Cozumel-Feb. 11, 2011- By Shawn

Last but certainly not least. Our final island stop during our cruise was at Cozumel. We really needed to get off the ship in a hurry to make the dune buggy tour that we had planned. We were actually standing at the front of the line about an hour before the ship was ready to open the doors for dis-embarkment. Once they gave the green light we were the first ones off the boat. We ran down the pier to find a taxi. We needed to get to the Dune buggy shop which was about 10 miles up the road. After about a 15 minute taxi ride we arrived. Another couple with two small kids were there (they had arrived on a different ship) waiting. I could tell they were not too happy about having to wait for us. After a short meet and greet, the guide went over our agenda. We climbed into our Dune Buggies and followed the lead buggy (guide) out onto the road and down thru the city. We could see that the skies ahead were dark and a seemingly solid wall of rain was up ahead. We were ready though. After all we had on our shorts, sunglasses and water shoes. When we hit that wall of rain, well it hit back. Remember we were in a dune buggy. Within minutes the roads were rivers and we were soaked. We were laughing so hard though. The kids looked like they had just come out of the shower. Check the pics. Kathy and I have been to Cancun twice before and both times we were caught in tropical storms. We must be jinxed. We were fortunate that the storm only lasted for about 20 minutes. The sun came out just in time as we pulled off the road and prepared to snorkel from the shore line. The other family was trying to figure out who would go snorkeling and who would stay on the shore and watch their youngest child. Kathy being the charitable woman she is offered to watch their son on the shore while they both took their other child out into the water. They really appreciated this and began to warm up to us. We learned that they had lived in Layton Utah for a few years before being transferred to Minnesota. They were a great family. Ok, back to the snorkeling. I was surprised how great this area was. The guide was able to dive down and stir up food from the bottom. Fish were everywhere. Savannah saw an eel and almost drowned me trying to get away from it. We saw some really colorful fish and were within about 10 feet from a barracuda. That was a little freaky. I think he was looking at Nick like he was an all you can eat cruise buffet. After about an hour of snorkeling we climbed back into the buggies and drove thru some of the rural communities that are found off the beaten path. We stopped and visited an area full of shops, a small church and large gathering area for fiestas. The people were really nice. The kids held an iguana and we toured around the area for awhile. From there we made our way back to the main road and headed to the other side of the island to find some sandy beaches with “big waves”. The kids had to have “big waves”. We found the perfect beach. While all of us played in the waves and on the sand our tour guide prepared a great lunch with fried chicken, fresh salsa and guacamole, tortillas, chips and sodas. It was delicious. As we were eating on the beach our friends (the Slesser family) happened to see us as they were driving by and pulled off to say hello. They had been site seeing and cruising around the island in a jeep. They were really enjoying their time also. They headed back on their way and we got back to business with those waves. The kids couldn’t get enough. I couldn’t get enough. We spent hours hanging out and enjoying this beach. The sand was soft and water was warm. Kathy was all smiles too. I think she may have been happiest because I had just bought her a Coach bag from a small shop down the way. Savannah was the real hero on this deal. Kathy had her eye on this bag the moment we pulled off the road near this shop, but the guy wanted way too much money. I didn’t want to pay it. Kathy set down the bag and then headed over to use a restroom. Savannah had been watching this event unfold and immediately grabbed me and pulled me aside. She proceeded to teach me a lesson from the ancient dark arts called “how to understand woman”. She explained that her mom really wanted this bag and that by her walking away from the purchase was a test to see if I loved her enough to buy it. I was trapped. How could I possibly not buy this bag? Did these two work in cahoots? I don’t know! But what I do know is that even though I was able to haggle down a bit more on the bag price I really would have paid triple the original price to see that big Kathy smile I love so much. Thanks Savannah for putting me in check. It was worth it.


We headed back to town and returned the dune buggies that evening. We said goodbye and headed back to the ship. We stopped and shopped a little more at the pier before boarding. Nick picked up a totem and Savannah bought some starfish.

Another Great Day!