Great thread Bob!
Although the FL caves were my first love, I am afraid those Mexican caves have stolen my heart with all those breathtaking formations. Overall they are more physically challenging on the entry/exit than the FL tourist caves I have dived. One site had entrances to 2 different caves (Phenomenal and Las Conchitas in the White River section) and in my doubles and given my klutziness, I opted out of the downhill jungle hike. Out of the 6 days of diving, the group dived together 4 days and split up 2, which worked out well.
The place we stayed served the group breakfast and dinner and packed a lunch, which was great because we did not have to think much about food or drive/wait at a restaurant, it just showed up and was very good. They also did a great job accommodating for individual eating preferences for the group. Speaking of eating, if any cave divers have the opportunity to get to Alux in Playa Del Carmen, totally awesome ambiance (inside a cave which probably would have otherwise been more violated) and food was excellent, well worth the price.
Having guides for the group was definitely a great way to go...they and Marissa somehow oganized 3 vehicles and 11 divers and their tanks every morning. Morning 1 was a bit 3 ring circusish, but we became more organized and quicker by the day, I think by the last day we finally had a system, just in time to leave. I know those 3 guys used a helluva a lot more muscle loading and unloading tanks than I did this trip. The 3 guides not only led some people, but provided directions to the rest of the group for great dives based on their preferences or to see the showcase formations. Although I consider myself an independent character, I am not sure the day will come when I do not use a guide...they have an unbelievable knowledge of local stuff which greatly increased the quality of our trip. I personally am not proficient in Spanish, but was extremely glad one our guides were able to assist Bob with the hospital run. Definitely made me think twice about going without a guide.
And by a guide, I specifically mean our Daniel. He was the lead guide and I would not hesitate to highly recommend him to anyone else who is visiting. I would probably plan a trip around his availability, that is how good he was at everything above and below the surface. And I am not just saying this because I swooned when I saw him lift 2 sets of doubles
As for the people - wow on how well all the different personalities / dive styles got along, this is no small event given many of the people were meeting and diving together for the first time.
Thanks Bob, for waiting for me and Tex with our travel shenanigans at the airport, great last lunch
Although the FL caves were my first love, I am afraid those Mexican caves have stolen my heart with all those breathtaking formations. Overall they are more physically challenging on the entry/exit than the FL tourist caves I have dived. One site had entrances to 2 different caves (Phenomenal and Las Conchitas in the White River section) and in my doubles and given my klutziness, I opted out of the downhill jungle hike. Out of the 6 days of diving, the group dived together 4 days and split up 2, which worked out well.
The place we stayed served the group breakfast and dinner and packed a lunch, which was great because we did not have to think much about food or drive/wait at a restaurant, it just showed up and was very good. They also did a great job accommodating for individual eating preferences for the group. Speaking of eating, if any cave divers have the opportunity to get to Alux in Playa Del Carmen, totally awesome ambiance (inside a cave which probably would have otherwise been more violated) and food was excellent, well worth the price.
Having guides for the group was definitely a great way to go...they and Marissa somehow oganized 3 vehicles and 11 divers and their tanks every morning. Morning 1 was a bit 3 ring circusish, but we became more organized and quicker by the day, I think by the last day we finally had a system, just in time to leave. I know those 3 guys used a helluva a lot more muscle loading and unloading tanks than I did this trip. The 3 guides not only led some people, but provided directions to the rest of the group for great dives based on their preferences or to see the showcase formations. Although I consider myself an independent character, I am not sure the day will come when I do not use a guide...they have an unbelievable knowledge of local stuff which greatly increased the quality of our trip. I personally am not proficient in Spanish, but was extremely glad one our guides were able to assist Bob with the hospital run. Definitely made me think twice about going without a guide.
And by a guide, I specifically mean our Daniel. He was the lead guide and I would not hesitate to highly recommend him to anyone else who is visiting. I would probably plan a trip around his availability, that is how good he was at everything above and below the surface. And I am not just saying this because I swooned when I saw him lift 2 sets of doubles
As for the people - wow on how well all the different personalities / dive styles got along, this is no small event given many of the people were meeting and diving together for the first time.
Thanks Bob, for waiting for me and Tex with our travel shenanigans at the airport, great last lunch
