Just got back from our 7 day trip to Cozumel. This is our 2nd trip in two years and we already feel like regulars! Ill start out with the bad news:
Now, with the good .
Started with three days in Cancun at the Moon Palace for a conference. Nice place. Marble floors and Jacuzzi tubs in the hotel rooms. Did some windsurfing, sailing, eating, and laying by the pool. Oh yea I also had to work some of the time.
After the conference let out on Wed, I hopped a cab to Playa del Carmen, caught the ferry and made my way to Coz. Ferry ride was nice. There was a band on board that everyone seemed to enjoy. They also sell drinks, so I enjoyed a Sol during the crossing.
Once into the port at Cozumel, me and my 49 lb duffel bag and 20 lb backpack delicately sidestepped around the tour / scooter rental / snorkel salespeople and headed for the familiar white maroon-striped cabs. 10 minutes later, I was walking into the friendly confines of the Caribe Blu check in desk.
This is only our second time to Cozumel and CB, but it sure felt like I was home. The Moon Palace is a very nice place, but you can have your 3,000 guest hotels. Ill take quaint over crowds anytime.
Found my wife (who already landed in Coz, checked into the CB, and had made it to Cherduai for beer/water/snacks, bless her heart), and we talked about plans for the week. Decided to do a quick shore dive to check her new BCD and Reg setup and cool off.
We both were thinking Casa Denis would be a great first meal, so we headed downtown and had a nice dinner.
From this point on, Ill spare the gory details and just summarize the rest:
Diving
Dove (dived?) Palancar caves, Tormentos, Santa Rosa wall, Chun Chakaab (twice), Delila, Columbia Deep, Columbia Shallows, Paradise, and two shore dives at BA. Saw three nurse sharks, free swimming green moray, spider crab, regular crab, big lobster, spotted eel, sharp tailed eel, monster-sized parrot fish, sting rays, grouper, a neat little cleaning station, turtles (including a HUGE VW-bus sized turtle), and a few juvenile drum.
Current was ripping at Santa Rosa with poor vis. Last year, we hardly ever noticed any current this year, we had current just about everywhere and probably more normal for Coz. We were a little cold on our first two days diving in shorties. Rented a full 3 mil suit for wife and that helped. Water temp showed 78 degrees. Saw a few thimble jellyfish on one dive, but no stings! Shore dives in front of BA were a nice way to practice photography and test our gear. Theres plenty to see there and the new Stingray pen didnt bother me at all, except for the fact that they stingrays seem like theyd like to get out of there. We saw spotted eels, sharp tailed eel, and plenty of variety there go to the south end of the stringray pen and theres some nice coral heads there.
We found ourselves with a variety of dive partners on various boats this trip. One couple form Missouri that have dived all over the world. I enjoyed hearing their stories of dive trips and appreciated their photo tips. Also met and dove with Coy and Stephen from Houston (yes, Im still wearing that white shirt, Coy!), Lee and Cindy from Palm Springs (hey did you know you can buy dive stuff on e-bay?), Sam and Nancy from Minnesota (you put a valve on your regulator hose? Are you nuts?), Vincente from Mexico City, and Robert(o) from Steamboat, Colorado. What a life that guy has. Skiing ½ the year, diving the other half. Hes my personal hero.
Blue Angel
BA was good as usual efficient, friendly, enthusiastic. Had Gorge, Jorge, and Jose. Missed diving with Pumba during his last few days there. His voice cuts through everyone elses in the morning. The sound of Pumbas voice and air tanks banging on concrete was our alarm clock! I might try to record that sound and put it on my iPod. Living Underwater boat was a little rough, but didnt bother us. Chiquimax is a very nice boat and we enjoyed that two days. Pace of the diving is nice put together your own reg/BCD/air tank if you want or theyll do it for you. I rinsed our gear, laid it out to dry, and forgot to put it back in the locker room 3 days in a row (chalk it up to sun/cerveza/etc.), and each night, they brought it in for me.
Hotel
As usual, the rooms were very clean and the cleaning staff works very well behind the scenes to keep it spotless. All the rooms now have refrigerators (per Jeanie)! They seem to be bringing in more tour boats weekdays for a stop at Rendez Blu and that slowed things down quite a bit as the restaurant got quite busy when 12 people come off the boat. Service was very slow at times, but still great chicken tacos, chips and salsa, and cold beer. The slow service was our only complaint.
Food
Tried a few of our favorites from last time and some new spots:
Sonora Grill maybe our best dinner! I had grilled grouper with garlic very delicate, right amount of seasoning, beautiful presentation on the plate. Wife had skirt steak which was perfectly marinated, tender, and tasty. Service was quick and efficient and the open air upstairs location provided a nice breeze. Table cloths, strolling guitar player, etc. Id go back twice next trip.
El Pique great chicken and al pastor tacos. Cheap, but our lack of fluent Espanol prevented us from deciphering much of the menu. Quick, cheap, tasty eats!
La Perlita oh my gosh GREAT fish and shrimp tacos. The fish and shrimp is normally fried, but two of the four of us wanted it grilled, and they accommodated that request. The fish is grouper and the fried versions were my favorite. Very lightly breaded and chopped not your typical Red Lobster fried stuff. Habanero sauce may have a little plutonium in the recipe - HOT! Service was very attentive and friendly. Wed go there twice on our next trip. Way back in the hood, but a superb lunch.
Los Otates tried this place for the first time. Actually went there twice! Three al pastor tacos, a torta, veggie burrito, two beers, a fanta, and the bill was $10. We went back again and it wasnt quite as good probably because we ate at La Perlita for lunch that day and its not fair to compare the two! Wed go back again for a quick dinner. Very casual outdoor seating, not too touristy.
Rockin Java had breakfast on our last morning good potato/egg burritos and croissandwich. Nice air conditioned place to have coffee and breakfast.
La Choza I really like the atmosphere here. Dinners were very good, complete with lentil or noodle soup. Very good service here, also.
Casa Denis good grilled fish with garlic. Wasnt quite as tasty as I remembered last year, but still a very nice dinner and a worthy stop.
Panchos Backyard once again, the service was awesome I dont know how they do it, but they wait staff is just so willing to please. Food was very good, maybe just a tad too tex-mex, but still a great place to eat.
Anyway, thats our trip. Many good memories and I think weve found a place that wed return to (at least) once per year.
I'll post up a few pics once I figure out how to make fish NOT look like they are afraid of me and my camera.
- We didnt get to meet Underachiever whom now owes me a brewski
- We didnt get to see Driftin By nor GGUNN (nor the rest of you SB regulars) as our vacations didnt overlap this year
Now, with the good .
Started with three days in Cancun at the Moon Palace for a conference. Nice place. Marble floors and Jacuzzi tubs in the hotel rooms. Did some windsurfing, sailing, eating, and laying by the pool. Oh yea I also had to work some of the time.
After the conference let out on Wed, I hopped a cab to Playa del Carmen, caught the ferry and made my way to Coz. Ferry ride was nice. There was a band on board that everyone seemed to enjoy. They also sell drinks, so I enjoyed a Sol during the crossing.
Once into the port at Cozumel, me and my 49 lb duffel bag and 20 lb backpack delicately sidestepped around the tour / scooter rental / snorkel salespeople and headed for the familiar white maroon-striped cabs. 10 minutes later, I was walking into the friendly confines of the Caribe Blu check in desk.
This is only our second time to Cozumel and CB, but it sure felt like I was home. The Moon Palace is a very nice place, but you can have your 3,000 guest hotels. Ill take quaint over crowds anytime.
Found my wife (who already landed in Coz, checked into the CB, and had made it to Cherduai for beer/water/snacks, bless her heart), and we talked about plans for the week. Decided to do a quick shore dive to check her new BCD and Reg setup and cool off.
We both were thinking Casa Denis would be a great first meal, so we headed downtown and had a nice dinner.
From this point on, Ill spare the gory details and just summarize the rest:
Diving
Dove (dived?) Palancar caves, Tormentos, Santa Rosa wall, Chun Chakaab (twice), Delila, Columbia Deep, Columbia Shallows, Paradise, and two shore dives at BA. Saw three nurse sharks, free swimming green moray, spider crab, regular crab, big lobster, spotted eel, sharp tailed eel, monster-sized parrot fish, sting rays, grouper, a neat little cleaning station, turtles (including a HUGE VW-bus sized turtle), and a few juvenile drum.
Current was ripping at Santa Rosa with poor vis. Last year, we hardly ever noticed any current this year, we had current just about everywhere and probably more normal for Coz. We were a little cold on our first two days diving in shorties. Rented a full 3 mil suit for wife and that helped. Water temp showed 78 degrees. Saw a few thimble jellyfish on one dive, but no stings! Shore dives in front of BA were a nice way to practice photography and test our gear. Theres plenty to see there and the new Stingray pen didnt bother me at all, except for the fact that they stingrays seem like theyd like to get out of there. We saw spotted eels, sharp tailed eel, and plenty of variety there go to the south end of the stringray pen and theres some nice coral heads there.
We found ourselves with a variety of dive partners on various boats this trip. One couple form Missouri that have dived all over the world. I enjoyed hearing their stories of dive trips and appreciated their photo tips. Also met and dove with Coy and Stephen from Houston (yes, Im still wearing that white shirt, Coy!), Lee and Cindy from Palm Springs (hey did you know you can buy dive stuff on e-bay?), Sam and Nancy from Minnesota (you put a valve on your regulator hose? Are you nuts?), Vincente from Mexico City, and Robert(o) from Steamboat, Colorado. What a life that guy has. Skiing ½ the year, diving the other half. Hes my personal hero.
Blue Angel
BA was good as usual efficient, friendly, enthusiastic. Had Gorge, Jorge, and Jose. Missed diving with Pumba during his last few days there. His voice cuts through everyone elses in the morning. The sound of Pumbas voice and air tanks banging on concrete was our alarm clock! I might try to record that sound and put it on my iPod. Living Underwater boat was a little rough, but didnt bother us. Chiquimax is a very nice boat and we enjoyed that two days. Pace of the diving is nice put together your own reg/BCD/air tank if you want or theyll do it for you. I rinsed our gear, laid it out to dry, and forgot to put it back in the locker room 3 days in a row (chalk it up to sun/cerveza/etc.), and each night, they brought it in for me.
Hotel
As usual, the rooms were very clean and the cleaning staff works very well behind the scenes to keep it spotless. All the rooms now have refrigerators (per Jeanie)! They seem to be bringing in more tour boats weekdays for a stop at Rendez Blu and that slowed things down quite a bit as the restaurant got quite busy when 12 people come off the boat. Service was very slow at times, but still great chicken tacos, chips and salsa, and cold beer. The slow service was our only complaint.
Food
Tried a few of our favorites from last time and some new spots:
Sonora Grill maybe our best dinner! I had grilled grouper with garlic very delicate, right amount of seasoning, beautiful presentation on the plate. Wife had skirt steak which was perfectly marinated, tender, and tasty. Service was quick and efficient and the open air upstairs location provided a nice breeze. Table cloths, strolling guitar player, etc. Id go back twice next trip.
El Pique great chicken and al pastor tacos. Cheap, but our lack of fluent Espanol prevented us from deciphering much of the menu. Quick, cheap, tasty eats!
La Perlita oh my gosh GREAT fish and shrimp tacos. The fish and shrimp is normally fried, but two of the four of us wanted it grilled, and they accommodated that request. The fish is grouper and the fried versions were my favorite. Very lightly breaded and chopped not your typical Red Lobster fried stuff. Habanero sauce may have a little plutonium in the recipe - HOT! Service was very attentive and friendly. Wed go there twice on our next trip. Way back in the hood, but a superb lunch.
Los Otates tried this place for the first time. Actually went there twice! Three al pastor tacos, a torta, veggie burrito, two beers, a fanta, and the bill was $10. We went back again and it wasnt quite as good probably because we ate at La Perlita for lunch that day and its not fair to compare the two! Wed go back again for a quick dinner. Very casual outdoor seating, not too touristy.
Rockin Java had breakfast on our last morning good potato/egg burritos and croissandwich. Nice air conditioned place to have coffee and breakfast.
La Choza I really like the atmosphere here. Dinners were very good, complete with lentil or noodle soup. Very good service here, also.
Casa Denis good grilled fish with garlic. Wasnt quite as tasty as I remembered last year, but still a very nice dinner and a worthy stop.
Panchos Backyard once again, the service was awesome I dont know how they do it, but they wait staff is just so willing to please. Food was very good, maybe just a tad too tex-mex, but still a great place to eat.
Anyway, thats our trip. Many good memories and I think weve found a place that wed return to (at least) once per year.
I'll post up a few pics once I figure out how to make fish NOT look like they are afraid of me and my camera.
Maybe next time.
