Dec 30, 2007
OK, you tropical fish fanatics can quit whining. But first this. . . . .
It seems like every time I visit Cozumel I get sick just before leaving for or arriving on the island. This time I came down with a fever and headache the day before the ferry trip and not long after that passed I threw my back out bending over to pick up something. I bent over and just flopped down like a puppet with it's strings cut. This is a rare experience for me but over the years. . . . . ! In the past I've gone the Chiropractor route and recovery was slow. This time I toughed it out thinking it was just a muscle deal and after almost a week was not recovering so I tried some self administered traction. I supported my weight with my arms and shoulders letting the weight of my legs pull the joints in my lower back open. I tried swiveling my hips a little and heard some satisfying creaks and pops.
When I stepped down things felt a lot better and after repeating the treatment morning and night I was able to go diving today, Friday. (Which we'll get to)
Heading along the waterfront to a meeting one evening I saw this version of a Mercedes Sprinter that Ford is now offering.
Gotcha!!
There aren't many mosquitoes around my place and when I hear one I pay attention. One of the AA gals came down with Dengue Fever (confirmed by blood work) and said it was absolutely horrid. When I heard this gal buzzing around my place the other night I gave her a little spray as soon as I could.
From the markings I'd guess she was an 'Asian tiger' variety. I like them best when they are laying down. . . . Dead!
In preparation for my trip down this year I stored some movies and TV programs on a huge new External HD. It fell over while I was watching 'Bad Santa' Christmas Eve and froze up. Now we'll see how generous their warrentee program is. I lost the complete first year of 'West Wing' and 'Hill Street Blues' plus much much more. Tough to beat the technology of a paperback.
Below is a yacht who tied up here for the Christmas holiday. Note the dinghy garage.
Sometimes simple is best. Isn't this a lovely bug.
The air station where I get my SCUBA tank filled ($1.50 this year, up from $1.10) is owned by the same fellow who owns the local TravelLift boatyard. He had a huge power catamaran that was wrecked by Wilma and replaced with a big old monohull. As a sport fisherman he now uses this Grady White:
This is VillaBlanqua beach. There are a couple resident dive operations here as well any number of private dive instructors who use the facilities. This is where I traditionally go in for my dive trips. If there is a current I drift North and get out at Blue Angel, next to the boat yard above.
OK, yet another spiral staircase.
When I got home the other night I noticed one of the cruise ships decided to stay over or arrived early. I suspect they fill up in Venezuela on 10¢/gal marine diesel.
Most of the worlds Navies conduct their ceremonies on a Quarter Deck, either afloat or on land. Here at the headquarters for the Mexican Navy on Cozumel they have a grand Quarter Deck. Of the military services the Navies are the most tradition bound of all.
Looking just to the right of that Quarter Deck I noticed this cruise ship bow. Definitely the most stylish Ive seen yet.
My understanding is that the Architect of that triangle shaped B&B from last week lives in an interesting place on 5th. This is the Southern end of 5 (at 23rd) and nothing that spectacular showed up. Just an Iguana guarding the wall.
The owner of the boatyard and the air station seems to have a conscience as evidenced by this banner touting the Green Party posted next to the air station.
. . . . . which I noticed on my way to pick up my tank. I'll take you on a tour of the place another week. They fill a thousand tanks a night, when the electricity rates are low. They pick up, fill and deliver the tanks like a milkman.
Once I made it to VillaBlanqua beach I unpacked my dive gear for the first time this trip and got ready to suit up.
I got an underwater wide angle lens to try this year and like the one I use on land, it's not suitable for every shot. Live and learn.
Here are a few looks that turned out because I cropped down to just the one item in each scene.
That is actually what this critter's eyes look like. Strange view of the world. I've got a lot of room to talk.
This is a 'Sea An-enemy' Notice that guy in the background waiting for a dinner guest.
Here are a couple Flamingo Tongues.
This is an interesting coral formation, and more so when seen up close.
This is not a mosquito, but it sounded like one and kind of looked like one on the wing. . . . so I sprayed it too.
I was riding down a side street and noticed this nice fence. Then I noticed the wattle and daub house inside, next to the functioning well. There was a gal across the street trimming her sidewalk hedges so I asked about the place. She said it was 150 years old and still occupied.
And. . . . . I guess that's it for Santa this year.
It looks like Aurelio is taking this election seriously. That top wall is behind the San Francisco grocery store.
Here it is Sunday again and there is a 9am meeting under this Palapa in the Barracuda Hotel's back yard. Which is sort of ironic since this beach is one 'Happening' place otherwise. Sort of like sprinkling Holy water on a battlefield.
. . . . and last but not least.
-Home-