PocChuc & Bally Hoo-Isla Mujeres Day 3

January13

Before sunrise

We started the day with our usual routine and then D and I took a very long walk to the shelling beach. 

I find the most amazing treasures on this shore

My preference is to stay at a place on the airport strip so that I can be close to this beach

Daughter #1 parked herself at the seawall to read and the son and the newbie headed back to the beach for the day.  When hunger struck, Daughter #1 treated us to the Poc Chuc loncheria (two down from Alexia & Giovanni’s).  We have never had disappointing food at any of the loncherias that we have visited.  The food was served piping hot and very efficiently (and the tall strapping waiter was very handsome).  We sampled their special nachos with pork, chicken, cheese, guacamole, salsa and beans (I can’t believe that my photo didn’t turn out because they were gorgeous). 

 

We also shared pork tacos

and shrimp empanadas.  With 2 beer and a coke the total bill was $21! 

Afterwards, I ventured to my favourite stall at the market for cilantro, avacadoes, pineapple and freshly squeezed grapefruit and orange juice. 

After watching the sunset from the sidewalk in front of our hotel, we got the evening off to a fun start by playing a game at happy hour around the pool.  Once a winner was declared we strolled to Bally Hoo for mango margaritas, calamari, chips and salsa, fish and chips and a shrimp fajita.

Fish and chips are an appetizer on the Bally Hoo menu.  We’re crazy about this fish-the batter is so crispy and because the pieces are small, they are really quickly fried.  When we first started ordering this dish years ago, the fries were homemade-oh my.

Another beautiful day on the island.

 Kath’s quotes: “Anyone who eats three meals a day should understand why cookbooks outsell sex books three to one.”-L. M. Boyd

8 Comments to

“PocChuc & Bally Hoo-Isla Mujeres Day 3”

  1. Avatar January 13th, 2012 at 8:39 am Betty Says:

    could you please tell me the name of the hotel you stay at when you are on Isla Mujeres and also where is the shelling beach? I hope to go there some day and having grown up in Wpg. I love reading your blog


  2. Avatar January 13th, 2012 at 9:03 am Kathryne Says:

    Hey Betty. Thanks for writing. I have stayed so many places on the island but for these last couple of trips we’ve stayed at Hotel Paraiso (Daughter #1 requires wheelchair accessibility). It can be booked though Isla Budget Rentals. I’ll send you a link when you need one. The hotel is one of those lovely finds on Isla-it is very small and run by an family who lives on the island. They are always in the lobby and the place is very safe and secure (being next door to the naval base helps). The rooms are very simply furnished but it is sparkling clean. The views of both sides of the island are stunning because it is on the narrowest neck of land. Rooms have fridges, microwaves, AC and the hotel has a pool and rates are in the $65 range. Isn’t that crazy?

    The “shelling” beach as I call it, is easy to find but a bit of a walk from Centro. If you head south on the airport strip you will go by a cluster of 1 & 2 story villas. Once you pass the Cable company, the buildings stop and there is access to the beach. You can’t swim here because the surf is too wild and the coral is dangerous. But I stand along the water’s edge and let the waves bring in all kinds of treasures. On the shore, there are literally banks of shells. The species of shells are different depending upon what area of the island you are beach-combing. I go to one strip of beach on the west side where every shell looks like a piece of twirly macaroni. At this place on the east shore there are many conches and pieces of coral. There are also these amazing brown shells that look like they have been etched by a pre-historic cave person. One of my talented brothers makes what appear to be calla lily arrangements by using the conch shells as the flower blossom. As you can tell, I find all of this fascinating and could go on and on.

    Thank you for reading my blog. Hope that Winnipeg was a good time in your life. We have family in Saskatchewan and I do some business there too. Perhaps we’ll meet face to face some day.


  3. Avatar January 14th, 2012 at 2:34 pm colby clark Says:

    intrested in the wheelchair access. my #1 son is disabled. Also some other questions about dealing with disablility on isla.


  4. Avatar January 14th, 2012 at 4:10 pm Kathryne Says:

    Fire away with your questions-we’re experts. Don’t know what your situation is, but our first piece of advice is: avoid taking a motorized wheelchair if you can, because there are often situations where you have to get up over a curb, a step into a restaurant or a gaping hole in a sidewalk. In addition, there are wheelchair vans available for the transfer to the ferry but they are very expensive. The Ultrmar ferries are totally accessible. We’ve researched most of the Centro hotels for access and been to most of the Centro restaurants. Washroom accessibility can be a bit of a challenge. Mexican showers are very accessible-we just request a plastic lawn chair be placed in the shower by the hotel. There is one station wagon taxi on the island it is #475 and is operated (or owned) by Alexa & Giovanni’s. There are no wheelchair taxis per se. Ciro’s has 4 seater golf carts with a bin on the back for travelling with a collapsible chair, walker, etc. I know of one family who stayed at Plaza Alemndos and they brought their own hoyer (or hoya?) lift. Look forward to hearing from you.


  5. Avatar January 16th, 2012 at 5:23 pm joe and deb morris Says:

    we are sheepdog3 from the isla mujeres chatter board. we just found your blog today. you give some really good tips. also some board members are so upity, but you write so sweetly and that is a breath of fresh air. We have been to isla many times but we don’t like the same things. I like being pampered and like al inclusive because my husband tends not to eat lunch and he won,t get dressed to go out. He is also very picky and we have left many places because he didn’t like the attitudes of in a mexican minute. so for me a buffet works well for fruit and salad or a quick sandwick and nachos. HOPE HE keeps his promise this trip and eats at lots of diff rest. he has been taking notes on the board on the best ones. but do you know of any we shouldn’t go to because of slow service? That would really help? thanks deb.


  6. Avatar January 16th, 2012 at 5:44 pm Kathryne Says:

    You know Deb-slow service is always a possibility on Isla. I would not go to La Lomita’s if I were you. We were once there and they ran out of clean dishes so we had to wait until another table left and they washed their glasses before our drinks could be served. If we had been home, this would have made us boil. I also do know that labour on the Island can be tempermental at times. On New Year’s day we wanted to go out for breakfast. Many places were closed and we ended up at Rooster’s (I haven’t blogged about this yet). The owner was so distraught about his kitchen staff not showing up for their shifts, that he recommended that people did not stay. He said “I’d rather turn away your business, then give you slow and poor service”. We stayed anyway and the food was sensational. We totally understood the issue as he was at the mercy of his staff and there were Islanders still dancing in the zocolo at 8:30am on that morning. Perhaps our understanding is because most of my family have worked in the restaurant business and at one time we owned our own restaurant.

    As far as luxury is concerned-I totally understand what you are saying. By going less expensive, it means we can also afford a second trip this spring. Other times, it has meant staying for 2 weeks instead of one.

    If you have specific questions about any restaurants let me know and I will do my best to help avoid any unsatisfactory experiences.


  7. Avatar April 14th, 2012 at 8:33 pm Tiffany Says:

    I love your blog. What is the name of the place with the fresh fruit juice that you have pictured on this page?


  8. Avatar April 14th, 2012 at 8:57 pm Kathryne Says:

    Tiffany-I will find out for you. I didn’t order it.


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