Ahh, Cozumel. Never been here, never been to Mexico, and I had heard good things about this island from SIL who had been here for a week the year before, so I was excited to explore. SIL, however, wanted to do what she wanted to do, so all my planning went out the window.
First, she wanted to shop, so we shopped. We saw a donkey tied up in an empty storefront, I took a picture of it, it looked so pitiful. I did not like the shopping, too many people grabbing at me trying to pull me into their stores. We work hard for our money too, I don't need to go into every store and buy something, but everyone has the best items in their store, you know. Actually, I think I was in a bad mood because my plans were all shot down, so that may have had something to do with my dislike of shopping in Cozumel.
After shopping, we went to Chankanaab. First, we needed a cab. Cabs in Mexico are built for 4 people, none wear seatbelts, and it is ok if there are 5 of you, the kids can sit on your laps! The driving is scary, although at least you are not on a road with a ledge just off to the side that leads straight into the ocean as when we were in Dominica 8 years ago! Now that was a really scary ride!
But, I digress (again!). We paid $3 per person, and upon arriving at Chankanaab, we were told to pay $10 pp to the cab driver. Now I know I don't pay for my youngest, and told the driver and security guard that I had read this on the website for Chankanaab. After some back and forth, and their conversing in Spanish (I knew there was a reason I wanted to learn Spanish before this trip!), they both shrugged and said that ok, she was no charge. So, watch out!
Chankanaab was nice, my youngest snorkeled for the first time and really enjoyed it! However, my family, or at least me and my girls, were looking for a beach with fun stuff, and I had planned on Playa del Sol or Mr. Sanchos, but SIL wanted Chankanaab. It really was a nice place, but if your children want the ocean with beach experience, this is not it. However, if you like to snorkel, wow, it is an amazing experience here!
It started to rain, and the place was closing down, so back to the boat for dinner we went. I had wine that night (one drink does it for me), so I don't really know what we did later, but I think we saw a movie? I do know I wanted to stay up for the deck party, but DH and youngest DD were tired and went to bed. Eldest DD and SIL and I went up to the party, checked out the late buffet (some yummy desserts, by the way!), and then went to bed about midnight.
Two hours later, THUD, THUD, THUD. Not much sleep for us that night.
The next morning, which came very quickly, we had the character breakfast (first I complained about the THUD again, and was told it was being looked into). The girls enjoyed it, they had fun with Adrian and Zoltan again, as always.
On this day, my girls went to the clubs for the first time. The youngest went to make Flubber, and had a blast, but did not want to go back the rest of the cruise. My eldest went to Common Grounds, which is where the 10 - 12's were at that time. She did not enjoy herself. They both were in the clubs more on the last cruise, but I don't mind them hanging out with us, as we did lots of things as a family.
One of which was seeing 2 movies on our sea day! First came Lilo and Stitch. DH had not seen it, so we all sat through that one. Youngest DD was just bawling during the touching scenes, but then so was her mother.
Then it was off to the room to do more homework, and then they went back to the movies to see Treasure Planet for the first time. My DH and girls liked it. I did not see it, I did some shopping on board and then packed it up because I bought them some things for Christmas.
Semi-formal night that night, and scallops at dinner! Adrian already knew that all we wanted was scallops, and that is what we got (with a few noodles on the side). Ah, our tastebuds were in heaven! My youngest was onto her 8th Mickey Bar of the cruise that night! She was very predictable when it came to dessert time!
Disney Dreams was nice, SIL saw it under protest but she said it was pleasant. We went to bed afterwards, another early night. Can you guess what I heard at around 3:00 a.m. that night? THUD, THUD, THUD.
First, she wanted to shop, so we shopped. We saw a donkey tied up in an empty storefront, I took a picture of it, it looked so pitiful. I did not like the shopping, too many people grabbing at me trying to pull me into their stores. We work hard for our money too, I don't need to go into every store and buy something, but everyone has the best items in their store, you know. Actually, I think I was in a bad mood because my plans were all shot down, so that may have had something to do with my dislike of shopping in Cozumel.
After shopping, we went to Chankanaab. First, we needed a cab. Cabs in Mexico are built for 4 people, none wear seatbelts, and it is ok if there are 5 of you, the kids can sit on your laps! The driving is scary, although at least you are not on a road with a ledge just off to the side that leads straight into the ocean as when we were in Dominica 8 years ago! Now that was a really scary ride!
But, I digress (again!). We paid $3 per person, and upon arriving at Chankanaab, we were told to pay $10 pp to the cab driver. Now I know I don't pay for my youngest, and told the driver and security guard that I had read this on the website for Chankanaab. After some back and forth, and their conversing in Spanish (I knew there was a reason I wanted to learn Spanish before this trip!), they both shrugged and said that ok, she was no charge. So, watch out!
Chankanaab was nice, my youngest snorkeled for the first time and really enjoyed it! However, my family, or at least me and my girls, were looking for a beach with fun stuff, and I had planned on Playa del Sol or Mr. Sanchos, but SIL wanted Chankanaab. It really was a nice place, but if your children want the ocean with beach experience, this is not it. However, if you like to snorkel, wow, it is an amazing experience here!
It started to rain, and the place was closing down, so back to the boat for dinner we went. I had wine that night (one drink does it for me), so I don't really know what we did later, but I think we saw a movie? I do know I wanted to stay up for the deck party, but DH and youngest DD were tired and went to bed. Eldest DD and SIL and I went up to the party, checked out the late buffet (some yummy desserts, by the way!), and then went to bed about midnight.
Two hours later, THUD, THUD, THUD. Not much sleep for us that night.
The next morning, which came very quickly, we had the character breakfast (first I complained about the THUD again, and was told it was being looked into). The girls enjoyed it, they had fun with Adrian and Zoltan again, as always.
On this day, my girls went to the clubs for the first time. The youngest went to make Flubber, and had a blast, but did not want to go back the rest of the cruise. My eldest went to Common Grounds, which is where the 10 - 12's were at that time. She did not enjoy herself. They both were in the clubs more on the last cruise, but I don't mind them hanging out with us, as we did lots of things as a family.
One of which was seeing 2 movies on our sea day! First came Lilo and Stitch. DH had not seen it, so we all sat through that one. Youngest DD was just bawling during the touching scenes, but then so was her mother.
Then it was off to the room to do more homework, and then they went back to the movies to see Treasure Planet for the first time. My DH and girls liked it. I did not see it, I did some shopping on board and then packed it up because I bought them some things for Christmas.Semi-formal night that night, and scallops at dinner! Adrian already knew that all we wanted was scallops, and that is what we got (with a few noodles on the side). Ah, our tastebuds were in heaven! My youngest was onto her 8th Mickey Bar of the cruise that night! She was very predictable when it came to dessert time!
Disney Dreams was nice, SIL saw it under protest but she said it was pleasant. We went to bed afterwards, another early night. Can you guess what I heard at around 3:00 a.m. that night? THUD, THUD, THUD.
