Live from Paradise

Another amazing day in Paradise. We still haven’t seen the sun & had some rain but we aren’t shoveling snow!                                    My daughter &  her BF went to the gym & spa. They negotiated a couples massage down to $230 which they felt was worth it. (Always negotiate.).                                               After breakfast I found a Bali bed on the TRS beach with a thatched roof which is rain proof. Around 2 I walked to Helios for some excellent salmon. Then I found a lounger at the pool with an umbrella as it was raining.                                                            We had a marvelous dinner at Helios of coconut shrimp, crab, lobster, filet mignon & chocolate cake. We ordered & are a lot of food with no problem. Staff called us a cart as it was raining again! Cart took 1 minute . Returned to our rooms to chocolate truffles & wine. Heaven

We had a wonderful day today. The sun came out! Hooray.                                                 We started out at Helios for breakfast. As I sat down Manuel appeared immediately with my latte & juice. Staff are amazing. Our Martha is going to be a mommy so I think she cut back on hours. She is very excited.                                                                   We hung out at the pool. My daughters BF went to the gym for awhile. He said it is well equipped.  They had water robics & live music at the pool. I wasn’t hungry enough for a big lunch so I went to the grill. They had paella & pizzas. I asked if I could just get a slice of pizza. I think there was a language barrier because she handed me a whole pizza. I had a slice and gave the rest to my daughter. The people sitting next to me left their bed and left lots of towels & food. The birds had a party.                            We went up around 5 during more sprinkles.                                                                Fabulous dinner at Tentazione of linguini marinara, other pasta, chicken Milanese, sea bass, tiramisu. Ivan was an excellent server.                                                                      Tonight is the 20s party at the salt water pool. As it has become very cool I think I’ll pass. Hopefully tomorrow will be a beach day.                                                                           On another note negotiate with the spa people who walk around. My daughter did and got a decent price. I didn’t hear one other person negotiate today.                              I will post pics here when I get back & on FB

Another wonderful day. It was partly sunny and a little warmer. After a pleasant breakfast we watched them set up an attractive wedding venue for a lovely couple I had met previously at the resort. The wedding took place at about noon. We hung around the pool, checked the BBQ. They were serving ribs & baked/grilled    potatoes. There was pool biking also at noon. Around 2 we had a nice lunch of steak & cheese, salmon, tacos. I was thrilled that they tried & successfully made me an iced coffee. On the way to the salt water pool a family of coatis crossed our path. As it was quite windy the surf was crashing. I grabbed a Bali bed and we spent our afternoon there.                                                                            We had another wonderful meal in El Gaucho. Service was excellent. The racoons entertained us as we enjoyed empanadas, ribeye,  short ribs, chicken, baked potato, crepes & brownies with ice cream.                                      Tip: we both had problems with our safes. The issue was simply that we had to push on the door as we opened/closed it.

Misc note: I asked the butler about occupancy. Usually it’s close to 100% at Christmas. She said about 60% Yesterday 8 couples were due to arrive in my building and no one showed. I am guessing it’s due to the flight cancellations.

We had another wonderful day. It started out rainy so some of us went to the gym which is well equipped. I went in search  of paperbacks. The best selection is in Hemingway’s which opens at 6. On TRS they have a selection just past the lobby near the tour desks                                               By late morning the rain stopped so we went to the TRS beach. Never a problem getting a Bali bed there.  After a late lunch I went by to check out the BBQ. They had grilled beef, veggies and pizzas. I them checked out the tortilla making class at the far end of the Infinity pool. It looked like fun.                   There is often live music at the pool and some exercise classes. I ended the day at the salt water pool which is always beautiful.                                                                 We had a very special dinner in Capricho which has a Mexican night once a week. Food was excellent and upscale. We started with guac made to order, then soup, salad, a choice of other appetizers. For entrees we had pork, beef chicken followed by some churros and other special deserts.                    The young people went up early to pack and headed for the Mexican show at Full Moon bar. Another great day in Paradise.

Good morning from Paradise. It is sunny with clouds. Yesterday we started out hot & sunny. As it was my daughters last morning we had an early breakfast at Helios and found some beds at the pool. (That was around 9). We spent a lazy morning reading. Just before my daughter had to leave at noon the staff came around with the Friday special frozen cappuccino with whipped cream, chocolate & frosted donuts! No calories there!  Sadly she & her BF left at noon. The extremely efficient butler Liz had pte-arranged a cart for noon. AGI arrived promptly at 12:30 to transport them to the airport. It took 1 hr 45m as there is still construction. Very sad to see them go.                                                        I checked the BBQ. It was roast pork & veggies. I decided to go to Helios for salmon. I am an iced coffee fan. I asked for one from the outside bar. It arrived but was weak. I then went to the inside bar where they made it strong and to my liking.               After lunch I went to the salt water pool. The Bali beds there were “reserved” so I found a semi shady lounger where I relaxed until it suddenly got eerily dark and the skies  opened up . It happened very quickly. Everyone was laughing &  running for shelter. I made it to building 64 where the butler kindly called me a cart              Lots of people were checking in yesterday. I was told capacity would increase to 90% ,     I had dinner at Helios. Hector was very efficient. I asked for coconut shrimp as an appetizer & lobster as an entree. He asked if I wanted steak with my lobster. For white wine they offer Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Both are quite good for AI wine. There was some entertainment at the Full Moon bar & at Colonial.                               Tonight, NY Eve, there is a fixed menu, a choice of 2 a la carts & a Gala dinner at Colonial.  There will be  party at midnight which I am sure I will miss!

Happy New Year! It’s a beautiful day in Paradise. Sadly it’s my last full day.  I am sitting here wondering where the time went & thinking of all the things I didn’t get to. It is just so easy to slip into a lazy routine.                                                                    Yesterday was spent between the main pool & the salt water pool. The BBQ was serving burgers. I went to Helios & had freshly prepared tacos. In the late afternoon there was a performance of the Mayan New Year celebration. The costumes and performers were outstanding. A special cocktail was served.                                              I took a cart before dinner to the TRS lobby where preparations for the evening we’re underway. I ran into Roxanna. It’s always nice to see familiar faces. I then dropped off some paperbacks – found some others. The Chic performers were practicing. I sat & watched them for a bit. Then who approached but the sweet Mayra. As we were catching up an impatient guest started complaining loudly that he needed a drink so our visit was cut short.                     I chose to have dinner in Tentazione rather than have the fixed menu in Capricho. There was a special menu offered in addition to the regular menu. I chose the pasta marinara & Milanese chicken which this time came with a delicious tomato sauce. While I was eating my pasta a shy chef approached me & asked if I would like to sample a new pasta  recipe. I did and it was delicious ; a thin pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce. I gave her a thumbs up  & she beamed.  Waiter Celeste (sp ?) was excellent.                                                                 After dinner I went by the Full Moon bar where the party was underway.  Lots of fun but this girl was not going to make it to midnight! I took a cart to my building & had to ask butler Susan to help me unzip my stuck zipper! The butlers Liz.Moises, Susan have been excellent. Returned to my room where I found chocolate covered strawberries! Yum.                                               Tip: someone asked me about taxi rates. The concierge in the lobby has rate sheets.    Off to breakfast & the beach.

Just getting ready to depart. Very sad. I was fortunate to watch a beautiful sunrise f r Helios. Manuel had my coffee & juice on the table  immediately as I sat down. Daniel remembered my omelette.                               I had a lovely meal in Boheme last night. The onion soup never disappoints. I tried the coq e vin which was very good. Alex provided excellent service.                                 After dinner I went by the Full Moon Bar to say hi to Mayra. There was a chef’s table set up which looked like fun.                                     Off to a long travel day. Until next time!