with the bold text in the example below: The Skychi Travel Guide : April 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

La Isla Mall

La Isla Mall View of Restaurants
La Isla Mall View of Restaurants



Chocolate City Candy
Chocolate City Candy

Chocolate City Restaurant
Chocolate City Restaurant 

Chocolate City Solider and Cowboy
Chocolate City Solider and Cowboy



Dani with Chocolate City Solider
Dani with Chocolate City Solider

Gondola Boat in front of Italiannis
Gondola Boat in front of Italiannis

La Isla Shopping Mall
La Isla Shopping Mall

La Isla Mall View
La Isla Mall View

La Isla Mall at Dusk
La Isla Mall at Dusk


There are days in Cancun when the weather is inclement. The first four days of our trip to Cancun the weather was cloudy, cool and windy creating chopping, high waves. We were not able to go on our boat tour and snorkeling to Isla Mujeres. A friend recommended that we go to the shopping mall. These are photos from our walking tour of  "Little Italy" themed mall in Cancun. It was such an unexpected pleasure to visit this beautiful shopping mall in the Cancun Hotel Zone.



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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

"A Not So Reality TV Star"


Dani and Janice in Cancun, Mexcio
Dani and Janice in Cancun, Mexcio



There was a posting on facebook for a Reality TV show for the Travel Channel new TV series. We decided to apply and were chosen as finalists. They were casting to take over a tourist's vacation and upgrade it. We chose the March 3 date because it is Dani's birthday, so we decided to celebrate Dani's  birthday in Cancun whether we were selected or not for the TV series.

Danielle and New Friends in Cancun Mexico
Danielle and New Friends in Cancun, Mexico



Cancun, Mexico was a last minute vacation getaway to grab fifteen minutes of fame on the Travel Channel. We were walking around Cancun's Mercado 28 and saw the filming of the show host on a motor scooter. We were interviewed along with about 8 other families for the chance to have fabulous vacation upgrade and appear on the Travel Channel. Unfortunately, we were not chosen to appear on the Travel Channel new TV series. We had a great time celebrating Dan's birthday in Cancun.





Have you ever been on a reality TV show?



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Sunday, April 15, 2012

Photo Essay: Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Late Night Jazz Jam with Mike Phillips at Loews Hotel

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlantic Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlantic Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlantic Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011



Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011
Atlanta Jazz Festival 2011


The Atlanta Jazz Festival is held every Memorial Weekend in Piedmont Park.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Video of the Day: Isla Mujeres Boat Trip - AquaWorld Cancun

AquaWorld Boat Crew
AquaWorld Boat Crew





Isla Mujeres Daytrip Tour

AquaWorld Cancun

Kukulkan Blvd. Kukulkan, kilometer 15.2 Zona Hotelera, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

01 877 443 2188

011 52 998 8488327

www.aquaworld.com.mx 

http://www.aquaworld.com.mx/cancun-Isla-Mujeres-Mexico.html

http://www.facebook.com/aquaworld

http://twitter.com/AquaworldCancun

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150807-d153998-Reviews-Aquaworl...

• Toll-free from the USA & Canada: 1-877-730-4054

• Or from the USA & Canada: 011-52-998-8488327

• From Europe and the rest of the world: 00-52-998-8488327

• From within Cancun: 8488327

• Dialing from the Riviera Maya & Cozumel: 01 98 848 8327


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Saturday, April 7, 2012

Video of the Day: Meeting of Two Worlds Xcaret Mexico Espectacular

Xcaret Mexico Espectacular
Xcaret Mexico Espectacular



This part of the Ancient History Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Show represents the blending of two cultures. The arrival of the Spaniards, the struggle of the Pueblo Indians, Evangelism of Christianity, the mixing of the two genres of music; singing and history brings us today to the proud, rich tradition of a Mestizo People.

Have you heard the history of Mexico as told by the Mexican people?



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Friday, April 6, 2012

Video of the Day: My Retour to Paris!


Paris , France still looks the same as when I was there 25 years ago as a student. My trip back down memory lane.




Thursday, April 5, 2012

Xcaret Mexico Passport

Xcaret "Inlet of Dreams"

In 1985 an architect by the name of Miguel Quintana Pali who had fallen in love with the sun and sea here, wanted to build the house of his dreams in this wonderful place. He realized that the beauty of this place, the caves and the underground rivers should not be reserved for a privileged few. He decided to build a natural park open to everyone. His three brothers Oscar, Marcos and Carlos Constandse joined Miguel in transforming the ancient port of Pole into what we now know as Xcaret.

Xcaret Park Tour Guide
Xcaret Park Tour Guide


The Xcaret Mexico Creed

"I believe in Mexico, the land of the sun, and in the vibrant turquoise of her seas; I believe in the Mayan World and in the age-old enigma of its sacred cities.

I believe in the whisper of the underground rivers, in the delicate balance of the coral reef and in the mystery enshrined in the nesting ritual  of sea turtles on the white sands of Quintana Roo's beaches.

I believe in the innocent grace of the manatee, in the healing nectar of the bees and in the perennial miracle of the caterpillars that transform into butterflies.

I believe in the magic of flowers which open the door to the soul, in their subtle perfumes and changing multicolored beauty.

I believe in the here and the now, in a world in harmony with the song of the dolphins and the colorful flight of the macaws.

I believe in the certainty that life must be one with nature.

I believe that there exists a paradise on earth with a name that evokes all that we have been, that we are, and that we desire to be: Xcaret.

I believe in the fullness of life.

I believe in Xcaret."

Waiter Wearing Traditional Mexican Costume
Waiter Wearing Traditional Mexican Costume


 "Paradise on a Peninsula"

The tropical breeze of the beautiful Caribbean Sea blow at Xcaret. Xcaret is the name of paradise in a magical peninsula in the of southwest of Mexico named Quitana Roo state.



Mexican Buffet
Mexican Buffet




Chicken with Green Mole Sauce and Chicken wings
Chicken with Green Mole Sauce and Chicken Wings



Cenote Chapel
Cenote Chapel



Cenote Altar
Cenote Altar

 Xcaret "Paradise in the Land of Cenotes"


The ancient Maya believed the cenotes were gateways to the Underworld. Cenotes are more like rivers because of the subterranean currents that circulate the water.

In the Yucatan Peninsula that have been recorded over 2,500 cenotes out of an estimated total of 6000.

Cenote Water Mirror
Cenote Water Mirror

"Cenotes, or dzonot Maya, are caverns with pools of fresh water, which formed millions of years ago. When the Peninsula was lifted up out of the sea, it brought with it the limestone structure of the sea bed, creating a very loose surface that filters water." When it rains the ground absorbs the water like a sponge filtering the water. Over the years the rock dissolves and forms caves that flood, making pools of water which are cenotes.



Cenote under stairs
Cenote under stairs


Xcaret has cenotes, underground rivers caverns and caves.Some people attribute cenotes to the Chixchulub meteorite. These geological formations are so uncommon. "Xcaret is a catalogue of the Yucatan Peninsula's exotic beauties."




Owl Butterfly
Owl Butterfly

"The bearer declares that he/she is a lover of the turquoise sea that bathes Xcaret, and promises that he/she will smell the flowers, care for the water, and understand the song of the birds and the smile of the dolphins. Please provide the bearer with any help necessary, since he/she is traveling under the spellbinding influence of the light and color of Mexico's sacred paradise: Xcaret."

Are you ready to get your passport to Xcaret Mexico?



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Sunday, April 1, 2012

How to Catch a Taxi from the airport to Cancun Hotel Zone

Janice eating Shrimp tacos during Taxi Stop
Janice eating Shrimp tacos during Taxi Stop

We are arrived at the Cancun International Airport without prepaid transfers to the Cancun Hotel Zone. This was a big mistake we soon learned that taxis charged $65 USD dollars one way for a cab ride from the airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone.  Before our trip, I researched the cost of a taxi ride from the airport to Cancun it was stated as $40 one way. We were surprised at the difference in the cab fare from the price quoted on the internet.

Pleasure Principle Adult Spa Ad in back of taxi
Pleasure Principle Adult Spa Ad in back of taxi

Pleasure Principle Adult Spa Ad in back of taxi

We decided to back inside the airport to the taxi desk. There was a sign that said 50% off taxis, so I asked the woman what the cost of a taxi would be to the cancun hotel zone. She quoted us the same $65 cab fare. We decided to reenter the terminal which was another big mistake because she sent security to get us. We were exhausted from lack of proper sleep due the excitement of the trip. We could barley think straight.  So,we told the security officer that we needed a minute to pray. That's just what we did, right in the terminal. We closed our eyes and asked the Lord for guidance. The officer gave us a puzzled looked, then walked away from us.

View of Taco Stand from Taxi
View of Taco Stand from Taxi


Our next option was to ask for help for a timeshare salesman that we had talked to earlier. He was kind enough to quote  us a shared ride rate of $32 round-trip for two people. That was a good deal compared to a $65 taxi ride one way. We signed up for his timeshare presentation and received a free dinner to Senor Frog's. We were grateful for his assistance.

Dani at Taco Stand
Dani at Taco Stand


During my research, I saw that the Marriott CasaMagna provided airport transfers for $14 roundtrip if prepaid when booking a room package. I regretted not booking the offer online. We could have arrived at the hotel sooner without the slow shared ride or "collective" dropping passengers off at various hotels. My thought was that the hotel vans provided free shuttles from the airport to the hotel. As a flight attendant, I am accustomed to riding on free hotel vans and airport shuttles.  This was the wrong assumption because the hotel van drivers have a list of the expected guests who have prepaid for the airport transfers. If your name is not on that list he will radio the hotel to verify your payment for airport transfers, so it is best to book online.


Come Back Soon To Cancun
Come Back Soon To Cancun



The best advice that I can give about getting from the airport to the hotel zone:

1) book hotel transfers online before flight arrival

2) rent a car

3) pay for a shared ride before exiting the airport terminal building

4) pay for a taxi at the taxi transportation desk before exiting the terminal

5) negotiate the rate of the shared ride or taxi ride



What has been your experience with transportation from the airport to the hotel in another country?



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