driftin' by
Contributor
Okay, here's the real report....
5/26 - 6/2 was our 3 time to stay at Fiesta Americana in a dozen or more trips to the area. It was our daughter's fourth trip in her young 2.5 years of life.... lucky kid!
Booked direct, chartered air aboard AeroMexico via FunJet departing Houston early in the morning around 9:00 AM. All was pretty uneventful but checking in a full hour before departure, we were assigned the last 3 seats on the plane... none of them together. It's our own fault as we've become lackadaisical in our efforts to arrive "early" living just 10 minutes away from the airport. That won't happen again because it was hectic trying to get 2 seats together so our daughter wouldn't have to ride next to a stranger. For the second time flying with AeroMexico I've come to the conclusion that they're a fine airline that runs on time and serves a snack-like meal and has yet to charge me for one adult cocktail.
We arranged transfer in the white van for $18 after picking up or 5 bags... perfect and we departed right away. Attendant that we bought our tickets from told us to tell the driver our daughter was 1. I guess she officially needed to pay. We didn't hide anything... asked for a transfer for the 3 of us. I would have gladly paid another toll for her but it wasn't necessary.
In our 3 stays at Fiesta Americana to date (May 2007, September 2007) the resort was the busiest we've seen it. There was a buzz in air so to speak and it was all about diving. In the past, if we happen to find ourselves in a pool, on the beach, at a bar or in one of the restaurants with more than a couple other people, it was rare. Although, I missed the "having the place to myself" feeling, I was more than pleased to see business picked up for the employees.
As most of you regulars already know, I'm pretty biased toward FA so I'll keep this next part short. FA lived up to our expectations, again! Excellent service, clean rooms and grounds, decent food, good and plenty drinks... what more does a diver need? A big thanks to Mario, Jose, Mika (babysitter), Yasmine for taking good care of us and our daughter. Another highlight of FA is the clientele. Every stay, we've met the nicest people and fellow vacationers with this trip being no exception. This certainly can't be said for other placed we've stayed most notably, Allegro. Anyway, I digress... met up with fellow SB'er okiejeff and wife who we visited with daily and joined for dinner in town at Casa Denis which I found to be very good including the mango margarita.
Along with okiejeff, my wife and I dived with Blue Angel for the third straight trip. Again, all expectations were met. Unfortunately, we weren't able to dive with our choice DM however we had the pleasure of diving with DM Tony. Much like all the other DM's I've had the pleasure diving with at BA, Tony is confident and competent diver who strictly adheres to BA's policy of diving where you want to your own desired limits. We hit all the hot spots including Horseshoe, Tormentos, Caves, Columbia Shallows and Chun Chacab with the latter two being my personal favorites.
X-mas in May:
Squirrelfish:
And for all the doubters and naysayers, Cozumel reefs are alive and well thriving with life as evident with this beautiful, large seafan.
Turtle:
Trumpetfish:
Blenny "Why won't you just come out of your home!"
Porkfish:
Flounder "Can't believe I used to eat these things!?!"
Burrfish "Please hold still for a picture."
Brittle Star:
Although, Chun Chacab was a bittersweet experience as I blew out my ear drum while descending. You can read more details about in a thread here. I wouldn't recommend it, but I didn't let it deter me from finishing the dive although it would end with some pretty extreme nausea and vomiting. Good news is, I just go cleared by the doctor today to return to diving. Yippee! So I only got in 6 dives with the elusive #100 still out of reach just 3 away.
Anemone "There's one of them thar pretty lil shrimps in thar."
In addition to the sites mentioned above I did my first ever shore dive in Cozumel with okiejeff. We started at the beach of FA and headed north near shore. About mid-way between FA and the Money Bar we turned west for deeper waters. We found ourselves in 18 fsw were I saw more marine life in one dive than any other site all week. That's not to say the other sites disappointed, just the sheer number of notable sittings far out numbered the totals for other sites. However, to be fair, large formations and exotic corals were not to be found but we did find, a scorpion fish, sleeping Spanish lobsters, barracuda, a couple Eels, a couple Peacock Flounders, lizard fish, stingray and numerous juvenile fish. A couple days later, while I couldn't dive I could still snorkel, I took the same route with my wife diving just below me. From the surface, I spotted an octopus, stingray, a burr fish and several puffers just to name a few. What I'm trying to get at is that for the cost ($5) of a tank from Dive House, it's really a very, very nice dive if you take your time. I just wish I had taken advantage of it in the past.
I was really hoping for more diving my new Canon Powershot G9 in an Ikelite housing. Just when my ear popped, I was getting the hang of things and the controls. Quickly- I was very impressed with this setup... the camera fires quickly in all modes, the big 3'' screen is great for reviewing shots, the shortcut button for setting white balance is great, the ISO selector dial on the camera and navigation of the controls make this camera one sweet unit. I'm looking forward to many years of creating great memories with it. I did manage to salvage a few good shots but the extra surface time with my little girl while Mom dived was genuinely a pleasure and time well spent.
Getting stated early with donning those fins.
BTW, All photos contained herein with have not been touched or cropped as I've struggled to find the time.
So we only ventured into town twice... once to see an ENT specialist at the chamber and another to hit up Casa Denis. The hustle of bustle of town has became less desirable for me to want to endure lately with all the pod people and what-not. At any rate, with each venture into town we experienced less than trustworthy cab drivers trying to overcharge. To keep them on their toes, ask to see the rate sheet or better, take one with you and always agree on a price before getting in. We also noticed that they opt for not running the air conditioning. Which is fine with me but I can see where other's wouldn't appreciate this. I guess it's because of oil prices?
Well that's about it. Another fantastic trip to a place I as comfortable at as I am at home. Without doubt we will return utilizing the services of those mentioned above. Will it be our next trip? Perhaps not. After returning, we got really itchy to check out someplace else. Not that it's a bad thing, but I'd like to ink my logbook with something other than Cozumel next time with possibly Bonaire, Roatan or even Indonesia. Whatever the case, we know that a most excellent time awaits at my home away from home on the beautiful Isla Cozumel.
LG- Life is Good!
5/26 - 6/2 was our 3 time to stay at Fiesta Americana in a dozen or more trips to the area. It was our daughter's fourth trip in her young 2.5 years of life.... lucky kid!
Booked direct, chartered air aboard AeroMexico via FunJet departing Houston early in the morning around 9:00 AM. All was pretty uneventful but checking in a full hour before departure, we were assigned the last 3 seats on the plane... none of them together. It's our own fault as we've become lackadaisical in our efforts to arrive "early" living just 10 minutes away from the airport. That won't happen again because it was hectic trying to get 2 seats together so our daughter wouldn't have to ride next to a stranger. For the second time flying with AeroMexico I've come to the conclusion that they're a fine airline that runs on time and serves a snack-like meal and has yet to charge me for one adult cocktail.
We arranged transfer in the white van for $18 after picking up or 5 bags... perfect and we departed right away. Attendant that we bought our tickets from told us to tell the driver our daughter was 1. I guess she officially needed to pay. We didn't hide anything... asked for a transfer for the 3 of us. I would have gladly paid another toll for her but it wasn't necessary.
In our 3 stays at Fiesta Americana to date (May 2007, September 2007) the resort was the busiest we've seen it. There was a buzz in air so to speak and it was all about diving. In the past, if we happen to find ourselves in a pool, on the beach, at a bar or in one of the restaurants with more than a couple other people, it was rare. Although, I missed the "having the place to myself" feeling, I was more than pleased to see business picked up for the employees.
As most of you regulars already know, I'm pretty biased toward FA so I'll keep this next part short. FA lived up to our expectations, again! Excellent service, clean rooms and grounds, decent food, good and plenty drinks... what more does a diver need? A big thanks to Mario, Jose, Mika (babysitter), Yasmine for taking good care of us and our daughter. Another highlight of FA is the clientele. Every stay, we've met the nicest people and fellow vacationers with this trip being no exception. This certainly can't be said for other placed we've stayed most notably, Allegro. Anyway, I digress... met up with fellow SB'er okiejeff and wife who we visited with daily and joined for dinner in town at Casa Denis which I found to be very good including the mango margarita.
Along with okiejeff, my wife and I dived with Blue Angel for the third straight trip. Again, all expectations were met. Unfortunately, we weren't able to dive with our choice DM however we had the pleasure of diving with DM Tony. Much like all the other DM's I've had the pleasure diving with at BA, Tony is confident and competent diver who strictly adheres to BA's policy of diving where you want to your own desired limits. We hit all the hot spots including Horseshoe, Tormentos, Caves, Columbia Shallows and Chun Chacab with the latter two being my personal favorites.
X-mas in May:
Squirrelfish:
And for all the doubters and naysayers, Cozumel reefs are alive and well thriving with life as evident with this beautiful, large seafan.
Turtle:
Trumpetfish:
Blenny "Why won't you just come out of your home!"
Porkfish:
Flounder "Can't believe I used to eat these things!?!"
Burrfish "Please hold still for a picture."
Brittle Star:
Although, Chun Chacab was a bittersweet experience as I blew out my ear drum while descending. You can read more details about in a thread here. I wouldn't recommend it, but I didn't let it deter me from finishing the dive although it would end with some pretty extreme nausea and vomiting. Good news is, I just go cleared by the doctor today to return to diving. Yippee! So I only got in 6 dives with the elusive #100 still out of reach just 3 away.
Anemone "There's one of them thar pretty lil shrimps in thar."
In addition to the sites mentioned above I did my first ever shore dive in Cozumel with okiejeff. We started at the beach of FA and headed north near shore. About mid-way between FA and the Money Bar we turned west for deeper waters. We found ourselves in 18 fsw were I saw more marine life in one dive than any other site all week. That's not to say the other sites disappointed, just the sheer number of notable sittings far out numbered the totals for other sites. However, to be fair, large formations and exotic corals were not to be found but we did find, a scorpion fish, sleeping Spanish lobsters, barracuda, a couple Eels, a couple Peacock Flounders, lizard fish, stingray and numerous juvenile fish. A couple days later, while I couldn't dive I could still snorkel, I took the same route with my wife diving just below me. From the surface, I spotted an octopus, stingray, a burr fish and several puffers just to name a few. What I'm trying to get at is that for the cost ($5) of a tank from Dive House, it's really a very, very nice dive if you take your time. I just wish I had taken advantage of it in the past.
I was really hoping for more diving my new Canon Powershot G9 in an Ikelite housing. Just when my ear popped, I was getting the hang of things and the controls. Quickly- I was very impressed with this setup... the camera fires quickly in all modes, the big 3'' screen is great for reviewing shots, the shortcut button for setting white balance is great, the ISO selector dial on the camera and navigation of the controls make this camera one sweet unit. I'm looking forward to many years of creating great memories with it. I did manage to salvage a few good shots but the extra surface time with my little girl while Mom dived was genuinely a pleasure and time well spent.
Getting stated early with donning those fins.
BTW, All photos contained herein with have not been touched or cropped as I've struggled to find the time.
So we only ventured into town twice... once to see an ENT specialist at the chamber and another to hit up Casa Denis. The hustle of bustle of town has became less desirable for me to want to endure lately with all the pod people and what-not. At any rate, with each venture into town we experienced less than trustworthy cab drivers trying to overcharge. To keep them on their toes, ask to see the rate sheet or better, take one with you and always agree on a price before getting in. We also noticed that they opt for not running the air conditioning. Which is fine with me but I can see where other's wouldn't appreciate this. I guess it's because of oil prices?
Well that's about it. Another fantastic trip to a place I as comfortable at as I am at home. Without doubt we will return utilizing the services of those mentioned above. Will it be our next trip? Perhaps not. After returning, we got really itchy to check out someplace else. Not that it's a bad thing, but I'd like to ink my logbook with something other than Cozumel next time with possibly Bonaire, Roatan or even Indonesia. Whatever the case, we know that a most excellent time awaits at my home away from home on the beautiful Isla Cozumel.
LG- Life is Good!
