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Show CoznamePs underwater experience by Craig llansell Tribune Staff Writer COZUMEL, Mexico The underwater kingdom around this island off the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula has a reputation as one of the worlds greatest sub-se- a fantasy-lands- . It is difficult to imagine a spot that has a resort economy based largely on underwater attractions; that is, until after the first dive to Palancar Reef. . If your limited underwater experience is to Utah's lakes and an occasional foray to California, Cozumel will be an unbelievable experience. Remember your first trip to Disneyland when you were about six? Well Cozumel is a bit like that. There is so much to see and experience that the senses are almost overloaded; the eyes strain to take it all in. FROM SALT LAKE CITY, the underwater connection can be' made easily by flying to Denver, Houston and then directly to Cozumel. The first step off the DC-1in Cozumel provides a clue to the experience. The heat and humidity can be a welcome greeting to the winter weary. A plane load of Gringos, suddenly plopped into Mexico, proved excellent entertainment as harried Mexicans struggled to distribute everyones luggage to the rightful owner. 0 The expression of helplessness on faces of yankees, used to the efficiency, provided the bustling airport. A VW bus provided limousine service to the posh beach front hotels. La Ceibe, a multi-storhotel beyond town, is one of the islands fanciest. Sol Caribe, almost across the street from La Ceibe, is another spot. The Sol Carioe architect must have been trying to rival the works of the Mayans, whose building ruins are scattered about the small island. Unlike Cancun, the mainland tourist mecca across the water, the wide and long island of Cozumel is not quite the jet set hangout. The small city of San Miguel, on the lee side of the island, is a town of contrasts. From the new Volkswagens to a truck that is so rusted out it must have spent time in the ocean, San Miguel contains a dash of rustic Mexico and a mingling of the new. Cozumels interior is still largely jungle and the windward side of the island is sparsely populated. The waves, with the entire Caribbean as a raceway, crash with gusto on the windward shore. But the sheltered lee, between the island and Mexican mainland, is a placid pond by comparison. THE REEFS ON Cozumel do for the island what Altas powder snow does for Utah ; for divers, Cozumel is on the map. Crystal-clea- r water, visibility, and the push-butto- comic relief in well-packe- d y top-flig- Getting to Mexico s Cozumel Island used to be a major undertaking involving a sailboat like the American schooner, above. Now it is a simple matter to fly to the island and enjoy a night dive. Cozumel is still a frequent stoppping spot for yachts, but divers predominate. Tribune SisH Photos by Craig Hansell 150-fo- ot I The Salt Lake Tribune Home Magazine, Sunday, October 17, 1982 |