Kevin & Penney work really hard all year long, and although they (we, yes I get to tag along most of the time) get to visit fun places it is usually for a site inspections, to host or facilitate some type of educational event, or attend a familiarization trip. They vary rarely have an opportunity to actually get away without some responsibilities or work related activities… it has probably been 3 years since they have had an honest to goodness VACATION, just the two of them… no work, no kids, no responsibilities… just rest and relaxation!
Penney won two round trip airline ticket from one of her preferred suppliers, Vacation Express, to go to Cancun. The catch, they are on the charter which is a non stop flight but the only ones available when they could go were departing from Cincinnati. No big deal, only a 3 1/2 hour drive up from Nashville. Next, where will they stay… Well Meloney Kelly to the rescue! Mel is one of their travel agents on the Travel Planner Team and she has sold so many packages to the Hard Rock Cancun that she had accumulated several free nights and was gracious enough to give them a FREE weeks stay… Yes a FREE week at the beautiful Hard Rock Cancun, All Inclusive, newly opened last year and very centrally located in the heart of the hotel zone.
So here we are (yes, they allowed me to tag along as long as I don’t say much and let them rest and relax), driving up to Cinci today for the first leg of our adventure. We are going to spend the night in Cinci, at the Fairfield by the airport as they said they would let us park our car their all week for free and take us to and from the airport… now that’s a deal. I am going to catch a few zzzz’s while riding.
8:30pm – We are here at the Fairfield, it is a nice property. The staff is great, and the room very comfortable. We had a nice dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant, Olive Garden (yeah right), but it was good then took a trip to one of Penney’s favorite stores from her childhood, Meijer's.
Sunday, Oct 27, 2013 - Sitting at the airport here in Cinci waiting for our flight, which is somewhat delayed but that is ok we are enjoying people watching. A couple of friends, Colleen & Ray Gaier, are also on this flight to Cancun with us, they are going down for a Destination Wedding Fam at the Moon Palace… so glad we are not going to work this time. Anyway, I am going to get off the computer and enjoy watching some of the fun people at Wal-Mart, errr I mean the airport. See you in Cancun!
Monday, Oct 28, 2013 - Last night we arrive a little late, but were greeted with wonderful hospitality. We dropped our things in our room and went out to explore. We found a late dinner at the international buffet that was quite good. And then just wandered a bit more and called it a night.
This morning the sun is shining, it is about 84 degrees, a nice breeze coming off the ocean, haven’t been able to get Kevin & Penney out of the pool or away from the pool bar most of the day. Although I did here Kevin mention it was almost nap time. The resort is gorgeous, the staff friendly and very accommodating. Tonight we are attending a complimentary concert on property by several artists some from American Idol and the Voice.
Tuesday, Oct 29, 2013 – Last night at dinner we ran into one of Penney’s friends, Roberto. He is the liaison/sales person here at the Hard Rock for Travel Agents and has a group of 20 agents here from Canada. He invited us to join them today on a tour of the NEW Hard Rock Mayan Riviera (formerly Aventura Spa). Well you know Penney can’t get away from work to far so we went. But very glad we did. The property has had a whole new facelift, it is not completely done yet but should be by the grand opening in December. We were pleased to see that they kept much of the old Mexican flare while updating to the Hard Rock brand. They have added a chapel for destination weddings, redone all the guest rooms, and much of the grounds and restaurants.
Next we went to the HR Golf course for a tour, which was beautiful and a lot of fun since we all had our own carts. Good thing that there was not an open bar, some of those agents were crazy drivers. Then we went on to famous 5th Avenue where many of the agents did some much needed retail therapy but Roberto took a few of us to a whole in the wall restaurant, and really it was a ‘hole in the wall’ it only seated 8 people no door only three walls… but the food was awesome!
BTW, those huge quesadillas he is making were $20 PESOS not US dollars!!
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2013 – Another fun day hanging at the resort. While the old folks went out the pool, I stayed in our room and took a bath in the Jacuzzi tub then read some of my book while witting on the balcony and listening the the waves of the ocean.
Thursday, Oct 31, 2013 – Happy Halloween! Oh yes, oh yes there were some people dressed up today here at the resort. And the sunsets here are just amazing!
Friday, Nov 1, 2013 – Today Colleen & Ray transferred to our resort, they were done with there fam so decided to come here for R&R. We all had breakfast and then took the local bus to a Mexican flea market for some shopping. After, more pool time and a nice dinner. Then the packing, oh I hate watching these two have to pack up (I travel very light). But alas… tomorrow we leave paradise to go back to reality.
