In the summer of 2004, I took a trip with some friends to a little place
called Cancún, México. These photographs chronicle the
story. The timestamps are accurate as of Eastern Standard Time, so they
are one hour ahead of the local time in Cancún.
Note: After rotating an image, you may have to
use the refresh button on your browser to see the effect.
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| cancun2004-0012.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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This is a picture of the Westin, the hotel we stayed at, from the water.
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| cancun2004-0056.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Time enough for everyone to get a good look at the photos. This is
about the time that people started demanding that certain photos be
"deleted."
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| cancun2004-0123.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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But it turns out that the "evil" sea turtle was probably just digging in
preparation for laying eggs. Woops, sorry Mrs. Sea Turtle, didn't mean to
bother you during labor!
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| cancun2004-0033.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:46 -0700 |
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So John decided to go exploring about the hotel, and found this interesting
waterfall in the pool, over which John and Stephen would later float.
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| cancun2004-0117.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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More award-winning photography from Mona. That sign is a warning regarding
crossing iguanas, analagous to the "Deer Xing" signs in America. I guess
they don't get much deer in México.
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| cancun2004-0014.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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This "cute" pink building is our nearest neighbor.
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| cancun2004-0125.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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After the overload of fun throughout this trip, some of us were downright
pooped. That's Mona on the left with her brand new Mexican blanket, which
she managed to haggle to an almost reasonable price from a kind and trusting
gentleman on the beach.
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| cancun2004-0040.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Look at the anticipation in Mona's eyes. The nervousness exudes from her
every pore!
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| cancun2004-0059.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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This is a shot of part of the limbo contest. You'll have to forgive the
blurriness, as I was partially (I prefer to call it "pleasantly")
intoxicated by this time, plus I was a bit miffed at having lost the contest
to this woman, who is clearly inhuman.
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| cancun2004-0010.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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And already some of us can't keep our hands off each other... Ahem!
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Tam is tired already... but the fun has only just begun!
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| cancun2004-0061.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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Okay, this time the blurriness is due in part to the darkness of the
environment. The other cause of the blurriness is the swiftness of motion
as I perform nonsensical acts shamelessly called "dance." What you see here
is actually me doing push-ups - what kind of dance is that, I ask you! It's
actually part of a contest, where the women dance and then the men dance,
and the audience chooses either the men or the women as the best dancer. Of
course, they gave the women all the good moves, while the guys were left
doing push-ups. Figures!
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| cancun2004-0025.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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A picture of John taking a picture, with a couple Mona's in various states
of focus thrown in.
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| cancun2004-0126.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Mona is ready to go home. She is sick of the beach, sick of crystal clear
water, and sick of the food. The sentiment was echoed by most of the rest
of the party. (I miss you Cancún! *pout*)
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| cancun2004-0118.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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After a superb afternoon at Xel-Ha, of which I have no pictures because it's
a water park, Mona gets this great shot of the Xel-Ha sign at the entrance
as we leave.
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| cancun2004-0042.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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World famous photographer Tam Nguyen takes over with a shot of Stephen in
his belt and goggles.
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| cancun2004-0101.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Mona throws John an evil look as he catches her in another natural
moment.
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| cancun2004-0063.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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A visit to Tulum requires an insanely exuberant application of sunscreen,
the justification for which you will see in later pictures.
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| cancun2004-0032.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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The preceding night's ventures left us all a little tired.
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| cancun2004-0119.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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At night, John decides to bother this sea turtle, which has made its way
onto the beach with some dark purpose...
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| cancun2004-0095.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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These are the great steps of the main temple at Tulum. If only we were
allowed to climb it!
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| cancun2004-0106.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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A shot of the members of the group not brave enough to venture down the
rockiness toward the beach!
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| cancun2004-0026.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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After Wal-Mart, we went "local" shopping. That meant tons and TONS of
tourist stuff, including these $25 (US or pesos?) sombreros. Mona was ready
to buy half a dozen until she realized it was 25 American dollars.
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| cancun2004-0100.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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The most complex part of the trip was figuring out how to take a picture of
the group in front of this passageway without blocking the hundreds of
tourists trying to get through.
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| cancun2004-0075.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Tulum speaks for itself. It sure as heck didn't speak through our tour
guide, who definitely had some trouble relating its history to us.
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| cancun2004-0000.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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We arrive at our hotel, the Westin Regina Inn and Resort, and we are all a
bit miffed by the barrage of flight follies and airport idiosyncrasies.
Mona and Stephen get ready for the first evening's outing.
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| cancun2004-0102.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Part of the beach at Tulum. You can't tell from the resolution of this
photo, but the woman lying on the beach is sun-bathing naked. Oh,
those crazy Mexicans!
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| cancun2004-0124.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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These are John's clothes, but Stephen had claimed them as his, even to the
point of sniffing the boxers! *shudder* This photo forever commemorates
that hilarious yet disgusting moment as a quaint reminder never to sniff
boxers, even if you think they are yours.
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| cancun2004-0036.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:46 -0700 |
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Everyone waits eagerly for the Scuba instructor. Today is the big day.
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| cancun2004-0086.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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Tam snaps away with her nifty Casio camera with the strange model name.
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| cancun2004-0068.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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It's shots like these that put Mona on the photographical map.
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| cancun2004-0122.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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This is a head-on shot. I actually got hit by that sand.
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| cancun2004-0048.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Done scuba'ing, we're all ready to get home before we start puking our guts
out (thank you motion sickness!).
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| cancun2004-0116.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Looks almost the same as an Oreo on the inside too.
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| cancun2004-0019.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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John is feeling pretty super-fly in his shirt from Cozumel, México,
and his brand new sunglasses (having broken the ones he brought by
carelessly placing them in a vulnerable part of his luggage). If only he
knew how ridiculous he looks!
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| cancun2004-0011.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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A beautiful shot of Mona and some of our neighbors, including Club Med. (I
have a great story about that particular Club Med...)
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| cancun2004-0038.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:46 -0700 |
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Fast forward and BOOM, we're all Scuba experts, although Tam has decided to
forego the actual real-life Scuba experience - the pool was enough for her.
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| cancun2004-0092.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Mona, natural, in front of the great steps of the main temple.
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| cancun2004-0013.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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These are the northern neighbors of the Westin, including most of the hotel
district.
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| cancun2004-0115.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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The "emperor" is apparently the Mexican equivalent of the Oreo, except that
its square.
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| cancun2004-0004.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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My favorite shot of Mona... the kind of shot that makes me wish I had a
better camera!
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| cancun2004-0067.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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World renouned photographer Mona Marvasti takes the wheel (of the camera,
not the bus).
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| cancun2004-0085.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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This is about the time we totally lost track of what the guide was saying.
Face? Eyes? The meaning of life? Where!?
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| cancun2004-0079.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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This is a good overview shot of Tulum, including its major temples, the
white road (el camino blanco), and the tourists.
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| cancun2004-0093.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Mona and Stephen eye the poisonous snake that has made its home among the
ruins.
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| cancun2004-0051.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Mona looks prepared for the second half of the day's activities: the dinner
cruise.
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| cancun2004-0066.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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The bus was comfortable, moreso than the Delta flight we took (did I mention
the flight delays!?), which was important because the bus trip would last
almost three hours.
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| cancun2004-0072.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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We're at the pit stop on the way to Tulum, aka the "Steal As Much Money As
Possible From The Rich Tourists" shop. Mona's bargaining skills were no
match for the insane starting prices these people asked.
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| cancun2004-0016.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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More Mona in front of Westin. No, my camera is not water-proof, so yes, my
camera is in mortal danger for these pictures. But come on, it's Mona!
Can't say no to that!
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| cancun2004-0006.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Next morning--a beach day--, and Tam has picked out the pair of shoes that
she will wear! Having brought six pairs for this six-day trip, I guess she
decided she wouldn't wear the same pair twice...
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| cancun2004-0120.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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It's a little fuzzy, but you can see the evil sea turtle as it kicks sand at
your faithful photographer and narrator.
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| cancun2004-0023.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Stephen poses while Tam goes natural! She tends to look pretty evil when
she's natural. :)
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| cancun2004-0121.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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This is a slightly clearer shot of the evil sea turtle kicking sand at me.
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| cancun2004-0049.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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The day after scuba diving, we went on a "jungle tour," which turned out to
be little more than a "Slap Mona Silly and Snorkel Tour". The fish were
colorful and numerous, though. This is a shot of the couple afterward.
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| cancun2004-0031.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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This is the Coco Bongo, apparently the place to go clubbin' in
Cancún.
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| cancun2004-0104.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Tam and Mona on the cliff overlooking the beach.
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| cancun2004-0087.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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The heat begins to burn us as we approach the great temple.
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| cancun2004-0076.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Mona in front of a heaping mound of ruin-hungry tourists.
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| cancun2004-0074.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Yeah! Tulum! This is probably my favorite shot in this collection.
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| cancun2004-0008.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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A less natural shot of Stephen and Tam. This is our first of many
all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets that we ate at the hotel, and some of us
got quite sick of omelettes by the last day.
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| cancun2004-0015.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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Mona loved that water! She wanted to stay it in all day... that
is, until the end of the trip, when she was sick of it! :)
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| cancun2004-0064.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Tam is pumped and ready to justify waking up at the ungodly hour of
6:00 am!
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| cancun2004-0001.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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A thousand miles to get to Cancún, and three hours later, Tam has
already settled into the comfort of the hotel chair. This same chair would
later become John's dirty-laundry chair (No, that's not John's sweater that
Tam is sitting on!).
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| cancun2004-0082.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:40 -0700 |
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John and Mona in front of Tulum. Is Mona tall in this picture, or is John
short!?
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| cancun2004-0105.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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The crowd of people heading toward the beach. Water is a welcome sight in
the 100-degree heat.
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| cancun2004-0110.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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A cool shot overlooking the beach and the Mayan lookout tower..
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| cancun2004-0128.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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This was John's reaction to the whole of Cancún.
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| cancun2004-0129.mpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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This is an MPEG of John's reaction to Cancún. I don't remember what
it was that I was saying during this mute clip.
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| cancun2004-0029.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Every downtown (even in México) includes a Hard Rock Cafe! This one
happen to feature a 30-foot guitar in front of the enclosing mall.
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Stephen and Mona, right before we catch our bus into downtown Cancún!
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| cancun2004-0043.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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John gives the OK signal (not the thumbs up!!!) before he dives in.
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| cancun2004-0062.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:14 -0700 |
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The morning after the cruise. No breaks here, it is time for a visit to
Tulum!
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Mona prays that the goggles won't flood. According to her, only luck can
save her now!
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| cancun2004-0053.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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We've reached the dock and are awaiting time to board the boat for the
cruise.
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| cancun2004-0041.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Oh yeah, hose off that environment-unfriendly sunscreen!
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| cancun2004-0065.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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A shot of the morning sun shining into our breakfast. Tam and I were blind
for most of it...
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| cancun2004-0055.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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There was time enough even to review the trip's digital photos so far.
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| cancun2004-0098.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Another money shot of Mona in front of the steps.
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| cancun2004-0002.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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The superhero shot! Behold Sargeant Serious and Major Miffed! .. Wait, which
one is which?
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| cancun2004-0089.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Mona takes a break on the rocky steps of Tulum.
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Mona spent roughly 15% of her awake vacation time sorting through her
luggage...
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| cancun2004-0028.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Mona with a neck, ready to ward off the thousands of bulls that
invade Cancún annually.
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| cancun2004-0007.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Not a well-focused shot, but a hot shot nonetheless of the ladies, natural!
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| cancun2004-0046.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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Cue the elevator music as John, Stephen, and Mona get a breathtaking view of
underwater life.
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| cancun2004-0022.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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We're in Wal-Mart, of all places. As good a place as any to buy a souvenir
t-shirt. John wanted the shirt at the top, near the ceiling of the 30-foot
building. But how to get to it?
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| cancun2004-0037.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:46 -0700 |
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We were too early for the Scuba instructor, so we went for a quickie in the
Gulf of Mexico.
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| cancun2004-0052.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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We all got ready for the dinner cruise a little early, so we're lazing about
for a bit.
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| cancun2004-0018.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Having had enough of the beach, it was time to explore the city in search of
food. Famous made-up quote of the day: "Oh dear, get me to a McDonald's!"
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| cancun2004-0024.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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An awfully dark shot of John and Mona. Who took this!? :P (Stephen!)
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| cancun2004-0094.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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Mona eyes another iguana. The iguanas turned out to be almost as
entertaining as Tulum itself.
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| cancun2004-0030.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:44 -0700 |
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And, of course, the famous Coco Bongo has its own mall prop, even though
it's not located in the mall...
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| cancun2004-0071.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Those yellow bumps look much scarier than the curbs of America, don't they?
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| cancun2004-0005.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Our first night in Cancú, and it's off for an evening walk. You'll
have to forgive the blurriness of the night-time pictures.
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| cancun2004-0073.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:38 -0700 |
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Once at Tulum, it's just a half-mile to the actual archaeological site.
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| cancun2004-0057.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:12 -0700 |
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We're on the boat now, and Stephen and I immediately pounce on the free
Tequila, although admittedly the tequila was pretty bad by Mexican
standards. The tequila shines through in this shot, although Tam has had
only non-alcoholic drinks (she's naturally uninhibited!).
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| cancun2004-0034.jpeg |
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| Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:35:46 -0700 |
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The waterfall with a backdrop of the lagoon in which we wanted eventually to
go kayaking/canoeing.
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Copyright © 2005-2007 by John Costigan. All rights reserved.
