*** COZUMEL, Mexico - PHOTO journal @ Carnival Conquest cruiser (September 2012) ***

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Carnival's MAGIC (and Conquest) & Allure of the Seas in Cozumel

(seen here from the Chankanaab Park on Friday, September 28th 2012)

 

 

Before our dophins encounter, we took a snack break and then

decided to explore the Chankanaab Park's green areas.

 

 

 

Note that it's easy to navigate around on your own, following the visible signs.

 

 

 

However, when we first entered the park, we were provided with a MAP and

the main events of the day were also pointed out up front for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chankanaab is a warm, tranquil place in Mexico's otherwise pretty wild Cozumel!

 

 

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Free guided tours are available @ Chankanaab.

 

 

 

 

However, we decided to follow the jungle paths on our own,

passing by the archeological park containing a Mayan village

and replicas of sites throughout Mexico.

 

 

 

 

It was an extremely HOT day that Friday (September 28, 2012)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop: the Exotic Gardens (followed by the beautiful Lagoon)!

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Spending some time exploring the botanical gardens @ Chankanaab (with over 350 species of tropical plants).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Getting lost inside the Botanical garden @ Chankanaab (with over 350 species of tropical plants).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathing a glimpse of the lagoon - right before the RAIN started!

 

 

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The inland lagoon @ CHANKANAAB - home to corals, large communities of fish,

mollusks, crustaceans and marine gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Then it started to RAIN @ Chankanaab - out of the blue !

(maybe the blue of the beautiful Lagoon?!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The word Chankanaab comes from the Mayan language;

Chan (small) and Kanaab (sea or ocean) are making reference to the natural lagoon formation

located in the interior of the Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At first, we thought that the RAIN will stop soon... but it didn't!

 

It became heavier and heavier despite the heat and high humidity @ Chankanaab!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We got really soacked from the RAIN; so a refreshing, umbrella drink was our... reward @ Chankanaab!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SALUD!

 

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Note that @ Chankanaab Park, there are various dolphins activities (for $$$).

 

 

However, the park also offers a free tour where the bilingual guide takes you around

to see the dolphins and the manatee.

 

 

 

 

The free "Dolphin presentation" and "Manatee exibition" starts here (on the boardwalk):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And it ends on the other side of the Pier/ Boardwalk (from where you can see the ships docked in Cozumel):

 

 

 

 

 

 

The free tour was informative and although we did not get into the water,

we found ourselves in close proximity to the dolphins and the manatee.

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Now the best part of the day was the close-up encounter with the dolphins @ Chankanaab

(prices differ based on the type of package one will choose).

 

 

 

 

One of the many things to do in Cozumel is to

swim with dolphins in their natural habitat @ Chankanaab.

 

 

 

 

Being able to enter the beautiful world of dolphins and interact with them is just one of the many things

we love about Cozumel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEOs (few of the dolphin activities @ Chankanaab):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful time @ Chankanaab Park that Friday (September 28, 2012)!

 

 

 

 

As always, all good things must come to an end at some point, so time had come for us to return to Puerta Maya...

($10.00 USD for the short taxi ride to the Pier in Cozumel's Puerta Maya)

 

 

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Returning to the Pier @ Puerta Maya, we were dropped off by the fountain.

 

 

 

The funny thing was that the RAIN caught only Chankanaab earlier that day!

 

 

 

There was NO rain at all in Puerta Maya

('til later on - right about the time when we had to get back on the ship for the Sail-away!).

 

 

 

 

 

We had plenty of time left before we had to board the ship, so we continue

the exploration of the Pier area that Friday afternoon!

 

 

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Next stop: LOS CINCO SOLES!

 

 

 

 

There are lots of silver shops by the Pier!

 

However, for whatever reasons, we seem to always find really wonderful, unique jewelry pieces @ Cinco Soles!

 

The prices are fixed and somehow on the high end, but the selection is excellent!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Los Cinco Soles" is huge and filled with tasteful items, including clothing, arts and crafts from all over Mexico,

jewelry and many other items.

 

 

 

 

They're also selling tequila (and invite you to taste it before you buy it).

 

 

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"Los Cinco Soles" is filled with tasteful items, including clothing, arts and crafts from all over Mexico,

jewelry and many other items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Before we moved to the restaurant next door, we stopped for a minute to listen to the mariachi @ Plaza Maya.

 

 

 

 

Mariachi is the best known form of folk music from Mexico.

 

The name refers to the music, the musicians and the band that play it.

 

 

 

 

Mariachi began as a regional folk style called “Son Jaliscience” in the center west of Mexico originally played

only with string instruments and musicians dressed in the white pants and shirts of peasant farmers.

 

 

 

 

VIDEO (mariachi in Plaza Maya @ Cozumel's Puerta Maya, Mexico):

 

 

 

 

It was such a beautiful day!

 

 

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Our next stop: a visit to Pancho's Backyard

(during lunch, they have live Marimba music)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delicious Mexican food and awesome Margaritas are served at the lush patio of

"one of Cozumel's most beautiful colonial buildings, amidst splashing fountains and tasteful decor."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their principle: somewhere must be 5 o'clock and time for a special Margarita!

 

If you know the day's "magic" word, you receive a FREE sopaipia with a meal purchase!

 

 

 

 

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COZUMEL's Puerta Maya, Mexico (Friday afternoon, September 28th 2012)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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As mentioned already, lots of jewelry stores in the Caribbean and silver in particular in Mexico's Cozumel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left our friends to enjoy a relaxing massage by the beach and headed for some ice-cream

because it was really hot in Cozumel's Puerta Maya that Friday!

 

 

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Carnival's CONQUEST & MAGIC @ Puerta Maya, Cozumel (September 28, 2012)

 

 

 

 

The beautiful island of Cozumel was launched as an international tourist destination more than 50 years ago,

when scuba divers and beach-goers discovered its crystal clear waters and

its picturesque village by the sea - San Miguel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival's CONQUEST & MAGIC @ Puerta Maya, Cozumel (September 28, 2012)

 

 

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ALLURE of the SEAS @ Cozumel, Mexico ( September 28, 2012)

 

 

 

 

ALLURE of the SEAS @ Cozumel, Mexico ( September 28, 2012)

 

 

 

 

Today, the island of COZUMEL has grown up, but at the heart, it's still the same Cozumel -

with friendly people, beautiful views and the blue waters of the Caribbean lapping at its shores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Carnival's CONQUEST & MAGIC @ Puerta Maya, Cozumel (September 28, 2012)

 

 

 

 

The island of COZUMEL was the sanctuary of the Mayan goddess of fertility, Ixchel,

and it was a major destination for religious pilgrimages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The island of Cozumel is located about 11 miles (18 km) off the east coast of the Yucatan.

 

It is opposite to Playa del Carmen and it’s known as Mexico's window to the Caribbean.

Carnival's CONQUEST & MAGIC @ Puerta Maya, Cozumel (September 28, 2012)

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"Three Amigos" Bar - a new theme restaurant inspired by the 1986 hit movie

starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The waterfront eatery "Three Amigos" – the first of its kind in the Caribbean – offers traditional Mexican food,

along with an extensive beverage menu.

 

 

 

 

VIDEO (the ambiance @ Three Amigos on Friday, September 28th 2012):

 

 

 

 

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Three Amigos - The waterfront eatery @ Puerta Maya, Cozumel (September 28, 2012)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALLURE of the Seas @ Cozumel, Mexico (September 28, 2012)

 

 

 

Fat Tuesday - the waterfront bar offering frozen drinks and light snacks, along with a DJ and dance floor.