NxStage Freedom Cruise Day 6: Cozumel

By Bill Peckham

We finally got some sun and beach fun when we made our port call in Cozumel today. By the afternoon 12 NxStage cruisers had gathered, just a few miles north of the cruise ship docks, at the Chankanaab Natural Park. The park has a lot of activities including Mayan ruins to tour, a botanical trail, restaurants, bars and dolphin pens where people pay to encounter or swim with what should be wild sea mammals.

My interest was in the beach and snorkeling. The snorkeling was fun with quite a bit to see in the very clear waters. Many varieties of fish, some coral and the park had placed several statues underwater for some additional variety. But after my Mayan temple climb yesterday my legs didn't have a lot of kick left in them.

Today I didn't take many pictures, preferring to just relax on the provided chairs but here is a video showing our sweep of beach:

I think there will be photos from an underwater camera Rich B. brought along but he'll need to get the film developed, and everyone else was taking snapshots that I'll get into my Flickr set eventually.

Tomorrow is a day at sea, then Sunday it's back to Miami. It's been a good trip. No dialysis related issues that I've encountered or heard about. A few hard falls but I don't think anything has been broken. Rich tumbled into my Mom as we were headed to the river boat yesterday. It was a very close call but thankfully she had a good grip on a handrail. Disaster averted. That was my scariest moment, compared to that dialysis has been a breeze.

If there was ever any doubt before there should be none now - NxStage provides the freedom to travel where your heart desires. And it's only going to get easier.

Comments

[Peter Laird, MD]

Great video Bill. I hope you all have a great finish to this spectacular week not only for all that have gone, but also as our representatives of what dialysis can be. Perhaps more will take notice from the week at sea.

[Linda Gromko, MD]

Bill - my blood pressure is falling ever-so-gently as I watch your beach scenes scroll by...what a great trip! Plus - what a wonderful example of what can be done. Sign us up for Alaska! Linda
www.LindaGromkoMD.com/www.LindaGromkoMDkidneycare.blogspot.com

[Rich Berkowitz]

I wouldn't have called it a "tumble" -- at least I don't remember it that way. Sue was never in real danger. Ah, the power of the pen to make me out to be the ogre.

I had trouble to first time I went out to try snorkeling. I thought the snorkel had a valve to stop water from coming in of you went too far under water, but the one I borrowed from a friend didn't have one. The ones others rented also were "wet" tubes, but most knew how to use them. I was taking in salt water. But Bill got me out a second time and helped me experience what I most wanted to do on the cruise. We went out pretty far. I felt him tug me in different directions a couple of times. It was amazing. We saw a slew of differently colored fish and a school of pink irridescent large fish swam right in front of my mask -- absolutely beautiful. There was a ball of fish lying around some coral at the bottom. I think we were in about 20 feet deep sections of the clearest water I've ever been in, being able to see to the bottom. I did get to see one of the statutes Bill referred to. I eventually took in some water (myt throat started to burn) and Bill helped get me to shore. It was such a great time. Before I snorkel again, I will be buying a "dry" snorkel so I won't have that problem again. I'll be having the film Billed talked abuot developed as it wsn't digital. I tied to take some pictures of Bill diving far below the surface. I hope they came out.

[Bill Peckham]

Rich you're referring to the Belize post. I remember it as being an hour from the port of a small Central American country - far, far, far from medical care let alone home.

I remember telling my Mom to grab the railing and when she was about half way down a 12 foot ramp that was at about a 30 degree slant, I recall you tripped with your first or second step and grabbed on to my 76 year old, post stroke, post heart valve replacement Mom to stop yourself from going head over heals on to the dock.

I also recall you saying "Don't worry Sue I got you" instead of "Oh my god! I am so sorry!!".

That's how I remember it.

[Rich Berkowitz]

Oh there? I thought you were referring to when we were on the river boat. Yes, that was a tumble. Sorry about that. But I did grab on to her and held her back from falling as well, even though I was responsible for her nearly falling in the first place.