We stayed in bed a little late but the sunrise was later too. I couldn’t believe that all three of these images were of the same sunrise. I was particularly enamored by the bottom one-there is reflection on the sea but where did the light come from?

After coffee we headed into town for Island Church at Jax and then stayed for breakfast. I love Jackie’s glassware.

D put down those overflowing breakfast burritos and I went for more traditional fare. Jackie tells us that this would be a typical breakfast back home in Texas. I loved the crispy bacon and perfect home fries.

We visited Jax on our very first trip to Isla some twenty years ago. I mourn the loss of their view, when the day tripper place was built across the street and sits virtually empty when I am in the vicinity. But it still is one of the best places to wait for sunset.

We headed home for showers and a snack, then were back in town to visit Marina Bartolome for an early dinner. We were blown away! If you follow this link you will see that my friend Valerie and I connected years ago when they had 1000 Tacos, which was my favourite taco on the island, pre-Covid. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-features-marina-bartolome/

Valerie’s husband returned from fishing as we were eating dinner. The guys headed to the dock to see his haul.

We have on occasion watched sunset from Marina Bartolome. It was just beginning to go down that day.

I captured the end of it from our deck at home. I was excited to “try” to watch the Oscars from our place but after an extended struggle, I gave up. Oh well. I had a lot of writing to do that evening anyway.

Kath’s quote: “Every sunset is also a sunrise. It all depends on where you stand.” – Karl Schmidt

Love never fails.

Another beautiful morning from the balcony.

My time wandering the shoreline wás disrupted by this poor turtle. At least it appeared to have lived a long life.

This morning’s reflection was of deck and the sea.

The pool was a lovely cool temperature but even that didn’t do the trick for me.

It was very humid and I felt a little off. I napped in the hammock with a fan on me. But then I had to start my day all over again with a shower and coffee!

D had a hankering for Happy Hour so we headed to Centro and our favourite spot. Can you tell where we were by this floor at its entrance?

My guy at El Patio. He fits right in on Isla because there are so many mid-westerners and he was born in Minnesota.

We love the party atmosphere at El Patio. I am sure glad that they worked through the noise issue because we have spent countless hours there over the years.

We love their HH for lots of reasons. Three are pictured here.

Had we stayed home for Happy Hour, this would have been our snack. We are crazy for these and we can’t buy them back home. Maybe I will see if we could order a case on Amazon…

We left in enough time for our other favourite Happy Hour. We love catching Ken W when he plays at Jax. It was packed, so we offered to share our table with a couple from Virginia. They are friends with my friend Mary from Cape Cod. How can this small island hold so many connections?

We met up with Karen and the rest of our gang for her last night on the island. She choose Adelita’s and we loved our dinner there!

We walked Hidalgo and then cabbed home. We were up later than usual.

Kath’s quote: In the grand tapestry of life, people are threads that weave in and out, creating a masterpiece of memories.” -Jonathon Rivers

Love never fails.

Got caught up on my food features so I got out of the room today!

Walked the malecon.

Read more of the Stanley Tucci book while lingering over coffee.

Met Sister Sue and took the bus to La Gloria.

Did some browsing at the bead store and then to LYSH (Little Yellow School House) to take in some great performers as part of the Island Music Festival.

Had a great fundraisinf lunch at the school in the shade of their beautiful trees.

We were hoping to jump back onto a bus, but the sun was still high and it was hot.

Home for a bit then off to Isla Burger. We split an amazing burger. Hear all about it here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/__trashed/

Kath’s quote: “Living like local when you travel provides a deeper understanding your destination.”-Jackie Gately

Love never fails.

That morning I was filled with a sense of gratitude. Thankful that I was healthy and had the resources to be on the island again. And equally thankful for what I left back home-five grandkids! As I gazed at the Isla sign, I realized that all their first name initials were included in the sign. Well, except for my lone grandson whose name starts with an “F”.

So I had to use some artistic license.

Loved my morning sunrise walk and then it was home for a bit to catch up on my writing.

Am I so blessed to work from anywhere.

While I was out, the apartment manager asked if he could borrow my extra bed! I kid you not. There was a Mexican family also staying in the compound and beds were at a premium. Eric had been sleeping with his baby boy who took up the entire bed. I had only been using the bed to climb into the hammock, so I said “By all means”. Unfortunately I didn’t realize how much the bed actually assisted me. I had a heck of a time getting my short legs swung over and into the the hammock. Good thing nobody could witness that comical sight!

SIL Lorraine and my brother Kelly were joining me for breakfast at Grill Garden. As I was walking, I heard a “Kathryne”? It was Brenda one of the owners of Grill Garden, so we walked the rest of the way together. I had never met Brenda IRL and she was exactly as I expected-soft and gracious with a uncanny sense of food and hospitality. Breakfast was better than I remembered it. For all the details check out my Restaurant Feature https://foodmusings.ca/uncategorized/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-features-north-garden/

I was home for a couple of hours and then off to meet the gang of Manitobans on a sunset cruise. My sister Sue had given me this as my Christmas present. What a great gift! She and her friend Donna had won the cruise as a scholarship fundraising prize, the year prior.

We cruised the west edge of the island all the way to Garrafon and then headed back to North Beach for sunset. In the mean time, Our trusty captain fixed us a fresh and sparkling guacamole snack.

Sister Sue and I were heading out for dinner later, but when that got postponed, I moseyed home, and had leftovers and a glass of wine with my lady neighbours. Another perfect day.

Kath’s quote: “Sail away and let the sunset and the waves be your soundtrack”.-authour unknown

Love never fails.

My first sleep in a new bed was amazing and that never happens! I left the drapes open because I only see walls from the apartment anyway. That way, as soon as I realize that the early morning light is changing, I am awake to catch the sunrise. I put my jean jacket on right over my pjs, grab a cup of coffee and I am out the door for my half a block walk to the malecon. I see so many familiar faces. Yes I am home!

The sunrise is spectacular but I do not linger as I am meeting the rest of my family at a new restaurant on Hidalgo for brunch. It is called the Raw Bar but has since been renamed to El Mexicana.

Here is the Restaurant Feature I wrote about it. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-feature-raw-bar/

After brunch, Sue walked me to a TelCel store to buy a Mexican Sim Card for my phone. I was happy to have it but never actually used any of the data during my month long stay. Oh well, the $15 investment for peace of mind was worth it. I also stopped in at the Super Aki for milk for my coffee and another couple of must haves while on the island: lime mayo, cucumber and cilantro to make my favourite sandwich. But with leftovers for a mid afternoon snack, I didn’t need them anyway.

Although it sounds crazy, I spent the rest of the day in my little apartment. I strung up my new hammock and got back into my fabulous book. I had a malignant sore on my back removed since my last trip to a sunny destination so I didn’t want to rush my exposure in the sun. That was a great excuse to while away the afternoon in my hammock.

Later that day I joined old acquaintances downstairs at what we call the “compound” for Happy Hour and then one of them accompanied to dinner. There were three other solo women as well as a couple, (all of whom I had met previously) also staying in the apartment units. This was the primary reason that D was okay with my going to the island alone, because I wasn’t alone at all!

But first, we detoured to North beach to see the sunset.

That evening, we tried a brand new restaurant (new since the previous year), that was fantastic! It was called The Point (Punto Norte). See that Restaurant Feature here. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/2024-isla-mujeres-restaurant-features-the-point-punta-norte/

I always try to write a feature while it is still fresh in my head and spent the time until bed, writing. Three fabulous restaurants in three days! Yes, Isla is still an amazing food destination.

Kath’s quote: “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”– Luciano Pavarotti

Love never fails.