SCUBA SIG DIVES COZUMEL DECEMBER 2005

Are you going on the SCUBA SIG trip to La Paz, but you don't want to wait another year for your next dive trip after that? You can't make it to La Paz and if you don't breathe some compressed air soon you'll start having withdrawal symptoms? Join the SCUBA SIG in Cozumel for the second year in a row. We're going to have even more fun than last year! Like last year, this will be a do-it-yourself trip, but with all the fun and camaraderie of a typical Mensa dive trip. The basic plan: Arrive Cozumel Thursday December 8, depart Monday December 12, stay at Casa Mexicana, dive with Dive with Martin. Book your own air and hotel, and Ann Faget will coordinate the dive arrangements with Dive with Martin. You are welcome to arrive earlier and stay later if you wish, but the core dates for the group are 12/8 - 12/12.

The details:

Airfare - Round trip air on Continental is currently $414 from Houston Intercontinental - only a $19 increase over ticket prices last year. (The price goes down to $389 if you stay over until Tuesday 12/13, which sounds like a GREAT excuse to get in an extra day of diving.) Check the Continental web site for fares from other cities, connecting through Houston http://www.continental.com/. American Airlines offers connecting service through Dallas http://www.aa.com/. US Airways offers connecting service through Charlotte http://www.usairways.com. Or use your frequent flyer miles. Another option is to fly into Cancun and either take an island hopper flight over to Cozumel, or take a taxi or bus to Playa del Carmen and then take the ferry to Cozumel (see http://www.cozumel.net/1maps/ferry.htm for the schedule).

Hotel - Casa Mexicana. http://www.casamexicanacozumel.com/eng/default.asp Casa Mexicana is one of Cozumel's newest hotels; it's conveniently located just on the southern edge of downtown, directly across from the ocean and within easy walking distance of the central plaza. We will be able to walk to our choice of fine restaurants each evening for dinner. There is a second floor swimming pool, perfect for relaxing with a beautiful view of the ocean. The clean and modern rooms are well appointed, and the room price includes a full breakfast buffet. Right now, the Casa Mexicana web site is advertising a rate of $115/night for our period. Funjet http://www.funjet.com is currently offering a bargain land only package of $318 for two adults for 4 nights at the Casa Mexicana (which works out to $79.50/nt).

You may be able to find a cheaper combination air/hotel package by using a travel agent or by doing your own research.

Schedule - Those of us flying Continental will arrive in Cozumel at 11:30 in the morning on Thursday. After checking into the hotel and unpacking, we'll take taxis over to Ernesto's for a leisurely lunch overlooking the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Ernesto's is a long time Cozumel favorite, famous for their sizzling fajitas. After lunch, we'll head over to Martin's shop for a beach check-out dive to the sunken airplane, one of Cozumel's best shore dives. Friday through Sunday we'll do a two-tank morning dive with the afternoon at leisure. Options include a third tank boat dive, unlimited free shore diving, sun bathing, shopping, a trip to beautiful Chankanab Marine Preserve for snorkeling or a dolphin encounter, Mayan ruins, and many others. Friday or Saturday evening we will do a boat night dive. Each evening we will visit one of Cozumel's many fine restaurants for dinner. Monday morning we'll head back to the airport for the 12:15 Continental flight back to Houston.

Diving - We will dive with Dive with Martin http://www.cozumel-diving.net/martin/. Martin Aguilar started his business over ten years ago, and his dive operation is one of Cozumel's best, offering fast boats and personalized service. His shop is located at the International Pier. The rate is $155 for three days of two tank boat diving or $215 for three tanks.

Questions? - Post any questions you have about Cozumel (or anything about SCUBA diving) to the scubasig-talk list. See http://lists.us.mensa.org/mailman/listinfo/scubasig-talk for details. For specific questions about this trip that you don't want to share with the rest of us, email Ann at Cozumel2005@scubasig.us.mensa.org

Caveat - The prices quoted in this announcement are current as of 7/1/2005, and are, as usual, subject to change. With rising fuel prices, air fares may go up at any time. Hotel rooms may sell out. The SCUBA SIG has NOT reserved any spaces. Trip participants will need to book their own air and accommodations.

Review - Let's review why this trip will be great.

We will dive the world famous reefs and walls of Cozumel, home of the elusive Cozumel toad fish. We may see turtles, eels, sharks, sea horses, lobsters, and a wide variety of colorful corals and marine life, all while drifting blissfully through the gin-clear azure waters of the Caribbean. If you've been to Cozumel before, you know what I'm talking about. For Cozumel first-timers, get some basic info at http://www.cozumel.net/about/.

Dive with Martin will cater to our group - we will have our own boat, and choose our dive sites every day. In addition to unlimited tanks for shore diving, our dive package also includes free dive gear. That's right - no need to rent gear; if you don't have your own, Martin will supply everything you need including regulator, BCD, and wet suit.

Our beautiful modern hotel is right downtown. No need to take taxis to dinner, we'll just walk! Our trip leader, Ann Faget, will be happy to offer us the benefit of her extensive experience with Cozumel travel and diving. After falling in love with Cozumel on her first Mensa dive trip back in 1987, Ann has been returning to Cozumel 2 or 3 times a year ever since. She will be able to recommend a wide variety of excellent restaurants for lunch and dinner, and assist with suggestions for shopping, sightseeing, etc.

Finally, we will enjoy the inestimable pleasure of the company of our fellow Mensa divers. Catch up with old friends and make new ones!

In summary - Great diving with great friends! It just doesn't get any better! You know you wanna go! So what are you waiting for? LET'S DIVE!!

Obligatory disclaimer

What the SCUBA SIG does for you:

1) Suggest a time and place for diving.

2) Facilitate communications to help you find a roommate and discuss this trip (or any other).

3) Provide updates on the SCUBA SIG Announcements Email List http://lists.us.mensa.org/mailman/listinfo/scubasig-announce

and SCUBA SIG WWW site

http://scuba.us.mensa.org/

What the SCUBA SIG doesn't do for you

1) Make any reservations.

2) Handle any money.

3) Accept any liability for your health, wealth, or personal happiness in life.