As you can see my “making it up for sunrise” streak was going quite well.

Bow-thank you very much.

As I strolled right down to the beach I noticed this native plant growing from a crack in the sidewalk up against a stucco wall. It occurred to me that determined plant was like many islanders that I have known over the years. Their beginnings are simple and their life is hard but still they persevere and in fact grow to be something quite beautiful.

We missed seeing Lori from Chaya and Cacao this year but I have noticed that she is renting out a couple of rooms in the building where her restaurant is on the main floor. With the proximity to both the beach and Hidalgo, I for one would love to stay there and may get the chance in the seasons ahead.

I was early enough to secure a palapa for the gang. Here’s a pic of it in the shade from my vantage in the water.

I love the early morning on the beach when the shadows from the palm trees are stretching out to the edge of the water. The air is cool and refreshing.

I really enjoyed being in the ocean when there were so few people around.

I don’t swim per se, because I don’t want to have to redo my beautiful coiffed hair again (jk).

As the morning stretches on more and more boats arrive and drop anchor on the other side of the buoys.

Staff at Na Balaam were very accommodating when I purchased a “to go” mug of coffee. Drinking coffee on the beach was one of my fondest memories of visiting Veradero Beach in Cuba, eons ago.

I am always very empathetic with the Mayan girls who sell their wares on the beach. Covid note: I am particularly concerned about them and their livelihood right now with no tourists on the beach or along Hidalgo.

I made the mistake of checking my cell phone (because I own a business, I check my phone once or twice a day when on the island). It was an error to check it because the bubble that I had been living in, safe from Covid was about to burst. At home fellow Winnipeggers were hoarding toilet paper and the rumours of lock downs were swirling.

I met Brother #3 and my sister-in-law for sunset. You may know them as they have been coming to Isla almost as long as me. They always stay on Hidalgo and go to the beach most days. That is why they are so beautifully tanned as compared to my freckled face. We tease Kelly that he is the mayor of Isla Mujeres because he looks like a local with that tan and never forgets a name or a face. When he walks anywhere he greets just about 75% of people and calls out their name (hence the “mayor”). I am so blessed to have both he and my sister-in-law Lorraine in my life.

As the sun was sinking I noticed something really fascinating. When you looked in the direction of the sunset it was all golden

but when you turned the camera away from the sun, the light was soft and pastel.

Gold…

and pastel.

The sunset itself was stunning

but so was the sky even 10 minutes later as we made our way to Sardinian Smile for dinner.

I love this picture of Sylvia’s restaurant. It reminds me of a Parisian café painted by an impressionist. We enjoyed an amazing dinner that evening, but once again I am not going to share it until Covid is over and the restaurants are open again.

Aren’t these local kids’ faces shining? They were collecting for their soccer team and we were happy to help them out. Who knew that Covid was just around the corner and they wouldn’t be out enjoying a game of soccer for a very long time.

Kath’s quote: “Siblings-the definition that compromises love, strife, competition and forever friends”. – Bryan Pulsifer

Love never fails.

 

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