"Salsa"rific Day in Cozumel!!

Monday, 11/14/11:
Today is a fantastic fun filled day. We got up again around 7:45am--aren't we supposed to be on vacation???!!?? We went out onto our balcony and watched as we came closer and closer to Cozumel. It was really neat to see the buildings go from small blocks to the hotels, businesses, etc.

We went upstairs and ate breakfast on the Lido deck. It was super busty up there this morning. Everyone must have gotten the same idea to get up early and to get onto the island as soon as possible. We had a good meal and then it was time to venture off the boat and into Cozumel.

We walked down and along the pier, Rob was taking lots of pictures of the boat and of me. As you walk into Cozumel you have to walk through a building which is full of items that are Tax and Duty Free. This shopping mall is packed to the gills with cigarettes, liquors, and souvenirs. I had been to Cozumel before so I gave Rob a heads up that it was going to be there and he was in awe of the craziness!!! After walking through the mall, we went to a few other shops to get some souvenirs. We walked to one place called the Mayan Flea Market. Rob was in heaven b/c they had lucha libre masks. Rob picked out two and they were super cheap too!!! We also picked out our magnet from Cozumel in the same shop.

We had booked an excursion in Cozumel called "Salsa & Salsa". Our excursion was to start at 12:00pm so we met up with our guide. His name is Juan Pablo, aka JP. He took us to out taxi cab in Puerta Maya. There was seven of us total on this trip so we all road in one taxi van. One of the couples learned that my name was Jill and they asked me what my middle name was b/c there daughter was named Jill. I told them my middle name as Marie and there daughters middle name is Marie. Also her husband is named Robert and they call him Rob---how crazy is that?!?!?!!? We arrived at Hotel Cozumel, the location of where our excursion would be taking place. We walked through the Hotel and were showed the pool we could utilize if we wanted after the cooking and dancing class ended. We were told by Rosi, another tour guide, that the dolphins are transported to the pool if a large storm comes up. They of course change the water from chlorinated to sea water. We walked under ground to a beach side deck where out instructors met us. Our instructors were Alexis and Leoni. Alexis was the main instructor and was very knowledgeable in the types of salsas we would be preparing and also the margaritas we would be making.

So we had a run down of everything we would be doing today and then started to make our salsas. We made a fiery red salsa. Rob was called to the front and he made a five fire hot salsa. Mine was just one pepper and i scrapped out all the seeds and stuff. We used a molcajete to prepare the salsa. We had to grind the ingredients together into almost a paste consistency. It was good!! We then made a tangy salsa verde. It was spicy but also delicious. To make our Oaxacan guacamole we needed to use some of the salsa verde we made and then added in some avocado. Now, I usually don't eat guacamole but I tried this one. It was yummmmmmy!! We then made a pico de gallo which we then incorporated into mango/melon salsa mix and a tropical salsa. I enjoyed the tropical one but I am not a melon fan so i tried to eat around it. The final one we made was an dessert salsa. First, the ladies had us prepare the Rompope Dessert Salsa. It was apples, melon, pineapple, vanilla liquer, and coconut---ohhhhh this was delicious BUT then they brought out PURE VANILLA ICE CREAM!!!! The ice cream was fantastic. We added the salsa in to the ice cream and BAM it was taken to a new level of fantasticness!!!! We had more items as well with the salsas such as quesadillas, taquitos, chips and forever flowing margaritas, Jamaica Tea, and watermelon water.

After the meal and drinks, it was time to dance. Alexis led us step by step on how to simple salsa. Rob and I did our best but we both have two left feet. It was lots of fun though. To the ship, to the trees, to the bar, to the sea, uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis. That is about all I can remember from the dancing :O)

After dancing, we headed back to the taxi and back to the port. We looked at a few more shops and then back to the ship we went. We walked back through the mall again b/c you have to to get back to the ship.

Supper was again at 6pm and so we freshened up and headed to the dining room. Tonight I have french onion soup--it was ok, jerk pork loin--delicious, and strawberry cheesecake :O). Our table-mates were present again tonight. We had good conversation, talked about out days and Kelly told us about there shopping trip. She got a new ring from Columbia Jewelers that she has been wanting. It was gorgeous. They had gone into the city for some shopping and Kelly speaks Spanish so it made it so much easier for getting around. After supper, I had a HUGE headache so I went to get some meds and lay down. After about thirty minutes Rob and I went and walked around and looked at the pictures we took the night before for formal night.

I went back to the room and went to bed but Rob stayed out a bit later. He went and watched some of the game in the sports bar, enjoyed the comedy club again, and then came to bed. I had left him a note with what I wanted to breakfast in the morning and he completed his part so that we could get room service in the morning. We have a busy day tomorrow and an EARLY morning as well.....