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 Cozumel Trip Report
Posted by norcalgal on 11/13/01

~* Trip Report *~    -  10/29-11/5         Very long !!  -   Once I started I just couldn't stop !!   *lol*             *fingers crossed*   Hopefully I did it right.

I, Cindy, am from Northern California.  My best friend, Theresa, now lives in Memphis, TN.  
We had planned this trip to Cozumel about 8 months ago with an original travel date of September 15th.    After the Sept. 11 tragedies happened, our intinerary was cancelled to leave from Memphis.   After many emails, posts, and lots of advise from TravelNotes people (thanks!! by the way), we decided to meet in Dallas and leave from there.   Wow, what a great deal !!!   If anyone from California is considering traveling to Cozumel I HIGHLY recommend this route.  I flew last year from SFO (and after MANY stops) arrived in Cozumel 21 hours later !!   *ick*  

Here we are... VERY ready to go !!!!   - Memgal and norcalgal -

Arrived in Dallas Sunday afternoon and stayed the night.  Very smooth trip.   Departed Monday on Sun Country and everything was right on schedule.   We landed about 12:30 pm and we were in our snorkel gear by 1:30 pm.   We stayed at the Allegro.  Just as I remembered.   No complaints at all.   The staff is very friendly and the food was always edible with a wide variety of choices.   I know there are a ton of things that could go wrong, but luckily for us nothing did.  Room was always clean, air conditioner worked great, no problems with the "Mont. Revenge" thing.  We did use a cup of bottled water to brush our teeth everyday.

What beautiful grounds they have at Allegro !!

Tuesday was a nice, sunny day.  A little cloud coverings but not that bad.  We went snorkeling at Dzul Ha for the day.   A guy named Jose offered to be our guide and if we liked his services we could tip him at the end.  Well, us independant-type of girls passed on his offer.   We put on our gear and headed out.  Water was tiny bit choppy.   We saw some great sites, then suddenly out of nowhere Jose appears.   He ended up taking us around anyway and pointed out a ton of things we wouldn't have noticed.  After about 3 hours or so in the water, we needed lunch and beverages.  Jose took some photos (with his camera) and they came out so CUTE !!!   Yes, we bought them
and gave him a "thank you" tip.  It was WELL worth it !!!  I would recommend him as a guide to anyone.

Wednesday we rented a car from SmartCar... a link that I had found on this website.   Got a good deal on that.   At least, I think we did?!? $25.00 a day and we had a "Mexican Ferrari" (aka VW) for 4 days.   I had seen the "convertibles" last year and knew what to expect. *lol*  Of course, Theresa was a little surprised.  Take a VW, cut the top off, and snap on a tarp !!!!!!   *hahahaha*  Hey, it got us around.

Now... how hard is it to get LOST on Cozumel... not hard when you ride with us !!!!!!

 *LOL*  Yes, we got lost !!  Can Do map in hand and we STILL ended up.... ummm, I don't even KNOW where we were.  

Yes I know, the roads only go N to S and E to W -  you'd think we could've figured it out sooner than we did.... geeez, we both work for FedEx too !!!   Sooo, an HOUR later, we finally find the
big conch shell !!   That looked familiar and off to the eastside we go.  

We hit almost every stop on the eastside.   These are my personal MUST DO's for that side.

Mezcalito's Super Shrimp......  Y U M M M M M Y !!!!!!!!    *craving them now* and the margarita's were good !!

Playa Bonita's Guacamole .....  *lickin' my lips*  VERY tasty!!!   and the margarita's were good !!

Coconuts Shrimp Quesadilla's.....  Mmmmmmmmm  and the margarita's were good !!

      - see a pattern here? -    

Thursday we went out on Juan's TriMaran "FE" for a snorkel tour of Columbia Shallows and Palancar.  It is docked right there at the Allegro pier.  That was a hoot !!  There were only 6 of us on the boat and 3 crew members.   The snorkeling was pretty good. A little bit cloudy so the colors weren't as vivid as I remember them to be last year.   Saw tons of species of fish and Juan was an awesome guide.   It was really nice only having 6 in our group, we took our time and really explored.   After we were done in the water for the afternoon the snorkel tour turned booze cruise for the sail back.... wow... lot's of incriminating photos there (that I won't post!!!).  Pina Colada led to tequilla shots which led to body shots... egads, don't ask!!!   Moving on..........

Met a super nice couple from OKC, Jay and Michelle....... not the last MICHELLE we would meet.   Yep.... in she blew late Thursday afternoon.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all sort of the same thing.   A few drives into town, with the hopes of making it back.  Not the smartest thing to do, I know, because of the roads flooding... but we wanted to squeeze in all we could.   We must have walked for miles in town.
Did the whole shopping thing.... "Almost free, Seniorita"  "Allegro special for you"   "Cheaper than K-Mart".   *lol*   After all the negotiating and head spinning mathematical equations we ended up at Cinco Soles.   Very nice store.    Found a few original items I hadn't seen anywhere else.   Friday night and Saturday night took us to Carlos & Charlies.   Funny, I had never stopped in there on my last trip. What a riot !!!!   That place was so full of energy.   Since Hurricane Michelle was having her way outside, seems like everyone went INSIDE to create their own hurricane.  WOW - lots of fun there.   I'm not a "party animal" either, don't get me wrong... I would normally pass on places like that.   Late 30's, single Mom's and places like that are usually to "meat marketish".   (Does that make sense?)   *lol* But wow, I would go there again in a heartbeat.  :-)

After they closed, down the road to Viva Mexico we go.  They were celebrating Day of the Dead, (and I hope I have that right).  Everything I know about this day I had learned that week while I was there.   It was like a Halloween party but instead they celebrated for their deceased loved ones.  Alters were set up in honor of these loved ones. If anyone ever happens in to Viva Mexico please tell Jimmy HOLA from Cindy !!!   XOXOXXO to him, too !! *school girl crush*  :-)  

Lots of white caps on the water now... we are in HIGH hopes of Sunday bringing sunshine... OH PLEASE....... !!! 

Sunday morning rolls around...... and GUESS WHAT !?!?!   Rain...... rain........ wind........rain.    *sigh*  OH well, we're STILL on vacation. Another endless miles tour around town for Sunday !!  Ernesto's Fajita Factory for lunch.... YUMMY !!   You certainly could never go hungry here.   Good margarita's too.  *s*

Monday brings the sunshine !!!  As we leave Allegro for the airport, it's the first time in 4 days I needed my sunglasses. Ahhhh, those lucky people who are just arriving.   It took every bit of self control to smile and say "I hope you have a great stay and lots of good weather"  as we left with our bags in tow.  

We planned on returning next year with our kids... but next year seems WAY too far away, so now I'm thinking I'll be packing up my little girl and heading back in January !!   *fingers crossed*   :-)

*WHEW* - there it is...  I'm sure there is a ton of things I forgot.  *Note to self*  Next time, do a travel journal daily !!!  If anyone wants more information or wants to ask my opinion, I am more than HAPPY to share it with you.. just write.

~* Cindy *~  and Theresa

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