One last morning… one last room service breakfast.  I pretty much do that at every resort.  I order room service for packing up and going home.  BUT my flight on my last day didn’t leave until 5:30… and no Kalido pick-up until 2:05….   I was making use of every SECOND in that room.  (Sorry Saturday arrivals!   It’s mine until noon….)  We made sure to check in on the United app to get our boarding passes and pay for our luggage.  Oddly, my boarding pass had a message about needing a special check.  I didn’t pay much attention to it.

We ordered ALL the breakfasts just to see if we had missed anything.  We packed and then went for one last swim.  It turned to 10 AM while we were in the pool… and here came the drink of the day.  I mean, as long as we were there, we might as well, right?   So “Splash” it is.

Our bellman arrived at 11:30 and we took the sad ride back up to the front to checkout.  Checkout was super quick.  I asked about the loyalty program I’d seen mentioned on the Facebook group and signed up for that as well.  Even in three days I earned enough points to get $50 off a spa service next time, AND it automatically gives you 10% off all bottles of wine you purchase and spa services on future trips! I love free stuff!!   I do ALL of my shopping with rewards cards, so I get points on everything I can.  I love to make my vacations pay for themselves!

We did a little shopping after that at both the boutique and the souvenir store; then, went to La Marche.  When we passed it the night before on the way to La Hacienda, I thought it was all outside.  I was pleasantly surprised when they asked us where we wanted to sit.  INSIDE!   Yes, please!!!!  I liked this buffet much better.  The gazpacho was super tasty as were the nutella crepes.  We sat there for quite awhile enjoying the AC before our walk of shame back to wait for our transfer.  We took our last few pictures on the way… and our pictures of each other taking pictures…

Went out to get our bags at 2:00 and the Kalido driver was walking up just as we went out.  Five darned minutes early… I want my plane COMING to arrive early… I don’t want to GO early.

Ride back to the airport was totally uneventful.  Kalido is always great.  Our driver even offered to charge our phones for us on the way to the airport.  A porter who wasn’t taking “no” for an answer met us at our transfer when we pulled up in front of the airport, and Jose Alberto was actually fantastic…  He all but dragged us up to the kiosk, printed our luggage tags and barged on to the front of the line.  He was super funny and super friendly!  I think I’ll use a porter every time now.  It just made things easier.

So.. again… we are at the airport very early… and again, I’d rather be early than panicked.  With my Chase Sapphire Reserve card I get free access for a guest and me to  lounges in many airports…  We decided since we had a long time even after we were done shopping that we’d hang out in the lounge… and since we still got “free drinks” and food we might as well finish off the vacation the same way we started.

Eventually, the app texted us that it was time to board.  I found out why my boarding pass was different when we were getting ready to board.  I had been randomly selected for a more thorough search…  so they swabbed my hands and went through my carry on item by item before I boarded the plane.  I like knowing that they do that.  It gives me a sense of security!

Again, the hop skip and a jump back to Houston.  Susan and Heather downloaded mobile passport app since IAH allows for mobile passport and I have global entry with my credit card, so no one  had to wait in any silly lines on the way back into the country.

As always, I wish we had stayed a day longer… and as always, it’s nice to be back home.

Ninety seven days left until my next time in Mexico!   I’m already deciding what I’m going to do while there!