Cozumel April 21st, 2009 - Day 4

I can tell Haylie has gotten more comfortable with her accommodations because she woke up around 3 expecting a bottle.  That means she's settled into her routine.  I only wish we could say the same.  We were up yet again early, though this time, given the overnight bottle, she managed to let Colleen sleep until about 7.

I got up and had my first run.  Hung over, and unprepared, I had no expectations.  I just woke up wide awake at 6 and decided that I should take advantage of the early hour and get some sort of exercise while I was here.  One arm curls just isn't going to cut it when the cups are plastic and it isn't even 12 ounces. LOL  There were a few people out exercising, so I didn't feel totally out of place.  I am not sure when the Ironman Triathlon will be held, but I do know that the resort managed to be named the official hotel.  There were a few in serious biking gear on expensive looking road bikes and I had to at least consider that they were here training early.

Today was Haylie's first time on the beach and the ocean.  The water is colder, without question, and that startled her as I put her into her floatation device.  Then of course the matter of the salt water.  She wasn't too sure about that, but she did at least taste it.  Honestly, her water experience was more about the stuff floating in the water with her.  Seaweed, wood, shells, and small fish of some sort.  All held her focus much more than being in the water did.  We did not spend a long amount of time in the water, though.  The waves disquieted her and the water wasn't clear.

We managed to find a spot on the beach to set up that wasn't directly in the sun.  That can only be attributed to what I perceive as a lower attendance this vacation.  Yes, there are still sun worshippers staking out their claims at dawn, but there are many open spots at all the meals, there are few lines and quite a few empty places in the buffet.  I don't know if we chose an exceptionally late time of the season, but I honestly like it.  Haylie really was fascinated by sand.  She didn't put more than a couple of grains in her mouth and I wasn't going to stop her.  Honestly, she has to learn those lessons somehow.  We purchased a sun shade tent at a consignment sale and while it doesn't have stakes to drive into the ground, it still manages to hold its shape well if we put one of the towels down on the floor.  She seems to like it in there, but her fascination with the sand meant she spent quite a bit of time pulling it into the tent so she could play with it.  And of course all the detritus that it held.  At least she didn't find the cigarette butts before I did so I could get them out of her reach.

We had lunch at the Iguana Grill, which meant we'd get burgers and fries.  Not great, but it was reasonable.  Haylie flirted with a couple of the patrons and didn't have what I'd consider a serious meltdown, though she did start fussing and we had to call it an afternoon to get her back to the room.  That's going to become a significant issue, I know it.

We chose to spend this nap time again in the garden tub on the patio.  It allows us some time to sit and laugh and just be with one another.  And, of course to drink!  Tecate isn't a stellar beer, but when it is part of the all inclusive and it is cold, I can make it work. :)  Of course, that seems to be our one complaint this trip.  The people that stock the refrigerator seem to really be against putting any quantity of drinks into the room.  We cannot get them to provide more than 2 beers and have had to ask for special service every day we've been here.  Oh well, there's a bar not too far from the room and we can get shots of tequila.

Tonight we chose to wander off the resort for dinner at a place that comes pretty highly recommended.  La Cabana del Pescador is a little Bohemian place not far from the hotel, so we walked putting Haylie in her stroller.  They open for dinner only, starting at 6 and our goal was to get there right at 6 so that we'd hopefully get in and out before she had a meltdown.  Another spot that DOES NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS!  Not that we needed to use credit, but it means I was short of cash and had to go back to the hotel to get more.  There isn't another resort on this side of the city with an ATM, which is also unusual, so I had to come back to our resort to withdraw more cash.  The restaurant is simple.  There's no menu.  You pick out a Lobster tail, they cook it, and you get soup, rice, and vegetables.  I picked out a MONSTER tail expecting that Colleen and I would share, and she picked out a fairly small one.  The price was 84 US for the two tails, sold by weight.  I don't know if that's good or bad, but honestly I thought it was worth the price.  Dinner was awesome until meltdown.  We were both totally disappointed and suddenly we are back to scrambling to wolf down our food and get out the door.  We got a good shot glass souvenir and it came with a pretty good banana vodka drink.  The owner was even nice enough to pour Colleen's into a plastic cup since she'd already stepped out of the restaurant to let Haylie calm down.

Back to the room and shutting down by 9.  That's really become disappointing, but I don't guess we've got much option.  She gets over stimulated is all I can really tell myself is going on.  I understand she may be spoiled a bit, and part of her acting out is also based on her pushing the bounds of her independence, but it really seems that the issue is too much stimulation.  She waves her hands in front of her trying to push it away and once we've changed the scenery or her input she seems to calm back down.  We took turns going down to the bar to get drinks and were both asleep before 10.  Tomorrow is the Dolphin Discovery adventure I promised Colleen and I also have to do the dog and pony show for the resort to allow them to "update" us on the features of the membership.  I can only hope things get better.

Cheers!