We're baaaa.....ck! And we hope you like our new look and quality dive adventure offerings.

When you visit www.SoftScuba.com you will find some of your favorite dive destinations—Bay Islands, Bonaire, Cozumel, Dominica, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, Tobago, Truk Lagoon, Palau, Yap, and other Micronesia dive adventure gems. At this writing we still have to update/upgrade Grand Turk. We have to bring back Curaçao. We will add new adventure destinations...watch future issues of this webZine. You will want to dive your next adventures there.

Over 2000 years ago the people of the Maya civilization discovered and settled a tiny, but beautiful island, off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. They named this place "Ah-Cuzamil-Peten", meaning "land of the swallows", after the native birds that thrive there. The island was established as an essential port of trade for the Maya.

The Ancient Maya worshipped a pantheon of gods but there was only one goddess, Ixchel, goddess of the moon, the sea and fertility and mother of the gods. It was here on the island of Cozumel, the easternmost outpost of the Maya world, that her sanctuary was established around 800 AD. Eighteenth century Mayan scribes, in the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel, describe Cozumel as the center from which the Earth children multiplied 'like bees from a hive of honey.' Women crossed the 12 mile, 3000 ft. deep channel from the Yucatan to pay homage to Ixchel for whom at least thirty shrines were built. One of these lesser known, but very interesting sites on the island is San Gervasio.

In 1511, when eighteen shipwrecked survivors drifted in a small boat to the eastern shore of Cozumel, islanders gave thanks for their bounty and Captain Valdivia and seven other Spaniards were promptly sacrificed at her altar and eaten.

Six years later, a Cuban fleet on a slave-hunting trip was swept by a hurricane to Cape Catoche at the tip of the Yucatan peninsula. After being lured ashore and attacked, the crew took refuge in a prayer house where they found baked clay idols and gold offerings. The small quantity of gold was enough to whet the appetite of Cuban governor, Diego Velazquez and the very next year, in 1518, he sent his nephew, Juan de Grijalva to the Yucatan to find the source of the gold and to claim the land for the Spanish Crown. Grijalva's ships were driven south by the currents to Cozumel but contrary to Valdivia's experience, the local people deserted their coastal villages to hide in the inland forests.

Grijalva never found the source of gold and after skirmishes with fierce mainland tribes, he returned to Cuba without establishing the settlement that Velazquez needed to stake his claim. Consequently, Hernán Cortés was entrusted the following year with the same mission. He sacked one of the Mayan temples but left the others intact, apparently satisfied with converting the island population to Christianity.

A period of virtual desertion on Cozumel followed, during which the island became a refuge for notorious pirates such as Jean Lafitte and Henry Morgan. In 1848, Indians fleeing the War of the Castes found their way to Cozumel, and by the early 20^th Century its now mostly mestizo population grew, thanks in the most part to chewing gum. Locals harvested chicle on the island (Cozumel was a port of call on the chicle export route); the natural gum was sugar-coated in America and turned into the ubiquitous Chiclets. The later invention of synthetic chewing gum meant the need for chicle eventually waned, as did Cozumel's major industry. However, the economy stood strong for a while because of the construction of a US air base during WWII.

Cozumel was a sleepy little fishing community until 1961, when Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. Since then Cozumel has become an underwater marine park. The delicate balance of it's dazzling coral reefs and abundant variety of tropical fish—the underwater wildlife is absolutely amazing. Clarity of the water (100–200 ft visibility, depending upon the season) is enjoyed by both diver and non-diver. Just don mask and snorkel. Jump in. Open water diving is spectacular. You will feel like you have been dropped into a tropical fish tank!

Cozumel and Akumal are well-known for their underground rivers which honeycomb Yucatan's porous limestone. Here you find the most beautiful cave and cavern or "cenote" diving in the world. Many of these caves are highly decorated. It is like floating through the finest dry cave you have ever seen—filled with water that is as clear as air. Each has its own particular marine life, unique to a water-filled cave environment.

Our newly-edited webpage Cozumel Dive Adventures includes a larger Cozumel map of dive sites, a description of each dive site, and information on the following resorts—

• Plaza Las Glorias—dive with Dive Paradise
• Hotel Brisas (former Costa Club, former Fiesta Inn)—dive with Dive Paradise
• Villa Blanca—dive with Dive Paradise
• Fiesta Americana—dive with Dive Paradise or Dive House
• Reef Club Cozumel—dive with Sand Dollar Sports
• Allegro Resort—dive with Dive Palancar

At Plaza Las Glorias, Hotel Brisas, and Reef Club Cozumel! Book by Oct. 31, 2003 and take $50/person off the rates posted below for 7 night all-inclusive hotel+dive packages! Valid for travel between Jan 6 and April 8 2004—

• Plaza Las Glorias—Jan only $939, else $989
• Hotel Brisas—Jan only $899, else $959
• Reef Club Cozumel—Jan only $999, else $1089

But...if you want to take advantage of extraordinarily low season rates before mid-December fin immediately over to—Cozumel Dive Adventures.

A Way of Life—My time spent underwater is always a self awakening experience. Life embraces me more closely during these all-to-short moments. Life forces all around me... I flow with this dynamic Universe. Well...I'll do my best not to get into a coffeehouse rap here...

This calming stillness... This Natural order of the Universe... This environment where no politics exist... No heated controversy over opinions. Light years away from the cacophony of TV, radio, trains, planes, motorcycles, crowds of humans and automobiles. A wonderful life-centering moment...

This underwater experience is ever-changing—a living work of art. I never see exactly the same composition of subject matter, texture, size, color, motion, light...all blending in a Natural life. Each moment is unique, dynamic interaction between all...including myself.

When I surface, my batteries are re-charged...I'm more alive. My life has become in-tune with Nature.

Yes...we can better understand life from underwater creatures...their social order...only a short distance below the sea's surface...

When you desire to understand and practice a fuller life...you must experience this underwater environment. You can breath-hold dive for short moments. To totally relax and have time to become in–tune with Natural life forces...you will seek training and purchase necessary equipment. Venture below for extended periods...

 Photo by: Fred Altrieth–3/2003
I earned my first certification from a very environmentally-oriented NAUI dive instructor. In those days Buoyancy Compensators, if used at all, were the olde horse-collar. Regulators were double-hose. Later the single-hose regulator came into being...with a steel mouthpiece which could easily knock out a few teeth if not careful. Training was severe (glad I had it though). Imagine your kit in 16 feet of water and you had to dive down holding your breath...and put it all together.

Well...training and equipment have come a long way since then. In the bad olde days the general concept was "Man against Nature" and diving was a "man's sport." Today the philosophy has changed to "Man and Woman cooperating with Nature." Equipment has become much safer and diver-friendly. Training has become far better and consistent.

My later certifications were with PADI. It wasn't until I earned my Rescue Diver certification from the "right-for-me" instructor that my underwater world began to open up for me. Up until then I was totally clueless of my surroundings. No peripheral vision...physical or psychological.

It does not matter where you earn your basic OpenWater C-card. All PADI instructors teach exactly the same PADI Standards. What does make a difference is your choice of instructor. The instructor/student relationship is very similar to the doctor/patient one. You must feel a mutual simpatico. This relationship has to "feel right."

OpenWater instruction includes three areas—Knowledge Reviews, Confined Water Training Dives and Open Water Training Dives. There are three options how to handle the Knowledge Review phase—

• Class sessions at your local dive shop.
• Video at home and spend time with instructor going over material learned.
• Interactive CD and spend less time with instructor going over material learned.

"But...I don't want to shiver in the cold ocean, lake or quarry doing my Open Water Training Dives in the middle of winter." No problem. PADI's got you covered through their Referral Option. Complete all your Knowledge Reviews in your home town. Complete all your Confined Water Training Dives in your local, warm-water pool. Upon completion your instructor will sign you off and give you your paperwork. You have a year to complete your Open Water Training Dives in the warm-water dive destination of your choice. Bonaire is always a nice option.

In this article I told you why and how diving enhances my life. I also mentioned how you might begin your training...how easy PADI makes it for you to safely venture below the surface. Go visit your local PADI dive shop and decide for yourself.

Next issue will contain more how you may become confident and competent. You will become a more skilled adventurer. You will discover Natural truth found just below the surface.

Dive S.A.F.E.,
Robert Keeney—
PADI OpenWaterScubaInstructor

Your Onboard Experience—From the moment you step aboard this charming, elegant vessel into the circular marble lobby— expect a relaxed yet refined cruising experience. Walls of glass and spacious open decks bring the world around you to your fingertips. There is plenty of space in which to roam, jog or just sit and enjoy the sun. A multi-level sun deck area around the new pool is wonderfully sheltered from the wind when at sea. And the open deck space!

Intimate nooks in the Rendezvous lounge entice you to indulge in a romantic interlude. Try your luck in the casino, enjoy a fabulous show in the comfortable Stardust Lounge, dance the night away in the Dazzles disco. The Norwegian Wind has some idiosyncrasies since being stretched—that include walking through public rooms and up and down stairs to get from one end to the other. But it makes it more fun to find your way around. Shop, workout in the fitness centre, indulge in a massage, zap some golf balls or toss some baskets. It's all here for your pleasure. And your kids will like it too. Especially the video arcade and special programs available for both youngsters and teens. Don't forget the midnight buffets and the formal Captain's cocktail party—a perfect opportunity to dress up.

Cruise Saturday to Saturday. Discounted Prices begin at $259 per person/double occupancy. Your Dive and Shore Excursions are extra. Itinerary—

• Miami
• at sea
• Grand Cayman
• Roatan
• Belize
• Cozumel
• at sea
• Miami

Note: You must show your C-card and have dived in the past two years to participate. Divers under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Dive sites may be changed because of weather or sea conditions.

Note: You must be a certified diver to participate. Equipment may be rented from the dive operator at a nominal charge.

Dive In Scuba—Captain's Choice—Cozumel—Certified scuba divers will love the incredible reefs of Cozumel, part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world. A professional local operator takes you by boat for a two-tank dive on these famous reefs, made up of beautiful coral and sponge formations. You may see hundreds of fish, from colorful small varieties to huge grouper and parrotfish. It is not unusual to see stingrays and turtles. You will return from the dive with plenty of time to shop or explore the rest of Cozumel.

Note: You must be a certified scuba diver and have dived in the past two years. Tanks and weights are included. Other equipment may be rented from dive operator.