The first sight of Cozumel from the ferry that runs between Playa del Carmen and the island is Hard Rock Cafe. It is located at the end of (and facing) the ferry dock. I was extremely impressed with this sight as I disembarked the ferry.

I first went to see some friends and dive, but I returned to the Hard Rock Cafe with my former student, Gerardo. We entered at about 9:00, and were seated upstairs. The night that we went was pretty slow, but I was told that some of the evenings the place would really rock.

I took advantage of the slow evening to catch up on old times and to check out the surroundings. The cafe had memorabilia from Prince, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, The Doors, and several other notables. There was not a live band, like in Cancun, so I was a little disappointed in that.

We had a wonderful meal. The menu included burgers, chicken, steaks, salads, and all of the traditional bar foods. The drinks were still a bit watered down, but not as much as in Cancun. One of the local drinks that can be purchased in the Yucatan Peninsula area is Xtabentun, an anise flavored drink with hints of honey. This is supposedly a traditional Mayan drink, made from an ancient recipe.

Gerardo and I renewed our friendship. I wished him well in school. Then we left: he to help his father at their store, and I to spend more time diving at travelling around the state. Hard Rock Cafe seemed to be the most "happening" location on the island after 9:00 or 10:00 in the evening.