Cozumel
Last time we were here the ship was not able to dock due to hurricane damage the year before. DH went golfing, DS & I did the Atlantis submarine. We didn't care for the submarine, we didn't see that much - it was all blue because we were so deep and they don't use lights. DH said the golf course was ok but not very pretty because of the hurricane damage, all the trees were virtually gone. So this trip we did something different - we went spear fishing. This was also the day of our 25th anniversary, so after spear fishing we would be dining at Remy!
We needed to make our own way to a marina. Finding a taxi wasn't difficult but they make you walk through a mall to get to the taxi stand. Kind of annoying when you're in swim suits, carrying snorkel equipment and towels. I had printed off the instructions to the port and showed them to the taxi driver, he said he knew where it was. Off we went. It was a short ride, about 10 minutes along the coast.
Once we arrived at the marina there was a guard that came to the taxi and we had to show him our reservation then he took us to the boat. Our boat was by far the smallest one in the marina. There was only one other person on the excursion with us, a man who was staying on the island. None of us had any previous spear fishing experience. When I made the reservation I was asked many questions and one was experience, I said we had none. That was not a problem, they would teach us. I also read all the reviews on Trip Advisor, it was one of the top rated excursions so I felt confident in choosing this adventure.
Soon we were off. There were 2 guides and captain. Once we arrived at our 1st dive location one of the guides went over how to use the spear gun and what kind of fish it's ok to shoot. They had a chart with pictures. He said that the more colorful the fish the worst they tasted. Our main target are Trigger fish, snapper, and barracuda.
The 1st dive spot was about 15 feet deep. That was fine for DS & DH, I was not spearfishing, just taking pictures. DS took a couple of shots but didn't catch anything. He was in heaven - he LOVES to fish!
No fish were caught at this spot so we got back into the boat and went to the next stop. This stop was 40 feet deep - why they would take newbies here we do not understand. No one, other than the guides were able to get down far enough. You have to get within 10 feet of the fish in order to shoot. DS tired so hard to get down that far that he ended up with a nose bleed. The guide got 2 fish at this location. Finally we got back into the boat and we to the 3rd and final stop.
This was about 20 feet deep, much more manageable for the guests. The difficulty with this stop was the current. It was so strong that we didn't have to kick at all - we were just pushed along. The guides warned that if you waited until you were above your target you were too late, the current would take you past the fish. This was very true. DS tried several times to get a barracuda but the current was too strong for him. A guide finally got one. We were close to the end of this dive when DS came up close to me. The bottom of his snorkel mask was full of blood. I told him he was done - no more diving. He was not happy with me but too bad, I wasn't going to have him damage something trying to get a fish.
Back in the boat we headed back to the marina. Everyone got a good look at the fish caught by the guides.
Once back at the marina the real fun began. We got all of our stuff off the boat and I asked the guide how we get a taxi back to the ship. He said "just walk down that road and you'll come out by the highway. When a taxi comes by flag it down." I laughed and said, "really, how do we get a taxi?" He repeated his instructions. I was horrified - remember a guard let us in the marina. I thought, great we will be on Nightline - family from Wisconsin missing in Mexico.... Then he said he needed payment, no problem. DH asked for a pen for the travelers checks. The guide said, we don't take travelers checks. Now we have a problem. When I booked our excursions they all had an upcharge for credit cards so we decided to use travelers checks. We had a combination of cash and checks, about half and half. I told him we didn't hav enough cash so what should we do? He pulled out his cell phone, which made me want to say "you couldn't use that to get a taxi out here for us?" and called the owner. I was put on the phone and he told me his emails clearly stated cash only. I replied that his email (which I had with me) did not stat that, it said the price in US dollars. So I asked him what he wanted me to do since we did not have $250 in cash. He said I had 2 options, one was for me or DH to get a taxi back to town, cash the travelers checks and come back to the marina. The other option was to pay extra. Fine, we agreed to $20 extra (we had this for a tip - no tip now). We signed over the checks, gave them our cash and walked down the road. I was not happy. It really seemed that they just didn't want to deal with a travelers check, pay in cash only so it's easier for them. There was no reason they couldn't have arranged for a taxi to be at the marina when we returned. They knew when we'd be back. They did offer to let us take one of the fish. They would tell us a restaurant that would cook it for us, at this point I just needed to get away from them and back on the ship.
We walked down the road - in swim wear, carrying our snorkel gear and towels. When we got to the highway a taxi came by, honked at us, DH waived and he pulled over. We didn't have to wait but we had to negotiate the cost. He asked what we paid to come out and took that to get us back.
Back at the port area we stopped in one shop. DS wanted to look around. We weren't there long and he said he wasn't feeling well and wanted to get back on the ship. Back on the ship he got into the shower while DH went up to get chicken strips and pizza. Once DS was cleaned up and fed he felt better. We relaxed in our room until it was time to get ready for dinner. DS went to main dining while we went to Remy.
Remy is beautiful! Upon arriving we were given a tour, he stopped to show us Ego's wine at $13,000 a bottle.
The crystal Remy atop the chandelier as you enter the dining room, the wine room where "large groups" dine. Remy is found in the upholstery and the backs of the chairs.
We were alone in the dining room for about 30 minutes which we really enjoyed. The dining room is small and intimate. The tables a far enough apart that you do not overhear other conversations. Very nicely done.
We each ordered a different tasting menu, I had French, DH has American. We were started off with tomato soup - the best I've ever had.
Yes, the little cube was tomato soup. They make the soup, freeze it into cubes, when they are ready to serve it they bread it and deep fry it. So good! Next we were given an amuse bouche of Ratatouille with olive oil ice cream. It was very good.
All of the food was very good. Things we would not normally order. It was fun to try some different things. I didn't do the wine paring, I felt that another $99 was just too much. I did have one glass of wine, DH ordered a cocktail. I'm not going to post pictures of all the food, there are very detail reports on Remy that have that. My favorite dish (other than the soup) was the side dish served with my Waygu beef. It was a poached quail egg surrounded by potato foam - it was so good! DH's favorite was his pork tenderloin dish.
After we had dessert we were presented with a tray of candies made in the kitchen.
We each had one but couldn't eat anymore. They packed the rest up for us to take with us. I was presented with a beautiful red rose. Then they brought a beautifully decorated plate in honor of our anniversary.
Final thoughts on Remy - it was a wonderful meal, a great way to celebrate our 25th. Would we do it again - probably not. We are Palo people and will be perfectly happy dining at Palo. We are glad we tried Remy and have no regrets. Everyone was very polite and gracious, they do not make you feel uncomfortable. The price is high - our bill was over $200.
Next up day at sea #2.
So we went down to Animator's Palette early hoping to get on the 1st tender. There was a long line when we got there but luckily we made it on the 1st tender. We were at the pick up location in plenty of time. Once Eldon arrived (the driver for Native Way) he said there was another couple that should be joining us. We waited about 10 minutes and Eldon said he didn't want to keep us waiting any longer and we were off. It's a nice drive to the marina and Eldon was very personable. 
- last day 
. So I went back up to our room to get that while DH & DS went ahead to secure our beach location. 
