So this time it’s for real, I’m pulling the plug on this pleasant project, this hopeful hobby. The costs are hard to justify and I really don’t write enough. So here’s one last post, which will also have to be a Merry Christmas card since Canada Post is still on strike until Tuesday. Also, I think it has been a weird year all around, and by weird I mean not that great, so I wanted to reach out with an e-hug for all of you. Here it is.

On a different note, did you know that scuba divers from Europe endure 20 hours of travel to dive Cozumel? Yes, Cozumel, the island of swallows. We take it for granted and poo-poo it somewhat as a destination because it is so close and popular, but that only goes to show that familiarity can sometimes breed contempt. Well that’s too strong a word, but think of it like being married to an amazing person, after a while you just think of it as so normal, you stop really noticing how lucky you are. Not a mistake I’m prone to mind you, as my wife is truly truly stellar 🙂 Speaking of which, here she is demonstrating both whimsy and science.

So yes, we went back, back again. Cozumel is not all that warm in December, so bring layers for between the dives or there will be a whole lot of shaking going on. Tuque and fleece are very welcome. The dives (12) were as usual great and with a fair bit of current. It was eagle ray season and if you are not the type of diver to chase away the fauna by sticking your gopro on a stick up their noses, but rather just quietly float about, the odds are good you will see them dig for conch, munch them to pieces (!!!), then circle around you. Very cool.  Consequently I don’t have pics of the eagle rays, but here’s a turtle getting ready to sleep.

Personal gripe: sometimes I think a dive boat should group all the folks with cameras and let them cue up and crowd around that one sea horse giving him (or her) an anxiety attack, while the rest of us go on our merry way. I’m sure you’ve all had that experience of waiting to see something while a guy with an underwater spy satellite is lining up for twenty minutes to take the perfect shot. Not exactly a crucial existential issue, I agree.

We stayed at a new (for us) hotel, the Iberostar Waves and it was a very pleasant experience. Food, alcohol, staff, peacocks and flamingoes on the property, nice beach, you name it. A scuba place, not a party place, though there was a pool bar if you insist on wanting to sit in strangers’ diluted urine. The dive club was very efficient. The kind of efficiency you don’t notice but everything just works. With three boats of 24 divers each your operation needs to be tight. It was. The staff was nice as well, would 100% recommend and go back. We would ask to stick with one DM next time  instead of changing almost daily, that would be the only hack/improvement.

After dives we had our usual beer, log books, and fish talks, and we left a few stickers. We spotted (by we I mean my wife that has eyes like a sniper) a harlequin pipefish which was a first, and also several of the endemic splendid toadfish, and they really are. Very good times.

I’m not one for long goodbyes, so there you go, that’s it for the reporting of our diving adventures on this platform.  It’s been almost ten years, 99 posts including this one. A fun ride. Maybe I’ll find a way to blog for free, or shudder, shudder shudder, start a Diving and Chillin’ instagram page, who knows, it’s a wild and whacky world. Google us once in a while, maybe something will pop. Dive safely my friends and happy bubbles.

And also… a very very very merry Christmas to all of you. I don’t know how it was in your neck of the woods, but this year certainly had its ups and downs. I hope the holiday season can bring you joy, peace and soothing if you need it. Be well every single one of you, and may the new year bring you hope, health, and contentment.

See y’all around.