Cozumel

Cozumel is the largest island of Mexico and situated off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, and is part of the Caribbean. Beaches are white and fluffy, the water is warm and blue, the diving is world class due mainly to its extraordinary visibility, and unfortunately – too many Americans visit taking away its potential claim to be one of the best destinations in the world.

We’ve been here for three days and have spent most of the time talking about the meaning of life and what comes next. Do we move to Mexico, or what? At the moment, Mexico is winning, but I always seem to come back to a yearning for Melbourne, family, and friends: what I left the Army for five years ago. Damn it! Why isn’t Melbourne situated on the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula?

To fill in the time we have been eating Fajitas, hired scooters (USD$20) and drove around the island snorkeling at various beaches, and today we did a two tank dive with Eco Divers ($67). We had two great dives and saw lots of great fishies and critters: Hawksbill Turtles, Nurse Shark, Giant Crab, the largest Crayfish/Lobster I have EVER seen (could have been 1m long – not a fishing story, it was fucking enormous!), and the best fish in the sea –a Spotted Drum. It was a great day.

If quality dive equipment is important for you, go elsewhere. Our regulators leaked, my BCD self inflated regularly, and we both got blisters from the fins. A step up from me having to put rocks in my BCD for weights in Utila, but pretty average really. Divers used to Australian conditions would be shocked….

And so, we have done Cozumel again and time to move on. Tomorrow we head back to Playa del Carmen and Hotel Playa Palms, our favourite little getaway on the coast. We’re planning to stay for 5 nights, do another dive or two, walk on the beach, lie in the sun, read some books, eat fishies al a plancha, drink a little tequila, and prepare for our next move. That may be to Isla Holbox but, we have 13 days to go of this holiday, so who knows….

Some classic quotes from store owners on Cozumel (trying to survive the GEC and Pig Flu):

Please Sir, come into my store - everything almost free.
Spend some time in my shop – 30% of people say they like it in here.
Hey, want to see what I’ve got growing out the back?
Buenos dias friend, come into my store and let me rip you off. (my favourite)
Please, Honey Mooners, come into my store – sexy prices for you.
You want some real Cubans? I made them myself.
Hey, you want a moto? A jeep? Cheap accommodation? Snorkling? Diving? Taxi? Flight somewhere? A massage? Sex? (this guy was multi-talented)
Hello, what is your name? You from England? (no answer) No? From the US? (no answer - person continues to follow us down the street) No? You from France? (I have a bandana around my neck) No? How about Sweden? (my hair is going blonde due to the sun and salt water) Japan? (WTF?), Maybe New Zealand? (Close enough buddy, cheers…..)