After my fall, I had to wait 3 days before I could return to the ocean. I waited 5 days to be sure it was healed enough. It wasn’t an optimal day for pictures. Today is windy which decreases the visibility, makes the pictures look foggy. I selected a few, so you may take the journey with me into the blue ocean.
Snorkeled with a lovely couple from Eastern Canada. It’s such a delight that they really enjoyed themselves.
Underwater flower garden
Saw lots of Barracudas today
Barracuda seems to be eyeing the fish, maybe hungry?
End of snorkel. They enjoyed! Good day!
Female dive master or snorkel guide, Cheyenne. After 7 yrs of visiting, the first female to take a group into the ocean. Yea, female power!
I got up this am, It was a nice cool windy morning. I went to grocery store for a few things. I decided to take the scenic, long way back. I was strolling along on the sidewalk, looking at businesses that have changed, and enjoying the blooming, lovely trees. THEN, not watching my feet, I came upon an indented area of the sidewalk, where bicycles may leave and enter the sidewalk. I fell! and hit my head. It started bleeding. People ran out of shops and people in the area ran to help me. They brought a chair outside for me to sit. They asked me if they could call my family, said that I was there solo until next week. At the time, I couldn’t see how serious, or not so bad, it was. Could I just clean it and put a bandaid on it? Or do I need medical attention? It’s best to be cautious in unknown situations. They called an ambulance to take me to the hospital.
Ambulance Driver
Nurse on left, Doctor on right, that did sutures. 5 Stitches.
Before they started working on me. The insurance person came to speak to me. He said that they would bill my US Insurance, but I would have to pay the hospital today. It would be $1,400. US, including the ambulance. I told him that I didn’t have that much money (with me). He said, “let me talk to the supervisor and see if I could get a discount”. He came back and said $500. and took my bank card. I’ve never thought about negotiating with a hospital for medical services.
They gave me medical supplies, Ibuprofen, and discharge instructions. Most of all, NO going into ocean for 3 days (the worse part).
I am very impressed with the clean, modern hospital. The medical staff spoke English and they took very good care of me. They called a taxi to take me back to Casa Velero. I woke up with a black eye, which is normal with my injury.
Just before I was leaving, another American arrived, she also had a fall. They think she broke her wrist. That would be worse on vacation.
When I told my daughter, still in San Antonio, after I returned to my room, she lectured me….”Stop being “DANGER MOM”. A knick name I fondly received from my kids, because I was the one to ride scary rides with them at amusement parks. The name really stuck when I took my boys ages 5 and 7 on a night snorkel in Belize. Thats another story to share!
SO, my friend, when you’re on vacation, keep an eye out for your next step. I’m doing fine, and looking forward to jumping back into the ocean.
Casa Velero. I’ve stayed here for the last 7 years.
Ocean view from Casa Velero’s new observation deck
Invited to a dinner on the patio with the owner, friends, and other guests. That’s Edwin in the orange colored shirt. His friend made Seafood Paella. Was delicious.
A couple from the UK joined.
Views of the new deck.
Newly remodeled kitchen. I love Casa Velero, mostly the location, just steps away from all I like to do. The people here take good care of me.
IT’S BEEN A LONG COLD LONELY WINTER, NOW HERE COMES THE SUN.
I wasn’t able to visit last year. I was undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant for recurring lymphoma, a blood cancer. When I was very sick from the treatment, I dreamed of jumping into the clear blue water of the Caribbean. It always helped get me through a bad moment.
Now I’m back to my favorite place, Puerto Morelos, Mexico. It’s located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Its wonderful to be back at Casa Velero. They redecorated the inner courtyard with colorful murals of the sea.
One reason I love Casa Velero is its steps away from everything. The pier, above, and excellent restaurants and the town square.
My friend, Angelina or Ace, as we call her is relaxing in the pool after arrival. We met as KSYM radio station and had radio shows. We bonded over, that her father comes to Puerto Morelos (PM). He rents an apartment here and stays 6 mo of the year. She’s visited several times when I am in PM. She stayed the first week. We’re going snorkeling tomorrow!
These fish were huge. Hard to tell from picture
Barracuda
I do have some bad news to report about the state of the reef. They had a very hot summer and the temperature of the water rose. It had the effect of killing some of the big hard corals. The soft corals, the things that look like underwater trees above, did OK. For example, the brain coral in the picture, the top layer of the coral is living and it covers the skeleton. When the coral dies, it leaves the skeleton behind. Eventually with out the living structure the coral skeleton crumbles.
It’s heartbreaking! Ive traveled all over the Caribbean, often returning places and Islands where the coral was beautiful but now dead….such as the Florida Keys. I love Puerto Morelos because, until this year, the coral was vibrant and beautiful. Its a warning to our planet, that many people ignore.
TRAVELS OF ANN 