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Mexico .. to tip or not to tip?

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 Well, that's a stupid question of course.  I was thinking about this the other day.  On FB groups at locations in Mexico, especially resorts you may read often "Do you tip?"  " How much should I tip?"  "Can I tip with dollars or do I need pesos?" Well, I have an opinion.  Dont' I always? We've been traveling to the region for about 20 years now. As years have gone on, I've begun to tip a lilttle more generously.  Is that because I'm older and make more than I did 20 years ago?  Is it because I have a different perpective on it all (wisdom) ?  Sure... uh huh ... lmao Here's my take on it all.  This is based on an AI (All Inclusive) resort scenario.  Also, based on the assumption the person(s) do their job well, friendly, professional .... whatever.  Otherwise, I can be a really shitty tipper. Trip to From the airport.  Cozumel, that's $25 a couple approximately for the trip.  I normally leave $5 tip based on the assum...

Secrets Akumal : May 2025

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 We've done several trips to Secrets Maroma Beach over the last five or so years and it's one of our favorites.  Their sister resort Secrets Akumal is supposed to be very similar with one main difference; sea turtles.  Our close friend Darla is a turtle lover and was determined to get over there which they did last year and she and Steve loved it.   They'd asked us to go in the future, so we were in! Problem is, she's dealing with an upcoming surgery and they couldn't join us this time around.  So, it's just the two of us.  We timed it with our Anniversary and we're psyched!  Damned thing was expensive but worth every dollar. Turns out, it's a notch closer to drive if you fly into Tulum vs Cancun so I'd booked us front row seats on AA for our week getaway and arranged for a private car to/from the Resort.  The Tulum airport is new and beautiful;  Nice lil' surprise!  Soon, we've found our driver and we're headed out.  Fifty min...

COZUMEL : May 2025

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Historically, one of our favs' to visit.  Our anniversary was coming up, but .. we changed the destination.  Locked into AKUMAL near Tulum for the end of the month ....  done! Well, in April, my close friend Michal H. reached out and asked if we'd like to join him on a trip to Secrets in Cozumel.  I sadly informed him we'd already booked an annivesary trip but he was welcome to join us.  Problem is, he needed to travel sonner than that (he had a credit he had to use) and ... he wanted to dive.  Well, told him not this time .. and .. we all pressed on. Of course every few days hes sent me texts asking .. 'sure?" ... LMAO.  Well, after 3 or 4 texts, we texted him .. BOOKED!   We're now planning TWO trips in May. Michael being Michael  Shot down there on 8 May for a week of good times and had a blast.  Got our favorite building ( Bldg 9, Beach Front), Room 912 this time.  Room 911 that we had last time is our fav.  Now, we've...

Hawaii 2025

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Hilo  Well, I'd hoped this post would occupy one of my other blogs ( East Texas Bike r), but had a lil twist and we didn't rent any bikes that weekend... Several months back, a good friend of mine in the CVMA (Boomer) made a side comment to me privately that he and Ya-Ya were headed to Hawaii to visit family, but ... also timed with the CVMA's Hawaii State Meeting. I was thinking ...... ' hmmmm.. Hawaii State Meeting?'   So on a whim, I mentioned it to our close friends Mark n' Nancy, along with Lucy .... and was surprised when all agreed.  Hawaii it is!  The State meeting was the driver, but now we could wrap a nice vaca' around it. Well, first thing I did was find a bike and trike to rent, but it'd turn out to be a scam that we quickly figured out and got off without losing any $.  Checked with the local rental businesses (Eaglerider, Dealers, etc.) and none had a trike for Mark so decided against it all.   As it'd turn out, wouldn't have been ...