When you have been married for 31 years celebrating with my sweetheart doesn’t have to occur on February 14th. D and I toast our lasting love every day (well maybe most days….).

When we were sat down at our dining room 4 person table at the St. James Keg the day after Valentine’s Day, D slid into the booth beside me. We adapted this custom after traveling to Paris where lovers sit side by side everywhere you go. Sitting shoulder to shoulder invites the sharing of food and intimate conversation and says to the persons around “this is a private dinner, please”.

D had a hankering for French onion soup likely the longest lasting item on The Keg’s menu. No wonder it has stuck around all of these years as the carmelly broth is rich with a douse of sherry and the gooey cheese is sinfully abundant. I was concerned about not having enough room for my supper so I stuck to the hot bread that had been delivered to the table. I have simple tastes and I love the taste of fresh bread and red wine together.

Soon after completing his soup, D’s entrée of two shrimp skewers arrived. Even though this dinner is no longer n the Keg menu, you can order it if you wish. Each wooden skewer holds five enormous shrimp so it is an abundant dinner. I thought that the shrimp were a little bit undercooked as the flesh wasn’t quite opaque but D was not concerned and ate every single bite.

I ordered the decadent pistachio crusted salmon which arrived perfectly prepared so that the filet was thoroughly cooked but was still juicy and moist. The garlic mashed potatoes that the filet was nestled upon were not piping hot but still satisfying and tasty. The roasted Brussel sprouts and bacon were a great accompaniment. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert (we never seem to at The Keg) and were content to finish up our wine and make it an early evening.

Kath’s quote: “I have an idea that this is what enduring love really means. Your memories of a girl at seventeen become as real and vivid as the middle-aged woman sitting in front of you. It is a happy sort of double vision, this seeing and remembering. To be seen this way is to be known.”  ― William Landay   

Love never fails.

I was up early so that I could enjoy my last Isla sunrise.

And then before I knew it, the time had come to leave the island. There were friends waiting for me at the ferry dock to wish me well.

Sister #3 had prepared my lunch to eat on the plane complete with the little notes that she likes to stick into loved one’s lunches.

She also wrote one that said “Relax, close your eyes, and remember Isla”. I have been doing just that and these blog posts have brought it all back to life for me.

We leave for Isla again in 4 1/2 sleeps. I am so excited that I am having a hard time concentrating. We are very much looking forward to staying in Centro at Villas San Miguel. Pictures will be plentiful. Stay tuned.

Kath’s quote: “Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again”. -Joseph Campbell

Love never fails.

I always spend at least a portion of an afternoon at Centro’s cemetery each time I visit Isla. The raised graveyard is  place of beauty and peace.

I spent a wee bit of time back at Hotel Isleno before meeting my family for at Minino’s for sunset and dinner.

It was my first time at Minino’s and it won’t be my last. The setting is gorgeous and the view from the second floor is unsurpassed.

This is my lovely sis-in-law. She is typically the photographer but I turned the camera onto her for a change.

A helpful traveller at the next table took this picture that we were all included in.

Cervesa, wine and coconut shrimp-all delicious. A lovely way to spend my last night on the island.

The evening included this glorious sunset -perfection in every respect.

Kath’s quote: “Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”  ― Rabindranath Tagore

Love never fails.

Sometimes an overcast day can deliver the most glorious sunrise. It was my last full day on Isla and the island blessed me with this blazing heart in the sky.

I was enamoured by this turquoise fence and then found out that my friend Jackie was renting the apartment just through the gate. We enjoyed breakfast together at Ruben’s so that I could hear first hand what living on Isla was all about.

I obviously love the colour turquoise and the hammock guy must too, as he even painted his tree the colour of the Caribbean sea.

Abuelo’s love the colour too.

Hearts are everywhere!

The murals have been a beautiful addition to the Isla experience.

My eyes are always drawn to the kookiest little things in Centro.

I made one last walk to north beach to say my good-byes.

Kath’s quote: “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.”  ― William Shakespeare

Love never fails.

The houses which surround Luna d’Miel are about as different as you can get.

This morning’s sunrise was an especially sweet one as it was D’s departure day and my last morning at Luna d’Miel.

We took some photos with new Canadian friends from PEI.

Kelly (another neighbour) drove D and I into town so he could catch the ferry. And then all of a sudden, he was gone…

I cleaned out the fridge and threw everything together into an omelet with a salsa to treat my new friends Peggy and Kelly and thank them for letting us use their golf cart. We had a lovely visit and I look forward to seeing them again very soon.

I enjoyed some last moments by the sea on the terrace at Luna d’Miel, then showered, packed up and made my way to my new home for a couple of nights. I strolled around Centro for a bit and then checked into Hotel Isleno. When I am not with D, I feel safer staying right in Centro.

The hotel had a very different feel from our little apartment by the sea but was satisfactory for a short stay. I included a couple of room photos in case you are interested in checking out the hotel.

This was my view to the west.

The internet signal was iffy in my room but worked fairly well from this floor lounge with windows that opened to the east.

That evening was the meet up that I had arranged at Barlito’s.

We were a compact group but more and more Islaholics came to meet up and we had so much fun visiting with old and new friends.

Barlito’s is located on a channel where many yachts tie up making it a beautiful site. I walked home with Dona and Sister #3 and called it an early night.

In one week from right now (eek!) we will be on Isla and checking into our new home away from home Villas San Miguel. There are 6 suites in three buildings clustered in a walled compound. We are looking forward to so many things about the villas but especially their prime location. We will be in Centro but will still be by the sea with the privacy that we sometimes seek.

Kath’s quote: “Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them“. -Francesco Guicciardini

Love never fails.