Mega Trip Report (PHOTOS ADDED) Day 3- Cozumel

[cassie_KY]

Wednesday was our port of call in Cozumel. We got up early and headed straight to the forward deck. We had arrived in Cozumel and were preparing to dock. The sun had just risen and we were treated to an uncomparable view of yachts, catamarans, and sailboats moored all around.

We had been under the impression we would pull into the slot directly in front of us, but the captain turned the boat a hundred and eighty degrees and backed us into a slot. I was impressed to see someone parallel park an 800 foot ship! We snapped photographs of downtown Cozumel and enjoyed the view. After the ship cleared customs, we headed down to deck three to disembark. To keep track of you, the ship scanned you Sail and Sea Card as you got off the ship. When you got back on, they scanned it again.

When we got off, we noticed another Carnival cruise ship in the distance. Even from afar, it appeared much larger than ours. We later learned it was the Carnival Legend. There were going to be three cruise ships in port with us.

For our excursion that day, we had chosen the Mini Jeep Outlander and Snorkel. Here is the description from the Carnival website:

· Board a Mercedes Benz Uni-Mog with your fellow guests.

· Be driven from the pier to the Punta Sur State Refuge. See saltwater crocodiles in their natural environment, an antique Mayan ruin, and the Punta Celarain Lighthouse.

· Receive your safety gear (helmet, goggles and mouth cover) at the beach.

· Hop in your Yamaha 4x4 Rhino, a powerful outlander vehicle, and follow your guide through tropical jungle roads.

· Ride through secret sand paths to arrive at El Cielo Bay, a white sandy beach that offers some of the best snorkeling on the island.

· Enjoy a refreshing swim and discover the colorful tropical fishes that inhabit one of the shallowest reefs in this area.

· Reboard your Rhino and head back to the lighthouse where your Uni-Mog is waiting to return to your ship.

We had an hour before we were to meet our tour group. We had been warned before we got off that the Mexican shopping experience was not what we were used to. That was an understatement! With cries of "Senor" and "Amiga" we ducked our heads and kept walking. the shops were full of blankets, T-shirts, silver jewelry, and natural vanilla. I also discovered another love-Mexican Diet Coke! They use real cane sugar (even in the diet) and it tasted wonderful! (I am now plotting ways to import some back to the US.)

At that time, we headed back to meet our group our guides Clente and Chi-Chi met us. We all signed waivers and prepared to leave. We met a really nice family. They cruise people had told them that their credit card would work while in port, but many of the shops would not accept it. After asking Nathan, I loaned them some cash to buy water. I knew it was taking a risk, but I try my best to do the right thing.

We followed our guides to an open air bus and headed to a nearby hotel where we picked up ten people from the Carnival Legend. Then, we went on to where the Mini Jeeps waited.

We were given a safety lecture on how to use the Mini Jeeps. They were automatics and it was stressed hor important it was to only drive in high gear. We were instructed that wearing helmets, seatbelts, and the web doors had to be fastened at all times.

It took a few minutes to regulate the gas pedal and maintain proper spacing with everyone. We drove a few miles on a paved road and then turned off onto a dirt road through scrub brush. The road twisted and turned as we bounced over potholes. Then, we made a final turn and the ocean spread out before us. Absolutely breathtaking!

We pulled off the road and made our way over to a wildlife lookout. What happened next was a highlight of the cruise for me. Chi-Chi looked out over the water, whistled, and hollered "Hey Max!" He waited a little and did it again. Moments later, a twelve foot crocodile swam to the pier we were standing on. This was Max. Chi-Chi explained Max was the dominant male and that they had been feeding him snacks for years so he would come over for tourists to see. Naturalists at the park estimated that 500 crocodiles live there.

We had an option to climb an observation tower nearby. The view was beautiful and we snapped pictures of the ocean, inland waters, and the lighthouse off in the distance. We climbed down and waved goodbye to Max as we went in search of a shady spot to lounge. Beside where we had parked, there was a Myan temple. Unlike temples I had seen on television or books, it was less than six feet tall and about ten feet on each side with a small door.

Chi-Chi told us that this temple was very special. First, the door was small not because the people were short, but because when people brought offerings, they would enter the temple on their knees. This temple had been known as the Temple of the Conch and functioned as a weather warning system. Conch shells were placed on the roof and when storm winds blew in, they caused the conch shells to sound. A runner would be dispatched to nearby villages to let everyone know a storm was coming and to prepare. I was so surprised. It was a simple idea that may have saved lives.

We kept driving with ocean to our left and scrub brush on our right. We zipped past a lighthouse and made our way to the beach where we were originally going to snorkel. The red flag let us know we wouldn't be swimming there today. Rest assured! We were going to snorkel, just not at that beach.

After a brief break, we climbed back into the Mini Jeeps ("Heeps" as Clente called them.) And headed back to the lighthouse. Here, we had approximately forty-five minutes of free time. We opted for the lighthouse first. The climb was 133 steep steps, but the view from the top was worth it! In all directions, we could see water. The shallow water where Max lived on one side and the pounding sea on the other. I could have stayed there for hours and drank in that view.

After carefully walking back downstairs (Yes, they were that steep!), we were treated to homemade chips and salsa on the beach. Hammocks were set up as well and some in our group tried them out. We hopped back in our “Heeps” and drove them back to the station and boarded our bus again.

It was time for snorkeling. I am not the best swimmer and have never snorkeled before, but I was not going to let that stop me. Nathan hadn't either and we were both really excited as everyone had said the water was beautiful. We were outfitted with snorkels, a life vest, and flippers. Chi-Chi walked us down to the water and explained how to use all the equipment. A couple from the other boat overheard it was my first time and were a huge help offering hints to help me out and encouraging me not to be nervous. It was so nice as we were all pitching in together to help everyone out.

We headed out into the water and saw our first fish immediately. Tiny fish swarmed around our ankles! We walked backwards into the surf until we could swim. Nathan and I initially swam holding hands until Clente said it would make us swim slower. We swam side by side. It was slow going, but I was getting there.

At this particular site, it was a half mile swim before we got out to the site. I learned how to look down and keep swimming so I could see all the fish below. The water was about fourteen feet deep, yet we could see to the bottom. Amazing!

As I was swimming so slowly, Clente offered me a little float to help me swim. I swam over an anchor and looked down to see the water teaming with angelfish! I couldn't believe I was really in the ocean and seeing the fish I had only seen in pet shops before.

We continued down the coastline and the fish kept coming. Chi-Chi and Clente poured little food treats out to the fish and we were mobbed! I looked sideways out of my goggles and the fish were jumping out of the water right in front of my eyes.

Too soon, we made out way to land and boarded our bus. We stopped at the resort long enough for us to change clothes and then it was back to the pier. Such an absolutely good time!

We still had a few hours before it was time to board the boat. We poked around in the shops and took in the scenery. We purchased some postcards for our families and magnets. Nathan wanted some of the blankets and the natural vanilla for his family and we scoped out the best places to purchase them. We received incessant calls to come look at jewelry and other items, but we kept trying to ignore them. I call it a success as we made it out of the shops without buying any of that!

With shopping bags full of treasure, we headed back to the ship for a well-needed shower and discovered my new bunny towel animal. Our friends we had met on the excursion dropped by to give us the money we had lent them (they had borrowed some more to get some excursion photos). We went back upstairs and watched as our ship departed Cozumel. I can’t wait to go back and try the waterslide at Senor Frogs !

We ate supper at the Lido deck and went to see our Formal Night photos. They were gorgeous and I bought too many, but I was not going to be purchasing alcohol or any other disposable items so this would be my trip splurge.

It was time for the show to start so we headed over to the Americana Lounge for a variety act. The first was a man billed as the fastest juggler in the world while the second was a comedian. We cheered and laughed through their acts and wished there was more! Juggling while doing splits and cartwheels was impressive. Stating that he would juggle as fast as we clapped (and being able to do so was even better! We wished the no photo policy was not the case.

We admit that we missed the Midnight Buffet. Our excursion the next day had us up before 6AM and we needed a little sleep to enjoy it.

Thank you all so much for reading. I will post the link to the photos shortly.

[cassie_KY]

OOPS! I forgot to post the link to our pictures. As always, I will have captions later!

Cozumel- Day Three of Cruise

[The Interpreter]

I feel much better now. I thought I had missed it!

Thanks for your incredibly detailed, wonderful trip reports!

[cassie_KY]

As I watched it again yesterday for the first time in years, I feel I must quote "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"

You see friend, I have the gift of gab!

They are quite fun to write and I am happy others have enjoyed them as well.

[dragsterfan420]

Yet another awesome TR. I loved all the pics as well. The ones of the wildlife, and especially the crocs, were my favorite.