trip report 6/30-7/7

momotarosan · 07-08-2004

Just got back from PDC. It was the 5th trip to Yucatan, and I was the best and worst trip ever to Mexico. I took Open water certification course with my nephew, and we both got certified after 4 boat dives. We took the ADO bus from PDC to Coba and Tulum on the same day (PDC to Coba cost 52 pesos), On the last day we took the colectivo to Puerto Morelos, and snorkelled the Planacar reefs.

Worst: Never got sick in Yucatan before...but never ate outside the AI's and never swam in pool that had algae and wasn't chlroinated (confined water training). It was also questionable whether the dive shop should have sanitized the diving equipment between use. Going diving as you are become sick is a bad feeling...good thing I didn't puke into my regulator, although I would not have panicked. For three days I had diahrrea, nausea, and could not consume solid foods...and vomitted once (I ate fruits that day so it tasted like smoothie

) In addition, I checked my account online and someone made 15 unauthorized withdrawls after an atm withdrawl I made on July 5th in downtown Tulum HSBC ATM.

Best: The four boats dives were great, the instructor was great...although the snorkelling was just as fascinating. The Planacar reef (Cancun to Belize) is accessible even to those who don't scuba dive. for $20/pp, we had a private local guide who knew every square inch of the two sites we snorkelled. He deserved a tip.

Lesson learned: Someone told me I should have gotten medication two weeks prior to departure to prevent getting sick from parasites...although I don't see how that would prevent a bacterial infection. I went to a local clinic in downtown Tulum, the doctor spoke fluent english, he said I had an infection of the intestinal tracts and prescribed antibiotics and anti-diarrehea. the medical consultation was $3 US. Next time I will probably stay away from unsanitary diving equipment, contaminated pool, and avoid local cuisine including ceviche (although everything was tasty and appeared very fresh) to play it safe. Just because you've lived in the tropics doesn't mean you won't get sick in Mexico.

07-08-2004	#1 (permalink)
momotarosan very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34	trip report 6/30-7/7 Just got back from PDC. It was the 5th trip to Yucatan, and I was the best and worst trip ever to Mexico. I took Open water certification course with my nephew, and we both got certified after 4 boat dives. We took the ADO bus from PDC to Coba and Tulum on the same day (PDC to Coba cost 52 pesos), On the last day we took the colectivo to Puerto Morelos, and snorkelled the Planacar reefs. Worst: Never got sick in Yucatan before...but never ate outside the AI's and never swam in pool that had algae and wasn't chlroinated (confined water training). It was also questionable whether the dive shop should have sanitized the diving equipment between use. Going diving as you are become sick is a bad feeling...good thing I didn't puke into my regulator, although I would not have panicked. For three days I had diahrrea, nausea, and could not consume solid foods...and vomitted once (I ate fruits that day so it tasted like smoothie ) In addition, I checked my account online and someone made 15 unauthorized withdrawls after an atm withdrawl I made on July 5th in downtown Tulum HSBC ATM. Best: The four boats dives were great, the instructor was great...although the snorkelling was just as fascinating. The Planacar reef (Cancun to Belize) is accessible even to those who don't scuba dive. for $20/pp, we had a private local guide who knew every square inch of the two sites we snorkelled. He deserved a tip. Lesson learned: Someone told me I should have gotten medication two weeks prior to departure to prevent getting sick from parasites...although I don't see how that would prevent a bacterial infection. I went to a local clinic in downtown Tulum, the doctor spoke fluent english, he said I had an infection of the intestinal tracts and prescribed antibiotics and anti-diarrehea. the medical consultation was $3 US. Next time I will probably stay away from unsanitary diving equipment, contaminated pool, and avoid local cuisine including ceviche (although everything was tasty and appeared very fresh) to play it safe. Just because you've lived in the tropics doesn't mean you won't get sick in Mexico. Last edited by momotarosan; 07-08-2004 at 12:16 PM.

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