On Saturday, April 14, 2001 2:58 PM, Don Ward wrote:

(snip)
> I have refrained from making this observation for many years b/c of the
> advocates on this list and their feelings for Cozumel.  But I have to tell
> you, from my trip to Cozumel, I can't think of a more overrated
destination
> in the Caribbean.

(snip)

> Does anyone agree with me.

G'Day, Don!  You've raised an interesting point about what constitutes a
good dive site/destination? :-)

I thoroughly enjoyed our short time in Cozumel and for two major reasons.

First was the diving itself.  It was remarkably different from the type of
diving that we generally enjoy in this part of the world.  Not least was the
splendid visibility as a result - I assume? - of the current that sweeps
through the channel between the island and the mainland and carries away any
particulate matter:  The fact that the majority of dive sites were a short
boat ride away from the pier - and effortless in that they were all drift
dives:  And that the marine life was so remarkably different from that found
in this part of the world.  (It may not have been so prolific or colourful
as, say, the Great Barrier Reef, but that - in itself - was no bad thing.
It allowed for more closer attention to the critters that we did see!).

From that point of view alone, it's good to have had the experience and
thereby be able to make comparisons between destinations in other parts of
the world and the manner in which the diving's conducted.

Second - and perhaps more important? - are the social aspects of diving.
It's always seemed to me that all too often the difference between a good
dive and a bad dive - even those at the exact same site - is determined by
the people that you happen to be sharing the experience with! :-)

In that regard Cozumel exceeded all of my expectations and based on that
aspect alone it's become a place that I'd happily reccomend to others - and
would go back to in a flash if the Australian dollar wasn't so shamefully
low! :-)

Whether I'd actually enjoy it quite so much if we went there by ourselves,
however, is doubtful! :-)

In some respects, Shelly Beach is a good yardstick.  Because so many people
have trained in the sheltered beach area, they subsequently regard the whole
general area as not being worthy of attention.  And yet we continue to find
amazing marine life and the occasional adrenalin challenge that makes every
dive there unique.  But best of all are the people with whom we share the
experience and the subsequent conversation about different aspects of the
dive.  Oh!  And the coffee and Tim-Tams!  :-)


> P.S.  Spare me the flames.  We all know everyone on this list who loves
the
> place, so that is not exactly news.  I want to know who else thinks like
> me, that the place has been trashed by too many poor diving tourist on
> cheap holidays.

Cozumel cheap?????  You should talk to my bank manager!  :-)

> All my best on this Easter / Passover weekend to everyone.

And a well meant, "Me too!"  :-)

Strike