Come Back Soon!

pv

 
icon for podpress  Come Back Soon! [1:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Actually releasing it into the hands of a postal clerk will be mentally challenging, but I’m ready to try.  I’ve been carrying around my completed passport renewal form for a good three months now.  I secured the necessary unflattering 2×2 photo this weekend, courtesy of Walgreens.  Size was the only actual mandate.  The washed-out slightly stunned result was just lucky, I guess.

Now comes the difficult part: relinquishing my current passport for renewal.  I am in the early planning stages of my next trip. My target date isn’t until next spring. This shouldn’t be a big deal.

But, what if…?   Spontaneity keeps life interesting.  And for at least two weeks, and maybe longer -my spontaneity will be confined to the borders of my own country. If something international comes up before the return post, I’ll feel like the kid lacking a permission slip for the class trip.

My neighbor just went through the renewal process and assures me that his passport made the journey back and forth within two weeks.   My last passport experience almost required congressional intervention, so I’m understandably hesitant.  But tomorrow morning, I’m taking the plunge.  As long as no one in the Bureau of Consular Affairs stops to laugh at the photos, I should be travel-ready in plenty of time.

Columbus Travel Tips

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Maybe… Mexico? (The Royal Playa Del Carmen)

Pelicanos at Royal P del C

 
icon for podpress  Maybe... Mexico? (The Royal Playa Del Carmen) [2:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Several Mexican resorts are offering a “flu-free guarantee” in hopes of stemming national tourism losses that could total 4 billion in 2009.  Travel to more than twenty resorts booked by June 30  for this calendar year is eligible for the offer of three free vacations should a traveler become ill with a verified case of swine flu.

terraceview

The Royal Playa Del Carmen is among the properties offering this incentive to hesitant vacationers with additional deep discounts and promotions listed on the resort website.  Having recently enjoyed the endless amenities of this luxury resort last December, I can attest to the excellent values of the current vacation offers -regardless of the money back (in the form of future travel) guarantee.

roomviewThe Royal’s palatial suites, most of which are ocean-view or oceanfront, include enormous in-room jacuzzis and terraces overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  Rose petals, artistic towel “swans” and daily aroma therapy embellished our already delightful room, but the prize was most definitely the view of ever-blue water framed by rippling sheers.

beachbeds

All-inclusive resorts are the norm in Mexico’s resort areas; the quality of included fare can range from mediocre on up to exceptional.  We found the extensive beverage and restaurant service at the Royal Playa Del Carmen to be consistently very good to excellent.  We especially enjoyed our breezy lunches at Pelicanos on the beach and the fusian fare at Asianos.  The fresh fruit, Mexican cuisine and outstanding made-to-order omelets at Spice gave it our top vote for breakfast.  A well-equipped spa/fitness facility, watersports and a long beach -perfect for running and walking- made keeping up our exercise routines easy, and Playa Del Carmen was but a wander away -roughly a one block walk from the resort property.

swings

A billowing breeze, crescent of shoreline and clear blue sea are the only true essentials for a perfect beach day.  Add in a few unexpected delights such as frozen sugared grapes proffered on a passing tray and canopied beach beds -and one begins to understand the quiet joys of an adults-only resort.

Note the inviting plank swings dangling in front of a beach side bar and know that the child lives on in many of these adults…

More on Playa Del Carmen

More on MEXICO

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