Cozumel

We woke up to see the coast of Mexico (well, an Island belonging to Mexico) just outside our window, and by 8am we were ready to depart. We walked from the ship along the pier to the terminal building, past a massive modern French ship – some sort of cargo vessel covered in large cranes. Outside the terminal building we had our bags briefly searched, then waited on some benches for other people on our tour to gather, which they shortly did.

When enough of us were assembled, our guide came over to check our tickets and hand out wrist bands that we’d be needing later on. His name was Angel, and he was great fun. We all followed him around the terminal building come shopping complex and into some taxis that were provided as part of the tour, then along the sea road we sped – out of town and into a district that looked like it was either under construction or had seen much better days… But then we arrived, ready for our Clear Kayaking adventure!

This was something we’d been looking forward to for a while – a chance for some actual physical exercise after stuffing our faces on the boat for so long!

Angel then introduced us to our other guide, Mario – also really good fun. Both of them were smiley, helpful and knowledgeable, and if you ever find yourselves in Cozumel then check out the Clear Kayaks at Playa Uvas (the actual company was called Explorer, we think).

First off we had a brief rundown of what the day would entail, which was where everyone got their first surprise: we’d all booked the clear kayaks, which we thought was all we’d be doing although the description did make a brief mention of snorkeling – but we all thought it would be a little extra, just a couple of minutes if we wanted… But no no no, it was much better – after the best part of an hours kayaking we’d then get a guided snorkel tour as well. I was ecstatic, although some members of our party were quite a bit older and they looked a little worried.

After the briefing we all were given very simple life jackets– one’s we’d inflate ourselves if we wanted, otherwise we could leave as funny looking vests. We all had to wear them in the water at all times, which I thought would be annoying, but actually I forgot it was on very quickly.

Then we trooped onto the beach, hopped into our kayaks and paddled off across crystal clear water! Both guides came out with us showing us how to move, turn, work together and so on, and then we had one leading us around and pointing things out like under water caves, brain coral (it looks like a brain…), many different fishes, artificial reefs and so on, and the other helping out those who needed it. It was fascinating and really good fun – easy to get the hang of once Jo and I got in sync (I should point out we were 2 to a kayak – Jo in the front, me behind).

Everyone had big smiles on their faces, right until the end when we had to watch the older couple try to get out of their kayak amidst some much larger waves caused by a boat speeding past. We honestly thought the old boy was about to be swept away when one wave caught him at the wrong moment, but Angel and Mario were right there to look after him and keep him safe. Very impressive.

When we got out we had an hour or so to eat, drink (we all got one free drink at the bar there), play volleyball or whatever we wanted. I went for a little wander and saw that around a little swimming pool there were a lot of people gathered. I sauntered up and found that they were all looking at some guys in the pool with a…. blob?

Then the blob set off and started swimming... what was it...?

Hang on... isn't that a...


CROCODILE!

Okay, so this was no salt-water man-eating beast from my nightmares, and it had its jaw taped shut – but still, pretty cool to see it paddling around. After a while the crowd wandered off, but I kept trying to take a decent picture of it. Then one of the guys in the pool just casually asked – would I like to hold it?

Yes. Yes I think I would like that very much. So in I hopped, passed the camera to one of the boys and grabbed a hold of my very first croc. Its skin was much softer than I expected, like a fine leather. It was very calm while I held it, content it seemed to just watch me with its deep green eyes. All too soon I had to hand him back, and I got out in time to see them let it have a little swim again before it promptly sank in the corner and refused to budge. I like to think he was sulking because I’d let him go…

Once everyone was rested, Mario and Angel gathered us together and handed out flippers, masks and snorkels, and then led us all into the water once more. I think, because we’d been on the kayaks and could see down already, we knew it was remarkably clear water – but somehow I was still surprised by how far I could see down there. I’ve dived and snorkeled in Tenerife, New Zealand and on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and only Australia might have been better than this… There were just so many fish! Not only that, but a whole school of little fellas that kept swimming right up to us.

The guides took us around – again pointing out things like different corals, types of fish & sea eagles (… in the air, not the water…). They also dived down and pointed out some new things – a stingray* lurking on the bottom...

A lobster hiding in a cave...

A conch – with the little conch creature peering out from its shell...

And a sea spider which he placed in Jo’s hands despite her emphatically saying “no” (she says she did not want to hold it, but then she liked it :D ).

Finally, after a very happy hour plashing about, we got out and dropped our various bits of kit into their respective bins for cleaning. Then it was up to the café area where they’d laid out some fruit for us to get rid of the salt in our mouths. Jo and I were feeling a bit peckish by then, so decided to order some lunch… I think we might have over ordered… a little… We just didn’t realise how big each portion would be! We got a starter to share and a main course each, which doesn’t sound like too much when you’re really hungry from playing in the sea.

But it was.

Before anything else, they brought out a huge bowl of nacho/crisp breads, which were delicious. We thought maybe we’d ordered the wrong thing, but didn’t make a fuss so got stuck in. It turns out that it was just what they always bring out for people. Then came the food.

4 plates of food, each as big as my head. We had prawn ceviche (which was actually just a big bowl of prawns), chicken quesadilla and a beef… thing… All of it lovely (although the lack of ceviche in the prawn ceviche was a shame)

After lunch (and feeling pretty full, even by cruising standards), I went for another wander and came across a couple of parrots sitting above the other side of the bar.

So what did I do? Yeah… I done kissing…

There wasn’t much more we could do to top that, so after a little more relaxing (and trying to polish off more nachos), everyone gathered up their stuff and then headed to the taxis that were now waiting to take us back to town.

When we arrived, we went for a little wander – heading for a drink at the most ethnic of Mexican fooderies… Hooters.

Seriously, I have the best wife in the world – it was her idea!

Once our thirst was slaked, we continued our wanderings – including a stop off at a Mexican supermarket for a wander around its isles (mainly to pick up some local hot sauce, because… Mexico…)

Finally, continuing along the front, we found perhaps the best thing that has ever existed.

A bar.

Which, instead of chairs.

Had.

SWINGS.

That’s right people – Swings.

Sadly, as it was a Sunday, they were shutting early (actually, they usually don’t open on Sunday at all), so we only had one drink each – including a MASSIVE Margarita for Jo (it was the size of her head, which after reading the bit about her being the best wife in the world is MASSIVE!)

 Unfortunately, this was a Sunday and in Mexico apparently they are quite serious about their day of rest - the bar had only opened as the owner had heard at the last minute that a cruise ship was coming in, normally they wont open at all on Sundays... This meant that we only had time for one drink before he shut up shop, so that left us back on streets, looking over at our ship in the slowly darkening sky..

We mooched about a little more, finding plenty of people trying to sell us jewelry, tequila (100% agave of course...), t-shirts and other tat - none of which was what we felt like. So before too long we headed back to the boat which was setting sail at 8pm, taking us all the way to the Cayman Isles...

*de de der-der der-der