TR: A Playa sandwich with a little dessert

[Canard]

I was intrigued by your reference to helping out another diver: "I was very impressed with how competent and conscientious he was, even stopping to help a diver who had been left behind by his large dive group. I felt we were in very good hands with Abraham and Jorge."

A dive boat leaving behind a diver in open water is no triffling matter (heck they make bad movies about it!). Oddly it happened to a friend of mine just about the same time you were in Cozumel. In a way I am hoping it is the same incident as you wouldn't like to think it was a common occurence. The way my firend describes it the boat that "rescued" him tried to radio his original boat but their radio didn't work. When they caught up with the other dive op they hadn't noticed they were missing a diver - not even his insta-buddy. Personally, I have had only good experiences with Coz dive-ops but clearly there are some bad apples.

Thanks for a great trip report. I've often wanted to get off the beaten track but with an AI package costing only $200 more than air-only it is a no-brainer to take the package.

[LucyE]

Loved your TR and I know for a fact no one in my family (hubby and kids) would ever survive doing a trip like yours. They want luxury all the way! (that is why we can't afford to go all the time ).

[Playadicta]

Originally Posted by Canard

A dive boat leaving behind a diver in open water is no triffling matter (heck they make bad movies about it!). Oddly it happened to a friend of mine just about the same time you were in Cozumel. In a way I am hoping it is the same incident as you wouldn't like to think it was a common occurence. The way my firend describes it the boat that "rescued" him tried to radio his original boat but their radio didn't work. When they caught up with the other dive op they hadn't noticed they were missing a diver - not even his insta-buddy. Personally, I have had only good experiences with Coz dive-ops but clearly there are some bad apples.
Thanks for a great trip report. I've often wanted to get off the beaten track but with an AI package costing only $200 more than air-only it is a no-brainer to take the package.

That sounds like the way it happened with the rescued diver...that would freak me out being left behind! Our boat driver said that dive company would be in big trouble if the authorities found out but I dont know if they ever did.
Wow, If I could get AI for only $200 more than air alone I would go for it too. Then you dont have to feel so bad if you dont use the hotel much and want to go off exploring. There are lots of places I would like to try like Shangri-La or the Royal PDC, but when I consider that one night's lodging at those places costs probably double for what I pay for a week of food/lodging, it's just not worth it to me.

[Playadicta]

Originally Posted by LucyE

Loved your TR and I know for a fact no one in my family (hubby and kids) would ever survive doing a trip like yours. They want luxury all the way! (that is why we can't afford to go all the time ).

You know, you might be surprised if you could just get your family to try it once. I have talked many very hesitant (about 11) friends/family members in to hostelling with me over the years and they were always leery about it at first. But pretty much everybody agrees that it is a very enriching experience once they have done it and many prefer it afterwards. You just have to have realistic expectations going in and be willing to get out of your comfort zone a little (or maybe a lot ). If you can do that, you will meet some awesome people!
But I'm not knocking the AI thing. Any day in PDC is a great day in PDC!