That evening was very windy. I had heard from the Luna d’ Miel gang that they couldn’t even go to the back of the apartments, the wind was that bad. (Good day to move into Centro I guess).

Since we had shared lunch, we got the yearning for another treat late afternoon, so we each had a pastor taco next door at Natural. Who knew that even though you order “pastor” which means pineapple and pork, you have to request the pineapple. No biggie, the tacos were tasty either way.

Shortly thereafter we poured “to go” cups and went to be together for our last sunset-it was splendid.

I asked D what his last food request would be? He chose 1000 Tacos because, like me, it was his nicest surprise that season on the island. (Covid note: I pray that this little business makes it.)

D hadn’t seen Javi yet, so we had a drink there and enjoyed seeing Javi and his Dad perform.

Sister #3 ordered a couple of appetizers. I dream of the tempura asparagus from Javi’s.

D headed to hotel to retrieve his luggage and R and M met us for good-byes at the ferry. This is our traditional pouty picture-extra pouty when we don’t leave together. I am so blessed to have a husband who allows me the freedom to do things like stay on the island when he has to get back to work.

R & M walked me home with tales of how much the island had changed but not necessarily for the good. Bedtime in another new bed.

Kath’s quote: “Good-byes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such separation”. -Rumi

Love never fails.

When we woke up that morning  we knew that it was our last day with crashing waves as our view. They were huge that day.

I started packing up while D took his walk. I paid Mario for 2021 and then Bruce and Susan gave me and all our luggage a lift to XBulu-Ha. I took my bags in while D visited with the gang staying at the hotel.

On our last day together, that is D and I, we always have a progressive dinner together. This year we actually began at lunch time where we shared a Chilies Relleno at La Lomita. It was kind of slow at the restaurant that day but I didn’t mind, taking some shots of that great little neighbourhood (we stayed at El Pariso for a number of years).

La Lomita was the first meal I ever ate on the island in 2005. The family that own the restaurant make constant improvements to keep the place looking fresh and pretty.

We hadn’t discovered the stuffed peppers that first year but soon after another table recommended them and we have consistently eaten them whenever we are on the island. We have even figured out how to make them at home but we rarely do because there are so many steps and they are very complicated to assemble. Anyways no matter what we do, we can never duplicate the La Lomita’s masterpiece.

And the fries….oh those fries!

We strolled to the hotel (the long way)

and after a little rest

we were missing R & M so we connected and at the Na Balam beach bar.

This post is getting kind of lengthy so I will let you read Part 2 on my next posting day.

Kath’s quote: “Every ending has a new beginning.”-Unknown

Love never fails.

There was no sun visible above the horizon this morning, but still the scene was a pretty one.

We had hoped to go to Playa Norte that day but the weather forecast was iffy. Instead R&M came over for a ham and egg breakfast that D whipped up for us.

Then I asked Bruce and Susan our neighbours at Luna d’Miel if we could possibly borrow their golf cart for a spin around the island.

We wound our way around the entire island with only one stop-the Ladies Beading Co-operative for some more shopping.

We all spent some time at our beach looking for sea glass.

At lunch time I contacted Loncheria Nichol’s (I had always wanted to find the excuse) for fried chicken and an extended visit on our back deck.

It was still chilly so D wound himself up in the hammock for a read.

Later, we took a bus into town so that D could do some shopping for the Wee Ones back home.

That evening R and M treated us to an amazing dinner at North Garden. We started with frozen drink concoctions.

Delicious premise made bread came along next as well as empanadas and roasted potatoes (yes please!).

R chose a flank steak.

M selected salmon

and me chicken.

We were all in for something special but D most of all, with his Tik ‘n Chix shrimp.

When it was time to serve us our mains and entire trolley was wheeled out from the kitchen and little grills set up to finish our selections. We were very impressed and the food was excellent. We felt particularly blessed not just because the four of us had shared an amazing meal but because of our friendship over 35 years!

Afterwards R and M humoured us by going across the street to Snappers to watch the end of a Jets game. We had another nightcap at home under the stars.

Kath’s quote: “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” –Muhammad Ali

Love never fails.

The sunrise that morning (and almost every morning) was gorgeous. D headed out to walk the loop and afterwards we had a small breakfast at the apartment.

I enjoyed a little walk in our hood.

It was a very hot day so we spent our time at the shelling beach purposely enjoying when a wave would splash us for refreshment.

And then we spent the rest of the afternoon sequestered under the umbrella or with our feet soaking in the chilly water of our plunge pool.

Later that afternoon we met the lovely sales manager of Hotel Rolandi to tour their gorgeous hotel.

I was so impressed that every room had a sea view. I imagined myself around the pool until sunset and then a quick change for dinner.

There are more than one gorgeous pools so you could sit amidst a chatty group to get to know other guests or find a spot where you could quietly stare at the ocean for hours on end.

At sunset we were escorted to our table for the evening.

It was a delicious and romantic evening belatedly celebrating Valentine’s Day. The restaurant was so exquisite I would suggest that you not wait for the excuse of a special evening.

Each of our seven courses was perfection. here is a link to that Blog Post.

The concierge hailed us a cab and we went home for some late night libations on “our” other side of the island.

Kath’s quote: “Love is the crowning grace of humanity, the holiest right of the soul, the golden link which binds us to duty and truth, the redeeming principle that chiefly reconciles the heart to life, and is prophetic of eternal good”. -unknown

Love never fails.

That morning there was another gorgeous sunrise. Dawn is one of my favourite times on the island.

Another hot and windy day so I stayed under the umbrella for the duration.

D took friends Rudy and Andy on a walk and beer tasting at Isla Beer. They stopped on their way home to cool off in the breeze (and have just one more cold beer). Andy had never been out to Luna d’ Miel, and he really like it.

Earlier that morning, D had visited X Bulu Ha to make arrangements with them and share in some breakfast. So I had much of the day to myself.

R & M dropped in on their way in from Centro. Their hotel was having a grand opening so there was no place to sit and they had been in Centro all day. I made popcorn and we had a lovely visit under the umbrella.

That evening we went into Centro for dinner at El Patio.

Afterwards Michelle and Jan (whom we had met years prior at Luna d’ Miel) met us for drinks and a visit. They are Canadians too, but from a province that we had never visited, so a couple of years ago we visited Prince Edward Island.

We had a little wine with the stars before bed.

Kath’s quote: “Anyone can drink beer, but it takes intelligence to enjoy beer.”- Stephen Beaumont

Love never fails.