Diving in Cozumel, Mexico

Greetings everyone!  It has been a long hiatus from blogging.  I apologize for keeping you all waiting.   The summer trip blog of the Mediterranean almost got finished, but I decided to throw this post up anyway.  We just got back from a tremendous dive trip with friends to Cozumel, Mexico.  It was amazing.  Yes, amazing.  The weather cooperated, the villa was better than believed, and the diving was surreal.  And... Out friends mostly behaved themselves.  

We were on Cozumel for a week and loved it.  Our dive outfit was with Aldora divers and we chose wisely.  Check them out here http://www.aldora.com/

Their lodging at Aldora Villa was spectacular with a private beach, dockside pick up, full kitchen, gear cleaning and storage, and Debbie, the best host ever!  

The bedroom laying out gear before the trip.  Oh no!

The "Reef Riders" discussing the next plan of attack before our first day of diving.  The lodging was more than what we could believe.  Very comfortable. 

This is our outside view looking north from the villa. 

This is looking due west towards the mainland.

Grocery shopping was a first priority since we had a kitchen and were going to be cooking for ourselves many nights.  Debbie (the host) took us to the Mega Market when we arrived.  This was something very similar to Wal Marts on the east side of Las Vegas.  I felt at home.  We loaded up and piled all the food into Debbie's car.    

The photo above is a stranded boat from a recent storm.   Debbie said this guy was moored close to the villa and broke loose during the storm.  During the week, we saw the recovery of this fine craft and the operation required to bring it back to life.  

Awesome mural by the pool at the villa.

This is us preparing to leaving to leave in the morning before a day of diving. Talk about close!

The dive boats were first class with plenty of space and a great crew to help. 

Katherine on her first descent. 

Since I take the photos, this is the ONE photo of me for the entire trip.  Enjoy it!

Katherine rocking the south to north current of a typical drift dive.  We just ball up and enjoy the ride. It was a pleasant cruise. 

We didn't see many nurse sharks, but I was lucky and got a glimpse of this one.

Spiny lobster.

The turtles were plentiful.  When we came across them, they would casually rise to the surface to get a breath. 

Our after dive time at the villa was spent on dive logs and chilling on the back patio.

Sera, Katherine, and Michael.

This view is looking back at the villa after we got picked up in the dive boat.

Grouper!

Katherine cruising back to town.

Yeah, we ate at a tourist place.  It was worth it. 

Typical morning ride out to the sites. 

Sera with some friends.

Michael in one of the many swim throughs.

Back at the villa.

This grouper followed us for the most of this dive.  

Cool restaurant recommended by our dive guide. 

We were making fun of posed dive shots, but thought we should do one ourselves.  I think they were all giggling through their regulators. 

Now, that's a feast!  We ate well that night. 

The backyard BBQ was put to good use.

No diving the day before you leave, so why not do this?

We had the whole backyard to ourselves.  Relation at it's best.