Sunday, 12-Mar-2017

For me, this week started off quite painful. After last night's dinner, the rest of the group went clubbing. They returned to the hostel at about 04:45. Falling onto the bed, Stewart head-butted me in the 'gentleman's area' and immediately went to sleep, oblivious to what he had done! It was not until later that morning (once he had woken from his slumbers) that he was informed of his activity; and was very apologetic!

We all checked out at 11:00 and went to the nearby Babel Café (on Avenida Tulum) for 'brunch', where I had a Banana and Nutella Waffle; and very filling it was too! We decided to visit the caves at Dos Ojos (Two Eyes). As there were more of us than Mariana's car took take, five of us went by colectivo; the fare was 30 MXP (£1.25).

At the cave site, the entrance fee was 200 MXP (£8.33) and then we started walking, not knowing 1) that the caves were about 3 km from the entrance, and 2) that there was an internal colectivo service! After walking some distance, Patrick and John managed to hitch-hike a lift, and a few minutes later, Jenny and Kathleen persuded someone on a quad bike to take them to the caves. I continued alone, on foot, which was exhausting, thinking that the caves were "just around the next bend" or "just over the next hill", but they weren't! [Actually, looking at Google Earth, the road is quite straight, apart from two small 'kinks'!] I could easily have stopped at the Dos Palmas Bar (Photo MX-021) for some refreshment, but it looked abandoned! Eventually, I did get a well-needed lift, from those of the group that went by car; what a great relief! However, no-one in the car realised that the place where I got picked up was so close to the caves; only about 50 metres! My lift was short, but very sweet.

Photo MX-021

Photo MX-022

I was too tired to think about going for a swim, once I got through the gate and looked at the site plan (Photo MX-022). Besides, I just wanted to cool down, which I did by splashing myself with cave water, at the nearest point to where I was! Not knowing where the others were, I left the caves at 15:20, but this time, I travelled back to the main entrance by colectivo (costing 25 MXP (£1.04)), where I sat and waited. Just as I was about to leave for Tulum, the other four arrived at the entrance (also by colectivo) and we all returned to Tulum together.

Luis and his big colectivo vehicle took everyone back to Pez Maya (at a cost of 150 MXP (£6.25), but not before making a 'traditional' Sunday afternoon stop at the Chedraui supermarket, where we could buy those food, and other items (for example, a shaving mirror!), that were not available at Pez Maya. We finally arrived at about 20:00. I retired shortly after, very tired!

Monday, 13-Mar-2017

My alarm woke me up at 06:30 (as normal) for a 07:00 Duties Grounds again. But before starting, I had to stop on the beach and take another photo of the morning's sunrise; see Photo MX-023. Raking the sand was followed by breakfast and then, at 08:00, it was Boat Push time; the weather had, at last, improved! Being a Monday, and because it was empty, it was also Tinaco time (Photo MX-009).

Photo MX-023

The diving sessions were divided into four groups, or Waves; the approximate departure times being: 08:30 for Wave 1, 10:30 for Wave 2, 13:30 for Wave 3 and 15:30 for Wave 4. For today's dive, I had been allocated to Wave 4, which meant I had about six hours to wait. Apart from spending more time learning the types of corals, I had a personal domestic chore that needed doing; washing clothes! Once that had been done, it was time to bury my head in the Reef Coral Identification book.

There was additional work to do. As well as learning the names of coral, Kathleen and I were required to obtain information for the site's blog; which was due last Friday!

My Wave 4 dive was with Brais and Zack, in which Brais and I were required to play a couple of 'games' (tests). I got dressed (with 9 lbs on the weight belt (as I did last week in the fresh water)). However, because of the additional buoyancy provided by sea water, Zack suggested I dive with 12 lbs (5.4 kg) on my belt.

We set off for the BBC dive site (GPS N19° 59' 54.96", W87° 27' 40.32") at 16:00. When it came to roll backwards into the water, I became slightly apprehensive; fear of not being able to breath, or what might be lurking in the water? I couldn't understand why!

Once in the water and at the surface, I was fine. However, I had difficulty in descending, so Zack put an additional 2 lbs into a pocket of my BCD, which helped!

The two 'games' were all about buoyancy control. For the first game, we had to knock over a lead weight (that Zack placed on the sea bed) with the mouth piece of our regulator. I did this last year in Thailand (as part of the Advanced Scuba Diver qualification), but with my chest. It was slightly more difficult with the mouth piece, as the diver needs to descend at a steeper angle than when using one's chest. The second game involved swimming through a hoop without touching it! It sounds easy, but it requires a lot of breathing control. But we did it!

I don't know why, but I had an additional 'refresher' task to master: Out of Air, which I did successfully last week! Anyway, I accomplished it correctly after a couple of attempts; I should have been in command (by signalling/asking "OK", and ready to ascend).

At the debrief after dinner, Zack suggested I put 14 lbs (6.3 kg) onto my belt tomorrow, and breath more deeply.

Tuesday, 14-Mar-2017

This morning's Duties was Boat, which entailed ensuring that the emergency equipment was placed into the large chest boxes, which were then taken down the beach and placed at the front of the two boats. The four fuel containers (two for each boat) had to be checked, and topped up if necessary, and then taken and placed in the boats. Lastly, three large containers (containing fresh water from the well) had to be positioned in the kitting area; for rinsing the sea water from the equipment after each dive. All those tasks were followed by breakfast and then the Boat Push.

This morning, I was in Wave 1, which meant I had to be ready for 08:30. I made sure that my weight belt had 14 lbs (6.3 Kg) on it! The dive site was Hogs Head, which took about 30 minutes to reach. Once we had arrived and everybody was ready, Pete, Kerry and myself rolled backwards into the sea. Again, I was apprehensive for the first few moments. We started our descent after a very short time at the surface; obviously Pete and Kerry were more experienced than I was in being ready. By the way, my descent, this time, was easier with the additional weight.

Near the bottom, Kerry pointed out a 2-metre long Nurse Shark on, or just above, the sandy sea bed. As part of this dive, I was asked to identify various corals. Well, some I could, and some I couldn't! Oh well, back to burying my head in that book!

Back on dry land, and after lunch, I assisted Namate (our Compressor Queen!) in filling 12 tanks. Although it is a noisy activity, it has to be done! Besides, after a while, one doesn't notice the noise of the compressors so much!

During the afternoon, panick (and interest) hit when a boa constrictor snake (of about 2 metres in length) was spotted behind the main building. Pete successfully moved it to another (and safer) part of the site!

At the end of the afternoon, when the last dive boats were returning to the beach, it was Boat Push time again; but this time, out of the water and onto the beach. While it was relatively quiet during the afternoon, I had, unfortunately, taken my shower, and put on clean clothes. So I was ill-dressed, for the boat push, as everyone needed to get chest deep into the water and guide the boats to the beach. However, once they were out of the water, I was able to help push the boats up the beach.

Wednesday, 15-Mar-2017

This morning's Duties was Kitchen, which, being Wednesday, meant pancakes!

With about 15 minutes to spare (between 09:15 and 09:30), I, again, buried my head in the Reef Coral Identification book, as I had another Coral Spot dive after lunch. I had to return to the kitchen to help prepare lunch, and wash the dishes, and think about what we were going to have for dinner.

Preparation for my Wave 3 dive started immediately after lunch. Once in the water, my buoyancy was a lot better with 14 lbs (6.3 kg). Swimming around, Kerry pointed out several corals for me to identify. I'm pleased to say that during that 20 minutes, I was able to correctly name a few more species! For the second 20 minutes, we just swam around (commonly called a Fun Dive), admiring the underwater world! Afterwards, Kerry suggested I try to learn six or seven coral species per day.

Back on dry land, I was in the kitchen again, so there was little time for studying. I was shown something that I had never seen before: after mixing some pancake batter, it is dropped into boiling water, then fried with onions and spices. I must admit, it was not my favourite, as I thought the taste was a little bland. We ended up cooking Spaghetti Bolognaise!

As a break from the kitchen, Friso gave a presentation on the different types of corals and reefs. Once we had finished, I went and showered - with warm water! This was possible by filling a bucket of water during the morning and leaving it to warm in the sun!

After having eaten dinner, it was back into the kitchen to clean and clear the mess. Unfortunately, because of all the cleaning, the Tinaco water butt (on the roof) was emptied.

Thursday, 16-Mar-2017

This morning's duties were the Communial and Preparing Areas, which involved brushing away all the sand (that had been blown in from the beach) and washing the chairs. After breakfast, the Tinaco water butt had to be refilled, as well as giving the kitchen a complete clean. Normally, a full clean of the kitchen is done on Monday mornings, but as we will be away from the base tomorrow (and for the weekend), the cleaning was done this morning. As it takes a while, there were only three dive Waves today.

Wave 1 left at 10:30, but shortly after, one boat returned becasue the radio wasn't working. Charlie obtained a replacement, but communication between boat and shore failed, so the dive was aborted. During the morning, I did my best to learn the seven coral species that Kerry had given me; plus take the following three photos.

Photo MX-024

Photo MX-025

Photo MX-026

After lunch (with real cheese!), Waves 2 and 3 were cancelled, due to the increased wind and wave height. However, because the boats were 'parked' some metres away from the beach, we still had to get into the water in order to Boat Push the boats back onto the beach.

Instead of diving, we were given a presentation about aquifers, and how they can become polluted. That was followed (at 15:00) by another beach clean. At 16:30, a beach volleyball competition was arranged, after which, I had yet another shower with warm water!

A 'bread man' called at the base just before 18:00. As I felt that my body needed more sugar, I bought a Mexican style jam doughnut! Yummy!

Friday, 17-Mar-2017

The Tour de Tulum is a GVI cycle event (of about 25 km) from the base at Pez Maya to the centre of Tulum. I didn't think I was able to cycle that distance in the heat, so I volunteered to be a member of the support team. Besides, I had a swollen, bruised and painful right big toe (after accidently 'kicking' the threshold of the door to the tank room last week)!

Tour de Tulum - Le Départ Video MX-003 [5 minutes, 59 seconds]

Tommy and I were in the rear support vehicle. Unfortunately, the cycles were not in the best of condition, and we ended up with three 'broken' cycles: one with a puncture, plus the cycles of Pete and Kerry.

At the finish point (the Municipal Building in the centre of Tulum), exhausted bodies littered the ground (Photo MX-027). For lunch, we had bread rolls, with ham and tomatoes; and very welcome they were too!

While the results were being compiled, I went and changed €100 into 1,980 MXP. After the winners had been announced, the cyclists mounted their bikes and used the square in front of the Municipal Building (Photo MX-028), to make a few 'laps of honour', which was also captured on two short video clips (Video MX-004 and Video MX-005). The music in the background (in Video MX-004) is by Mike Posner; I Took a Pill in Ibiza.

Photo MX-027	Photo MX-028
Laps of Honour Video MX-004 [1 minute, 06 seconds]	Laps of Honour - Slow Motion Video MX-005 [2 minutes, 10 seconds]

Once the festivities had finished, a number of us made our way to the Weary Traveler Hostel for the night's accommodation. Unlike last weekend, there was space for all of us. This hostel has free Caipirinhas every evening between 18:30 and 19:30. That evening, I had two! I didn't know the quality of the Cachaça used in the Caipirinhas, but it didn't have any effect on me (perhaps a cheap brand), even though I had had a light lunch.

We went out for evening dinner, but I cannot remember where. All I do know is that I had some Chorizo Sporas, but they weren't very spicy.

Back at the hostel and I realised that having a top bunk can have its difficulties during the night, especially if one has consumed a lot of liquid and you do not wish to disturb anybody when wanting to empty one's bladder!

Saturday, 18-Mar-2017

That morning, I checked out, but made another reservation for the night. I found a comfortable chair and stayed at the hostel for a large part of the morning; to charge my phone and, using its free Wi-Fi, to send/receive e-mail messages, and to find out what had been happening in the outside world!

I didn't realise earlier that day, but the hostel had bicycles for hire! Yesterday, Romain and I had discussed about visiting the Tulum Ruins today. So, duly equipped with hired bikes and rucksacks, we set off and cycled to the Tulum Ruins. After walking around them, I came to the conclusion that I preferred them to the ruins at Cobá that I visted yesterday; probably due to the overall setting. The following eight photos are of the Tulum Ruins.

Photo MX-029	Photo MX-030	Photo MX-031	Photo MX-032
Photo MX-033	Photo MX-034	Photo MX-035	Photo MX-036

Back at the hostel, and at 18:30, it was time for another couple of free Caipirinhas! For dinner, a number of us went to the El Mariachi Loco restauant, where I had some Tortillas.

Related Links: Nurse Shark Coralpedia Internet Bird Collection ------------------------ Chichén Itzá Chichén Itzá [Wikipedia] Chichén Itzá [Wikitravel] Cobá Ruins [Wikipedia] Cobá Ruins [Wikitravel] Tulum Ruins Tulum Ruins [Wikipedia] Tulum Ruins [Wikitravel]