cozumel Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

Why I Haven’t Blogged for a Week!

October 26, 2015 By Tam Warner 12 Comments

Why haven’t I blogged in a whole week? My car broke down and I was stuck for a week waiting for a tow truck? I’m in Mexico and the internet has been down? (that one is true, actually!) My dog ran away and I’ve been chasing him? What other lame excuse can I come up with? The truth is: I’ve been so busy diving and snorkeling and going out to dinner I just haven’t made time. I sleep, eat, dive, dive, eat, dive, sleep. The perfect existence for me!

15 gray angel face close up — I had to catch up with friends, you know….

15 honeycomb cowfish closeup — Honeycomb Cowfish are usually shy…but this one came quite close!

Oh, wonderful Mexico! How I love ya, how I love ya! We arrived in Cozumel last Monday and had no internet. Now, I wouldn’t mind being off line so much, but when you are a blogger trying to build your brand and your traffic, it can be rather inconvienent. I’ve been to both Starbucks on the island. One cannot spend the day there, though, how depressing would that be? Too much for me to deal with, especially when there is an ocean full of fish and coral and all kinds of wonderful things just outside my door. I just can’t stay out of the water. I’ve only had one day off from diving, but I am taking the next two days off. Too many divers on the boat…and Randy and I have errands and other things we want to do.

Iggy, our resident iguana, was here to greet us.

The diving has been nice and easy, with hardly any current, which is unusual for Cozumel. Instead of flying over the reefs, I’ve been able to stop and look around. That’s my favorite!

The food has been rather wonderful…and I will get to that in another post! In the meantime, check out the photos and see what I have been up to!

I heard tapping today...and thought someone was at the door... — I heard tapping today…and thought someone was at the door…

fight club — This dude was in my door frame….

So I took a few pictures....and off he went! Cute, isn't he? — So I took a few pictures….and off he went! Cute, isn’t he?

Then off to dinner and a lovely margarita at La Cocay. Yum!

So, what have YOU been up to?

Cozumel Dreaming

October 15, 2015 By Tam Warner 7 Comments

What a crazy year! Most of my years seem to be crazy…are yours crazy too?

My son married in May, and my daughter married just two weeks ago! The weddings were both wonderful, and friends and family joined us for both, which is always a blessing.

Now…perhaps some relaxation? Well, that is sort of the plan. We are supposed to go to Cozumel on Monday…and I’m hoping we get there, but Randy’s dad is in the hospital, and we have to be sure that he is taken care of 24/7 before we leave town. It is a bit tough to see our parents age and leave us as we head into our midlife. Life is always full…and the cycles remain. Every age has its benefits and its worries.

So…today, I am Cozumel dreaming…with photos. Fingers crossed that I will be blogging and reviewing from our home, Villa Coronado, in Cozumel next week!

Hammocks on the roof. Randy and I are ready to hang around!

The pool — Our pool is usually pretty quiet…but we always welcome friends!

coz 08 jun wes and baby sea cushion — My boy…a boy no longer!

coz 07 greenbergs east side — The east side of Cozumel is always on the agenda as it is ever changing.

The East Side…with some of the crazy kids who come down with us!

Our beautiful Alexandra with her "Da" — Our beautiful Alexandra with her “Da”

coz 08 jun dolph dolphin — A sadly penned friend

coz 13 snork dolphin smile — I like to visit them after the crowds are gone and they are no longer on show. They always seem so happy to see me…I wish I could let them out!

On the Felipe! — On the bow of the Felipe!

Oh yes, Cozumel dreaming….

Amazing Women Wednesday: Citizen Scientists in the Yucatan!

August 4, 2015 By Tam Warner 44 Comments

I wrote this blog in 2015, after a fabulous trip to the Yucatan with an amazing group of women! I have stayed in touch with all of them. I will update you in the blog itself! Enjoy!

Andrea, Elnora and Fin with a Whale Shark

Amazing Women Wednesday: Citizen Scientists in the Yucatan!

Two weeks ago I met a stunning group of women. We were all citizen science volunteers on the Ray of Hope Expedition 2015 to the Yucatan. Our goal was to take ID photographs of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, and to obtain 30 genetic samples from Mantas. The Whale Shark goal was awesomely met, the Mantas were elusive, but the group of women on the expedition made the trip more than worthwhile. [Read more…] about Amazing Women Wednesday: Citizen Scientists in the Yucatan!

The Ultimate Dive Experience! Part Two.

July 30, 2015 By Tam Warner Leave a Comment

A gorgousRock Hind on Palancar Horseshoe — A gorgous Rock Hind on Palancar Horseshoe

My favorite part of the Ultimate Dive Experience at the Occidental Allegro in Cozumel? The diving of course! Let’s turn the dives into Fab Photos Friday, and check out Pro-Dive Mexico!

Pro-Dive Mexico boat (http://www.prodivemex.com/diving/cozumel/

The dive experience at Pro-Dive is friendly, efficient, and quick! Gear is placed in bins with your name on it, and when it is time to board, simply take your gear to the boat and put it together. They have both air and nitrox (no extra charge for Nitrox!), and a Nitrox Analyzer on board. All dive guides are fully certified Master Scuba Diver Trainers, Instructors, which is part of the safety standards for ProDive. I found the dive guide, Louis, from France, to be helpful and professional. Not to mention that I loved his accent. It didn’t take long to get organized and off we went to Palancar Horseshoe Reef.

Pro-Dive’s website is fantastic, giving you all kinds of information on Cozumel diving. Palancar Reefwas made famous by none other than Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s, and it is so large it has to be dived in sections.

2015-07-03 10.35.06 cp lobster — Gorgeous Lobster on Palancar Horseshoe Reef.

2015-07-03 11.00.53 ph balloonfish eyes — Balloonfish are very well camoflauged!

Since I was a lone diver I was buddied up with Martin, who turned out to be an excellent diver. It was a pleasure diving with him and the dive master.

An Arrow Crab...this little guy will fit in your palm. — An Arrow Crab…this little guy will fit in your palm.

2015-07-08 10.46.34 sr wall — There are mountains of coral! A photo cannot capture the wonder of it.

After our first dive, we went to dive one of my favorite reefs…Francesa. Francesa Reef is full of life…you never know what you might find, and we found quite a bit!

A Banded Butterflyfish, a small but crucial fish on any reef…it is a cleaner fish.

Beautiful Green Sea Turtle with a gorgeous shell

The greatest finds on the dive were these two Porcupinefish! They are usually very shy, but obviously they are in love and weren’t going anywhere. At least, not during mating season!

The two of them were together, and would not be separated. So sweet!

fr 15 porcupinefish 2 of them — They are fascinating fish.

Travels with Tam gives Pro-Dive Mexico two thumbs up for their professionalism, friendliness, and dive skill. From top to bottom, they are a smooth operation. (Plus, all Nitrox is free on both Cozumel and the Riveria Maya! No extra charge!)

If you are looking for a great dive vacation, be it with your family, your dive group, or just you, you can’t go wrong with the Ultimate Dive Experience at the Occidental Allegro in Cozumel. There is something for everyone!

Let them know that Tam sent you!

Meeting up with Amazing Woman Shannon O’Donnell!

July 29, 2015 By Tam Warner 16 Comments

One of my favorite bloggers is Shannon O’Donnell of A Little Adrift. Shannon was the 2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year, and is the founder of Grassroots Volunteering. She is also the author of The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook, which uses uses storytelling, research, and practical information to guide travelers to an ethical volunteer experience.

Shannon recently took her nephews and auntie on an exploration of the Yucatan Peninsula. As some of you may know, that area is my backyard since I spend a lot of time in Cozumel, Mexico. As her parents were stopping in Cozumel from a cruise ship, Shannon and I had the opportunity to meet up on the island.

Shannon and I at The Money Bar for breakfast!

We enjoyed breakfast at The Money Bar, then headed to my house for some pool relaxation. Nothing occupies kids better than a pool!

I treasure the people I have met during my travel blogging journey, and most of them I know only online. It was so wonderful to meet up with Shannon in person! The day after we met, I headed over to Cancun and spent an incredible 10 days with a fantastic group of adventurous, dedicated marine conservationists! More to come on that experience!

Be sure and check out Shannon’s blog, A Little Adrift!

The Ultimate Dive Experience! Part One.

July 26, 2015 By Tam Warner 3 Comments

The Ultimate Dive Experience at Occidental Allegro in Cozumel!

Spending the last month in Cozumel and Cancun has been delightful, and while I was on the island of Cozumel I had the opportunity to check out the Ultimate Dive Experience! Occidental Allegro Hotel and Resort and ProDive Mexico have created a diver’s haven in Cozumel.

For the diver who wants a great dive package with VIP treatment, Occidental Allegro’s Ultimate Dive Experience is really something. The divers have their own private area of the resort. There is even an exclusive Check-in and Check-out for guests of the Ultimate Dive Experience. Let me give you a glimpse of the resort, the diving, and fantastic San Francisco Beach. Carla Guardiola, Dive Coordinator of UDE, gave me the 5 star tour!

Need to use a computer? Check in has you covered.

First, there is the exclusive check-in/check-out service (9:00am – 5:00pm) for divers. There is also a separate lobby and lounge for the UDE. Divers receive a special ID bracelet which identifies them as an Ultimate Dive Experience guest. The accommodations are lovely for the avid diver, it comes with a wetsuit drying rack, a 32″ Flatscreen TV and DVD player, a multi-media docking station, a stocked minibar (I love minibars!!), free internet, a private pool area and a self-service bar with complimentary afternoon snacks. UDE guests recieve 2 preferential a la carte restaurant reservations during a week’s stay…book with Carla early!

A private lounge and bar for divers with complimetary afternoon snacks.

Chill out and enjoy the Ultimate Dive Experience!

They also have an option for a romantic dinner right on the beach! Carla can make magic happen.

I would say that the UDE at Occidental Allegro is similar to a liveaboard…one of the best things about it is that the divers have a part of the resort and beach to themselves, and getting to know other divers is always a terrific bonus. To be able to meet likeminded individuals, and dive with them, is always desirable.

Pro-Dive is located conveniently on the beach of the resort and the dock is easily accessible. With the Ultimate Dive Experience one receives one free single tank boat dive per day (24 hours reservation required), and an upgrade to a two tank dive is only $37.00 per dive. Pro-Dive offers free equipment storage at the dive shop so you don’t have to lug your gear back and forth to your room every day (I love that amenity!) One also receives a 15% discount at the dive shop toward apparel and retail items.

Keeping track of the day's dive schedule. — Keeping track of the day’s dive schedule.

Pro-Dive’s boats are nice and roomy, and for every 8 divers there is a dive master. The location of the resort is perfect for diving…right in front of the hotel is Santa Rosa Wall and Santa Rosa Shallows, two of the very best dive sites in Cozumel. No long, tiring boat rides to worry about, the beauty of the southern reefs of Cozumel is at your fingertips.

Are you a young family? The Occidental Allegro has your child’s day taken care of! The Kids Club has supervised and scheduled activities for your children or grandchildren, along with a Pirate themed water park. I think you might have trouble tearing your child away from the club!

Cool Kid's Club includes a water theme park. — Cool Kid’s Club includes a water theme park.

When you need some relaxation, check out the spa, or have a massage in front of the beach and feel the ocean breezes.

There is no need choose between a “family” vacation and a “dive” vacation. The Ultimate Dive Experience with Pro-Dive Mexico at the Occidental Allegro gives you both options. The Ultimate Dive Experience is a fabulous concept, and it is done well at the Occidental Allegro. I give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up! If planning a dive vacation to Cozumel, I recommend that you seriously look into the Ultimate!

Tune in to Friday’s Fab Photo Friday post, the Ultimate Dive Experience Part Two, and I will tell you all about my day of diving with Pro-Dive! The diving was, as always in Cozumel, spectacular!

Don’t forget to tell them that Tam sent you!

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