Sometimes an overcast day can deliver the most glorious sunrise. It was my last full day on Isla and the island blessed me with this blazing heart in the sky.

I was enamoured by this turquoise fence and then found out that my friend Jackie was renting the apartment just through the gate. We enjoyed breakfast together at Ruben’s so that I could hear first hand what living on Isla was all about.

I obviously love the colour turquoise and the hammock guy must too, as he even painted his tree the colour of the Caribbean sea.

Abuelo’s love the colour too.

Hearts are everywhere!

The murals have been a beautiful addition to the Isla experience.

My eyes are always drawn to the kookiest little things in Centro.

I made one last walk to north beach to say my good-byes.

Kath’s quote: “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.”  ― William Shakespeare

Love never fails.

The houses which surround Luna d’Miel are about as different as you can get.

This morning’s sunrise was an especially sweet one as it was D’s departure day and my last morning at Luna d’Miel.

We took some photos with new Canadian friends from PEI.

Kelly (another neighbour) drove D and I into town so he could catch the ferry. And then all of a sudden, he was gone…

I cleaned out the fridge and threw everything together into an omelet with a salsa to treat my new friends Peggy and Kelly and thank them for letting us use their golf cart. We had a lovely visit and I look forward to seeing them again very soon.

I enjoyed some last moments by the sea on the terrace at Luna d’Miel, then showered, packed up and made my way to my new home for a couple of nights. I strolled around Centro for a bit and then checked into Hotel Isleno. When I am not with D, I feel safer staying right in Centro.

The hotel had a very different feel from our little apartment by the sea but was satisfactory for a short stay. I included a couple of room photos in case you are interested in checking out the hotel.

This was my view to the west.

The internet signal was iffy in my room but worked fairly well from this floor lounge with windows that opened to the east.

That evening was the meet up that I had arranged at Barlito’s.

We were a compact group but more and more Islaholics came to meet up and we had so much fun visiting with old and new friends.

Barlito’s is located on a channel where many yachts tie up making it a beautiful site. I walked home with Dona and Sister #3 and called it an early night.

In one week from right now (eek!) we will be on Isla and checking into our new home away from home Villas San Miguel. There are 6 suites in three buildings clustered in a walled compound. We are looking forward to so many things about the villas but especially their prime location. We will be in Centro but will still be by the sea with the privacy that we sometimes seek.

Kath’s quote: “Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them“. -Francesco Guicciardini

Love never fails.

I hosted a meet up at Barlitos in March 2015. The gang was a compact one but we had a lovely time visiting with old friends and new acquaintances.

Barlito’s is located in a beautiful setting next to the channel where beautiful yachts are docked.

Check out these nachos!

Fish and chips.

Poutine.

Wings.

Cob Salad.

Chicken nachos.

Some of the food like the supreme nachos was deemed exceptional, where other choices were just okay. Our server was not very well equipped to deal with us seamlessly. From all of the subsequent reports that I have seen, service is much improved.

Kath’s quote: “Every new friend is a new adventure… the start of more memories”.-Patrick Lindsay

Love never fails.

We were reluctant to leave North Beach on such a glorious beach day, but we eventually made our meander back to Luna ‘Miel on the airport road.

We hopped into the shower and then walked the sea wall back into Centro.

Our destination was the artist’s fair in the square (update: I understand that artist fairs now take place at the Cultural Centre). We were so impressed with all of the talent an did lots of shopping for the gang back home. I especially appreciated the photography and sea glass pieces.

It was a great turn out of tourists and ex-pats.

It was a bit of a wait to get ourselves a light dinner in the square but with so many people to visit, we were content just to hang. We noshed on pizza slices, sliders, shrimp & octopus empanadas, pork tacos and Barlito’s cinnamon bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce for dessert. A moveable feast!

Shadows were lengthening an it was time to make our way to Bally Hoo for sunset.

There are many lovely spots to witness sunset on Isla but we especially enjoy Bally Hoo to watch the fishing boats come in and enjoy the pier and the gulls.

Bally Hoo’s amazing mango margaritas were another reason to visit. Our new friends Jan and Michelle from Luna d’Miel couldn’t believe how big they were.

Friends Bob and Joyce were there as well. They were meeting new guests who were delegates of the women’s conference which takes place on Isla every year. We kept pulling tables together an in the end there were 12 of us enjoying our “Grande” margaritas. Those that hadn’t filled up on dinner in the square, enjoyedd Bally Hoo’s legendary fish tacos.

We stopped into Casa el Pio for some moon gazing on our way home.

For our next visit (soon!), we are staying at Villas San Miguel which will put us close to the cultural centre for the artist’s fair, walks to see the sunset and so much more.

Kath’s quote: “Nothing goes with a hot tan like a cool margarita.” –Unknown

Love never fails.

Sometimes a usual and common place sight on Isla, strikes me as exceptionally beautiful.

I love the colours that Islanders paint their homes, especially all the turquoise hues.

We accumulated some fixings for dinner at our cozy apartment at Luna d’ Miel including flan from Pita Amore.

There was plenty of afternoon left so I ventured out again for some sea glass and other treasures.

This is the view from one of the other rooms at Luna d’Miel.

There was a gorgeous sunset that evening seen from the street side of Luna d’Miel.

So we shared our feast of rotisserie chicken as we watched the disappearing sun.

I spent the evening sorting the efforts of my beachcombing habit, watched a couple of episodes of Suits on Netflix and polished off a couple of chapters of my book. A perfect evening in a perfect place.

Kath’s quote: “Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and meaningful than all the banquets in the world …”  ― E.A. Bucchianeri

Love, that is all.