Of the many things I am loving about my stay at Casa Willa Marcella, access to the roof to watch the sunrise is my favourite. Here is the full blog post that I wrote about my stay. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/casa-willa-marcella-unit-3-isla-mujeres-accommodation-feature-2026/
I enjoyed a wonderful lunch of poc choc at Lupitas. Link below. Stopped in to visit the beautiful Argentinian ladies at Dulzara. In the late afternoon I made my way to a cocktail party hosted by my friend Sylvia from Sardinia. My invite said 5:30 so I stalled around so that I didn’t arrive too early. Of course time is very different here and I think 95 % of the other guests arrived a full hour after me. I met a few people I know on line including Ursula (the island hairstylist) and a Soul Sister (Lory Manzo)!
Like the song that never ends.
I spent a beautiful time on the rooftop here at Casa Willa Marcella. Catching the early sun but also enjoying the shade during the day. Spent lots of time on the phone home cuz real life still goes on. Lunch was at El Pork Chuc, delicious Enchiladas Suisa and another Isla family heritage story. Follow this link for both stories. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/poc-chuc-lupita-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/ Purchased a rotisserie chicken for supper but was too full to eat it. A solo walk on the beach at sunset. Life is good and God is good.
My typical morning routine is I make my coffee then head the short distance to the malecon to await the sunrise. On this morning I was pushed back by the wind, too chilly to do so. Ok I will come clean…I am usually still in my pjs. Back at my apt I took a sunrise picture from my doorway. The sea changed in a matter of hours between pictures. I met a friend from our days staying at Xbuluha. She joined me for a scrumptious dinner at Grill Garden. Read all about it here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/grill-garden-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ It was Brenda’s birthday (she owns the restaurant with her husband Fernando). I was invited to join her celebration where I met some lovely folk.
Beach Club Day.
I enjoyed a wonderful surprise when my friend had a golf cart to get us to Zaza Beach Club The setting, food, service and vibe were fabulous. We sat in the shade and loved to see the comings and goings. Link here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/zaza-beach-club-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/. “Home” for a quick turnaround and now spending the weekend at Casa Willa Marcello. Everything I need with a private rooftop bonus. Caught the sunset from here but lost the photo. Ggrr.
I walked the narrowest stretch of the island with water very close on both sides. D and I usually stay on the east side. This was the west. I made it back to Centro in time to wish Victoria and Hilary off at the ferry. I had to rig up a desk in the part of our apt with ac. Then it was off to Jax for the Oscars and sunset!
Feeling like a local.
2 weird things: 1) I realized that the wall of the Malecon had been painted since my arrival but I don’t know when it happened! and 2) the book I was reading disappeared into cyberspace and then reappeared at my bedtime. I took a nice morning walk.
I jumped on the bus to Isla Bistro. The bus driver failed me and I got lost, but no matter, I needed the exercise as it was a day of eating. The ride took 75 hot, sweaty minutes when a cab would have been 10. Such is life.
I got to meet three generations of my friend Gus’s family-his beautiful son, his beautiful wife and his beautiful mother. Ironically, I was arranging logistics with The Reef Culinary Experience for dinner, when we realized that he was just around the corner so I obtained supper while I was still eating lunch (I think that is called gluttony). Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/the-reef-culinary-experiences-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/ Shared charcuterie and squid ink pasta with my friend Peggy. Then we did a last loop of Centro. I saw her off at the ferry the next morning. Life is good. God is good.
Getting in the groove. I had a very busy day as I moved in with Sister Sue and had some unpacking to do. An afternoon walk turned into time on the beach. Lots of writing to try to get caught up on.
The gang all enjoyed a delicious dinner at Taquería MAFER. Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/tacqueria-mafer-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ Margarita was busy getting ready for Jose and his Cultura Cruisers Food Tours visit. What a great way to taste your way around the island. A brief glimpse of sunset & to visit our friends at Juanita Cafe for their Carrot Cake!
A Spot of Sun. Well my dermatologist is going to be happy with me this trip. I was too busy to hit the beach today. I took K & K to Hortencia’s to pick up their dresses. I wore my creation by her daughter Maricruz from the prior year. Home for lots of writing and learning.
I drank clamato juice all afternoon to save my appetite for an early dinner. Sue and I walked to Yaakun Cocina . The tasty food and drinks were works of art! Here is the link to that story: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/yaakuun-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/
There was no sunset. Then I was lucky enough to meet old friends for a glass of wine (ok 2). Jan and Bruce were dining at Asia Caribe. Speaking of more works of art.
My day of reuniting with old friends. I enjoyed my morning coffee on the malecon at Villas San Miquel where I meet Isla friends Ann and then Donna and Cheryl. I spend the morning writing at the villas.
Karen & Kathy join me to walk to Hotel Las Palmas. We had lunch at the Loncherias and then I was off to visit my Isla family at Hortencia’s. There were hugs and tears all around. I had more writing at to do Las Palmas and there were lots of comfortable places to do so.
While visiting my sister Sue at the little apartment that we share, it is like an Isla reunion when Peggy, Gloria and Hugh joined us. We enjoyed an absolutely delicious dinner catered by Glay & Gaby Food. Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/glay-gaby-food-drink-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/
I joined K and K at El Patio Casa de la Música where they dined. Here is the link to their dinner: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/el-patio-de-musica-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/
En route home we met up with my long time friend Javi (yes that Javi!) My heart was full.
I spent the afternoon under the palms at Playa Centro with my brother Kelly, Lorraine, K & K and Deanie. That gang and my sister Sue assembled for dinner at Marina Bartalome. Link here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/marina-bartalome-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/
At la quenta time I realized I had misplaced some money. I tried not to be frantic. I raced “home” to search through all my belongings! (I had put in the cooler bag that I took to the beach! What a ditz I am…).
