While I was on Playa Sol, a lovely and rare thing occurred on North Beach-Hortencia took time away from her dress shop, to visit our gang with her gorgeous grandchildren.   Even though her family lives on one of the most beautiful islands in the world with one of the most exquisite beaches, an afternoon swim is a rare treat for her grand-kids.

Waiting for them on the beach was a whole pack of would-be grandparents to play catch, frolic in the water and buy them treats from the ice cream man.

The little angel depicted below has my heart.  I think that she must looked exactly like Hotencia when she was this age.

The kids were so polite and appreciative and I think that they had almost as much fun as my family did entertaining them.

Later, I met up with everyone, back at Case el Pio,

The sun was just about to set on another gorgeous day.

I love to be on the beach for sunset but it is as beautiful in its own way, from anywhere you watch it disappear.  Sister #3’s guacamole and ice cold Dos Equis, make the whole experience….complete.

I was really looking forward to that evening’s dinner and not just because we were dining at our old friend Fredy’s, but because we were finally meeting up with Jackie (a new friend from Winnipeg who is now a true Islaholic) and her traveling companions, Julie and Evelyn!

But to the food!  There were Fredy’s famous two-bone pork chops requested by many.

Sister #3 is totally hooked on Fredy’s Mexican platter.

My beloved Sis-in-law loves Fredy’s chicken bruschetta.

Paula chose the chicken enchiladas (what an amazing presentation).

Sister #2 couldn’t resist the garlic shrimp.

Last but not least, Evelyn tucked into Fredy’s shrimp.

You know, I am having a revelation as I write this.  My family and I say that being on Isla is like coming home;  I always thought as if it was the island itself, that made us feel this way, but I realize just now that it is the people!  When we are on Isla, we are surrounded by the locals that we have come to know and love as family and this day was one where we had the pleasure of spending special time with them.

Kath’s quote: “Best things in life: Friends that are like family, and family that are like friends.” –Unknown

Love-that is all.

Today’s post will be more of a pictorial than a literary accounting.  Day four started with another colourful walk around Centro.  I get such a kick out of the way Islanders use colour to freshen and preserve their homes.  The salty sea air must take its toll after a while and regular paint touch ups seem to be a fairly regular occurrence.  Interestingly, the painters don’t seem to enjoy the clean up (neither do I) but they have discovered an easy solution-they simply abandon their rollers, brushes and paint trays where they completed the task.  I have seen this occur a number of times in some of the most scenic places on the island.   There is a stretch on the uninhabited west border of the airport property along Rueda Medina, where you can spot discarded paint gear amongst the tropical plants.

I wondered if this variety of colours were planned or if there was a sale on small cans of paint.

Isn’t this house, fresh and clean looking?

And I love, the peeling turquoise paint on this corrugated metal wall!

The sky had cleared and made way for another beach day but the humidity was a little higher and there was no breeze.  I attempted to spend some time with the gang at North Beach but just couldn’t mange staying put.  I was craving the breeze of Playa Sol.  So I packed up and relocated around the corner.

This solitary palm was the perfect place for me to plunk my stuff and I quite obviously had the beach to myself.

Or did I?  There was a constant stream of beach vendors getting a work out, trudging through the gorgeous white sand.

Turns out that the Islanders selling their beach ware wasn’t my only company.  At one point, I looked up from my book to see my brother in law paddling by in his kayak.  He has a inflatable type that he can easily transport wherever he goes.  He and Sister #2 like to stay on the southeast end of the island and by the time I spied him, he had paddled a considerable distance.  He still intended to navigate around the northwest point of the island to visit the family assembled on north beach.

Then, of course, he had the long ride home.  When I saw him later that evening, he confessed that once he got out into the bay, the breeze, the waves and the wake from the ferries crossing back and forth, gave him more of a work out than he had bargained for.

Well I suppose 20+ photos is enough for one post.  Stayed tuned (soon, I promise) for the rest of Day Four.

Kath’s quote: “One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is time alone with God.”-Unknown

Love-that is all.