cozzy (as the aussies probably call it)

As much as I love to travel, I've always disliked traveling alone. I know it sounds babyish, but I prefer to travel with someone I know and although I'm not a shy person, when it comes to extending myself to strangers, I become sheepish.

In an attempt to get over this aversion, I booked a trip to Cozumel for some diving. I chose Cozumel after learning that it's a world-class diving destination* and a good place for a solo traveler. My extensive research on ScubaBoard and TripAdvisor then led me to the Caribe Blu Hotel, where you're a nobody if you're not a diver. Perfect.

*Like how I have such high standards for diving even though my log book contains a paltry 11 dives?

After roughing a 6-hour layover in Dallas, I touched down in Cozumel and entered paradise. Check out the view from my $70/night room!


I settling in, hopped over to Rendez Blu Restaurante, and within minutes befriended a group of divers from a Houston scuba club who frequent Cozumel like their home away from home. Despite the fact that they come from Bush country (sorry guys!), I took an immediate liking to my new Texan friends and happily accepted their invitation to become an honorary member of their diving group. I then went straight to bed, not only because I was exhausted from the near all-nighter I pulled getting here, but more because I couldn't wait to start diving the next day.