Latin America 2011: Day 13: Playa del Carmen
Wrapping things up for the trip. Despite the one crappy hotel and the hordes of mosquitoes everywhere (yes, you had to wear DEET while you slept-- hello cancer risk!), way too many long van and bus rides, plus half the group not caring for the water or the beach, honestly, this was a good time.
Wandered out to enjoy the beach for a few hours, found some yummy tacos on 20th Ave Norte (aka NOT in the tourist area; thanks to the local who pointed me to the restaurant), then popped on the ADO bus up to Cancun International Airport.
An absence of automated ticket kiosks and no wi-fi meant I had to stand in line to check in, but not a huge deal. Crossing through security lead into the terminal itself, which had a giant food court and looked much like a shopping mall, down to a drugstore selling (US-) prescription drugs over the counter. Don't you love Mexico? Add in an additional luggage screening and pat-down at the gate before the flight... weee?
A few bumps over on the flight, then the marine layer that had been over Los Angeles for the past week made for some nice photos on final approach to LAX. Good times!
Post-trip wrap-up began with an absurdly long bus ride from Terminal 7 to Tom Bradley International Terminal for US customs and immigration, a very quick process through customs (5 minutes' wait, crazy!), and then pho for dinner. Nom nom... welcome back to the USA!