Cozumel - Where it's HOT, HOT, HOT!!

29 July 11


Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico

I’ve used the term “hotter than a Mexican summer”, and boy, did today live up to that. It was 95 out and humidity so high that I couldn’t tell you what it was. We were dripping!!!

We rented a couple of jeeps this morning and made a round of the entire island of Cozumel. First stop was San Gervasio, the Mayan ruins on the island. When Charlie and I came here years ago, these ruins were practically nothing. Today, archeologists have unearthed more of the ruins and it is quite something to see. Maeve, our amateur archeologist, was amazed by all of them.

We drove to the east end of the island and stopped at a little beach where the waves and water were beautiful. Maeve got to hold an iguana, her dream!!! Jim T sat on a Brahma bull. Of course, he would do that!!! The Texan in him showed up in full force.

We drove on to Chankanab, the state park, where we came in the 80s and paid $5 admission for an entire cab full of people. The Mexican government wised up and today, admission is $21 per person!!! We passed on Chankanab, and instead, went to San Francisco beach and Carlos & Charlie’s where the beer is cold and the beach is free!!! Great fun for all of us and a wonderful way to cool off in the aqua-blue waters of the Caribbean.

Did a little shopping and found Truman an onyx chess set and Maeve a Mayan mask made out of onyx, marcasite, and abalone shell. What a wonderful way to spend the day in our last port of call. Tomorrow is another day at sea, then back to reality.

Costa Maya, Majuhual, Mexico - July 26

26 July 11


Costa Maya, Majahual, Mexico

Another beautiful day in Paradise. Costa Maya is a little port that was specifically built for cruise ships. There are little shops – some great jewelry stores, some with cheesy souvenirs. There is a pool in the center of the plaza that the cruise passengers can enjoy, and believe me, with the heat and humidity, a dip in a fresh water pool is very inviting.

Maeve swam with the dolphins for an hour and was enamored with them from the start. Charlie, Nell and I took a five minute taxi ride over to Majuhual, a little town on a beautiful beach. Prices on silver and turquoise are much better there than in Costa Maya. This is a quiet little place and is a great beach area to take a family.

When we returned to the ship, Maeve met a couple of girls her age from Texas. Of course, her Daddy is from Texas, so she had something in common with them. When she hadn’t returned to the cabin by 7:00 pm, I went looking for her. She was in the video room with the girls and they were having such a good time that she stayed with them for the evening. I think she has made some new long-distance friends that she will stay in touch with so that when they visit in Texas again, she can see them.

Charlie, Angela and Jim T went to an Indian dinner tonight night in a small dining room in Shogun. After 20 courses – and yes, that is correct two-zero – they all rolled out of the restaurant. Nell and I were escorted to dinner in Windows by the most adorable little man, Truman. He was a perfect gentleman, and held out his arms for both of us to take us into the dining room. He was perfect throughout dinner and couldn’t wait to go to the Kids Club afterward to play with his new friends.

The kids have adapted to ship life very quickly and all of us are relaxing and having a wonderful time.

More tomorrow from Roatan, Honduras