Saturday At Sea

With Cozumel being the final port of call, we were on our way back to New Orleans. Saturday was a day at a more calming sea. There was a press conference at 10 a.m. Franco Stevens, publisher of Curve Magazine. Founding partner Jen Rainin and chief executive officer Shannon Wentworth. RSVP Cruise founder, Kevin J. Mossie. Most of the conference focused on hearing about the results from volunteering at the ports as well as where it's going. I'm coining the title. "Making A Sweet Difference In The World, One Lesbian Cruise At A Time".

Andra Snorkels Looking For The New York Sharks

I was happy with watching the glass bottom while Andra searched for the New York Sharks. Last video was a sum up of the day and shooting from the balcony of my stateroom.

Fiasco Friday in Cozumel

It would have been great if we had an entire 12 hours in Cozumel as there is probably the most do to there. The plan was to go to a park called X-Caret where Andra, Linda and I were to first walk under the water wearing one of the helmet with the air hose. Then we would go to another area where we would have an encounter with sharks...tamed. Jim Mayfield, the owner of Sea Trek was to be arranging the entire thing as I called and emailed. Here are the directions that he gave in what I believed to be the final email. "The taxi ride is $6 to the ferry terminal. The ferry cost is 160 pesos (appx. $12 ea), each way. Purchase a "one-way" ticket (there are two ferry companies and they alternate departures at the top of the hour). You want to make the 9:00 departure (they leave promptly). You will arrive in Playa del Carmen at appx. 9:45. Taxi drivers will be at the top of the pier soliciting rides. Grab one and go to Xcaret... Cost should be around $12, each way. When you arrive at the main entrance, go to the ticket booth and let them know that you have courtesy passes from under you name (you will need to provide an I.D.) Your entrance fee will be paid, however, you have to pay the "environmental fee" of $5 per person. They will provide you with a wrist band and you will enter the park. Appx 100 feet into the park you will go to the right where the activities reservations are located. Go to any ticket window and provide your name and that you have courtesies for Sea Trek at 11:30 and Sharks! at 1:00. They will provide you with a receipt for each activity. Be sure to get a map (its a huge park and very easy to get lost). It's about a 15 minute walk to the Sea Trek area (without stopping). There is a lot to see and it will likely take you 1/2 hour to get to the Sea Trek location. Be there at least 15 minutes before your tour time. If you have any delays, or if these times do not work for you, be sure to work that out with the activity reservation personnel. Xcaret - This park is incredible and you can easily take two days to see it all. Unfortunately, this will be a rush through and you will have to plan to come back. Let me know if you have any more questions."

I did ask a few more pertinent questions on Nov. 6th just to make sure that there was time enough to make the two visits and get back to the ship at the proper time.
Taxi, ferry, taxi, ticket booth. No one knows what I'm talking about. What a disappointment! It was not only the excursion that I was most looking forward to, but having to disappoint my friends and costly, as well.

Bad lemon turned to lemonade...or rather Sea Trek Becomes Sea Drek becomes C Shark!
Decided on an excursion while on the ferry back. Glass bottom boat and whoever wants to snorkel. Linda and I did not choose to snorkel. Andra did and she made her way into the waters searching for the New York Sharks! Fins Up!

We first ate at a restaurant called Casa Denis, in the square. Although we did take a taxi to the ferry, it wasn't that long of a walk from here to the ship. Not only was this the last port to visit, but the best place to do all of your shopping!

Sunburned And Back To The Ship

Personally, I think we could have spent less time at Tabyana Beach. Back at the ship I met Andra and Linda at Champagne Charlie's for cocktails and then off to the Garden Restaurant for dinner. There was a table of women that seemed to be celebrating. I'm not sure as to whether they all knew each other prior to the cruise or met on the cruise. Two of the women, who live in Chicago, announced their engagement. You can probably tell by the photos as to who they are.

Tabyana Beach Experience

There were a lot of people from the cruise going to Tabyana Beach to bathe, take in the sun and just chill out. They provided lunch for us. BBQ stuff. There was a place to buy souvenirs, of course as well as a building with changing rooms, lockers and bathrooms equipped with someone expecting a tip...just like everywhere else! One photo is the arrival of some of the women. I didn't get one of the crowd. Esther, the Rubber Chicken came along and decided to lay out on a lounge chair as well. It seemed that the sun or Gumbalimba Park tuckered out Andra and Linda.

From Gumbalimba to Tabyana Beach

The excursion continues as we go from Gumbalimba Park to Tabyana Beach, which appears to be a private locale. Here are some photos. Andra and Linda. Linda and I. The Beach before crowd.

Gumbalimba Park, The Monkeys and Me

Well, perhaps Andra got the monkeys, but I'll be a monkey's uncle having these cuties on my shoulder.