by Donna Johnson

Our group of divers were friends from Texas Divers Den in Nederland Texas.  Most of us have been to Paamul before, but 2 of the ladies were new to this trip.  We had 2 couples, 2 single women, 1 married lady traveling without her family, 1 young adult male and CJ (5).  CJ keeps us entertained. This was his fourth trip to Paamul.  We had 1 young man join us on Friday and myself a single mom and 2^nd grade teacher.

Paamul is a lazy little village 10 miles south of Playa del Carmen.  The dive shop is operated by John Everett from Beaumont and Lester Willis a retired DDS from Kirbyville.  You can find them at www.Scubamex.com. 

We flew from Houston Intercontinental Airport to Cancun.  At Cancun CJ was quick to tell us he had gotten us a taxi but we had other ideas.  We bought tickets on the Riveria Bus ($8.00 US).  Most of the locales use this bus it is at the far end of the airport.  A valet was eager to earn a tip to roll all of our gear on one cart to the bus.  It was a sight!  It is amazing the strength and determination of these guys.  The gear was loaded and we were off to Plays del Carmen bus station.  At Playa we once again had a local on a bike cart haul all of our gear to the taxi waiting area right around the corner.  We hired a van to take us to Paamul.  It cost 9 of us $30 total so we split that to go the 10 miles to Paamul.  We arrived at Lester’s Big White House (Casa Willis) and the vacation began.  We rent apartments in Lester and Selben Willis’s home.  They occupy the second floor and rent out for $40 a person per night the bottom floor, a 2 bedroom apartment that sleeps 6-8, and the third floor has 2 efficiency apartments each sleeps 4-6, and a little cottage out on the drive sleeps 2. Each apartment comes with bottled water, dishes, pots, a stove microwave, TV, a/c, maid service, and a view that is beautiful beyond words.  The third floor has a sitting area and the bottom floor has a patio with chairs and hammocks.  They are awesome for a little siesta or counting the billion of stars that light up the night sky.

        We began our  week of diving by strolling down the dirt road to the dive shop about 8:30.  John and the boys are there ready to load our tanks for the dive.

        Our dives were awesome.  They only require about a 5-7 minute boat ride.  Then we back roll in the beautiful clear waters.  There are lots of tropical fish, lobsters, huge crabs and turtles.  Our last dive was with about 32 turtles and a school of tarpon.  That was awesome!

        Paamul is a wonderful relaxing vacation.  Only two times you need to know 9 and 2.  That is when the boat leaves.  The food in the restaurant is excellent.  It is run by a previous soccer star. 

There is a lagoon that offers great snorkeling.  They say that at night you can see lots of great creature’s right there on the reef in the lagoon.  This is a great safe place for families. 

        On Sunday my friend Patti and I had the privilege of attending a nondenominational church with John Everett and his wife Deborah.  The service was held in the backyard of the pastor’s house around the pool.  It was an awesome service.  There was a missionary group from Oregon that led the praise and worship. It was refreshing to attend church in such a relaxed casual atmosphere. Shorts, bare feet and mosquito spray were the attire. After the service they had refreshments. And the children took a dip in the pool.

        Paamul is the most relaxing place I have ever visited.  It offers great diving, good food, awesome sunrises and sunsets.