We got to sleep in a bit this morning (7:30, can't waste the day), since we don't arrive in Cozumel until about 10 am. We breakfasted at Topsiders again, the kids favorite. Both of them are developing an appetite (in my kids this is a good thing-on windy days I was holding on to them).
We met for the Dolphin Encounter at the Promonade Lounge. This was the first the kids knew of this excursion; we wanted this one to be a surprise since they both love dolphins. What do you know, look who's here, Mailman and family!
They think we're following them again. This was a large group. The CM gave us all stickers and tags to wear on our wrists like bracelets (tickets to the park and the encounter). Then they hearded us out of the ship onto the pier. This was impressive; the Magic was docked at the pier just across from another cruise ship and perpendicular to a third! There were at least two other ships anchored out in the bay as well. The procession continued down the pier, past the four soldiers with M16s in black uniforms (hot! I would have melted), up the escalator, across the road and down another escalator. Here we were lined up and put in groups into taxis. The CM gave the taxi driver vouchers to pay for the trip.
This was the most exciting
ride we took on the cruise. The driver drove very fast, tailgated, passed on the right, but did not crash. I was very worried for the people riding bicycles and scooters off to the right of the road. I personally wouldn't drive here, or rent a scooter. We would speed along the road and then come to an almost complete stop as the freeway (it seemed) had intermittent speed bumps. When we were coming into the gates of Chakanaab park, we drove by an accident where a tourist in a rented car has t-boned a taxi driver. No, you couldn't pay me enough to drive here.
We were told that a Disney representative would be at the park gate every hour on the half hour. If we tried to leave without this representative, the taxi ride would cost us, we needed to wait for the vouchers. OK, we can handle that.
Inside the park we were given a quick talk about the dolphins. With a cardboard cutout, the guide told us that the dolphins don't like to be touched on their face, and don't touch back here or "the dolphin will fall in love with you and that is a different tour." We stowed our stuff in lockers (no charge) put the key around my neck and suited up with life jackets. They lined us all up and split us into groups of 15 or so and sent us off to different "pens". Look, we are in Mailman's group, now they are sure we are stalking them. We walked around the dock and down the steps into waist deep water. The platform was a catwalk with some sort of padding on it, but I did wish I'd worn my water shoes, it kind of hurt my feet.
The dolphin encounter was amazing. Our dolphin was Triton, and the trainer was a very sweet lady who looked about 16. The kids were beside themselves. They each got to pet Triton a number of times, kissed him, and were kissed by him. Triton did some acrobatics and we learned some dolphin facts, and too soon it was time to go. By the time we had changed back into our clothes and surrendered out lockers, the pictures were done at the gift shop. While we were looking at the pictures, in came the guy with the video they'd made. They work fast. The pictures were about $12 apiece, and they took three shots of each person. We chose one shot of each of us, and did splurge for the video for about $29.
We bought some t-shirts at the gift shop and went and wandered through the replica Myan ruins. Just about the time we were feeling hopelessly lost, there was a map telling us how to get out of the park; must not have been the first lost souls.
At the entrance we sat and visited with a couple from another cruise until it was time that we could get our vouchers and return to the pier. After another exciting cab ride (~15 mintues?), we were back at the pier. Jim and I took the kids back on board the ship for lunch (saving our money for souvenirs, you know).
After lunch and a bit of a rest, we ventured back out into Cozumel. We took another short cab ride
to the end of the street Jim wanted to shop. We stopped in shops all the way back to the pier. We bought lots of souvenirs in Viva Mexico, bought a hammock (without sticks) from a street vendor, got some cultured pearl ($1/inch!) necklaces, and made it back to the ship in time for dinner. Did I mention my kids were amazing? Austin and Sammy were troopers during dad's shopping spree, drinking out of their bottles of water and taking advantage of the stores with air conditioning. It made it up to about 90 degrees today.
Tonight was Mexicalifragilisticexpealidosious at Animator's Palate. We each got pink leis, and Retish drug me out to limbo.
I am kind of shy, but after making it without hurting myself, I drug my dear family out with me. Ha.
Austin was back off to the Lab. Jim, Sammy and I got some character autographs and wandered about on deck until it was time for the deck party at 10. They set up an elaborate "Mexicali" buffet. Look there is Ivan helping at the buffet. Geez, when does this guy get to sleep?
Another night to bed just before midnight. I guess we didn't come on the cruise to sleep after all. Tomorrow, our second day "at sea".
We met for the Dolphin Encounter at the Promonade Lounge. This was the first the kids knew of this excursion; we wanted this one to be a surprise since they both love dolphins. What do you know, look who's here, Mailman and family!
They think we're following them again. This was a large group. The CM gave us all stickers and tags to wear on our wrists like bracelets (tickets to the park and the encounter). Then they hearded us out of the ship onto the pier. This was impressive; the Magic was docked at the pier just across from another cruise ship and perpendicular to a third! There were at least two other ships anchored out in the bay as well. The procession continued down the pier, past the four soldiers with M16s in black uniforms (hot! I would have melted), up the escalator, across the road and down another escalator. Here we were lined up and put in groups into taxis. The CM gave the taxi driver vouchers to pay for the trip.This was the most exciting
ride we took on the cruise. The driver drove very fast, tailgated, passed on the right, but did not crash. I was very worried for the people riding bicycles and scooters off to the right of the road. I personally wouldn't drive here, or rent a scooter. We would speed along the road and then come to an almost complete stop as the freeway (it seemed) had intermittent speed bumps. When we were coming into the gates of Chakanaab park, we drove by an accident where a tourist in a rented car has t-boned a taxi driver. No, you couldn't pay me enough to drive here.We were told that a Disney representative would be at the park gate every hour on the half hour. If we tried to leave without this representative, the taxi ride would cost us, we needed to wait for the vouchers. OK, we can handle that.
Inside the park we were given a quick talk about the dolphins. With a cardboard cutout, the guide told us that the dolphins don't like to be touched on their face, and don't touch back here or "the dolphin will fall in love with you and that is a different tour." We stowed our stuff in lockers (no charge) put the key around my neck and suited up with life jackets. They lined us all up and split us into groups of 15 or so and sent us off to different "pens". Look, we are in Mailman's group, now they are sure we are stalking them. We walked around the dock and down the steps into waist deep water. The platform was a catwalk with some sort of padding on it, but I did wish I'd worn my water shoes, it kind of hurt my feet.
The dolphin encounter was amazing. Our dolphin was Triton, and the trainer was a very sweet lady who looked about 16. The kids were beside themselves. They each got to pet Triton a number of times, kissed him, and were kissed by him. Triton did some acrobatics and we learned some dolphin facts, and too soon it was time to go. By the time we had changed back into our clothes and surrendered out lockers, the pictures were done at the gift shop. While we were looking at the pictures, in came the guy with the video they'd made. They work fast. The pictures were about $12 apiece, and they took three shots of each person. We chose one shot of each of us, and did splurge for the video for about $29.
We bought some t-shirts at the gift shop and went and wandered through the replica Myan ruins. Just about the time we were feeling hopelessly lost, there was a map telling us how to get out of the park; must not have been the first lost souls.
At the entrance we sat and visited with a couple from another cruise until it was time that we could get our vouchers and return to the pier. After another exciting
cab ride (~15 mintues?), we were back at the pier. Jim and I took the kids back on board the ship for lunch (saving our money for souvenirs, you know).After lunch and a bit of a rest, we ventured back out into Cozumel. We took another short cab ride
to the end of the street Jim wanted to shop. We stopped in shops all the way back to the pier. We bought lots of souvenirs in Viva Mexico, bought a hammock (without sticks) from a street vendor, got some cultured pearl ($1/inch!) necklaces, and made it back to the ship in time for dinner. Did I mention my kids were amazing? Austin and Sammy were troopers during dad's shopping spree, drinking out of their bottles of water and taking advantage of the stores with air conditioning. It made it up to about 90 degrees today.Tonight was Mexicalifragilisticexpealidosious at Animator's Palate. We each got pink leis, and Retish drug me out to limbo.
I am kind of shy, but after making it without hurting myself, I drug my dear family out with me. Ha.Austin was back off to the Lab. Jim, Sammy and I got some character autographs and wandered about on deck until it was time for the deck party at 10. They set up an elaborate "Mexicali" buffet. Look there is Ivan helping at the buffet. Geez, when does this guy get to sleep?
Another night to bed just before midnight. I guess we didn't come on the cruise to sleep after all. Tomorrow, our second day "at sea".
I'm sorry it wasn't as wonderful as it should have been.
