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Cozumel Trip Report
Posted by Kit on 04/08/01

Trip Report 3/22 - 3/29 1st  week

It's early morning, April 8th, long past due for our trip report. I had to wait for the depressing reality of being home to lift before writing. I hope most of you can relate to my feelings. And there is the furry, grey lump that refuses to leave my lap making all activities just a tad more difficult.
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This was our first trip flying direct to Cozumel. We arrived around 9:00 pm, very tired. Customs was a breeze and we took our traditional first few nights downtown at the Posada Cozumel on Calle 4 Norte. Rate is up to$28.00 per night! We are notorious lazy toads for a few days and like the convenience of the bakery, mini-mercado and nearness of everything until we're well rested.  There were no changes over the years. This is not a good thing. We needed to change rooms as the mattress in the 1st should have been replaced ages ago.
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We unpacked the next day.  I travel with my clothes in an insulated 12-pack cooler.  The clothes, what little there is of them, are moved to a large see through mesh bag.(Easy to locate desired article in the blur of a moment) The cooler of course, is filled with cervesas (beer), jugo de pina (juice) and hielo (ice) My "purse" turns into a walking pantry/medicine chest of chips, fruit, sun screen & 1st aid supplies. We are ready - but opted for siesta.  That night we delivered a box of supplies to the mini golf and wandered around the familiar square where we signed up for a time share presentation at Park Royal, which we do every year.  WE DO NOT JOIN and do not advise anyone to do so. However, we do take advantage of their free meal & car for 24 hours. We have figured out how to limit the presentation to less than 30 minutes. Days spent in town are economical, breakfast (2.70) and sometimes lime soup for dinner (3.00) at Mi Chabelita, Ave. 10 or other good smelling small place loaded with locals.
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Mi esposa, husband, claims the mixto ceviche at Chen Rio was great. We convinced a couple, they were staying at the all-inclusive Paradisus and complained about the food, to try the seafood platter. They said it was the best they ever had, Cozumel or not.

Our trip would not be complete without several trips to Playa Azul. We looked for our favorite waiter, Gabriel. He was not there so we talked to his buddy Santiago. (Mi esposa always brings the guys a couple of old Playboys, I do not approve but it sure gets us great service!) From Santiago we learned Gabriel had been in a terrible auto accident. He almost lost his right arm. Gabriel has 5 children and lives on the island. Santiago promised to call Gabriel for us.  A few days later we were off to Gabriels with a big box of cookies, candy, gifts for all los ninos & the Playboy with a $20.00 tucked in the centerfold for Gabriel. We took pictures and exchanged  hugs. As we were leaving Gabriel touched our hearts by saying, " You have been a amistades(acquaintances) that I saw once a year and now I know that you are truely friends.
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Thimble jellyfish were all around the island. Also, I noticed bright blue veined jellies mixed in with the brown.  The locals called it "mal agua", bad water. It was impossible to determine where they would or not be from day to day. We would drive or walk until they were not longer visible, sometimes giving up and heading to our pool. Snorkeling was so-so because of the jellies.
Second week to follow after breakfast.   

There is a fragrance peculiar to the east side of the island.  Sweet musk, cashew blossums & sage all mixed together.  Not being able to enjoy seafood (allergy)is...for lack of a better word, a bitch. However, there are options.

Trip Report 2nd week 3/29 - 4/4

Our second week mi esposas ex-biz partner & our good friend arrived from LaLa land. She is a stunningly beautiful blond and when we are together the world is a happy fun filled place. We turn into children.  Well, childen that can drink alcohol. It was late and she was the first one off the plane in Coz. There were no immigration officers at the booths as she impatiently waited as I waved a sign with her name, "Brooke", and mi esposa waved one that said "Bimbo".  After calling him a butt-head & hugging me we were off to the Fontan for a couple hours of drinks & chatter and early bed.

We rented a car for the week; (Alamo $200.00 including minimum insurance) and had switched to the Hotel Fontan the day of her arrival. No thimble jellies and lots of fish. An inordinate number and varieties of Angel fish! Best snorkeling spot we found, short of tour boats that take you out.  
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Loading the car with gear & our trusty cooler we spent several days exploring. The thimbles increased during this second week.  They were larger and they were everywhere we stopped;(Dzul Ha, Mr Sancho's, Reef Club, the east side, Playa Azul and several unmarked or unremembered places...) except in front of the Coral Princess & The Fontan. For several days/daze we toured the island stopping and shopping at will and enjoying a mondo burger at Raggae Paradise Cafe on the east side. The secret is in the onion!  We were disappointed that Morgan's on the Plaza had changed hands & the quality of food was down. We spent one day at Playa de Carmen shopping, eating and beachin' it while mi esposo combed the beach for female pink-breasted sand thrashers or the illusive tight-butted thong wearer. When we returned to the Fontan we were told "thimbles" had been there all day!  The next day I spotted one little one stuck in the cove in front of the hotel but none close to the wall. I guess that's why the snorkeling is so great there; the wall.   I swam out about 100 or so meters and found huge rafts of big sized thimble jellies and promptly u-turned and set a new record for 100 meters.
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I do have one question, how long does it take everyone else to break the habit of putting the toilet paper in the basket in stead of the toilet?