This is a little dis-jointed, mostly because after a couple of days it really became a blur.. My flight arrived on Weds., at Noon..right on time. I got through customs and immigration pretty easily with no wait and got the green light. I booked through Apple so I went to find the driver with the loud shirt and was the last one to get in that shuttle so I didn't have to wait for anyone else. There was one other couple that was going to TTR and only had 2 other stops so it was a pretty fast trip compared to some. When I checked in I noticed a few changes since I was there 2 years ago. Mostly that the gift shop wasn't where it used to be and that there were a lot more staff. I asked to be on the north side of the hotel because that's where I was last time and it was quiet enough but also close enough to the Sexy Pool. They put me in room 5723, which was ready right away. They were holding my luggage, so I did have to retrieve it but it was a nice surprise to get in right away. I was surprised that they use key cards and no towel card was given out, but I just went along with it. They did make me talk to the Concierge right away before I got to my room, but I told her right away that I was not buying anything while I was there and had no intention of leaving the resort. Apparently there is a new program specifically designed for 'repeaters' that's a membership thing (free upgrades or something..) but did require a buy-in. She was nice, and it only kept me from the festivities for about 5 minutes. A bellman walked my luggage to my room for me (another new thing) and I was really blown away by the improvements to the rooms. this was my first time staying in an updated room, and it clearly had jumped a full star since last time. The safes are now free, there is a stocked mini-fridge, a 1.5l bottle of water (Which was awesome since I usually buy gallon jugs while I'm there) and the showers now have huge 2-person fixtures which was great. Also, I paid for a garden view (cheapest) and it was actually an ocean view. I overlooked the Albatross offices (Last building on the right overlooking the water) so it was partially obstructed, but it was a definite upgrade in my mind. I went down to the pool and went to find out what the deal was with the towels and found out that it's a signature thing now, so no card to lose. I got my bright red towel (Which made me glad I didn't bring my own this time because I always brought my own..bright red towel which could have been lost in the shuffle) and went to see if there was an open chair and there was! WOOHOO! I set my stuff down and went to see what was happening..let the festivities begin! They had just begun the Miss Temptation contest, so I waited, knowing what was going to happen, it was waaaaaaay too early in the trip with too few cervesas to well, you know. Anyway, I go back for round 2 and as I walk up, Herbert sees me and not only hands me 2 beers, but calls me by name! My last trip was when it was still BBG, Oct 12-21 2007. It had been OVER 2 years and he still remembered my name and what I was drinking. That was impressive. Anyway, back to Miss Temptation.. I booked my days specifically to coincide with Dustin and Hillary(Sunlover) and saw that she was participating, as was Patricia (Francois's wife). Hillary ended up winning, but unfortunately was also beginning to show the effects of first-day-syndrome.. I honestly don't remember many more specifics about weds, other than the buffet was closed when I arrived but Margaritas was open. That confused me, since both times before, Margaritas was what is now Paty'O bar. The old Nice Shoes bar is now Margaritas and is a 'sit down' restaurant, but you don't need reservations. Later that day I met up with George & Debbie(Lotsatimers) and Laurie(Lala) who were there the same time I was last time. Thursday was fairly quiet, since the occupancy was only around 40%, although this was the day that I met up with most of the people from this site. Ray and Janice (RayAndJan) saw me first thing on Thursday and the bottle issue came up, but since I was leaving Monday I wasn't a good candidate for it, so I suggested SexinVegas, who got there on Friday. (I think the transaction happened on Sunday or Monday) Ray is one crazy dude. There were no "crazy" or "wild" activities that day, so I drank. A lot. Oh, another thing that made me feel special.. I went to Embacadero at breakfast and set my water bottle down and went to check out the buffet. As I got back to my table, a little guy starts waving his arms and I realized it was Lucio, who took care of me last time. It's not everywhere you go that people will go out of their way to remember you. I can't remember if the lingerie show/Casino night was Thursday or Friday.. I think it was Thursday but I don't trust my memory at this point. It was a lot of fun. Lots of interesting sleepwear going on. There were about 5 girls and one guy that entered the contest and Hillary came in 2nd..the guy won. He was a former bodybuilder and I was shocked to find out that he was 54 years old, since he didn't look a day over 40. This was also the day that I met Charlene(Arajincajun) and a few others. Friday was the day a lot of people arrived, so Embacadero was open for all 3 meals instead of just breakfast. Wild tequila volleyball was that day (it used to be on Saturday so I missed it because I wasn't paying attention.) and apparently it was a great game. Bummer about that. Saturday was the Ironman. Me, Dustin, and Ray as well as one other guy competed, and I'm happy to say that I didn't come in last. I lost a contact in the process (Disposable, not a big deal) and reminded myself that I'm not an endurance athlete. I was the only one to get all 5 pull-ups, though. I think the next closest was Dustin who maybe got 2 at best. The rest were a bunch of pansies. XD My apologies to the lady who lost $20 on me. Maybe next time. It was also Halloween, and there were some AWESOME costumes. I didn't bring one, and I totally regretted it 10 minutes after the party started. I'll definitely go back there at Halloween and will have something awesome to wear. None of our people won, but several of them had great costumes nonetheless. The costume that won included a blow-up doll. You can let your imagination go wild. This was also the day that I was practically attacked by the chick that i dubbed "Crazy Married Chick" and literally had to walk away. Awkward! Sunday was my last day and was also relatively quiet. I think there were a lot of people that came in just for the weekend because it was down again that day. I got cornered by "Unattractive Canadian Girl" several times, including on the way to the restroom which led to my heading back to my room (ALONE THANK GOD) earlier than planned, but since the lovely airline I was on made my flight 6 hours earlier than when I booked it, I had to be checked out at 6:30am. (On another interesting note.. I hadn't eaten since dinner on Sunday so I went to try and find something resembling food before I left but had no luck..I even went to the gym to see if there was any fruit left and on my way there (and back!) UCG was wandering around mumbling to herself..It was strange.) The gym has moved every time I have been there. I only went for 10-15 minutes each day just enough to break a sweat and I was done. I also refilled my water bottle there whenever possible. The gym is much nicer than it used to be. The machines are new since last time and they added a Smith Machine. They also have fresh fruit every morning and a 5gallon water drum so I was able to refill my bottle. The only 'complaint' I had was that Saturday-Monday, I didn't have hot water in my shower. The sink worked normally, just not the shower. Also, the sliced fruit (Pineapple, Cantaloupe, etc) wasn't that great. The whole fruits (Bananas, apples, etc) were awesome. There were lots of CC people there - Al and Ann (AlnAnn), Kathy and John(SheAndMe), Tom (Tommyboy), Mark(Hazie), Patricia and Francois(Francois) - who I would have liked to talked to more but I haven't spoken French in 20+ years and got even more difficult the more I drank, Bob and Teresa(Moverbob), Brendan and his wife whose name I can't remember right now(SexInVegas), and I know there were others but I've got serious brain rot right now.. Sorry if I've forgotten anyone, it must have been a great trip if there are blank spots!
Gone but not forgotten Hey Km, Great race, you should have won. Was great to meet you! Good luck in the next marathon!
TTR Good hearing from you!! GREAT TRIP!! Figures ironman was the only event where cheering does not help!! LOL!! You should have won the event!! I'll sent a trip report later. I still remember meeting you in the gym the first day!! Had to stop lifting and get on the treadmill!! Great guns, dude!! Looked for Moverbob's picsbut could not find them. I'll pm him later after a cafe negro or two or three!! Note to Steve: this site was the impetus for all the crazy people getting together as if we had known each other for years!! Thanks!! Again, GREAT TRIP, especially the swimming, and yes somebody has pics, esp. T, LOL!!
Hello!! Glad to see a vacation report on here. Great Report!! Yes T does have some great pictures. HOpe we get to see them soon. That was a night that none of us will EVER forget. Glad to meet everyone from this forum. It was definitely a great way to help everyone have a great time. Hope to see everyone back there soon!!
hey kevin, yes i must agree your memory is a little cloudy. we actually met wed night at paty'os. wow but u did do a good job of remembering most of your trip...good job
TR Kevin Thanks for the Tr. If You remembered every thing You didnt drink enough. Great meeting you. Theresa and Bob
