What Are Your FIVE?

Well you all have done a wonderful job preparing and getting ready. The juggling, double checking & crossing off the list is at a near end. I came across this article recently "5 Simple Ways to Make the Most of Your Vacation" that made me me reflect a little of our upcoming trip. Here are things that I thought would try and do to make the most of my getaway.

1. Leave my electronics! I'm not taking my laptop and turning my cell phone off once I get on that plane. Of course once, I land back in LAX...I'll turn it on so I can be available for our shuttle back home. Oh camera and my music...now that's a different story...so smile when I point & shoot!

2. Relax! Going with the flow and try to be patient....will be what I am going to aspire too. After all I'm on vacation, right?

3. Be Polite! We're not in the US of A and so the ways of doing things as well as the expectations will be different. Which is the beauty of visiting another country and experiencing a different world.

4. Have Fun & Enjoy! Its a week of my life and would like to make it count. Its not often we get to celebrate with friends & family.

5. Experience...already have this on my mind! Want to see the ruins, swim in sea garden of the Yucatan, savor the flavors of the Mayans and finely lavish in the luxury of our resort.

Now what are your five ?

Avoid Disasters..Yes You Can!

I recently received this article "Top Ten Disasters You Can Avoid" by Independent Travelers . Some of these top ten tips are great for our circumstances and so it made me think of what Top Ten guidelines I would own. So here's my top ten (using some of theirs) and hopefully like the article for me, you can use some of my tips as well.

1. Call your credit card company. Make a simple call and let them know you are leaving the country and where and when you will be gone. Confirm a toll free number in case of emergency.

2. Don't forget your passport & documents. Get a basket and start to put those item in it as the departure date approach. Do it when you thought about it. Like NOW!

3. Itinerary in your luggage & carry-on. It takes just a few minutes, but can save your life. Well it feels like it when you loose your suitcase or purse. Write down your flight and resort contact. Write your week's schedule so the airline can get your luggage to you. As well as your mobile number so they can reach you about your luggage.

4. Where did I park my car? Snap a photo of the parking lot section number with your phone camera or write it down on your parking lot ticket. Great idea Independent traveler!

5. Keys? Roger has this climbing hook called a carabiner. Its a handy item to hook your keys and attach it to your carry-on. It stays in place and the carabiner comes in various sizes and colors.

6. Pick Me Up please? Whether its a family or friend picking you up or perhaps a limo driver. Get their email and you can email your confirmation/reminder from the NOW Jade Riviera Resort Preferred Club Lounge. Or make a copy of the contact information & itinerary that goes into your luggage as a reminder.

7. Leave Early? There are a number of websites you can check traffic, weather and such. But nothing works best then plenty of time. So leave early and so what if you get there early. Relax have a cup of something and grab a magazine to take on the plane!

8. Stop mail? Paper? You don't want to alert the burglars that you are out of town by not canceling your paper and mail. Also if you are in good with neighbors, let them know your absence and return the favor for them on their next trip.

9. Nightmare Seats? Plane is full and no option to move. Remember, you're on vacation, it's not forever. Grab those head phone and maybe a nice drink to calm you down. It's mind over matter...really!

10. In-Flight Food? I don't think so, those days are gone or far and few between. So plan ahead and prepare a little. You can always get a drink but bring something from home and your crankiness and gurgling stomach will be a lot happier.

Photo provided by Flickr.HenriqueVicente

Biodegradable Sunscreen..Mother's Market

Wanted to share this tip now. Alex has an upcoming blog article she wrote which will be posted on March 4th. Thought if you were interested, you might want a few more days to make this purchase. If you are from Southern California you might be familiar with Mother's Market check out this link for location.

Alex has found a biodegradable suntan lotion that will work for use at Yalku Lagoon for snorkeling. She says she has a bottle to share but if anyone else can get one that would be great for those guests who are out of the area. I will try and check out our local health food store to see if they might have one as well. Alex said they also sell this at the lagoon.

Thanks Alex for this helpful tip! Roger is gonna love you as my "Pale Face -Body Boy" will need the sunscreen for sure.

Photo provided by Flickr.Crinity

Try This?

Here's a last minute item you can pick up at your local CVS Pharmacy. It's a great hand sanitizer. CVS has a small purse size squirt tube (that you might on occasion see Roger hanging on his T-Shirt neck collar) and you can get the larger refills. Also, check the travel size bin section as they may stock the smaller carry-on "refill" size.

What I like about this hand sanitizer is that it is liquid verse gel. meaning that when you spray it is like water and dries clean. Unlike the gel that is sticky at times.

I have included a photo of the product. So if you have a CVS near by it's worth checking out this product. Oh by the way, I mention CVS because this item is a CVS brand product. Hope you find it.

MEXICO - " IMPORTANT " Document Requirements

All travelers to Mexico are required to present proof of citizenship, such as a US PASSPORT. So don’t forget this important document. Otherwise you won’t be going far on this trip. Be sure your passport is valid for more than 6 months before your expiration date. I know quit nagging...just want you to be sure you have all you need to have an enjoyable and easy trip!

It is important for you to safeguard your passport in a inconspicuous place like a money belt or I'll leave it up to you for those season travelers. To insure security, make a copy of your passport and keep a copy with your passport number in a separate safe and secure place. If you lose your passport, you will need to visit your consulate and having this copied document will be very helpful. I can't help but express my appreciation for the above & beyond offer that Alex has with our group in requesting a copy of your passport for her safe keeping. However, she can only assist if you of course cooperate & follow-through?!

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION...Upon your flight to Cancun, your airline will generally provide the necessary forms for a Mexican Tourist permit (FMTT), the equivalent of a tourist visa which in Mexico can be more important than your passport so safe guard this. Generally the FMTT fee is included in your airfare costs. Understand that if you lose this document/receipt it can cost you quite a bit to replace as well as the red-tape & hassle (I recall the cost to a friend was around $60-100 and not sure if this was per person as well). AND if you don’t have your FMTT? Did I emphasis "hassles & stress" at the airport for sure???? So be sure to take a pen and also some sort of pouch, ziploc bag or holder to keep track of your documents during your trip.

Also so you aren't off guard....PAY ATTENTION! On my last visit to Mexico I recall an interesting process, after baggage claim, I had to grab my bags and then press a button which flicked what looked like a signal light. If the color landed on Green, I got to pass through. But if it landed on Red my bags had to be checked and inspected either casually or thoroughly. So take note here people! You then are directed to take your baggage and documents to Customs and then meet us and the Apple Representative outside the secured area only allowed for ticketed passengers.

Photo provided by Flickr.alex-s

Remember...You're A "Preferred Club" Guest!

PREFERRED CLUB guest...that's you at the NOW Jade Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. I recently wrote and posted a blog article titled...."What Do I Really Need to Pack?" There are additional perks for selecting this caliber of category for the resort...and you should be aware of it to take advantage of this service.

One of the handy one is when you first arrive to the resort. There is a specific check-in process for Preferred Club Guest and so the long lines that you may see when you arrive may very well not be your check-in area. So be attentive to that and let your resort attendant know that, if they do not direct you accordingly.

As many will be coming in a group, others will be staggering one-on-one, since I won't be there to assist you personally. Please read and reference the perks of this status. Including all the document information that you received from Alex.

The other perk that comes to mind is with the Preferred Club status, there is a special upgrade menu for your room mini-bar and also the room service menu. If you get in late, you may want to check this option out instead of trying to head to the restaurant or buffet. We have a very early start (I believe it was around 7 or 7:15am for Sunday) for our Coba/Tulum/Cenote Excursion. Check the document that Alex sent you from Apple Vacation. I know she inserted details for our excursion that you will need to know

So this information should easily get you started...but what will keep you going during this trip will be the tipping or gratuity with the people who serve you. Many of the service staff makes $5.00 a DAY or thereof.. not the USA's $5.00+ per HOUR. So tipping is appreciated and the generosity that is sent may very well come back to you. So think about it and prepare those $1, $5, $10 & $20 bills!

Photo provided by Flickr:bryan_chan

Tipping & Gratuity ...may get you want you want!

All though we will be at an all inclusive resort. Tipping will be your best avenue to getting the finest service. This is particularly true because the minimum wage is a bit more than $5.00 a "DAY"! Did you get that ... $5 dollars a DAY! See why tipping can make a difference!

I've been finding tipping guides to say that it is preferable to tip in pesos mainly because then

the exchange would charge a service fee. However, it might also be to your advantage to attain pesos so that you can then distribute the pesos accordingly which may often lend itself below your US dollar amount. Otherwise bring your dollar bills and distribute it as you would in the USA. And guess what? ... the Americans HAVE invaded the Riviera Maya as the locals have gotten accustomed to the American ways and their dollars. The service staff have become acquainted with the tipping practices of the USA ...so here's an FYI, expectation for tipping are similar to that of the states, particularly in the tourist areas.

I have a couple of sources you can reference for tipping guides. Check out...

TripAdvisor TravelYucatan

And here are general guidelines that I have have listed of what services you might partake during our trip:

Baggage Handlers/Skycaps/Bellman

$1-2 US per bag pending weight of bags & how much they assist or difficulty of assistance

(stairs)

Bartenders

$1-2 US per ROUND and 10-15% if running a bar tab. Generosity here may be worth while if you plan to hang around a long time in the resort bar. Particularly as the drinks are covered. the call is yours...Russell & Randy may have some good tips on this! These two guys always score!

Housekeeper

$2-5 (US dollars) per person per housekeeping visit is recommended and definitely give extra if your suite requires more attention or special services are rendered. You know who you slobs are!

Tour Guide

The recommendation is $5.00 per person on a 20+ group and 15-20% tip on the cost of the tour with a smaller group such as 4 as an example. Personally, I think if the person does great..out going, friendly and accommodating with answering your questions or needs...then loosen the purse/wallet string. But nothing says you can't give less if it's just not up to par! Be reasonable and do what you would want done to you.

Spa Service

15-20% is the standard and if it's the owner or a medical nurse or doctor than it is not necessary to tip.

Restaurants

10-15% is recommended...but DO check your bill before paying as gratuities may be included

and you might very well pay twice without knowing it! Drunks (and you know who you are) do this and I wouldn't be surprised that the locals laugh to the banco!

Photo provided by Flickr. Photo8.com

Look for your documents in the mail !

I just got the news that our documents for the resort is in Alex's hand. She is busy sorting through and checking the paper work to see what matches up with her information that you all got to her, right? Hope you followed up with her request.

The plan is after she reviews and package them with your contact address, she will be sending them through the US Postal Service "MAIL"...that's the old fashion "snail mail" to most of you! So check your mail box...it will be coming soon.

Thanks Alex for all your hardwork...its' countdown 14 days on our blog ticker!

Happy Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope you do something special for another or more importantly for yourself, today. Roger and I usually celebrate Valentine's Day on another day other than the 14th. Restaurants tend to be crazy, the menu limited because of the crowd and usually places to visit are crowded as well. Our beach resort town today is no exception, particularly on a nice warm sunny day...so for us, it's a trip to Home Depot together to get a replacement heater filter and a pot roast that his one and only will be cooking for dinner! Yes, this too is love!

So I'm a romantic and my man? Well let's say he is a man and he's happy with a King Size bed, right?! But we are staying at the NOW Jade Riviera Cancun Resort and it can be very romantic and or "LOVE"-ly to say the least. You have checked the photo gallery of our resort website, right? It looks pretty awesome...

So whether you are a couple or a single, treat yourself REALLY special on this trip, simply because you deserve it... a delightful bottle of champagne or a tastefully expensive bottle of wine, a spa treatment or a private romantic dinner for two on the beach. The NOW Jade Riviera Cancun Resort can pamper you with a little treat for a supplemental fee...

Contact concierge upon your arrival and see what they can do for you! Yes, you are worth it! Enjoy and savor the experience....Happy HEART Day everyone!

Photo provided by Flickr. PinkSherbetPhotography3

PACKING YET?

Just wondering if you are thinking of packing yet? Seems early? Planning helps and a bit of organization does as well. Our travel agent Alex has laid out her clothes and is ready to go. Okay so we're not that efficient, but she is prepared and has a bit more to think of then perhaps we do. So planning ahead does have it's benefits.

For most of you expert travelers, I know you are thinking how grateful you are for the warmer climate. Tropic region means less clothes and casual. So do pack light!

Color coordinate and accessorizing also help. Important advise? Leave expensive jewelry at home. Our colors for the renewal ceremony will be ivory/white, navy/black, Caribbean Ocean blues - like turquoise, sea foam green, tiffany blue, get the picture? If you can wear your attire, in one or more of these colors, that would be great for our photo opportunity. Shorts are fine. Remember, the days are casual and evening is casual elegance. I already wrote about casual elegance so check the blog if you haven't read it yet.

Oh and in my research although Roger didn't think it was necessary. Like I'm gonna listen to him, right? A recommendation was to bring a travel mug. Preferably a larger one. I know my brother Reagan has these for his morning coffee...might even be from the AM/PM Arco Gas Station...it's huge! But these mugs are perfect for keeping those morning gulp coffee hot and in the afternoon it keeps your Pina Colada cold & icy. Trust me, the hotel glasses will be moderate to small. You can imagine why, right? Okay so now Roger is thinking LARGE, QUANTITY of BOMBAY MARTINI by the mug, hmm, perhaps not a bad recommendation after all.

So here's a couple of additional links to get your thoughts processing to create your own list:

USA TODAY TRAVEL

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/packing-tips-all-inclusive-vacation-12498.html

ABOUT.COM

http://honeymoons.about.com/cs/travelplanner/a/Packing_List.htm

VIRTUALTOURIST.com

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/7f83d/ea4af/b/

HUBPAGES.COM

http://hubpages.com/hub/Vacation-Packing--List-and-Tips

TRIPADVISOR.COM

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g659488-c73428/Riviera-Maya:Mexico:Essentials.Packing.List.html

SUNSETTARVEL.COM

http://www.sunsettravel.com/PackingList.html

Photo provided by Flickr: ShereenM

Did You Know this Helpful Blog Tip?

Just dawned on me that you might not know this...I know Roger sure didn't. So indulge me a bit for those of our guests who are computer wizards. In our blog when the word or phrase is highlighted. You can double click on the word/phrase with your cursor and it will link on to the webpage of that subject.

So for example let's pick on Ted and his "Flavor Rush". See how Flavor Rush is highlighted? Double click it and you can get to his website or as Roger highlighted in his Spotlight posting Ted's Flavor Rush's actual website link is http://www.lpelkey.net/FLAVOR_RUSH/index.html

So now try ... Roger & Diana's 20th Anniversary Renewal and how about NOW Jade Resort ....

You are now linked in and into countdown mode for Fun...hope this helped!