"Life's a Beach"

During the last few days of the school year, when many of the foreign students have already returned to their home countries for the summer break, the remaining children are treated to all kinds of fun activities. One such extracurricular outing is a snorkeling trip organized by Ak Lu'um parent and dive shop owner Dave Tomlinson. Dave opened the Abyss Dive Center way back in 1997. It is one of Playa del Carmen's oldest and most reputable dive centers, well known for their quality instructors and guides and for their certified dive training program. Every year, Dave treats the older Ak Lu'um students to a day on the water, exploring the beautiful reef system of the Riviera Maya. Excursions such as this help to connect the children to their surroundings and develop a sense of appreciation for our natural resources that they will later pass on to their own children.

Nicola helps outfit the kids with masks and fins.

Dave gives the children a bit of instruction and safety information before the excursion.

Another beautiful beach day in Playa del Carmen.

Into the blue. 

Andre all suited up.

Isaac is ready to go! 

Bird down. Not her best moment of the trip.

Andrea and Birdie, back on solid ground!

Upon their return, the kids explored the remarkable cenote onsite at Hotel Tropical Casablanca. The hotel is literally built around this mystical natural formation and is as much of a tourist attraction as the hotel itself. Full of fish and turtles, this cenote, set right in the middle of the city, was quite a fascination for the children.

Support from the community is so important to Ak Lu'um's unique educational approach. Involving the students with local businesses who are concerned with the environment helps to reinforce what they are learning in school.thus paving the way for the next generation of environmental scientists, marine biologists and eco-conscious world leaders. Thank you Dave, Nicola and the whole crew at Abyss for taking the time to provide valuable life-learning experiences for the children of Playa del Carmen.

Abyss Dive Center is located on Avenida 1 between calles 10 and 12. For more information visit www.abyssdiveshop.com or call 984-873-2164.
Abyss Dive Center is a proud sponsor of Taste of Playa 2009 .