Every year neighbors disappear. It usually seems to be for at least a week, often much longer. Their timing seems to coincide with the bird migrations that also start at this time of the year. That’s why they”re known locally as snowbirds.
About the closest I’ve been to one of these annual travelers is to ask how their exotic vacation was. And almost always, it was “wonderful!” Occasionally though, you get a story instead. |
Brides love the idea of baring their shoulders, sporting their ubiquitous strapless dresses in the warmth and sun of a flower-bedecked arch, at the end of a boardwalk in place of an aisle, with a sparkling blue ocean backdrop. You really can't get much more romantic than that.
Getting together for a special time
The commercials do seem to advertise Twinrix and Dukorol with ever increasing frequency, at this get away time, but you don't ever stop to question why!
Getting there
So they squeezed themselves into the narrow seats of a packed-to-the-gills Westjet plane, and off they went. They felt they knew the ropes. After all, they had been warned by the nice Westjet lady that they shouldn't even look at people who might want to offer them dubious transportation to their destination hotel. She said that was part of the “scene.” One of their representatives would take care of them.
When they arrived they dutifully avoided the swarms of people who wanted to become their "porters," although they actually had to physically wrestle their small bags away from them. They went to their Westjet appointed representative holding a card, who ushered them into a seedy looking van with a very unofficial looking driver.
The driver liked to text. Maybe he was closely connected to his family. Anyhow the texting was more important than keeping his eyes on the road. He also was a devil-may-care speeder! The passengers arrived at their destination, three hours later, exhausted, hungry and thirsty, amazed to be still alive.
Along with the welcome from smiling staff they had hospital type bracelets affixed to their wrists. The complex was huge, so huge that guests at the resort would hardly ever see the perimeter, but that was controlled by armed guards. Once in, you just never go out, unless it is an “organised” tour.
Observe precautions
They had been persuaded to “upgrade” their room to a suite. That was fine, except for the first three nights an adjoining room TV set at full blast kept them awake. Their protestations didn’t help. Moira says, “ I got so sick of people shaking their heads, unable to suddenly understand what I was saying, I just wanted to scream.”
Meal results were a problem. Suddenly they understood why they had seen all those TV commercials for anti diarrhoea medications. There were 56 wedding guests.
The flower girl was the first to succumb. She ended up in hospital for the first five days. Others followed in quick succession with diarrhea.
Most shocking things about this excursion
2. Enormous tracts of land at the world heritage site have been bought up by wealthy people. How can this even be allowed?
3. When the turtles and dolphins were spotted (by this time they were in a boat) the guides raced after them. Moira and her husband were very distressed,, thinking of the damage those propellers could cause, let alone the fear they would instill in the poor creatures.
To cap things off, the tide came in while they were there, meaning that they had to walk a mile or so back for another bone breaking trip back to the resort
When they arrived back there was barely time to shower and get hastily dressed before the wedding! The good thing was they made it, and the flower girl by that time was recovered enough to stagger down the aisle with the bride.
By the time of departure back to their homes more than 80% of the guests had suffered from the Mexican runs.
The question that must be asked at the end of it all?
Is this what All Inclusive really means?