May 18th

The shuttle comes every half hour at the Hilton Garden Inn, so that was easy. It was cold and rainy in Chicago this morning, so happy to leave.

When I checked in, I reserved Ursula an aisle seat across from me, and good thing I did! Apparently, a bunch of USA3000 employees called in today, and by the time she was in line, they only had one person checking in the Cancun flight because the Punta Cana flight was scheduled to depart earlier, and they had a million people that they were trying to check in. A bunch of people, including Ursula, didn't get through check-in and Security until the plane already began boarding.

The flight was uneventful and we got through Customs very easily. Apple had a large bus waiting for the Crystal Agents with cold beverages.

My room was ready, but Ursula's wasn't, so she put her stuff in mine so we could go to lunch. We were at lunch just a little after noon. That wasn't my favorite buffet or waiter, but we will see what happens tomorrow. I think there's a larger buffet.

After lunch Ursula and I toured the Iberostar Paraiso Maya and the Iberostar Paraiso Lindo. The two properties share the same pools and restaurants, but all rooms at the Maya are Jr. Suites.

Then, we walked over to the shopping area and got a crepe and some coconut ice cream. After that, we had the golf cart pick us up and bring us back to the Iberostar Grand so that we could go to the pool.

By the time we got out there, the weather took a turn and it was sort of dark and windy. When I got to my room to organize my belongings, it did start to rain.

I ordered a couple pillows from the pillow menu and the Butler brought them to me to try. He also brought me a cord so I could use the internet in my room, which is 7029....Ocean Front!

Pillow Menu
They have a pillow menu at the Iberostar Grand, and I ordered two different pillows to try. If one works, I might buy one.

Cocktails
We had to meet at 6:30 for cocktails. There were representatives from Apple Vacations and Iberostar. They had appetizers and drinks, but we had a dinner reservation at 7:00, so we didn't have much time.

Italian Restaurant
They made us individual reservations, but when we got there, they said it was a table of "10." We told them that we were on our own tonight, so they gave us separate tables. Kind of weird! It's our only night free too, so we didn't want to sit with anyone.

Ursula and I tried 3 different dishes....Saltimboca, Veal (which was the best) and Vegetable Cannoli. Our Waiter, Eduardo, was very friendly.

Ursula's Sister
After dinner, we met up with Ursula's sister, who is staying at the Grand for her 10 year anniversary. Her husband wanted to watch the Bulls Game, however, so we went to the lobby bar for a while. Then we went to the Iberostar Maya to the snake bar, but it was empty, so we went to the show at Iberostar Lindo, but it was a Mayan sacrifice. We checked out some stores and vendors and took the shuttle back to the Iberostar Grand.

Ursula and her sister have the strangest nickname for each other. It is "scrutiny." Not only do they call each other the same name, they address each other every time they are going to speak to one another.