Chillin With Cynthia In Cozumel

OMG (Oh My God) we had a beautiful day in Cozumel today, an island which is about 30 minutes from Playa by ferry.

We made arrangements to meet up with Cynthia, Sal and their gorgeous little girl Emma (16 months). Sonia met Cynthia recently through her online scrapbooking and Cynthia gave us some great tips on the area before we left Australia.

We got to Cozumel around midday and had a walk around the shops when Sam spotted something she had to have, a dreadlock rasta hat (like the one Kendra bought on Girls of the Playboy Mansion). Looks cool, hope she doesn't pick up any more rasta habits!



We also stopped by Fat Tuesday for some refreshments, where they serve up cocktails in large test tubes, your drink starts at "no problema" and finishes at "dain bramage".



After this we headed to the El Cid Hotel Resort and met up with Cynthia, Sal and Emma (Sal works at the hotel). The resort and surroundings were beautiful. Sonia and Cynthia got straight into talking scrapbooking and Sal set the kids and I up with some snorkels so we hit the water. Have included a picture of part of the hotel I took from the water.



Meanwhile Sonia introduced Cynthia, Sal and Emma to Vegemite - "the great Australian spread" full of vitamins. And to our surprise everyone liked it, so we suggested they take it to the next level, Vegemite on toast with eggs, once you've had it you will never go back.



Here is a picture of Sal taking some time out with the gorgeous Emma



Last picture for today is one of Sonia and Cynthia, two people who share a passion for scrapbooking but from opposite sides of the world. Well today was a beautiful day because they could share it in person together. They chatted about their cameras, about their designs, about their other scrapbooking friends, about their DH's (darling husbands) who are oblivious to all the creativity and detail they each explore and enjoy every day.



Four hours passed very quickly and before we knew it we had to head back to the ferry terminal for our ride home, but it was a real treat and trip highlight to meet Cynthia, Sal and Emma. We hope one day we can welcome them to Australia where we can bring out the big jar of Vegemite, not the small tube pack!

The ferry ride home was a lot different to the one over in the morning. Cynthia and Sal warned it might get a bit rough. Well, Sam and I put our hands up for the sick (barf) bags within 5 minutes and counted the remaining 25 minutes to the other side. No pictures of this experience but we still got home in good condition and great spirits.

Went to La Casa del Agua for dinner, recommended by Cynthia and Sal. Was excellent, Sonia and I had a chicken dish which was served with Spätzle (homed made german noodles). Don't worry Helga (Sonia's Mum) they were great but I still love yours. Topped this off with a Creme Bulee and coffee. We chatted and laughed with the kids all through dinner recounting all of our experiences so far, was great night.

After dinner we went for a stroll down 5th Avenue and I said I would give Sonia and the kids a lesson in haggling/bargaining with the vendors for a Mexico soccer shirt/jersey (my new #2 team after our Socceroos). I had already done my homework talking to Cynthia during the day, who suggested a price somewhere between 200 - 300 pesos ($20 - $30 US, and Australian now). So we went into a lovely older lady's shop, after we finished the small talk and settled on the shirt I liked best I asked "how much", she replied 550 pesos. I said, no, 300 pesos maybe (knowing at that point I had immediately lost any chance of getting it for 200 pesos). She replies, are you trying to make me go broke, 400 pesos. She really was a lovely lady and we were having a great laugh in the shop so I went for the mid ground of 350 pesos at which point the sale was made and I walked away the proud owner of my new Mexico soccer shirt with C. Salcido's name on the back (hope he is a good player? lady said he was good!). In the end I figure I got the shirt for the going rate recommended by Cynthia (300 pesos) and paid another 50 pesos for the laugh and fun we had with the lady. And for the kids there ended the lesson, Brandan is now going to go it alone in his quest for a Corona singlet (stay tuned to see how he goes).

To Cynthia and Sal, once again muchus gracious for a great day.

Need to get to bed, going horseriding tomorrow morning, everyone looking forward to it.

Tour Captain