| Pez Maya |
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[Last updated: 13-Jan-2022]
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I woke up to a "do nothing" day! I checked out of the hostel, but because of the heat, decided to stay in the cool and shade of the hostel, except for going for an occassional walk to explore Tulum. Several Whatsapp messages circled the airwaves during the day, mainly about the group's return journey to Pez Maya at 17:00, from the usual pick-up point; along Avenida Tulum.
However, despite many messages sent, it seemed that a few of the messages did not reach their intended recipients. Three of the group cycled to the beach, but returned shortly after 17:00. It was thought that the Finnish couple went to the ruins. If they did, they obviously wouldn't have had Wi-Fi to receive any messages. They didn't return until after 18:00! We eventually arrived back at base at about 19:30. It was a very windy evening, so I retired about an hour later.
 Photo MX-037 |
I, along with Martina, didn't have to take part in this morning's Duties. Instead, we went to the nearby bridge, with Friso, to do some bird watching. Birds of the region include:
Note: The links have been taken from Wikipedia's List of Birds of Mexico.
After breakfast, I spent most of the morning studying coral, before getting ready for my coral spot dive at 13:30 with Friso. Once in the water (the visibility wasn't good (approximately 10 metres)) and as with previous coral spot dives, Friso pointed to several corals for identification; some of which I got correct, some I got wrong, and some I didn't know. It was becoming very frustrating! However, we did see some
It was during this dive session, particularly at the end of the dive, I had difficulty getting back into the boat, with a painful left chest. On further inspection (once in the boat), there were a few areas of yellow bruising on my left chest! I cannot recollect when or how it happened. Perhaps when getting into the boat one day last week. Strangely, I didn't notice any pain while in Tulum over the weekend! Due to my incapacity, I was unable to take part in the afternoon's boat push.
Last week, I saw Namate entering the compressor log details into a book
that had seen better days! It was at that moment when I asked if an Excel
couldn't be used! So, after dinner, I retired to my hut and started creating
a Compressor Log spreadsheet, until lights out, at 21:00.
Tuesday, 21-Mar-2017
When I awoke, my chest was painful, so I excused myself from diving for the day. Anyway, this morning's Duties was Kitchen, which didn't involve any heavy lifting!
I had plenty of time to study the coral types, but I couldn't remember what I had studied yesterday! Very frustrating, and devotivating!
I completed the Excel spreadshhet for Namate during the afternoon. She can modify it as she wants, but at least it is a start!
At around 16:00, the pain in my chest wasn't as bad, so I thought that
diving tomorrow would be a possibility. After dinner, the result of the
"Staff Servant" was announced. Hector was to be my servant for the day,
but as he was away at Punta Allen tomorrow, I had to wait until Thursday.
Wednesday, 22-Mar-2017
This morning's duty was Communial and Preparing Areas. After breakfast (Wednesday is pancake day!), there were the boats to be pushed, and during Wave 1, tanks to be refilled. While sitting at the compressors, I saw my first humming bird! I returned to my hut in preparation for my Wave 2 dive, when the quiet was broken by an almight piercing scream! Jess (in the hut next door) found a brown scorpion (estimated to be about 8 to 10 cm in length) in her bed! It was safely removed to the nearby undergrowth!
For this dive, I wrote seven coral types on a slate, for Zack to point to, which he did. [I desperately wanted to be able to monitor corals!] The visibility was good - probably 20 to 30 metres - the best I have ever seen here! My breathing was more under control. So much so, that I ended the dive with 100 psi still in the tank (down from 200 psi)! Shortly before we ended our dive, a Moray Eel poked its head out of an area of coral!
At the end of the dive (of 45 minutes duration) I didn't have enough energy to get back into the boat. It actually took me five attempts! Added to that, the pain in my chest had returned.
After lunch, it was back to studying. I managed to learn the following species:
I felt that I was getting there, albeit very slowly! My grey cells were
not as active as they used to be!
Thursday, 23-Mar-2017
For the first time at Pez Maya, I was scheduled to have two dives in one day (Wave 2 and Wave 4)! I didn't know how the diving would turn out, as I had to use a small BCD. I wanted to do more studying before my dive, but I had a general chat with Steve Gwenin (one of the GVI founders) who was visiting the base.
As for my first dive (at the Wonderland site (GPS N20° 01' 06.24" W87° 27' 44.28")), the visibility was OK, but my mask kept fogging up. In addition to that, I had difficulty in equalising, especially my left ear. The dive ended with us swimming past a Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) - very majestic!
My second dive was cut short after 30 minutes, as I was having trouble equalising my left ear, as well as continued pain in my left chest. Back in the boat, Liz told me "Don't be stubborn! Rest for the next three days!", meaning that I shouldn't dive when in pain.
Unknown to us all, Steve had bought a lovely gateau, that everyone tucked
into after dinner. With cake in our bellies, Anaik gave a presentation
on Eutrophication - very informative. I asked her for the
web sites that she used during the presentation; these can be found in the
Related Links
list at the bottom of this page.
Friday, 24-Mar-2017
I still had pain in my chest when I awoke, but fortunately not the intensity of yesterday. I wanted to participate in a fun dive (today being Friday), but my chest pain prevented it.
Charlie showed us five 'newbies' how Lionfish are caught; with a hand-lanched harpoon. I wanted to see it in action, and he suggested next Friday. It must be said that the Lionfish is an invasive species, and is destroying the ecosystem of the Caribbean. In these waters, it has no preditor, unlike, for example, the waters around Thailand. The story is that someone in Florida had one in an ornamental aquarium. When the fish grew too large, the owner 'discarded' the fish into the sea, from where and when it has proliferated and become a serious problem!
During the afternoon, while manning the radio, I corrected a formula error in the Compressor Log spreadsheet, and copied a number of video files onto a USB drive for Tommy's Tour de Tulum blog. The paper log file, used to record the radio communications between 'ship and shore' (the dive boats and base) was getting tatty. So I quickly created an Excel spreadsheet to replace it; if it was ever required!
Friday nights are fun/party nights at the Pez Maya base, and tonight was no exception! A number of males (mainly staff) volunteered to have (some of) their bodily hair removed, all in the name of charity; proceeds went to the Tour de Tulum event; see Photo MX-038 and Photo MX-039. Most of the areas being waxed were upper torsos and legs, although hairy John did offer his 'rear crack'; not a pretty sight - or sound!
 Photo MX-038 |
 Photo MX-039 |
Rest day! Most of the volunteers left for a weekend in Tulum or Playa del Carmen. I and a couple of others stayed 'at home'. Besides, it would provide rest time for my chest, which included taking it easy in one of the hammocks:
 Photo MX-040 |
 Photo MX-041 |
 Photo MX-042 |
I demonstrated the Compressor Log file to Charlie. He was so impressed, he went and bought me a beer! Santé!
My left foot had swollen, which it sometimes does when I initially visit hot climates; so that was another reason to rest! Bedtime was at 20:00 for some mental relaxation/stilmulation: Solitaire on the iPhone!
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