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Trip Report Day 1.  A Must Read Panchita!...
Posted by Dogood on 08/21/02

Ok here is my birthday trip report Day 1.  I like to write so have patience.

Liz(my friend from Dallas) got to the airport at 4:00a.m. to catch a flight to Houston for this trip.  Needless to say she was a bit grumpy with me for scheduling such an early flight out of Houston to Coz.  Oh well, it is my birthday.  Once she had a Blood Mary she was fine.  Except for the sardine sandwich in the van to the hotel, it was an easy trip.  Why is it when you have 15 people in those vans, there is always one guy who feels that he needs more space than everyone else, and sits with his legs wide apart while I had to sit on some poor girl's lap breathing on the neck of the person in the next row of seats. No problem, I'm on vacation.

We get to our room at the Coral Princess and I am very impressed with the energy saving timer they have in the room.  You place your cardkey in a device and then you are able to use the lights and AC.  It worked very well and the room was very cool.  When you leave it goes off.  Interesting!

As we are having a quick snack, Christi shows up to take me for a little refresher dive.  We chat for a bit and get all the paperwork done.  I'm sure at this point she is thinking, "Oh my God this is going to be interesting."  See I'm very nervous.  I haven’t been diving since 1996.  And that was in Coz.  I didn’t have much fun on those dives.  But we are off and Liz hangs at the pool for a few hours and we agree to be back for happy hour.  

We get to “Paradise Beach” as Christi calls it, and we sit and review the basics.  Then she refreshes my memory about attaching the BC to the tank.  See I’m a bit remedial.  Well we get everything together and we head out.  We again review the basics under water until she and I are both comfortable.  I’m really not nervous at all at this point. I feel very comfortable.  As we go down, it becomes very obvious to me why I like this so much.  It is so incredible.  There is this whole other world below that some surface dwellers have no clue is even there.  I truly can’t imagine missing out on this experience in my life.  Ok, enough serious mumbo jumbo.  I will affectionately refer to this as the “Land of the Giants”.  These are some huge Parrot Fish.  I mean HUGE!  I love this spot.  There is a lot to see and there is no current. It is a great place for me to get comfortable again.

We return to the surface and I am just so excited.  Did you see this?  Did you see that?  Oh my God what about this?  Christi says I did just fine, and was I sure my last dive was in 1996?  She may have been trying to make me feel better.  It worked.  She also said that she loves it when people get excited and enthusiastic about the sealife and Scuba because it is her passion.  She also said that I reminded her of Panchita.  Now, I don’t know Panchita, but she must be a knockout with a gorgeous figure and a spirit that can’t be held back.  Am I right Panchita?  I’m not sure what exactly she meant, but there must be some similarities.

We head back to meet Liz and Christi agrees to stay for happy hour.  Now, happy hour at our hotel is signaled by a man blowing into a Conch shell at 5:00p.m.  You gotta love that!  Everyone starts foaming at the mouth when the waiter heads for the Conch. Very Funny!  While we were chatting, several dolphin go swimming by across the sunset.  It was very beautiful.  I’m liking my trip already.
 
After Christi left, we got ready for dinner and went to Sunset Grill.  This is what I call a multipurpose/multitasking place.  The front of the restaurant near the street is Aquario an indoor eatery.  The back of the restaurant on the patio and water is Sunset Grill at night and Jeanie’s Waffle House in the morning.  We are the only ones there for most of our dinner and then a few people show up.  It was very nice and the food was excellent.  Liz had the menu item Mahi Mahi with soy sauce and found it a bit overbearing with soy sauce. I had the same Mahi Mahi, but grilled with lemon butter and it was excellent. That is a regular for me.  I could eat an awful lot of fish, if someone prepared it for me like that all the time.  We sat there for hours having wine and appertifs catching up on things.  Liz is my best friend and while we communicate via phone and e-mail, there is no substitute for face time.

We stop at Chedruai for some essentials before returning to the hotel and find that cerveza is not sold after 9:00 p.m.  Ok, so cerveza is not really an essential, but that means I have to come back.  We did get water and other items otherwise I would have been very embarrassed.

Not a bad day, not a bad day at all!  :D

Day 2      8/17/02  Very Long.

It’s my birthday. Liz says that I’m officially in my forties.  It sounds much worse than being 40.  She was giving me a jab.  We head off for breakfast at Casa Denis.  Everyone talks about this spot for dinner, but I’ve only been to breakfast and I love it.  Huevos a la Mexicana is my favorite.  Just eggs, onions and peppers, but it’s yummy.  We sit and watch the morning activity in the square and decide to do some shopping.  Now, shopping for us is “get in, get out” and you’re done.  We don’t do much looking.  Liz buys some t-shirts and shorts and we’re off to the hotel for some power sunbathing.

We stake our claim on an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs in the sandy area of our hotel just close enough to the bar and just far enough away from the pool/unruly child we witness on our way down.  It is perfect and a perfectly beautiful day.  Liz begins her marathon reading.  She is usually a 2-3 booker on a 4-day trip.  I head for the water with my snorkel gear.  I’ve heard the current in front of the hotel can be strong but it wasn’t bad at all.  The sights are wonderful.  Again, here I am thinking, “how can anyone not want to do this,” it’s incredible.  In the four days that I snorkeled I saw all the usual suspects and several eels, Trunkfish, Cowfish and yes, an Octopus.  Now, I have to tell you.  The Trunkfish are my favorite.  Every time I see these guys I have to laugh. They are like swimming boxes and the Cowfish with the horns, what a riot.  Anyway, I enjoyed the snorkeling.

I return to the lounge chair where I sufficiently scorch my back.  I kept flipping myself like a burger but I was still well done.  We began our ritual of Guacamole, chips and cerveza at 2:00p.m.  You could set your watch by this ritual like the Conch shell blowing indicates happy hour.  Now somewhere between eating and chatting, I have lost a retainer type mouthpiece and have to spend time trying to find it.  They are called Invisalines and they are very expensive, so needless to say I look for them everywhere including the garbage that had been taken to the kitchen.  I’m sure they thought I was crazy, but I went through every morsel, every absolutely disgusting piece of food in the industrial size trashcan. Twice!  And I didn’t find it.  I was not very happy with myself, but hey, it’s only money.  So we relax some more and then, you know what time it is, EMMMMM!  That’s the sound of the Conch man in case you were wondering. It’s Happy Hour!  We grab our XX and head for the pool.  There is a shallow area in the pool where you can sit on the bottom and place your drinks on a table type structure coming out of the water.  We really enjoyed that a lot and the people watching was very interesting.  Lots of tattoos.  Some I recognized and others I had no idea what they were.  In fact, I decide that I need to get a Henna tattoo on this trip.

Tonight, we go to French Quarter for my Birthday celebration.  Christi says that she will try to meet us there after a wedding that she is helping out with that Stephanie was handling.  When we arrive Mike greets us and he and Liz talk Louisiana stuff.  See Mike is from Alexandria and Liz, well Liz is a .....I won’t say it I might make someone mad.  She’s from south Louisiana where the hot stuff comes from, so they talk a little stateside news and he says that his son Mike will take care of us upstairs.  As we walk in, son Mike says you must be Liz and you must be the birthday girl, Donna.  I was thinking, Wow! How did he know that?  At first I thought my husband had called ahead because I made him feel guilty for not wishing me a happy birthday first thing during our conversation earlier.  But then I wasn’t sure.  Mike said my drink and dessert were compliments of a birthday well wisher.  Whoever this was, was very thoughtful.  This is such a lovely restaurant and the breeze was nice when it started raining.  The surf and turf was very good and Liz had Snapper with lobster sauce.  We both had no problem finishing everything.  The wait staff was very friendly and Mike was very attentive.  The bartender made a special trip upstairs to show us how he could move his ears, nose and eyebrows all at the same time.  Quite talented he was!  After the obligatory happy birthday song, Mike tells us that the drink and dessert were compliments of Christi.  She had to work late and couldn’t make it.  How sweet is that?  I just met her and she is being so thoughtful.  Very nice!

As we are walking toward Viva Mexico a very lovely lady approaches us and tells us about the male stripper event going on in this club upstairs.  She said it was very tasteful and only ladies were admitted.  We opted out, but it sounded like a fairly harmless place, if you like that sort of thing.  Viva Mexico was packed; I guess it was Saturday night.  As we walked in they were playing “Grease” tunes.  Now a little background on Liz and I,  there is only one person that knows more show tunes than me and it’s Liz.  We are really an embarrassing sight, singing and doing all the moves from “Greased Lighting”.  Really, Really fun and Really Really silly.  Anyway, once I saw everyone in the congo line, I didn’t feel so bad.  They had this interesting show that night.  A group of young men and women performed to music.  Fire twirlers and bongo drummers.  I will just say this,  pounding drums with your hands for 20 minutes at a time definitely does something for your physique and they knew it.  As they were introduced, the men took their shirts off.(I’m sure they thought they were going to get hot.)

After sharing a table with a couple from Garland, Texas and my obligatory Birthday Tequila shot, we headed home.  Some words of wisdom here, Tequila shots go down much easier late in the evening after you’ve already had a few.  In fact, they are pretty smooth at that point.  Anyway, great b-day with a great friend.  More later.  D

Day 3 8/18/02
Breakfast at Jeanies Waffle House.  It got very crowded after we arrived.  So the service was not very good.  I had Chilaquilas Rojo which were good.  I love that for breakfast.  There is only one place in Houston that has good ones, so I take advantage of them while I’m in Mexico.  Went back to Chedraui for essentials: cerveza and then went back for a little nap before diving.

Christi picked us up at 2:00p.m. and we headed for the marina next to the Presidente.  We had a few snags with the captain, but soon were off for the dive.  First stop, Yucab.  Christi enters the water and then I’m next.  Of course it has been awhile since I’ve done the backward roll into the water so I’m sure it looked funny.  Liz got some pics to prove that I actually did it.  We descend and there is a medium current.  I felt like I was struggling but Christi said that every time she turned to look at me I was just coasting along just fine.  I did feel like I’m going to run into the back of Christi most of the time, so I need to work on that.  I think I actually hit her a few times, but hey, I’m remedial remember.  Our maximum depth was 60ft and that was just fine with me.  We saw a bunch of Ocean Trigger fish, a Southern Sting Ray and a very large Barracuda.  There were two but apparently one was coming right at us and I missed him.  They are quite intimidating with those teeth hanging out of their mouth.  It’s a good thing we’re not in their food chain.

Ok now lets talk specifics of diving.  I do ok with the buoyancy thing until I get to the safety stop.  I have such a hard time with this.  I try to work with my BC and breathe slowly and smoothly, but I always seem to have too little weight.  Christi says that will get better with more experience.  I hope so because I don’t like floating to the surface during a safety stop.  No Bueno!  We come up and the boat is right there.  Those boat drivers are so good.  I know that we have the yellow float upon ascent but he was already there.  Very Good!

SI: 1:17  Christi has to take a photo of the boat, but no one can be in it, so, she gets in the water and when she’s ready we all duck.  I’m sure that was interesting seeing a boat out there with no passengers.  Our next dive was suppose to be Chankanaab, but after we get down Christi realizes that we are at Chankanaab Bolognes.  Not a problem because Christi knows and adjusts our dive accordingly.  But because I thought we were going to 45ft, imagine my surprise when we hit 60ft.  I’m a bit nervous but Christi signals everything is ok.  There is very little current for most of this dive, but at one point turns stronger and going deep, so we must adjust again.  We saw lots of great stuff this dive.  Christi points out a splendid toadfish, spotted drum, lion’s tail and a very large King Crab.  I thought those things were only in Alaska, apparently not cause this guys had a big shell and long legs.

Now I have to toot my own horn, I found this very interesting cleaner shrimp or crab? That was florescent.  Christi told me later that they are a rare sight.  I know so little about the creatures I’m seeing that I have no idea if they are unique or not.  And of course we see my favorites: Cowfish and Trunkfish. LOL  We were all over the place on this dive because the current was changing, but I managed.    When we sent up the yellow float, the boat found us with no problem.

Now I will say a few things about my dive experience.  At this point, I prefer no current.  So I enjoyed the dive from Paradise Beach best.  I will probably get better at the drift diving and then will enjoy that as well.  I do like going in the afternoon when no one else is around.  Sometimes there are too many boats and divers.  Also, you really need to know what your plan is when you go down, so that you can be ready for surprises.  Christi was by far the biggest asset during the dives.  She is very thorough and patient.  I would recommend her to anyone.

We are hungry when we get back so we make a quick stop to see Christi’s new house and then head to dinner.  Her house is going to be so nice when it is finished.  I’m hoping for an invitation for cocktails on her terrace when it is done.  I also heard she has some very nice neighbors who I haven’t met yet…Stephanie, maybe next trip.  We go to dinner at ??? I’m not sure the exact name, but it is affiliated with El Moro.  Something like Los Moritos.  It was very similar to El Moro.  We had enchiladas mole and the chicken & cheese enchiladas, which were wonderful.  I forget how much energy you use diving.  I was starving.  I also forgot how tired it makes you.  Christi drops us off and we take a nightcap to the room.  As I sit in bed, filling in my diver’s log, having my Khalua and cream, thinking about the day, I realize once again how lucky I am.  Anything in your life that makes you feel that way is a good thing.  More later. D

Day 4 8/19/02
Breakfast at The Museum.  What a great spot.  I highly recommend.  Back to hotel for more sun and snorkeling.  The usual at 2:00p.m. cerveza, guac and chips.  One last sound of the Conch Shell signaling happy hour and we are off to dinner.  Tonight is La Parrilla.  I don’t know why I don’t hear more about this restaurant because it is very good.  We had the grilled meats for two, 180 pesos.  I thought that was a good deal considering what we got, Fajitas, pork, chicken and chorizo.  Our favorite was the pork.  It was very tender and flavorful.  I loved the chorizo, but be warned, chorizo stays with you awhile.

After dinner we headed for the square to get our TATTOOS.  Don’t get too excited, we only got the henna tattoos, but it was fun.  Liz went for the rose on the ankle and I got a sun on my arm.  All I needed now was a pack of cigarettes to roll up in my sleeve and I would have been set.  Word of advice.  If you want the tattoos to last for 2 weeks, don’t put lotion on before you get it and don’t get it wet for several hours.  Mine lasted 5 days.

We went to see Minigolf Sally and to play a heated round.  We ran into Christi who had been moving all day and needed to relax with a glass of Sangria, so we did.  She liked our tattoos and said that she might get a real one when Chas moved to Coz.  Seems she wants an eagle ray on the small of her back.  I say she’s CRAZY!  Ouch!  So there you have it Chas, you thought you were going to be taking underwater video.  This was my first time at minigolf.  What a beautiful place, and I like that you can request your own music.  Just beware of young Germans with disco/bump and grind music.  I guess they didn’t care much for Jimmy Buffet or Frank Sinatra.  Closed the place down at the table near the entrance just sipping away at our Sangria.

Day 5 8/20/02
We packed up everything and checked out of the hotel.  They in turn have a hospitality suite for those wanting to stay until the last minute.  We did and had one more XX before departing for the airport.  I would absolutely recommend the Coral Princess.  They were accommodating, friendly and unobtrusive.  I like the location and the snorkeling was great.  Pedro is a huge asset and I suspect he will do well for himself where ever he ends up.  Christi is a superb dive instructor and very reasonably priced.

I have been to Coz twice and several other destinations since 9/11 and I am unhappy to report that I do think that travel is still considerably down.  I hope that things improve for the restaurants and hotels soon or I’m afraid many of them will not make it.  I loved our trip and plan to make many more.  Thanks for all the tips.

Until my next dive. D

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