Back to Reality...

But first, one last look...

Thanks everyone for a wonderful time!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow...

One more day!!!!!!

See you ladies tomorrow!

Cocktail Choices

Ok, I blame Robin for this post. She clued me in to the Hilton Head diet (which is actually working...thanks Robin!) so I have been counting calories. Don't get me wrong, I still plan to have mucho cocktails on this trip, but found this amusing article from Forbes listing the cocktails with the highest calories--and some ridiculous ideas for saving a few. What do you suppose the chances of the bar tenders at the hotel having Splenda on hand to make a lower calorie Mojito? Or, diet cranberry juice to make a Cosmo? Oh well, you can always stick to light beer or, my favorite, wine spritzer...both only about 70 calories. Here is the article, enjoy.....and see you at the bar. I will be the one with the high calorie margarita!!!


Margarita
Calories: 740
Ingredients: 4 ounces limeade, 4 ounces tequila, 1/3 ounce triple sec.
On a hot day, this south-of-the-border favorite may taste great, but you might as well have dinner at Taco Bell with all of the calories it contains. At Level V nightclub in New York City, the calorie conscious are substituting the margarita for the Corazon Blanco tequila on the rocks with a splash of lime.


Pina Colada
Calories: 644
Ingredients: 3 ounces light rum, 3 tbsp. coconut milk, 3 tbsp. crushed pineapples
Some people like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain, but they may have to get over it. This cocktail isn't as much fun when you realize how many calories it has. Don't kill the messenger. Instead, substitute this one with vanilla-flavored vodka and Diet Coke, and you'll save yourself more than 500 calories.

Mai Tai
Calories: 350
Ingredients: 1 ounce light rum, 1/2 ounce dark rum, 1/2 ounce creme de almond, 1/2 ounce triple sec, sweet and sour mix, pineapple juice
The Mai Tai is popular because it has a lot of flavor and tastes like dessert, but it also has plenty of calories. Trade it for a flavored vodka and Diet Coke, then add a maraschino cherry.

Mojito
Calories: 160
Ingredients: 2-3 ounces rum, 1 tsp. lime juice, 2 tsp. sugar, fresh mint, club soda
Mojitos aren't too bad, until you factor in the sugar used to sweeten them. Some bars use a lot, some don't--it's hard to know. If you can't let go of this one, ask the bartender if they can use Splenda instead of sugar.

Cosmopolitan
Calories: 150
Ingredients: 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
The drink of every fashionable woman. It may not have as many calories as the other drinks on our list, but you'll drink this one quicker and find yourself ordering it again...and again. A simple solution is to order vodka with diet cranberry juice (yes, you can get diet cranberry) instead.

By Request: Info On Transport to and from the Airport

The shared shuttle service or collectivo is the most economical way to any hotel in Cancun. During peak spring break season, there is some benefit to pre-booking to avoid lines. But January is pretty slow, and I have never waited long. The current price posted for the shuttle is $9, and I think you can even pay in US dollars rather then Mexican pesos. I recall paying $10 the last time I was in Cancun. Either way, it's much cheaper than a taxi and nearly as fast. You probably have to buy a shuttle ticket at the booth near the airport exit.

To find the shuttles, go though immigration, then collect your luggage and pass through customs, then head outside and look for ticket booth or for the white vans. (I think the ticket booth is on the right as you exit, but they've done some airport renovation since my last visit, so don't hold me to that.) Once you get outside, someone will likely ask you what hotel you are going to -- it's okay to tell them. Let them know you want a collectivo to the Hotel Zone. And be sure to specify the Gran Melia Cancun since there are several Melia hotels. You'll need to wait for the shuttle to fill up, but since half of the people on your flight will be headed to the Hotel Zone, it never takes more than a few minutes.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi, but expect to pay $40-$45. Interestingly, the cost of taxi TO the airport is much less -- closer to $20, depending on how many passengers. Most everyone who does not have transfers included in their vacation package uses a collectivo to the Hotel Zone and a taxi back to the airport.

Just a note, beware of time share sales people at the airport. They may be trying to get you into a free or low-cost taxi or limo in exchange for a tour. Be sure to pay only your driver, or the person at the shuttle ticket booth.

It is about a 20-minute ride from the airport to the Hotel Zone. Our hotel is about mid-way up the beach, so expect a 30 to 45 minute ride depending upon how many stops the shuttle makes before getting to the Gran Melia.

Meeting Place??

Hola Senoritas,

We are now inside the 10-day mark! So it's time to start making specific plans. Since we are all arriving at different times, we'll probably need to designate a meeting spot. The hotel is large and spread out, so it might be challenging to find each other.

Anne and Robin arrive at 11:30am and will probably be at the hotel between 12:30 and 1pm. Next to arrive is Melissa, whose flight gets in at around 1:40. So figure arrival at the hotel between 2:30 and 3:00, at which time there's a good chance Robin and I will be at or near the Pool Bar. Apparently this is near the South pool. Joan's flight lands at 3:10, putting her at the hotel between 4 and 4:30pm. Again, Pool Bar is a safe bet.

Since Liz will be arriving late -- after 11pm -- we will surely be back from dinner and in our rooms or perhaps the lobby bar.

Please feel free to make any suggestions about alternate arrangements.

Beach Reading

In case you are looking for something with slightly more substance than the photo captions in People, US Weekly, or InStyle, here is some recommended “Chick Lit” for your consideration:

Slightly Married (Slightly Series) by Wendy Markham
Slightly Single (Slightly Series) by Wendy Markham
The Pact by Jennifer Sturman - Mix of chick lit and mystery
The Jinx by Jennifer Sturman - Not entirely predictable
Hand-Me-Down by Lee Nichols - Easy read
Bundle Of Joy? by Ariella Papa - Super quick read
Mafia Chic by Erica Orloff - Quick, easy, fun read
Dating Without Novocaine by Lisa Cach - Utterly predictable, but entertaining
Milkrun by Sarah Mlynowski - Fun, super quick read
The Matzo Ball Heiress by Laurie Gwen Shapiro - Cute, quick read
What Men Want by Deborah Blumenthal - A book that you blow through in one sitting
Girl's Guide To Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky - Mixes chick lit with magic
It's Not You, It's Me by Allison Rushby - Quick read, cute story
Killer Summer by Lynda Curnyn - Mystery/chick lit
My Life Uncovered by Lynn Isenberg
Bookends: A Novel by Jane Green - this was seems quite popular
The Other Woman by Jane Green - Good, quick read
The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn - well reviewed
Mean Season by Heather Cochran - Chick lit, beach read, with a bit of substance.
Star Craving Mad by Elise Abrams Miller
Loose Screws by Karen Templeton - Quick read

Cocktail Guide

By request, here is a quick run down of the cocktail options on-site at our hotel. In no particular order...

Beach Bar: Located right on the beach and offering light snacks and tropical cocktails as well as premium national and international brand drinks. Open from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Pool Bar: Swim-up bar located in the south pool, offering tropical cocktails as well as premium national and international brand drinks. Open from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Nami Bar: Set in Gran Meliá Cancun's expansive atrium lobby, the Nami Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail. Mood lighting, contemporary music and stylish furnishings set the scene. Open from 5PM to midnight.

Champions: Next door at the Marriott Casa Magna might be worth a visit should either the Giants or the Redskins still be alive to play in the NFC Championship game on Jan 20th.