Vacation Report #6 Cozumel, Mexico
September 13, 2006
As we again enjoyed breakfast at Topsiders Buffet, we were gliding between the Island of Cozumel and the Mexican mainland...specifically the Yucatan Pennisula. As we approaced the Punta Langosta pier, the ship slowed its motion and we saw the tender boats approaching.
Again, we had no tours scheduled, so we took our time getting off the ship. Our day would be a day at Paradise Beach. We boarded the huge tender boats. Cozumel did have three enormous piers, Punta Langosta, TMM International Pier, and the Puerta Maya. The latter was owned by Carnival cruise lines. All three were put out of comission when Hurricane Wilma hit last year. I believe she was a Category 5 when she stalled over the region for 60 hours! The piers are slowly getting back into repair. Due to this we boarded the aforementioned tenders. The tender process was much slower in Cozumel as the ships were much larger and the ship was anchored further from shore.
We finally were feet dry in Mexico. Immediately I noticed Hurricane damage to the Punta Langosta mall area. This bustling area is directly on the waterfront and a section of the mall was totally gone! I remember walking through the shops and on floors that were no longer there! As we rode in cab south on Avenida Rafael Melgar, more hurricane damage was evident as sections of the seawall were missing or crumbling. However, it was good to see new construction. As we went into the jungle south of town, there was evidence of trees being uprooted. We soon approached our destination. We got out, picked out our chairs and were in the Caribbean Sea. After about 40 minutes, storm clouds approached and the floodgates opened. For a short while, we all huddled under our umbrella, but soon Elaine took the kids to the pavillion. The storm refused to let up, so I soon joined them and then grabbed a cab back to town and the ship. Once in town, Elaine the kids and I, shopped in a few stores and bought some Cozumel t shirts. We had to get one for our dog sitter!
Soon we were back on board and in dry clothes! Dad, Mom and Tracy returned a little later and they reported to us that the storm cleared up and that they were able to rent a jet ski. They had a good time and were able to travel a great distance in a short time.
The theme for the evening was Pirates In the Caribbean. We came to dinner and were immediately given pirate bandanas. Dante and Cloverly tied them and placed them on all of our heads. Dinner was a tropical theme. I had Buccaneer's Sun Ripened Pineapple for an appetizer, Caribbean style Spicy Vegetable Gumbo soup, Castaway Cay's Chicken Breast rubbed with Pirate Island Spice, and for desert Walk the Plank triple layered Chocolate Gangplank Cake. This was one of my favorite meals! It was great! I must say that I enjoyed the tropical menu's the most!
The program for the evening was the Pirates In the Caribbean Deck Party. This started at 9:30 and concluded at about 10:45 with fireworks. It was a great time! Following the party, there was an 11:00 pm showing of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl on the Big Screen at the Goofy Pool. Tracy and I grabbed a lounge each and watched the first hour or so of this great flick.
While enjoying one of my favorite movies in the Caribbean, i began to doze off and soon decided to head back to our stateroom. Our next day would be a relaxing day at sea.
As we again enjoyed breakfast at Topsiders Buffet, we were gliding between the Island of Cozumel and the Mexican mainland...specifically the Yucatan Pennisula. As we approaced the Punta Langosta pier, the ship slowed its motion and we saw the tender boats approaching.
Again, we had no tours scheduled, so we took our time getting off the ship. Our day would be a day at Paradise Beach. We boarded the huge tender boats. Cozumel did have three enormous piers, Punta Langosta, TMM International Pier, and the Puerta Maya. The latter was owned by Carnival cruise lines. All three were put out of comission when Hurricane Wilma hit last year. I believe she was a Category 5 when she stalled over the region for 60 hours! The piers are slowly getting back into repair. Due to this we boarded the aforementioned tenders. The tender process was much slower in Cozumel as the ships were much larger and the ship was anchored further from shore.
We finally were feet dry in Mexico. Immediately I noticed Hurricane damage to the Punta Langosta mall area. This bustling area is directly on the waterfront and a section of the mall was totally gone! I remember walking through the shops and on floors that were no longer there! As we rode in cab south on Avenida Rafael Melgar, more hurricane damage was evident as sections of the seawall were missing or crumbling. However, it was good to see new construction. As we went into the jungle south of town, there was evidence of trees being uprooted. We soon approached our destination. We got out, picked out our chairs and were in the Caribbean Sea. After about 40 minutes, storm clouds approached and the floodgates opened. For a short while, we all huddled under our umbrella, but soon Elaine took the kids to the pavillion. The storm refused to let up, so I soon joined them and then grabbed a cab back to town and the ship. Once in town, Elaine the kids and I, shopped in a few stores and bought some Cozumel t shirts. We had to get one for our dog sitter!
Soon we were back on board and in dry clothes! Dad, Mom and Tracy returned a little later and they reported to us that the storm cleared up and that they were able to rent a jet ski. They had a good time and were able to travel a great distance in a short time.
The theme for the evening was Pirates In the Caribbean. We came to dinner and were immediately given pirate bandanas. Dante and Cloverly tied them and placed them on all of our heads. Dinner was a tropical theme. I had Buccaneer's Sun Ripened Pineapple for an appetizer, Caribbean style Spicy Vegetable Gumbo soup, Castaway Cay's Chicken Breast rubbed with Pirate Island Spice, and for desert Walk the Plank triple layered Chocolate Gangplank Cake. This was one of my favorite meals! It was great! I must say that I enjoyed the tropical menu's the most!
The program for the evening was the Pirates In the Caribbean Deck Party. This started at 9:30 and concluded at about 10:45 with fireworks. It was a great time! Following the party, there was an 11:00 pm showing of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl on the Big Screen at the Goofy Pool. Tracy and I grabbed a lounge each and watched the first hour or so of this great flick.
While enjoying one of my favorite movies in the Caribbean, i began to doze off and soon decided to head back to our stateroom. Our next day would be a relaxing day at sea.
posted by Christian at
9/28/2006 07:49:00 PM
2 Comments:
Of all your cruise trips, what is the best routes? And which island would love to fly to for 7 days?
We have only been to the Western Caribbean on our two cruises. Of all of the islands i have visited thus far, I think Grand Cayman is my favorite and would love to visit there for an extended time.
My parents have been both to the Western and Eastern and prefer the Eastern for a couple of reasons. They enjoy the extra sea day to get there, and the islands more mountainous and more beautiful.
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