On our previous visits, our explorings consisted of visiting historic sites in Quitana Roo and Yucatan. This year we wanted to do a day trip to Cozumel Island, so we signed up for a guided trip. We were picked up by van at the Barcelo and whisked up the coast to Playa Del Carmen, the largest town on the Riviera coast, where ferries shuttled back and forth daily to Cozumel. Joining a group of 45 folks, we met our guides, Marcel [ from Mexico City] and Peter [ from Italy] for our excursion.

Loaded up on the huge ferry, we settled in for the 40 minute ride. San Miguel is Cozumel's only town, and is where all the cruise boats dock to unload passengers to shop til they drop. Disembarking, we were herded several blocks away to a huge parking lot, where our jeeps and dune buggys awaited. We had requested a dune buggy for the tour, so after loading everyone up in their respective vehicles, we set off caravan style for the island tour.

Donny drove the first half of the trip, and we were zipping down back roads at 100 K trying to keep up with lead footed drivers. First stop was the lil village of Chankanaab that fronted on a long reef that is popular for divers. The plan was for a stop to snorkel the reef. Annee, Sherril, & Don planned to snorkel, but not being fond of swimming where their are critters that view you as lunch, I chose to sit ashore.

They changed to bathing suits, got their flippers, masks, snorkels, and such and set out for an hours swim. I settled in under a palm to watch and wait. Turned out Don's flippers were too small for his big feet, so he turned back, while the gals did the fish gazing. Once the swim was complete, everyone got changed and we loaded up for another drive.

Next stop was a visit to El Cedral, a Mayan temple a bit inland. There we viewed the temple remains and got to enjoy a lecture by our guides on some Mayan history and the gals got to do a bit of shopping at the native stores close by.

By them stomachs were rumbling, so we were off down the beach road to Palancar Reef for lunch. Planacar was a beautiful beach with dozens of palapas and a handful of buildings set back under the palms. An all you can eat buffet lunch was set up in the dining hall, so we helped ourselves.

After lunch we lounged under the palms in lieu of a siesta, and played with the pet parrots that had the run of the joint. 'Course, Annee & Sherril just had to play with them.

Cranking up the caravan, Marcel & Peter led us off at a fast clip around the south end of the island to the windward side where the Caribbean surf crashed on rocky beaches. At Punta Chiqueros we pulled over for a beach walk and a short hike up on a cliff that was completely undercut by the tides, forming a perfect arch. A genuine Kodak moment.

Back in our buggy, we went racing off down the coast road to make the turn back to San Miguel and the ferry ride back to Playa. A quick taxi ride to Barcelo and an early dinner rapped up the perfect day trip.