Day 13: Cozumel - Puerta Maya Pier

We were able to find an available taxi waiting at Money Bar.  Another $11 and 20 minutes later, we are back at our cruise terminal.  We head back to the ship to drop off our bags.  The Caribbean Princess is in between two Carnival ships:


It doesn’t take too long for us to head back off the ship.  This is a busy pier:


There’s plenty of loungers available for an afternoon siesta:


I notice many restaurants are busy.  We walk to the end of the cruise terminal until we end up here:



We stop in our tracks to find Pancho’s busy as well with a line of folks waiting for a table:




Within five minutes the line is moving and folks are being seated quickly:


Hubby knows to wait 20 seconds before touching the plate so I can take a quick picture.  Here we are dining on guacamole and chips and fish tacos:


At Pancho’s, everything is made fresh and the prices are reasonable.  I love their guacamole and chips!  The waiters are extremely busy and the service is quick.  This is the busiest we have seen Pancho’s and we have dined here several times over the past few years.  Of course there are five ships in port and that’s the most we’ve seen here in Cozumel.  Busy, busy day!

We wander around and visit a few shops and then head back to the ship an hour before our departure time.  Cozumel is our last port on this two week adventure.  It’s been a fabulous cruise and we still have one more sea day to go.  Stay tuned!

Day 13: Cozumel - Snorkeling at Money Bar (part 3)

They drop off what feels like a swarm of people into the water.  I lose track of Hubby in the sea of orange vests and swim away from all the chaos.




The swarm follows their guide and get back on their boat 20 minutes later.  This is why we are more than thrilled at doing our own thing.  I’m sure that excursion was at least $99 or more per person.  Our private adventure is the price of the taxi ride to and fro.  Sweet deal!

Here’s a cool picture.  Looks like I took it with my GoPro, but actually it was my Nikon:


I see these two playing tag…round and round they go:


I finally catch up with Hubby and swim over to see what he’s looking at:


A school of French Grunt:




Two varieties of juvenile Damselfish:


A beautiful Sergeant Major:


Here’s a fish called Rock Beauty.  He’s more interested in the sponge:


We stay in the water and snorkel for another hour until I’m feeling a bit chilly.  We head out of the water and checkout the outdoor shower.   I go to pull the cord and OMG that is some cold water!  Brrrrrr.

We walk around the facility and check out the restaurant and their menu.  They have two:  one in Spanish and one in English.  Their menu item looks good and prices are reasonable after you do the conversion.  We decide to skip the restaurant as Panchos Backyard is waiting for us at the cruise pier later.

The outside dining area of Money Bar:





The pier at Money Bar:



Right side view from the pier:


The Money Bar restaurant and another main entry way into the water:


Have to be careful getting into the water as the stone steps are quite slippery:


I was watching this snorkel boat come in.  Apparently they do not have a platform nor ladder.  I watch the snorkelers literally jump into the water.  It does not take much to amuse me:


Now I’m wondering, how will they get back on their boat?


We had a wonderful time here snorkeling and enjoying the view:


It’s getting crowded here and so we decide to pack up and head back to the Puerta Maya cruise terminal:


Here’s a sign that identifies where we were snorkeling:


The sign at the entrance to Tiger’s area and the Money Bar.  I guess I should have posted this picture at the beginning:


Money Bar is a beautiful place and far exceeded my expectations and descriptions I have read.  We definitely recommend this place for first time snorkelers and expert snorkelers as well.  You can do a whole lot here or very little.  Next time, we will definitely try out the restaurant.

Day 13: Cozumel - Snorkeling at Money Bar (part 2)

I am passing this vessel (placed years ago in the water) and I see a black fish darting in and out.


I wait patiently for him to take a peek:


After a few shots, I finally get a decent picture.  A dark male Sergeant Major.  They say the male becomes blueish during mating season:


Here's a Sergeant Major that we typically see a lot of in the Caribbean:


I am floating around waiting for the fish to come to me.  I start studying their habits.  The Parrotfish would start to swim sideways along the coral as if to scratch an itch or two.  I’m not sure why they do this, but it made for an interesting photog moment.  Here’s a Stoplight Parrotfish:


The Stoplight Parrotfish has a yellow spot at the upper corner of their gill cover:



I have no problem catching a close-up of a Bermuda Chub:


Check out these two with their mouths wide open:


I caught my first Barracuda and at a safe distance:


I am having a heck of a time identifying this fish on top.  Could it be a juvenile Midnight Parrotfish?


I was following him around for a bit until I could get a good side shot:


From the top side, he blends in very well with the surrounding coral:


This is a Doctorfish.  Easy to remember as they have the body bars:


I pop my head out of the water to see this nice surprise.  We are not too far from the two piers (International and Puerta Maya).  I can see all five (5) ships from where I am snorkeling:


Back underwater, I see a Brain Coral:


Another Stoplight Parrotfish:


How about a Blue Tang and a French Angelfish?


A Princess Parrotfish:


More coral and a French Grunt:


Looks like Foureye Butterfly fish:





A sponge:



We are snorkeling for a little over an hour when a large catamaran is approaching.  It must be a ship’s excursion.  Did I mention how clear the water is?