We were awake for a gorgeous sunrise.

One of our many Isla traditions is taking pouty face pictures of each other at the ferry terminal.

We scouted (in our golf cart) into town to see Sister #2, my BIL and nephew off

and then went back again to shop for breakfast.

Later we returned again to fetch another in law and her sister from Centro to took them to Luna d’Miel for a breakfast of ham and eggs.

The town was quiet that morning.

After breakfast we took the ladies on an island spin and ran into Joyce of Bob and Joyce. She had us in to see her kitchen reno.

We whiled away the afternoon in switching out between hammock, chair and shade.

For Happy Hour and to help us consume all our booze we went in the golf cart and fetched Boo and the Frenchman. D made kahluas and margaritas and the Frenchman became a very happy tequila man.

We finished off our chips and dip and mango salsa and then took off in the cart to across the airport strip to watch the sunset.

Once the beautiful display was over, we drove into Colonias to Bastos for Burgers Especiale and then home for a wine night cap.

Kath’s quote: “Man who invented the hamburger was smart; man who invented the cheeseburger was a genius”.-Matthew McConaughey

Love never fails.

Up for another glorious sunrise.

We walked into town to say goodbye to Brother #3 & L (with their sad pouty faces on).

We snagged a cab to Mango Cafe.

I chose the eggs bennie on chia leaves, mushrooms and curry hollandaise.

D had the Stuffed Pobalno Chili. Everything was absolutely excellent as always.

We made it for the last 20 minutes of church.

We strolled home.

I headed out for a last opportunity of beachcombing.

It was a hot one as the clouds had subsided as well as the breeze.

So we conserved our energy and simply hung out for the rest of the day at Luna d’ Miel.

Me, showing off my tan (and my wrinkly neck).

We packed for our morning departure and strolled into Centro for our progressive dinner:

Our fist appetizer was a shared Bimbo Dog.

Next course was a shared order of Coconut Shrimp & Dos Xs at Miminoes.

We were fascinated by these two little girls that we could see from our seats. They were apparently fishing with a piece of fishing line.

Our next stop was Bally Hoo for a shared Pasta Marinera, margaritas and wine.

We caught one last glorious sunset and then headed to the square for Churros.

On the way home we grabbed Pizza from Suny’s for the next day. We shared a lovely bottle of Camenere with the stars and waves. We had a fabulous holidays and it was so leisurely we kept saying: “We’re still here!”

Kath’s quote: “I think that when two people are able to weave that kind of invisible thread of understanding and sympathy between each other, that delicate web, they should not risk tearing it. It is too rare, and it lasts too short a time at best….” ― M.F.K. Fisher

Love never fails.

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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.

We spent lots of time on the back patio of Luna d’Miel on this day for a couple of reasons: 1) the sunrise was gorgeous (would you agree?) and we had new neighbours in the apartments. It is fun to write this months later as Kelly & Peggy are my Facebook friends and I hope to see them on the island in a month or so.

We waited on the airport road for Sister #3 and Dona to pick us up in a cab. We were on our way to visit Fredy and Anna’s breakfast restaurant in the Colonias. Fredy explained how Mel and Alda’s was named for their grandkids Melodie and Aldair.

In the vicinity was a home with a with this uniquely crafted wall. On one side you could see the bottle bottoms but through the curved window, you might be able to see that the entire bottle had been plastered in. Home owners on Isla are so inventive!

Our next stop was to tour Joyce and Bob’s Casitas. I mentioned in a previous post that even though we had just met, we had lots of commonalities between us. The Casitas are so beautiful, carefully decorated and equipped with every convenience you might need for a couple of weeks stay. Can you imagine this view from your bed? I love the stretch of beach, across the road-perfect for beach combing, one of my favourite Isla past times.

Joyce was also kind enough to let us have a peak at their own home-equally gorgeous with little touches that I was particularly fond of.

Our gang on their second floor terrace.

I was especially enamoured by this exquisite tree that was carefully tended in their yard.

We walked around the neighbourhood a bit before heading back to the north.

By the time the sun was lowering in the sky we were on our back into Centro. But those photos and narrative will have to wait for another day.

Kath’s quote: “The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”  ― G.K. Chesterton

Love, that is all.

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.