Cozumel - Airbnb trip : APR '22

Third Airbnb there since '19. First one was a blast, on the ocean. Second one was great, on the south side of downtown San Miguel. This year's was awesome, on the north side, equal distant from the center of town compared to last years. But this year's was 'different'.

Last years set things in motion to make it more of a family trip affair with close friends as well. Pablo's dad was with us in Coz' last year but passed away recently so that threw us a curve ball. However, Lucy's brother and Suzie were able to make it this time. My baby girl was absent this trip, otherwise all the same folks. What was different otherwise? This years' home had several major differences.

First, the pool was truly usable; it was larger and in a good location for sunshine, etc. Secondly, the home was higher end; was previously owned by Cozumel's President. Yes .. it was NICE. Third, we had a cook on hand every morning to cook us all breakfast; included. Fourth, we had a onsite manager ever morning to handle any concerns/questions. Last, we had a maid every day except one to clean the home from top to bottom and would do one's laundry upon request. So, from my perspective this was BETTER than a hotel!

The Trip. We'd done an impromptu trip the month before when some close friends of ours booked at Secrets Aura and asked if we'd like to join them (duh!). But this one has been on the books for almost a year. Well, I had a CVMA weekend trip to west Texas that almost conflicted, and pulled it off by returning the night before this one from El Paso... lets just say I was hauling ass those 700 miles home. When I got home the night before, Pablo and Beth were here, flying in from MS earlier that day. After a few margaritas and a quick shower, we headed to Molina's for some more Margs and Mexican food (we always do this before our trips down there.. gets one in the mood!?). Once back at the house, time to pack (less than 30 minutes) and .. I'm ready. Actually, I'm exhausted and that wakeup call is coming soon....so .. nite.

Approach to Coz'

We're soon all up and moving, and headed to the airport. Lucy had spent the weekend with Holly so Peanut is now with Uncle Dick and Aunt Holly and we're free to vaca'. Johnnie wasn't sure if he could make this trip, but had chimed in a week earlier privately he had a ticket, after returning from one of his Pacific Voyages (he's got a great job!).. .and he's got a table at TGIF's in Terminal D. Before the flight we all converge here. All 8 of us are on the same flight, and this trip has started off perfectly; all accounted for! We're sitting in First Class this trip (as is Johnny) and I'm pumped this is starting off nicely. Once seated on the plane, our stewardess is on her game and serving us drinks BEFORE takeoff. Understand, the last two years this is rare. Apparently, they have been given direction to start this up again so the whole way there, life is good. No BS with mask hitlers, etc. Just a good flight overall. When we get to Coz' uneventful (except I forgot my filled out visa paperwork at home), and we're soon walking out of the terminal to catch a cab. We're only a fifteen minute walk to the house, but I get the three ladies into a cab right away. That leaves five of us... so 4 jump into a cab and I chose to walk the several blocks being hard headed. The cabbies are trying to up the cost of the cabs with BS prices and I'm a lil' pissed. They wanted 100 pesos to drive us less than a mile. Fuck 'em. I refused to pay it. The rest of the week, no issues. But, it helped to use pesos instead of dollars this trip; many inflated the rate for pesos<>dollars. It was 20:1 last week and I heard some crazy numbers .. one cabbie said 100 peso for $10. WTF? Anyways .. all week it worked out... found a lot of honest cabbies and I used pesos exclusively... and always tipped well. So they made the money anyways just a matter of principle to me. Well, we're soon at the home and we are ALL smiling. This place is beautiful. Our room with balcony overlooking the back yard is beautiful. No complaints by any. Only thing that would have made it 'prefect' is if the 5th bedroom had a private bath. They had to use the one downstairs....hmmm.... somebody screwed the pooch on the house build. They fridge was stocked with cokes and cervezas so we're all getting settled in. We're finally here!

Our Casa

David doing his morning magic

The next week would be filled with pool time EVERY day. Mimosas most mornings (assuming we'd done a run to the store previously). David making us breakfast every day (YES!). After that, days at the pool. Wandering around San Miguel for drinks... lunches. ... dinners. .. music. One of the days was spent at No Name Bar for a great afternoon. Busy as hell, didn't jump into the ocean or pool, but people watching was pretty humorous. And their margaritas are some of the Best, hands down. Few afternoons spent at places down by the water for drinks and music (Hemingway's, Jeannie's, and a great evening at Del Mar Latino Beach Club). I'd hoped to get a afternoon/evening boat lined up, but we never 100% agreed on which type, etc .. so it fell by the wayside. Hopefully next trip I'll get that one figured out better. Considered getting some mopeds, but not everyone wanted to ride on them. So... cabs it was as necessary. Everything was smooth until ... Mike and Suzie are leaving two days prior.

We all say our goodbyes and they are off to the airport with the Covid test paperwork, etc. But...... maintenance issues with the plane. When the smoke clears they will have been held hostage there all day with promises made of plane going to leave.. then not. Then rerouted.. then not. By evening they are being rerouted to Miami when they finally said F' it.. and had them pull their bags off the plane and came back to the house. It's 11pm and a day wasted. On the upside, they got their flights moved to the same as ours, so they have another day and a half with us! Win Win.

Time to leave. The day before the mask requirement was shutdown by a federal judge in FL, but guidance hasn't changed. However, we barely wear our masks at the airport. Nobody is bitching. We all pile into the 'club' at the gate to wait out the next few hours in comfort and enjoy the drinks that come with it ... no complaints about not wearing the masks. On the plane after boarding, and getting great service once again, no bitching when I didn't wear it all the time. When we land, 1/2 the customs agents aren't wearing one.. so I didn't. On a positive note, when all the others were headed to their second leg flights, the official word was finally out. They boarded with No Masks.... finally, sanity has appeared once again in this country. Now we wait to see if it lasts?

We're already scheming for a trip this fall, back to Secrets Aura, an all inclusive and a fav of ours. Pablo made his reservations yesterday. I've got my flights booked already .. but .. calling the hotel later this morning to finalize my room. Lucy and I have discussed the possibility of buying a home/condo down there, but ... not going to do it. So .. we travel there several times a year to enjoy it's beauty and the good times that go with it. Hell... gives one something to look forward to it. Interested in going? Drop me a line.. I'll give you specifics