Just back from Coz

[loudives]

The trip was good, Most stores and restaurants open. Punta Lagusta shops all closed including Carlos&Charlie's--Senior Frogs--Burger King, McDonald's closed also. It is so nice that the big Corporate places are closed, now everyone visits the locally owned shops and eateries that gives Cozumel it Charm.
Most everything underwater below 50' is OK, new swimthrus found almost everywhere, shallow reefs noticed more damage. Life is OK all the cridders are there for the looking at---don't touch!

Christi looks great and so does the shop. Vacation I think did her good!

Michaela and Roberto are good and friendly as ever. Always helping even though I wasn't diving with them.

Raul -- great as ever we did 80 min dives all the time.

Cozumel is back the people are friendly and smiling even though they had such bad luck this year. The Plaza is all decorated for the Holidays and the people were there every night singing and having fun.

Lou

 

[gtimm]

Thanks for update on Cozumel. I'm going there in early Feb, so your info is timely and appreciated. Sounds like the diving will be just fine. You commented Christi looks good. Do you mean Christi from Blue XT Sea? I'm diving with her.

 

[loudives]

Yes I do mean Christi of Blue xt sea. She looks refreshed and rested. Not bad to look at either. I'll be there 2-11 to 18 staying at Caribe Blu and diving with Raul at www.bottomtimedivers.net. I usually make the rounds and say hello to Christi and to Michaela and Roberto of www.liquidbluedivers.com. I have been on all their boats and with their divemasters, these are not just cold business people just looking for the most money and least service. THESE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE REEF, COZUMEL, THE CUSTOMER, AND A COMPLETE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE.

Lou

 

[94GTStang]

Thanks for the update! It is good to see that everything got back to (near) normal relatively quick!

My March trip is getting post-poned till either July or August Hope the weather isn't too bad. Is it terribly hot down there? Should I worry about hurricanes and rain?

 

[harpua]

Lou, where did you stay this trip? I am interested in info about Caribe Blue for my upcoming trip late Feb. Thanks for the report, it gladdens my heart to here good news about a great community.

 

[loudives]

Stayed downtown at El Marques. My wife stayed home so no need for fancy hotel with pool. Caribe Blue hotel is busy rebuilding the beach and pool. Pool looks like it will be open for the Holiday rush. The resturant is open. The Hotel is not real fancy just alittle above basic room but for 65-80 a night with beach and pool its a good deal.
I'll be there with wife Feb. 11-18.
I will be in Coz in Jan also but will stay in town again. 14-18th
Lou

 

[harpua]

Thanks. We are in at Caribe Blue Feb 26th-March 5th. Just got confirmed.

 

[jayjoans]

Hey, we actually met Loudives while we were sitting in Christi's office the other night.. weird when the cyber and real world sync up. We're diving with Christi this week too and have been really happy with the dives and the service. It's great for us to be here when there are few crowds, but certainly it has to be hard on the locals.

Come on down, the dives are still spectacular and very possibly you can be the first to dive through newly uncovered swimthroughs. We found some that Christi said were not there pre-Wilma, it is interesting to see the living coral change to coral that has likely been under dozens of feet of sand for who knows how long. In some places it was delineated as clearly as a bathtub ring.

And don't miss a massage from Sally, Christi can set that up for you too. The 4 adults all had one tonight from Sally, and the consensus is that she's the best. Nothing like a 95lb lady with magic feet walking on your back.

Today we dove Devil's Throat, and again both Christi and Pedro said it was different. There is an added swimthrough at the end of the throat that wasn't there before. Only one arm of the cross remains, and you can see the rock slide that broke it up.

This is a great time to come to Cozumel, the people need you and the diving is fabulous.

Thanks to Christi we are set up in the Casa Mexicana, we couldn't be happier, right in town and waterfront. The A/C works great, hot water, cable tv, and a hotspot in the lobby. The breakfast is wonderful and the rooms are clean and look new. Just about a block and a half to the pier. We would definitely stay here again, and although this is just a boys trip, we all agree that the CM would pass muster even with the wives

 

[jayjoans]

One more thing, don't miss a massage from Sally, Christi set that up for us too. The 4 adults on the trip all got one from Sally tonight, and the consensus is she is wonderful. Nothing like a 95lb woman with magic feet walking on your back. Also, she gives you doctor's orders not to lift another tank for a few days...

Thanks to Scubaboard for leading us to Christi, she's treated us like royalty.