COZUMEL, MEXICO-OLE!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 high 80s, some rain, some sun

Cozumel is an island 30 miles long and 9 miles wide with a population of 67,000. Its history is linked to the Mayan civilization. The island is approximately 12 miles from the mainland—off Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. It is 36 miles south of Cancun.

We have been very fortunate with the weather the entire trip, but today there was rain. We got up at 7 a.m. to the sounds of the ship docking. It wasn’t long before we were ready to visit Cozumel with umbrellas in hand. We docked at the Puerta Maya pier, about 3 miles from downtown; however, this area is being developed with shops and restaurants.

I have to mention the sensation of having two cruise ships, behemoths, docked side by side, our Crown Princess and the Carnival Legend. Just a little distance away Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas and Celebrity’s Equinox were docked. The vision of these four ships made me reflect on the early 20th century when one could have seen tall ships still in the harbor and the contrast with what we see today. What will be the view on the seas 100 years from now? The dock’s width between the Crown and the Legend was just 40 ft – when I looked up as I stood between them, they were enormous—19 to 20 decks (stories) minimum high. It is an amazing sight. There were at least 2 other cruise ships in Cozumel today, a low guess of 14,000 passengers total, plus crew.

We stood in Ron Jon’s waiting for the rain to subside and then took a taxi to the downtown area ($7/cab). Shopping is fun in Cozumel and, of course, I still wanted to shop. I finally found blue topaz that I liked. Now May and December little girls both might have a nice keepsake.

The rain did not last. While I continued along the main street looking for bargains, TK looked for sea glass along the shore on the other side of the main street. In other words, the main street follows the shore and one can walk on it. (note to Donna and Lawrence—TK found some nice pieces so I can have a necklace made as a Cozumel memory!)

When we returned to Puerta Maya we had lunch at Pancho’s Backyard—great Mexican food while a marimba band plays. We have enjoyed lunch at Pancho’s every time we have visited Cozumel.

Back on board ship, I finished reading Possession by Peter James, an English author. I wish K.C. (from London and the NCL Spirit) were here to translate some passages—where are you when I need you?

We watched the other cruise ships leave Cozumel between 4:30 and 5, when we left the port. The seas are rough tonight-it’s windy! By 8:45 there were 7 ½ ft. waves and we were rocking and rolling with wind at 55 knots. It is 71 F outside. (This is from the Captain’s Log published on the television.

Tonight was the best dinner we had at the Horizon buffet, Bavarian night. Spaetzle, red cabbage, roast pork, sausages, pretzels, all very good. TK had the Black Forest cake. We were going to watch Julie and Julia on MUTS, but it was way too windy and water from the pool was spraying the deck where the lounge chairs are.


AT SEA—WEATHER!
Thursday, February 25, 2010

This morning the sun came out, but the seas are still “lumpy” and the air is cool-probably 60s. This is still better than the weather in Pennsylvania. Everyone is staying inside—most outside decks are closed because they are wet from the spraying ocean. The pool deck is open, but the pools are closed.

Captain Proctor, who sounds like a professional radio announcer, has reassured us that the weather will get better. We are headed north, toward the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, so I’m just not sure how much warmer it will get. I’m happy to read my new book, Guilt With Honor, by Jeffrey Ashford. TK entered the Slots tournament.

Even though it may seem like we are not doing anything exciting, we are content to relax. There will be enough to do when we get home, a week from yesterday or today. HLN is available in our cabin so we know that the Eastern U.S., including Pennsylvania, is still getting snow.