Love was definitely in the air on our recent vacation to Isla Mujeres. There was a family wedding held on the island while we were there and the romantic and heartfelt betrothal set the tone for the rest of our vacation. When we arrived at The Sunset Grill’s new location (Rue Medina South), co-owner Margarita escorted us to a table for two set just outside the restaurant with a view of the marina and water.

Years’ prior I had my first taste of coconut shrimp at the original Sunset Grill on North Beach. On another occasion with my girls, my sister and her daughter, I recall having a late afternoon lunch at the Sunset Grill when a wedding was taking place. The bride arrived by boat to meet her groom as strains of “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones floated all around us. We all swooned and agreed at once that Isla Mujeres would be the perfect place to have a destination wedding.

Suffice it to say, that memory stuck with me as I watched my beautiful niece wed her handsome man recently, but I digress. At that romantic table for two at the new Sunset Grill, D and I shared our last dinner together on the island. It was a special time in every way and we hoped that the food would complete a perfect holiday and evening.

We commenced with frosty cold beers as it was still warm in the setting sun.

We consulted Sunset Grill owner Felipe as to what he might recommend. He read us perfectly and the shared appetizer, soup and entrée was the correct amount of food with both subtle and bold tastes.

We started by splitting the most enormous shrimp (oxymoron?), that had been stuffed with hearty bacon pieces and a tart and silky cream cheese. D carved it into four bites and each was delicious and satisfying.

Next up we shared a decadent seafood soup which is Felipe’s own recipe utilizing a splash of brandy. As chunky as a chowder, it tasted closer to Lobster Thermidor with tastes of heavy cream and butter. The abundance of seafood was a lovely surprise-every spoonful containing a piece of huge shrimp, baby shrimp and other fish. The creamy stock was so luxurious that I had wished we had some bread on the table so that we could have mopped up every dollop.

The Sunset Grill is definitely a family affair as the next dish was a recipe of Felipe’s mother. Usually the dill sauce would adorn grouper but in this case it enhanced red snapper. Everything on the beautifully assembled plate was delicious.

Felipe added that next time we may want to try a dish such as his beef tenderloin in cherry wine, chicken livers and Dijon. In truth I spotted a number of dishes that I would love to try again including the Coconut Shrimp, which brings us back to the beginning of this story and

our on-going love affair with Isla Mujeres and the Sunset Grill.

The Sunset Grill has much more to offer, stay tuned for the next installment.

Kath’s quote: “Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it. There’s, um, shrimp kebabs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple shrimp and lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich… That’s, that’s about it.”-Forrest Gump

 

Love never fails.

 

 

I get almost the same pleasure out of planning and then recollecting our yearly sojourns to Isla Mujeres as I do actually being on the Island. We started researching where we would all stay in 2017 back in 2016 when we were still on the island. As you likely know, we have specific needs  for our gang as we are travelling with a three year old, one year old and we require wheelchair accessibility for Daughter #1.

The lovely owner of the Xbulu-Ha Hotel has assured us that he will modify his front entrance so that #1 can zip in and out and she desires. #1 and her attendant will have a main floor room complete with an accessible shower. J & J and the girls will have a 2 room suite where a play pen can be set up for Jo Jo and the Wee One will have a futon. If the kids need closer contact with J & J their bed has a pull out trundle to accommodate the kids. We will likely designate our room for coffee, light breakfast and lunch fixings and cervesas.

In addition the hotel has a cozy guest lounge where the front desk is located equipped with microwave, toaster, blender, kitchen  sink, table and chairs. They provide free wi fi, beach towels and back pack beach chairs too!

We have also booked our shuttle service through AGI. I have utilized the services of AGI since I first started travelling to the island in 2005. Since then they have continued with each year to expand their offerings and now have many more offerings including VIP DTD (door to door) Service:

• Meet & greet at the CUN airport,
• Transportation to the ferry dock on our A/C Mercedes Benz Sprinters
• R/T boarding passes for the ferry to Isla Mujeres
• Assistance in Isla Mujeres by our AGI Tours staff
• R/T transportation to your hotel/villa/house in Isla Mujeres on local A/C taxis
• For the return leg we will pick you up at the villa and bring you all the way to the airport using the same logistics than on your arrival
• For groups of 10 or more we can afford to bring you all the way to Isla on the car ferry (given the situation that your flight matches with the ferry itinerary, of course).

AGI’s vehicles are always spotlessly clean and air conditioned. Their drivers are polite and courteous. I highly recommend them.

Counting the sleeps!

Kath’s quote: “The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” – G.K. Chesterton

Love never fails.

 

 

 

We were up a half an hour early so that we could still have our morning routine of coffee and the sunrise

and our last visit with H & G.

The taxi came a smidge early so we had a half hour wait for the ferry. I used the time to take some last shots of Medina.

One last pouty pic.

We love the new ferry terminal.

We had a lovely ferry and shuttle ride. Adios Isla Mujeres. Can’t wait to be with you again.

Kath’s quote: “Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen”.-Benjamin Disraeli

Love never fails.

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Up for another glorious sunrise.

We walked into town to say goodbye to Brother #3 & L (with their sad pouty faces on).

We snagged a cab to Mango Cafe.

I chose the eggs bennie on chia leaves, mushrooms and curry hollandaise.

D had the Stuffed Pobalno Chili. Everything was absolutely excellent as always.

We made it for the last 20 minutes of church.

We strolled home.

I headed out for a last opportunity of beachcombing.

It was a hot one as the clouds had subsided as well as the breeze.

So we conserved our energy and simply hung out for the rest of the day at Luna d’ Miel.

Me, showing off my tan (and my wrinkly neck).

We packed for our morning departure and strolled into Centro for our progressive dinner:

Our fist appetizer was a shared Bimbo Dog.

Next course was a shared order of Coconut Shrimp & Dos Xs at Miminoes.

We were fascinated by these two little girls that we could see from our seats. They were apparently fishing with a piece of fishing line.

Our next stop was Bally Hoo for a shared Pasta Marinera, margaritas and wine.

 

We caught one last glorious sunset and then headed to the square for Churros.

On the way home we grabbed Pizza from Suny’s for the next day. We shared a lovely bottle of Camenere with the stars and waves. We had a fabulous holidays and it was so leisurely we kept saying: “We’re still here!”

Kath’s quote: “I think that when two people are able to weave that kind of invisible thread of understanding and sympathy between each other, that delicate web, they should not risk tearing it. It is too rare, and it lasts too short a time at best….” ― M.F.K. Fisher

Love never fails.

 

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Fabulous sunrise this morning.

Another glorious sunrise where we worked up an appetite for a Isla ham & egg breakfast.

Relatively slim pickings while beachcombing for beach glass.

We walked to town for a pareo at Hortenzia’s.

Once a season, Hortenzia will leave the shop under a family members’ watchful eye, to join us with a couple of the grandkids on the beach.

As we prepared to hail a cab back to the airport strip, a couple of gals offered us a lift in their golf cart. It occurred to us that this would be a great way to meet more fellow travellers and save some cab money. We only rent for one day over a couple of weeks but we are committed to offering people a lift, just like the kindness that we received.

We headed home for nachos and beer.

D napped before sunset at Playa Sol with the gang and then dinner at Fredy’s.

We all had Fredy’s pork chops while Carol had Fredys’s shrimp and cousin Sandra the Mexican plate. Everybody loved their dinner.

For dessert we strolled Hidalgo and treated ourselves to Ferrero Roche ice cream cones.

We grabbed a taxi home for wine and waves.

Kath’s quote: People who love to eat are the very best people.- Julia Child

Love never fails.