SUNDAY ~ DAY 4 ~ A view from the lobby bar looking toward the water ... We went to Spices Buffet for breakfast this morning. Again, very good food. Scrambled eggs, ham, papaya, watermelon, mimosa and coffee ... On our walk to church for 10 o'clock mass we passed this building, I just love the way the flowers grow here ... This is one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip ... These two lovely nuns were sitting outside of the church selling cookies. Well, you KNOW I can't pass up a cookie! So I bought some, and then I got my camera out of my purse and asked if I could take their picture. I don't know if they understood English or not, but they shook their heads "yes", and the nun on the right hurried up and took off her glasses! I thought that was the cutest thing, she wanted a nice picture without her glasses! By the way, those cookies were delicious!!! The church was crowded, so we went upstairs to the balcony. The children have reserved seating, and the adults end up standing. After mass we walked to the Gran Porto Real to look around. We've been booked at this hotel twice, but never actually stayed there, because both times we were upgraded to the Royal. First we stopped in their buffet restaurant and helped ourselves to mimosas, because going to mass always makes me thirsty! Probably thinking of how hot and thirsty I'll be one day when I'm in H E double hockey sticks. Then we walked around. Here is the pool ... Here is part of the beach ... A section of the beach does have fishing boats, but part of the beach is very nice. Even iguanas like a shower now and then ... On the roof of the Gran Porto there is a small pool and pool bar. I was told this pool is for adults only, but I read a review on trip advisor from someone complaining that this rule is not always enforced. There were only a few people around the pool when we were there. This is a view of the Royal taken from the roof top pool of the Gran Porto Real, using a zoom, of course ... Would I stay at the Gran Porto Real? ... YOU BETCHA! If the price was right, and I wasn't offered an upgrade to the Royal I would definitely stay at the Gran. It looked very, very nice! If you are a guest of the Royal you may use all of the facilities at the Gran Porto Real, but not vice versa. The Royal must keep the riff raff out! We went back to the Royal, where royalty like us belong ... We had cheeseburgers and fries at Pelicanos, cause once in a while you just want a burger ... We went back to our room and this is what greeted us ... Ahhh, the rose petals spelled out LOVE ... :wink: After lunch we changed into our swimsuits and went out to enjoy the sun. According to the t.v. it was 84 degrees! The beach waitress suggested I try an Almond Passion, so I spent the afternoon in Almond Passion Heaven!!! Very yummy drink! This friendly man wheels around this cart all day offering books, magazines and sunscreen ... One day he offered us frozen grapes, and cold towels. Another day a waitress walked around with trays of fresh papaya ... what service! Later in the day we went to the Lobby Bar to watch our STEELERS beat the pants off of those stinkin' Patsies ... OH, IT WAS SWEEEEEEEET!!!!! While watching the game the waitress brought us a small tray of olives, cheese and nuts, very nice! We made friends with other Steeler fans, and we made enemies with those punks rooting for the Patsies ... but it was all in good fun. After our sweet victory we went to the buffet for dinner. Grilled fish, chicken fajitas ... made fresh right before your eyes, and both were delicious. We both agreed that the food was better at the buffet this year. Then we took a walk on 5th Avenue. I liked this tree on 5th ... I love 5th Avenue in the evenings, mariachi bands stop and entertain the people eating. I love Calle Corazon, with all the lights ... And then ... the rains came! Unfortunately, I didn't have an umbrella and our trusty Dollar Store rain ponchos were back in our room. It poured, it didn't look like this was just a quick shower, so we just kept walking back to the hotel ... we were soaked! This was the only rain we had in 10 days, so we couldn't complain. We went straight to our room to dry off, and we stayed in watching movies on t.v., The Illusionist and Away From Her ... we hadn't seen either movie before, and we liked them both! Tomorrow is our last full day at the Royal, and then we move to another hotel, so stay tuned! GOODNIGHT!
Very nice!!! I always feel like I'm right there with you on your daily adventures. What kind of camera do you have?
Awsome trip report so far Janie!! I can't wait for the next installment. (and can't wait for February - the Royal Sands in Cancun)
5th street and calle corazon look beautiful. i love the lights! i think i should go to playa del carmen next time.
