexatrixie, Rick, Madame S and Dave
If anybody wants some specifics feel free to give me an E-mail and I'll try and help.  Thanks again

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