Today was the day we decided to venture out of the resort and head to Cozumel. Everything I have read about it said it was visually stunning and full of beautiful beaches. The trip was definitely an experience. It was nice to say that we have been to Cozumel, but getting there was a trip in itself. We started out after breakfast around 8:00 waiting for our shuttle to arrive and got on about 8:10. Since the van was full I assumed that we were the last ones getting picked up… nope! We ended up stopping out of our way to two other resorts which turned the 35 minute drive into Playa del Carmen into an hour and a half. After reaching Playa del Carmen we met up with our tour guide who explained a little of how the day was going to go. After that we boarded a ferry that would take us from where we were to Cozumel.
I don’t know if it was the fact that the ferry was pretty small or if the water was just extra wild that morning because both Trish and I were sick as dogs by the time we got off the 40 minute ferry ride (and I never get sea sick!).
After reaching Cozumel we hopped on our open air tour vehicle which took us to our first destination, a national park called Chankanaab, for snorkeling. The water was the bluest I have ever seen.
At one point just walking on the edge of the water (it was pretty deep) I could see angel fish and other beautiful exotic fish swimming by. Trish does not swim very well so we decided to just relax in a little hut with a drink while everyone else jumped into the water. Once everyone got cleaned up and was ready to go to our next spot we all loaded back into the van and were greeted with Mexican beers a plenty! Our next spot would be Punta Sur. Here we spent our time eating a traditional Mexican lunch with empanadas, taquitos, beef and chicken fajitas, and beverages. Trish even acted like she was a real Mexican eating all the food (she only ate cheese empanadas, which is kind of like a fried grilled cheese sandwich). When lunch was through we got a little time to relax in some hammocks and dip into the ocean.
The water was warm, sand white and fine, and the Sun was HOT!!! Thank goodness I decided to tan before our trip because I forgot to put on sunscreen and was walking around Cozumel in the sun for half a day and barely got a little red! When we finished up at the beach we headed to an old lighthouse. I don’t remember the name, but It was definitely an awesome place to stop.
If you wanted to go to the top you had to climb up 133 steps (so like 10 floors or more) and crawl out of this little hole at the top. If you were brave enough to be able to stand at the top you were rewarded with some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen! After making the trip back down the winding skinny stairwell, we hopped back into the truck and headed to an area known for crocodiles. There was a small “bridge like” path that lead you out over this lagoon to a big square deck with a hole in the middle (big hole though… probably 12’x12’). The tour guide started whistling and calling the name “max”. As we all stood in the hot sun confused and trying to contain our laughter, sure enough a 35-40 year old crocodile came swimming up right underneath us and swam right up to our tour guide! Just like a dog!!! 
I would have no idea that these types of animals could be “called” and that they would listen! The one tour guide started reaching over the hand rail and patting it. If any of you have animals I think you know what that meant. He was trying to get this huge 8 ft. crocodile to jump up on this railing! I said “are you smoking crack!??” He let us know that crocodiles can jump half of their length in height. Luckily for all of our fingers and toes Max decided to stay in the water that day and we all got back on the truck to head to the downtown area.
The downtown area was very interesting. It had everything from your typical Mexican flea markets to super high end stores like Rolex Dealers, and a Cartier. The most interesting thing was that all of the stores were not grouped in any way. You would just be walking and see a rundown shack for a store then right next to them would be a huge diamond dealer. Our ferry would be leaving in about 25 minutes after we got their so we did not get the chance to do much shopping, but I did manage to get my hands on some Cuban Cigars. And “no” I will not be taking them back through customs wink wink ;). The ferry ride home was much less rocky plus we were able to get a seat on the deck which I think helps a little. After returning to playa del Carmen we hopped back in our van for a “short” 65 minute ride back to the resort. All in all an interesting experience, but a little too much action in one day for me… We started out at 8:00 a.m. and did not return to the resort until after 8:00 p.m.
Needing showers badly, we headed up to the room to decide where we would eat dinner. We decided to go see the entertainment first since they were having a hypnotist and thought that would be a pretty good show to see. She was Hilarious! Unfortunately we were unable to use our cameras because the flash would wake them up, but it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. At one point she had told them she was going to hand them all $100 dollar bills and they would have to hide them so that other people could not steal it. She came from behind their chairs with two big packages of napkins and started handing piles and piles of napkins to these people and they believed it was money! They were lying to get more “money” saying that she did not give them any, stuffing it down their shirts and pants to hide it, and the best part about it was that she did not fully release them from their hypnosis. She told them all that they were going to be big spenders and share their wealth by buying everyone they see drinks at the bar. Oh my goodness…. We were sitting next to 2 people who had volunteered to go up and when they got back to their seats they were pulling money out of their bras, underwear, waving it all around like they had a million dollars! If I was not as tired as I was I would have followed those girls around all night watching what they did with that money! It was definitely worth going to a late dinner.
When all of those shenanigans were through we decided to go to Bordeaux, the resorts French restaurant. Upon sitting down and looking at the menu we both decided that we were not French people and went back to Portofino for our favorite Italian dishes. By the way… I am going to look into getting one of these when I get home. If anyone knows where I can get on just let me know…. This is a magic fridge! I drink the beers and other beverages and when I come back to my room it is full again! Muy Bueno! Tomorrow…. Shopping!
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