Cozumel 12.12.12

On December 8th, we took off for Cozumel, Mexico to join up with 8 friends for a week of fun in a rental house. Here is the link to the house. Our first stop was Pancho's Backyard to wait for everyone's  flights to come in - a margarita and guacamole is a great way to start vacation. Here was our view! 

After everyone was assembled, we headed to the house. We were not disappointed. The house was perfect: five bedrooms each with their own bathroom plus a great pool and rooftop deck. 

We settled in and then Edgar and his wife arrived to make dinner. We had elected to have a chef prepare breakfast and dinner each day except Sunday. The food was amazing! We ate so well! 

Sunday, Glenn had arranged a tour with Cozumel Bar Hop. A van picked us up and we headed to the "other" side of the island. This side is barely developed - no electricity or running water. A few bars have popped up over the years. We visited five of them and had a terrific time. Some of the highlights: 

Seaside tables 

Swings instead of bar stools

We headed back home to catch sunset from the rooftop deck. 

Monday was a lazy day around the pool. We walked down the Carlos and Charlie's beach club for lunch. Then we had a great night hanging in the living room playing games. Tuesday, Tom, Margaret, Glenn and I went to a cooking class. It was so much fun! We went to the market to buy the ingredients and then Josefina taught us how to make her family favorites. 

Wednesday was my birthday and it just so happened that Glenn's sister was in port from her cruise ship so we all met up at the Town Square for lunch.  I even got a special birthday corsage from a tiny clown. 

Then a monsoon hit and we took cover in a dive bar until it was dinner time. Glenn had arranged for a birthday cake. It was a terrific birthday. Thursday was a rainy, rainy day so we all hibernated in the house - reading and playing card games. Friday, we headed to the Playa Palancar.   It was awesome. It was like we were staring in our own Corona commercial. 

Then we enjoyed our last sunset on the rooftop. 

It was so hard to say goodbye to one of the greatest vacations I have ever had. Some tips for next time: invest in having the house stocked with food, beer and tequila before we arrive. It will be worth it. Don't forget to include the $2 per person day tip for Edgar and his wife in the equation. Pesos are not necessary, but helpful because the exchange rate can change widely. Consider securing a taxi for a the week. We spent $35 one way to town every day so getting a taxi to agree to be on call for $100 per day may be worth it. I can't wait to go back!