Playa del Carmen 2009, Day 1

Just 15 days before the following pictures were taken, I convinced 3 friends to go to Mexico for Memorial Day weekend. It was during the swine (H1N1) flu scare and the prices were very low. At the time, Jetblue had direct flights to Cancun from Tampa. We used the Jetblue website to book a vacation package. We each payed, on a holiday weekend, less than $370 for our flight, 3 nights at an all-inclusive 4-star hotel in Playa del Carmen and an additional $100 for the 4 days of rental car. We stayed at the Viva Wyndham Azteca. Playa del Carmen was about one hour from Cancun and a very easy drive from the Airport. I had seen pictures of Playa del Carmen before, but the beach that I was about to see was above any of my expectations. The first day we just relaxed at the beach, had dinner at the hotel, and went to bed early. Two of my friends went to Coco Bongo that night until 6:00AM. I wanted to use this trip to relax instead of coming back to work even more tired than when I left. 

Tampa to Cancun

The welcome sign at the airport

We didn't have a radio in the car but we used the ipod speakers and enjoyed the drive.

Tequila Corralejo

at the beach outside our hotel

Playa del Carmen

Looking at the Ocean

I'm curious to know how true are the news about the safety issues in Mexico. They compared it with the drug cartels in Colombia during the 1990s. Living in Colombia at that time was not easy, but we knew where to go and how to take care of yourself. There are always safe zones and places that nobody needs to see. I also believe that the media makes the news worse than they actually are. Mexicans were extremely nice and friendly during our stay. I hope that their tourism industry does not suffer from inadequate media coverage. Actually, Mexico was our first choice when we looking for places to do our wedding. One of my coworkers got married in Playa del Carmen and I loved the laid back theme and how her pictures came out. I decided not to do it in Mexico because I was afraid that our guests decided that it was dangerous to go. I would not put them in risk and since I don't live there I can't tell them where to go and how to be safe.

Jetblue doesn't fly direct from Tampa to Cancun since 2009, but I am sure that I will be back. There are many things to do and many places to visit in this area that I didn't get a chance to see during this trip.

Sunset Sunday

During 2009, Sunset beach became my favorite beach. It is close to Tampa, not as crowded as Clearwater, and Caddy's is close which means easy access to clean restrooms and ice cold drinks. When two of my best friends from Colombia came to see U2 in concert I took them to Sunset Beach. These are the pictures from that day.

Sunset Beach, Fl

At the end of a nice beach day

almost gone...

I love this picture. I think he is saying "Thank you" to the sun

The Sunshine State

After complaining for U2 having their concert in Miami on a Wednesday night, I found out that Luis Miguel, my all-time favorite singer will do a concert in Miami on a Thursday night!!! What happened to the days when the good concerts were on Friday and Saturday nights? Shakira also had her Orlando concert on a Tuesday night!!! I was falling asleep at work the next day (totally worth it but hard for a Tuesday night!!!). The same day that I found out about the concert, I received a pre-sale code for Luis Miguel's concert. When I saw the seats I could buy, I considered using 2 of my vacation days in Miami. I had until 10:00PM to buy the pre-sale tickets but I decided not to go. I can't use them in a City that I can easily go on a weekend. Furthermore, I am getting married in less than 5 months and requested 17 days off for the wedding and honeymoon. Days that I don't have which means I will be taking non-paid time off. Most people in the US (including me) only have 2 weeks of vacation and 5 days to get sick a year. There are only 5 or 6 holidays in the year!!!! Now you can understand why I refuse to spend my days in Miami. 

I love Miami, I love going there for the weekend and going out to a decent club. Tampa is nice to live, but the night life isn't good. I like the beaches, the lack of temptation during the week, and the short distances for the everyday life, but from time to time it would be nice to have a fancy lounge to go out. I'm actually planning my bachelorette party in Miami and more than a bachelorette I want to have a nice, relaxing weekend with my best (girl) friends. We will be staying at the Viceroy Hotel in downtown Miami. I heard their spa is amazing! We will be recovering at the pool and the spa during the day and going out at night. Everything in Miami looks like someone actually cared to make it unique and better than the place next door. 

Martinis @ Segafredo Brickell

@ The W hotel Bar, Ft Lauderdale

@ the W hotel (restaurant behind the aquarium)

@ the pool @ the ShoreClub Hotel

South Beach

I love getting out of town for the weekend but we have been saving for the wedding so we are very limited with our plans.  My boyfriend is taking me to Orlando tomorrow for an art show happening this weekend. The art show is actually in Winter Park but we will be staying in Orlando. We don't know if it will be good or not. I love it when he does things like that and surprises me with a plan to change our routine. This week I was going crazy trying to find an excuse to get away from our day to day. It is very expensive to stay at the beach this time of the year because spring break in Florida is THE highest season.  There are many things to do in Florida and I enjoy living here. I get bored easily but tomorrow we will be doing something different. If you need any travel advise for Florida just let me know and I will be happy to recommend some places to stay and things to do.

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is one of my favorite local attractions

Busch Gardens, Tampa 

Epcot Center, Orlando, FL

Lesson Learned: Mojitos will fix just about anything

Destination: San Francisco

San Francisco, California, is a City that I never get tired of visiting. My sister lives nearby and I "must" visit at least once a year. Every time that I'm in San Jose, I have to go to San Francisco even if it is just for a few hours. The top tourist attractions can be done in one day. There are many things to see and do for at least one week, but if you only have a day or 2 it  will be plenty to at least see the City and leave wanting to go back for more. Having a car will make the day easier, but there is a great bus and trolley system to move around the City. 

The itinerary that I would recommend for someone who has never been to SF would be:

1. Start @ Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf, take a walk around the Pier, watch the sea lions, see Alcatraz island from there and eat some sourdough bread with clam chowder soup.

Pier 39

Famous Sour dough bread

Sea Lions in Pier 39, San Francisco

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

2. Walk towards Ghirardelli square and have a big ice cream sundae at the Ghirardelly shop. You will see the trolley line.

3. Walk towards the trolley station and ride the trolley towards Lombard street. On a weekend the line is at least one hour, but if it is your first time in SF this will be a great experience. Take some pictures of the crookest street in the world and get back on the trolley. The trolley will drop you off at the top of Lombard Street, but then you have to walk back to take the same trolley towards Union Square.



Lombard Street

Holding tight to the trolley

trying to take a pic from the trolley

4. Get off the trolley @ Union square. Walk around and go shopping or at least window shop. Then walk a few blocks towards China town. The little Italy or Italian neighborhood is also near union square, but it is in the opposite direction.



Union square, San Francisco

5. Go to Alamo square, this is a little off the way but the typical San Francisco's architecture can be appreciated from the houses around the park. The "painted ladies" are right in front of the park. The ladies are 6 Victorian houses that are very famous in San Francisco.


The Painted Ladies

The painted ladies, San Francisco

Alamo Square Park



6. Last but not least, go see the Golden Gate. I love going to the other side of San Francisco and then stay in Sausalito for a while. The pictures with the bridge covered by fog are not in the winter like most people think, that happens in the summer. San Francisco has cold summers so be ready and pack a jacket. The pictures below were taken at the Vista Point overlook. If you are driving from SF, at the end of the bridge make a right. If you don't have a car there are bicycles for rent but I am afraid of heights and walking a few meters on the bridge for a picture is different than  crossing it. If you want to take pictures from above the bridge, I highly recommend driving towards Hendrik Point. To get there, drive past the Vista Point and exit to your right. Then make a U-turn towards San Francisco again.  Make a right at Conzelman Rd. Then just keep driving until you see the crowds and get ready for the heavy winds and the beautiful sight of the Golden Gate bridge below you. The pictures where the fog is covering the Golden Gate are in the summer. San Francisco is the City with the coldest summer so don't forget a jacket.

This picture with the Golden Gate is a MUST while in San Francisco

Walking across the bridge

If you stay longer, do not miss the museum of fine arts, SFMOMA, have a meal or a coffee in the Italian neighborhood, and a visit to Alcatraz Island where you can tour the infamous prison. The tickets are always sold out so if you plan to go buy them in advance. The ferry to Alcatraz departs from Pier 39.

Italian Cafe

I love the mix of architecture & art that are common in San Fran

If you have an extra day head off to Napa Valley for some wine tastings. Don't miss the Beringer Vineyard. This place looks like a castle from Europe and they have tours to their cellar as well as tastings. We didn't have time to go to the Robert Mondavi winery but it looks beautiful too. When you arrive to Napa, stop by the visitor's information center to get a map of the wineries in the area. I plan to go back to Napa and take the train or even do the limo tour and spend the night there. Let someone else drive so that everyone can enjoy the tastings. This is the wine train website http://winetrain.com/. This is the official website for the Napa Valley official visitor's guide: http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/.

Wine Ridge Winery, Napa Valley, California

Wine Ridge Winery, Napa

Mumm Napa Valley

This is the view from the table where we had our lunch



Other recommended day trips while on the Bay Area are Sonoma Valley for more wine, Monterrey, Carmel, and the 17 mile beach drive. I was there 12 years ago and at the time I didn't have a digital camera. I am sure I will be back and I promise to take lots of pictures.

I have been to San Francisco many times and I still have a lot left to see. I'm fascinated with this City and specially that they always have been controversial. The only bar that I've been to is the Redwood Room in the Clift Hotel. They have very strict door policy but it is worth visiting.