A Perfect Day

Cozumel is not so easy to take for granted after all
When what you do for a living is diving and photography, you always enjoy it, but like everything else in life, it's easy to take for granted. I know what you're thinking: How could anyone take diving for granted? Well, for those of us who make our living getting wet and hauling gear, it happens. But then the stars align and you experience one of those magical dives, where everything was right with the world. On this dive, the sun gave brilliant color to the corals, the fish life was abundant, the current was just right - light enough too carry us along Santa Rosa Wall with barely any effort, but not so strong that you couldn't stop and enjoy the small wonders. On our safety stop, a spotted eagle ray even graced us with its presence. Seconds, Anyone?Our second dive was no less spectacular. Yucab Reef provided the perfect backdrop of red and yellow sponges and flowing schools of fish. In addition to the normal schools of grunts and blue tangs, we had a large school of gray angelfish, a unique, rare and majestic sight. Then the divemaster signaled me to come over to a sandy area. He pulled out a magnifying glass to show me a minute sea hare - only the second one I had ever seen in 10 years in Cozumel. This one was so tiny, it could not be seen with the naked eye. As the other divers came around, it was obvious no one could figure out what we were looking at, until the divemaster passed around the magnifying glass. We watched each person in turn as their eyes lit up with surprise and amazement. The rest of the dive was filled with golden spotted eels, Cozumel's endemic splendid toadfish and juvenile spotted drum fish. It was a gentle reminder of how great this sport really is, and just how lucky we are to be able to do what we do for a living. Tale TimeOne of the great rituals of diving is meeting different people on the dive boats. Just as old fishermen enjoy swapping stories, it is always fun to interact with the other divers, finding out where they are from and learning about their diving experiences. Every person I spoke with that morning on the Reef Diver was from a different city in the United States. Yet one thing almost all had in common was that they had been coming back to Scuba Club Cozumel annually. It often seems that we need a vacation after our dive vacation, but not so here. It's like stepping into a simpler life, where all the details have been arranged and the biggest decision you have to make all week is what to eat. Ultimate Moment of ApathyOne of my favorite places on the Scuba Club property is the thatched palapa at the water's edge, with the long row of hammocks under it. As the breeze off the ocean cools you, it is the ideal place to perfect your life of leisure at the end of the day - read a book, swap dive stories or take a siesta. For More InformationScuba Club CozumelE-mail: scubacozumel@cozunet.finred.com.mx