Report From The Island- 2/1/06

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Hey Jeff, Mia, and Christi-

It was great meeting you and diving with you this week. I'm back home in Salt Lake now watching the snow out the window. Makes me wish I was back on the island! Congratulations on your engagement, that's awesome!

All of Jeff's reports have been great, I can only add a few things from our dives together. Since I was working on my AOW, I didn't get a chance to just observe quite as much and I missed a few of the things they spotted on the dives. Since it was my first time in Cozumel, I can't really give any comparisons to pre-Wilma diving, but I can say that the diving was fantastic regardless! Though there was a lot of sand coverage in some areas, the undamaged reef areas appeared to be thriving. There was no lack of amazing things to see. Some great swim-throughs on Palancar Bricks, Columbia, and especially Santa Rosa wall. I found the current to be pretty mild except on Paso del Cedral and especially Punta Tunich where we were just flying down the reef. Having never done any drift diving before, it was a wild ride for me!

Christi was awesome. I definately felt like she was interested in me having a good experience on my first time diving in Cozumel. As Jeff said, we had the boat to ourselves for two of the three days I was there, so it was very personalized and relaxed. Javier, Pedro, and Mago are all great to be around and dive with.

My only complaint, of course, is that the trip was too short. I can't wait to go back and hit the water again. Jeff & Mia, have fun on the rest of your dives and thanks again to Christi!

Andrew
 
:djbluey: WOW!!!:wave-smil
Way to go, Jeff!!!

:birthday: What an amazing Birthday, Mia!!!!

Everything on this trip sounds VERY special!!

Yeehaaa!!!
 
Christi's Happy Place (Somewhere near Chun Chacab/Maracaibo): Ummm, how can I describe it? Pristine will do. With all the talk about all the damage to the reefs it was refreshing to do a dive and look around and see a reef completely covered in swaying soft corals & sea fans. 2 Nurse Sharks and some Turtles but the big thing was the reef itself. If you're coming down here, you need to talk your dive op into taking you to Chun Chacab/Maracaibo Shallows.

Palancar Gardens: I was told this sight was wrecked... once again it was mis-information. Site looked good to me! Eagle Ray, Free Swimming Green Moray, Turtles and a coral encrusted anchor under an overhang. Not sure if it was uncovered by the hurricane or not. Beautiful second dive.

We had 2 more dives scheduled but the weather took a dump and we all decided to bag it. That was one rough boat ride back in!!! As of right now I am of the opinion they will close the port tomorrow, it's really windy, but who knows...

We ate an early dinner at Camillo's with Debbi, Valerie & Ellen. Excellente! Late night we headed to Los Gavilanes (sp?). They moved locations, food was still good. It was well after 10 and we didn't have a lot of options.
 
Moodiejeff:
Christi's Happy Place (Somewhere near Chun Chacab/Maracaibo): Ummm, how can I describe it? Pristine will do. With all the talk about all the damage to the reefs it was refreshing to do a dive and look around and see a reef completely covered in swaying soft corals & sea fans. 2 Nurse Sharks and some Turtles but the big thing was the reef itself. If you're coming down here, you need to talk your dive op into taking you to Chun Chacab/Maracaibo Shallows.

Palancar Gardens: I was told this sight was wrecked... once again it was mis-information. Site looked good to me! Eagle Ray, Free Swimming Green Moray, Turtles and a coral encrusted anchor under an overhang. Not sure if it was uncovered by the hurricane or not. Beautiful second dive.

We had 2 more dives scheduled but the weather took a dump and we all decided to bag it. That was one rough boat ride back in!!! As of right now I am of the opinion they will close the port tomorrow, it's really windy, but who knows...

We ate an early dinner at Camillo's with Debbi, Valerie & Ellen. Excellente!

So THAT's where everyone was! ;) I called all of you to give status reports and no one was around.

They closed the port this afternoon, so you're 100% right...if this keeps up, the port is going to be closed in the morning...but still, alot can happen overnight! I'll call y'all at 7:30ish when they give the report to let you know the plan!

Anyway, very glad y'all got to dive in my very happy place today :dance: in case thre isn't another chance this trip.

Camilo's...hmmmph :20: I had Special K and it was goooood! :)
 
scubaboyff:
kuip:
STOP!! I will be down there feb. 22 - 3/1. How is Jorge? Tell Pancho to corral up all the Eagle Rays and release them when I dive down there :D :D I see the Makumba has a new paint job. I use a picture of Makumba as my screen saver.


My wife and I will be down there the same time:D What hotel you at? would like to meet some folks from SB
We are staying at Caribe-Blu for the first time. There will be 5 of us so we are taking the economy route. Where are you staying? I'll be the guy playing hooky from work with a big sh#@ eatin grin on his face:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
My wife will be the one with a Marqarita embedded in each hand!!
 
My wife and I will be at Caribe Blu 2/26th-3/5. Can't wait.
 
harpua:
My wife and I will be at Caribe Blu 2/26th-3/5. Can't wait.

Was down there in December, first time on Cozumel. Stayed at Caribe Blu, dove with Blue Angel, was a great trip. Everyone at Caribe Blu and Blue Angel were great. Few problems with water on couple of days while they were working on restoring pool, and a few other issues related to recovery from storm, TV was still out at hotel, but Broadband internet was up (at least in lobby) so I was happy. Great diving, despite missing some of larger fans and sponges in shallower exposed dives. Loads of marine life to see. Plan on being back about this time next year for a comparison dive (with a housing for my camera this time). Hope y'all have as much fun as we did.
 
Palancar Caves: Palancar Caves - Javier style. I've done caves a few times before but never with Javier as DM. Christi told me he has a different route than Pedro. I Liked It!!! WOW! I sometimes dismiss the Palancar dives as inferior to Colombia or Punta Sur, well, I'll tell you, I have a whole new respect for them after today. Turtles, Southern Stingray etc.

Delilah: Snow storm on Cozumel!!! ;) The current was ripping in the beginning and kicked up the sand. Photography was a challenge! Saw a couple Turtles, Green Moray, Nurse Shark etc.

Weather was kinda rough this morning. Very windy and really cold getting out of the water. But was happy to get to dive considering I was expecting the port to be closed!

Tomorrow is our last day diving :crying2: That is unless I change our flights :devil_smi
 
Thanks for the great reports, I am glad to hear that the dive reports are positive. I will be there at Iberostar on 2/23/06 so maybe I will meet a few of you.
 

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