Scuba diving in Cozumel on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve morning was a beautiful 85 degrees and sunny. I figured why not spend Christmas Eve scuba diving so I went out in the morning in with Aqua Safari. First dive was Palancar Caves. A beautiful dive with numerous swim-thrus. Max depth was around 90ft. Palancar Caves is easily one of my favorite dive sites in Cozumel. Total dive time approximately 1 hr and 2 minutes. Water temperature was a warm 82f.
Spend my surface interval getting some quality sun and working on my ailing sun burn. I also decided that it was smarter to pack a lunch rather than try to survive on free fruit included with the dive. I could have practically sold my sandwich to anyone on the dive boat for any asking price. The second dive was at Paso de Cedral. A great dive with a variety of different marine life. Depth was about 62ft. My dive time end up being around an hour and 14 minutes because I went into deco. (Shh...dont tell anyone). Towards the end of the dive I saw Jose (the divemaster) catching another lion fish and I descended again to watch and see if I could assist. I grabbed Jose's dive flag so he would have an extra hand while he corralled the lionfish using a poker and half of a cut off plastic water jug.
After diving I hit up my usual spots Kelley's and Woody's for some cervezas and later spent Christmas Eve sitting on a beach reading a book. That's my idea of a white Christmas; A white sandy beach and none of this snow business.
In the evening I went to Rock n' Java Cafe for Christmas Eve dinner with some local friends. Dinner was about 180 pesos and included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and desert. It wasn't bad at all but a little cold. Overall, Rock n' Java does great food. I was a bit taco, torta and fajita'd out so any different food was a welcomed change. My friend Mark had invited me to go to his friend's party at her condo at Rescidencias Reef so I took a taxi to the other side of the island for 130 pesos. Not a bad little party though I had arrived a bit late and lots of people had already left for the night. Beautiful condo with a great ocean view. Good beer and wonderful free food. Klara and Chad from Wet Wendy's brought along their famous homemade tequila and generously provided the margaritas. Both great people; I really love their little bar.
It's funny I think almost all the expats on the island know everyone or at least know of each other. For an island of 90,000 people Cozumel certainly feels a lot smaller. If you spend any significant amount of time here you will find yourself running into the same people and getting to know a lot of locals.
Rain, French Quarter and more Lionfish
Last night sucked. It rained from about 4PM until about 10PM; heavy dourpouring. All the streets were flooded and it was like walking through an amazon river but only one that is situated in downtown San Miguel. Felt like I was back in Thailand during the moonsoon season. I almost needed my scuba equipment to navigate the streets. I can say with certainty that the people coming back from the afternoon diving looked absolutely miserable (and cold).
Stayed in the hostel until about 7pm drinking some cervezas and socializing with some of the other backpackers/travelers. I ended up going out to the French Quarter because they have Monday night football that includes a 6USD buffet and 1USD beers. Not really into football but it was better than doing nothing. Food was so-so. Standard cajun food with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and a few other things. Not bad for 6 bucks. Definitely seemed like a place where lots of local expats hang out. I havent been here in about a year and had never been upstairs; didnt realize they had two other huge sections here. The weather finally took a turn for the best and I think around 10PM the skies were clear.
Woke up next morning at 8am and headed for dive boat. We dove Santa Rosa Wall (83ft for about 52 minutes) and Villa Blanca wall (49ft for 55 minutes). Miguel caught another lionfish at Santa Rosa bringing the total to 4 that I have seen caught in my last 3 days of diving. We saw an Eagle Ray at Villa Blanca and what can best be described as the most massive green moral eel i've ever encountered. Water temperature was around 81-82 degrees though my computer did briefly register 79 degrees. Sun was finally out and the weather was beautiful. I am hoping the rest of the week stays like this. I want to be sitting on a beach come Christmas. We're supposed to do Punta Sur tomorrow and then I think I will maybe do 1 or 2 more days of diving in Mexico.
Didnt do too much today other than dive and buy groceries at the Mega. I figured I would try to save more money instead of eating out every day for lunch so I bought some turkey, ham, cheese and bread to make sandwiches. I also picked up a six pack for Modelo for about 52 pesos (about 4USD).
Brought my laundry to a place called Margarita Laundromat back on Ave 11 and Sur 5 (I believe). I think it's about 45 pesos (3.5USD) for them to wash/dry a load of laundry. Hopefully should be ready at 6pm otherwise i'll be stuck wearing swimming shorts and a dirty t-shirt I bought in Cambodia for 3 bucks. Classy.
Oh yeah, I also got a haircut at Antonio's for 70 peos (5.5USD). Looking a little less like a bum; next priority is shaving but that can wait.
No plans for tonight yet though this six pack of Modelo is going down like piss water, cold piss water. 7ocents a beer is better than 1USD-2USD beer in town.
