Day 2: Our First Day at the Pool
We are early risers, especially when there's a one hour time difference, so we were up around 7 am. We headed off to breakfast. Breakfast was pretty good. I am not very much into greasy heavy food, but if you normally enjoy eggs, pancakes, french toast and bacon for breakfast, you will be very happy here. I had an omelet made by the 'chef on demand' - you can select what kinds of toppings you like to go in your omelet - ham, cheese (sometimes you have to ask for cheese if you don't see it out), onions, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. They don't pre-cook your veggies, so they go raw into your omelet. So, if you don't like raw onions, don't get them in your omelet! Quick is the main theme here. Also, if you are not a grease lover like me, beware the bacon. It is cooked just like your french fries at McDonald's - in a vat of grease, deep fried. Man, I don't know how anyone could eat that for a week!!! I had french toast also, which was one of the best things. The fruit selection is wonderful. Papaya, kiwi, mango, melon, watermelon, pineapple, etc. etc. There is also a guy that will make you a 'fruit' shake on demand, from any kind of fresh fruit you want. These are HIGHLY recommended. They will mix them with milk or Orange Juice. My favorite was kiwi/mango with milk. Another word on the milk. You do not get "real" milk here. It is Carnation Dry Milk - just add water - YUCK! That's why I never had cereal after the first time. I saw them mixing the stuff up one day at the bar... if you get the milk in your shake, it is not bad because you can't taste it. I just wouldn't go and chug a glass of milk by itself... You could also have plain orange juice or grapefruit juice. Both tasted very good.
After our very heavy, and very filling breakfast, (fill up on breakfast, it's the best meal!) we headed towards the front desk to find the manager, "Eduardo" and see if our new room choices were available. He was there, and informed us that there were 2 rooms we could pick from - one on the 3rd floor, and one on the 2nd floor, both with king beds. He gave us 2 room keys, and said we could take our time and look at both and decide. We did, and liked room #3423 on the second floor, a few buildings back. The view didn't overlook the pool, but the beautiful gardens, and it had a very nice, quiet ocean view. We had our things moved promptly. ALSO, in this NEW room (actually in both rooms we looked at) not only were they NICER in location, but there was a bottle of wine in a cooler sitting out by the hot tub, a plate of chocolate covered strawberries, and a plate of fruit with silverware set out. Now, I don't know why this was there - we wondered if this was the normal deal for everyone - and if so - we wondered why we had not got this upon our original check in in our old room. OR was this special for honeymooners - and someone was bumped out of this room before their check in, in order to make US happy - and the hotel management didn't realize the wine was there, and didn't bother to remove it! This is only the beginning of the inconsistency thing that this hotel is apparently very good at. Either way, we got the treats, and it didn't cost us. We figured we deserved it, after the hassle we had to go through to get to this room anyways. We settled in, unpacked our stuff, and sat on the balcony in our hammock, drinking wine and eating strawberries. Another word of warning - speaking of chocolate - you won't find much of that anywhere in the buffet or desert selection. When I finally couldn't stand it any longer, and needed chocolate, I headed to the gift store downstairs and bought a Nestles chocolate bar!! Thank god...
We spent the rest of Day #2 at the pool, working on our tan. We got interrupted by a few brief showers, but we had no problems catching some rays, or finding a nice spot by the pool.
Dinner tonight was over at the Moon Palace's pool buffet area, where we decided to try the steak because the barbecue grills smelled good. Don't. Save yourself from the fatty beef! Don't do it! It's nasty! Stay away from most of the beef dishes... just my opinion. Speaking of other gross things, beware the "Barracuda" lunch bar outside by the pool. It reeked of fish most of the time, and the food was awful there too... unlike the outdoor food bar to the left of the Barracuda (can't remember the name, but it's the closest outdoor buffet to the Nizuc section). This outdoor bar on the left was pretty good. Eventually I will get a map up here, and I'll list which places I thought had the best food...
Off to the lobby bar where they serve the stiffest drinks (sunrise section) and then later, off to bed.
* none of these photos may be used for any reason without permission -
all are copyright, Amy Newcomb or Ray Newcomb, 2000
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Check-In - Lobby, Room, Pool Photos A Day at the Pool, and Grounds Photos Cancun Palace Beach Photos Snorkeling Photos (Underwater) Mostly advice about downtown Sunset/Sunrise Photos, another day at the Pool Trip to Chichen Itza and Photos Packing up, and Going Home
