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KUKULCAN AVENUE
If it wasn’t for the traffic along 17-mile Kukulcan Avenue (through the hotel zone), we would have been there in half the time.
But I’m glad we took that route, because I got to see this tourist mecca firsthand. There’s a Hard Rock Cafe, practically every U.S. chain restaurant ever created, a luxurious mall, and one hotel
after another. It was pretty cheesy. In fact, the only thing I liked was the 6,000 trees the city just finished planting.
EL MECO El Meco
is located in northern Cancun, in Mujeres Bay. It’s just a short drive
from the last hotel in the hotel zone. Club Med uses a very knowledgeable Belgian tour guide. He has lived in Mexico for years, and knows more about the country than many natives. He
told us all
about this simple structure, and how its name has nothing to do with the ruin. El Meco means "bow-legged." It is named that because a man who once owned the land was bow-legged. El Meco dates back to the 10th century. It is believed El Meco played an important communication role with Mayan sailors, because it’s near the water and was used as a reference for coastal navigation. The property contains 14 structures; the main temple is the highlight. Visitors
are no longer allowed to climb on it any more, which is why is one reason it’s in such good condition. The entry fee for those not staying at Club Med is 30 pesos ($3). If you’ve got a large professional video camera, tack on another 30 pesos.
PETER GREENBERG Peter Greenberg,
the Today Show’s travel editor, was at the party too. He was in town to film his AOL-TV show (can you spot me in his
video?), and broadcast his weekly nationally syndicated radio show
live. I had no idea he would be there until the day before I left. I am a regular guest on his radio show (I call in every three weeks), so he had me on in the studio. It’s always fun hanging with Peter. The man knows everyone, and is full of information.
OVERALL
As you can tell from the pictures and video below, Carol and I had the best time at Club Med. I was really impressed with the resort. There are some areas for improvement – for example, maids leave their cleaning supplies in the halls all day long, which does not look good. And when my sister called to schedule a spa appointment, she was told she needed to physically go there to reserve a spot. They don’t take reservations over the phone, which I thought was bizarre. But this was opening weekend, and both problems are easily fixable. The GOs made the stay so much fun, and the trapeze crew were so supportive. When I completed "the catch" I let out a roar from within. I really felt like I achieved something. And Carol had such a good time that she’s booking a return trip with her kids and I just might join them! Here's a link to Carol's take of the resort.
CLUB MED DEAL
Because this place just reopened, Club Med has a special offer: book a week stay by February 23 for travel through November 2, 2007,
and receive two of the seven nights free. Prices start at $1,085 per person (land only). Book by calling 1-800-CLUBMED,
visiting ClubMed.com, or through a travel professional. There are no hidden charges, and tipping is forbidden.
HELPFUL INFO
CALLING MEXICO: The country code for Mexico is 52. To call from the U.S. dial 011-52, followed by the number.
BOTTLED WATER: Most resorts have their own purification systems, so you can drink the water. To be safe, drink bottled agua.
PASSPORTS: As of January 23, passengers traveling by air between Mexico and the United States are required to have a passport.
CANCUN AIRPORT
Last but not least: Get to the Cancun airport early especially if traveling on a Saturday. I’m talking almost three hours ahead of time. I have never seen a line as long as I did at American Airlines. Fortunately I have elite status on American, so it took me just two minutes to check in. Those who didn’t stood for a looong time. Carol was on Spirit Airlines. Because they don’t have many flights, it only took her a few minutes as well. But if you’re on American, USAir, Continental, United or Delta and don’t have elite status or are not flying first class, it’s better to be safe than sorry -- get there early! Fortunately the security line was not long. I was not asked to take my shoes off, or take my laptop out. I even walked through carrying a bottle of water. That’s not supposed to be allowed, but I wasn’t stopped. I did purchase hot sauce at a shop. They said it was okay to carry on the plane, but that was not true. All carry-ons are hand-checked before boarding, and my goods were taken away. Be sure to pack all liquids in your checked luggage or buy them from a duty free shop where they put them in a yellow sealed bag
(if you are connecting in the U.S. you will need to then place it in your checked bag when you go though U.S. customs).
VIDEO
Here’s a 2-minute Johnny Jet Video
of my trip to Cancun. I chose the song because that’s what the DJ kept playing in Club Med’s night club. The video is also on
YouTube,
so it takes only a second to load (though the quality is not as crisp). All Johnny Jet videos ever made are also on their servers.
NEXT WEEK Next week we travel back to the U.S., then take an international flight to a country I have never been to. Here’s a hint: Like the last two countries I visited, it starts with an "M."
Happy Travels,
Johnny Jet
*PLEASE tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!
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SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
Great newsletter this week! Never been to Delray Beach, now I want to go….. We travel around Europe in a RV for a couple of months every summer so it’s great to get your views of some of the places we go as well as seeing other parts of the world – keep it up! Paul Benneworth - Ipswich, England.
I just wanted to say that I was very impressed with this newsletter. I thought the video was also great. I hope that one day, I will be able to afford this type of service. I was thoroughly impressed with the services offered and the way they were described. Delia A - Maspeth, N.Y.
Johnny and company. What did I think I think of DelRay Beach, as always, Bravo. We go to boring Largo, Florida to visit our son and his new wife. We stay to get a "relative fix" and leave. He is either working all week or has to take a personal day off so 3 days is all we hang out. So we travel 2 days for 3 days with them. Thank you for the look see at the Japanese place. That looks awesome. Yup the beach is why we upstate NYers go to Florida. The FREE train cost $5.00. Sounds like a bargain to me. Great of you to go to the kid's school. What a treat for them. Judy S - Horseheads, NY
I love that you went to go speak at your niece and newphews school. They look so cute. :) Ann H – Denver, CO
Try John "G's" restaurant on the beach in the old casino. Open for breakfast and lunch only. My favorite items are the fish and chips or the fish and fruit. (I prefer the fish deep fried). If there are two of you eating, I suggest you get one of each and share, since there are an abundance of chips and also fruit. Dick Hahn – Merritt Island, FL
I'm a longtime fan of yours - have saved your writings - especially the grand ones you wrote and write about your mom! Sheila Benner, Cincinnati, Ohio
I have seen your column in the Frommer's Newsletter but just had my first experience on your website. Kudos to you for being able to experience my DREAM job! Your words were spot on, as I am also from Connecticut and spend a lot of time traveling, especially in the winter months to escape the cold. Traveling is a true passion for me, as is writing, and I spend as much of my time as possible trying to get my fill (although I haven't quite yet mastered how to make it my job!) Jennifer P – Westport, CT.
My impression of the Delray Marriott was not nearly as favorable as yours. I recently stayed there and I sent a letter to the (now former) GM with 14 problems (including the balcony door) and he responded with lots of explanations and excuses. Icing on the cake was a $30 plus charge on my credit card for some unknown purchase that I didn't make. Judy C. - Crofton, MD
I need in finding a WEB site you feature a few months ago. It was the site that identified how to call specific companies without having to go through many phone prompts. It also graded each company, based on how convenience it was to call them. If you can identify this site it would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Ken. REPLY: Thanks for the email. The website is on this page.
P.S. Don't forget to tell your family, friends and colleagues to sign up to our free Johnny Jet’s Travel News, Tips and Stories newsletter (at JohnnyJet.com) -- and to use our "Booking Buddy" search engines when booking travel.
I just wanted to tell you that I was really touched. Tears came to my eyes reading
of your trials with your mother's passing. It is wonderful and touching to
see a man so close to his friends and family, and so in touch with what's
really important in life. You're a good person, Johnny Jet. Debbie C – Hollywood, CA
Now that my husband and I have a little one, the only traveling we do is to Grandma's house, so thank you for letting me live such a fabulous life through you!! I look forward to reading your adventures every week. Keep safe. Amber B – Atlanta, GA
I came across one of my favourite poems (below). Re-reading it, it made me think of you because of all the flying you do. It was written during the Second World War, by a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. I thought you might like it. P.S. I love your website!
Samantha - Vancouver
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of; wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless falls of air ...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor e’er eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God. -- John Gillespie Magee
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