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Trip Report Isla Mujeres 2024-Day Five

March28

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.

A bus stop selfie.

Met Sister Sue and took the bus to La Gloria.

I take a picture of this church whenever I walk past it.

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.

Isla Mujeres 2024 Trip Report-Day Two

March25
Just barely morning.

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.

There was a reverse sunset that evening.
Happy Manitobans-4 Newbies and 7 Islaholics
Selfie

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.

Trip Report Isla Mujeres 2024-Day One

March23
My first walk down the malecon.

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.

Trip Report-Isla Mujeres 2024, Arrival Day

March22

Arrival Day. The wait hadn’t seemed as onerous as other years. Maybe it was the lovely mild weather at home, maybe time is ticking away more quickly as I age. Who knows, but I wasn’t desperate to escape winter and my cozy home.

The flight was uneventful. I was engrossed in my book and before I knew it we had commenced with our descent. The new immigration process was easy peasey and it felt like we would be ahead of schedule. I spoke too soon. The wait for our luggage was unreasonable. I was concerned because I was a fifth wheel, hitching a shuttle ride with a group of fellow Manitobans. My friend was so gracious to ask me along and I didn’t want to slow them down. They were with newbies that were very excited to make the final stretch to the island. But as luck would have it, my bag was one of the last to arrive. Our WJ flight had been delayed due to pilot minimum sleep regulations so our CARM van wasn’t waiting for us. It made the cervesas that we preordered taste that much better!

Another delay met us at the ferry terminal. Arriving at 610 led me to believe that we would be on a 630 ferry. They informed us that there wasn’t a 630 crossing (huh?) so we waited until 7. It gave us time to purchase more Modellos at the port. Luckily, there is free wifi at the ferry so I got caught up on messages from home and from the island! And a special surprise of seeing my Mexican friend Sara and her Pappy who were also heading home after dental work in Cancun.

There was a lovely welcoming from family at the port. Lorraine and Kelly had waited for 1 and a half hours for us! They had been on the same flight a week prior and we were that much later than them. Kelly lugged my 50 lb suitcase through the streets and then up a flight of stairs to my little apartment.

I changed shoes and was right out the door with Sister #3 as we were expected at Jax by my lovely friend Jackie. Sister Sue had already been on the island two weeks and even though I am thrilled that she got to do so, I had missed her at home.

The food at Jax was amazing as always. Sister Sue wrote this fabulous Restaurant Feature. Read all about it here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/relax-at-jax-sister-3/

By this time I was getting pretty strung out, but when I arrived home I wanted to unpack a bit and get back into my book. It was at least midnight (my time) when I turned off my kobo.

Oh Isla, how I have missed you, my second home.

Kath’s quote: “If you know that you are going home, the journey is never too hard”.-authour unknown

Love never fails.

Isla Mujeres 2024 Restaurant Features- Marea located in Selina Poc Na

March7

By Sister #3

To say finding Marea restaurant is tricky is an understatement. It’s a bit like discovering a speak easy during prohibition. If you know, you know. And it’s time that everyone know about this fantastic restaurant. Located in Selina Poc Na, the hotel on the south east corner of Matamoros and Carlos Lazo. Marea is a separate entity from the Selina resort centre in which it is housed. A small sign provides a hint that you are in the right place. Don’t be thrown off the scent by Coffee Break, a great place where you can pick up a coffee and bagel to go.  For a sit down breakfast experience you want to keep trekking through the lobby area.

Then hang a left and continue till you come to a  large palapa, across from the pool,

juice bar, and yoga platform.  

The palapa itself is spacious and furnished with picnic tables, sofas with low tables, and regular dining tables like ours. Marea currently attracts a lot of guests of the hotel who are young and hip. So the people are as beautiful as the surroundings. 

We ventured in for breakfast the other day and were introduced to Romiro and Omar.

This dynamic duo who met on the Island in 2020 call themselves “brothers from another mother”.  Both bringing gifts of incredible creativity. Omar from Monterey in Northern Mexico is passionate about food.  It’s palpable as we discuss the dish he is currently developing for the restaurant’s new menu. It’s a croque Madame, but more on that later. The key to great food is great ingredients and he has sourced homemade prosciutto right here on the island, and is now in pursuit of some fine Emmental and Gruyère cheeses to make the dish perfection. 

Originally from Argentina, Ramiro has a talent for design. You only need to look at the brilliance of the duos other property Chile & Maiz to see his vision, full of colour and art. The decor at Marea is more understated, letting the beauty of nature speak for itself. One really doesn’t need to gild the lily when you’re located in a giant palapa on a fine white sandy beach on the Caribbean Sea. You can see Romiro’s artistry in all their promotional material and general aesthetic. 

We started our morning with freshly squeezed orange juice and mango juice and good American style coffee.

For breakfast we enjoyed fluffy hotcakes served with plenty of fresh fruit and the coolest syrup dispenser ever.

The Marea sandwich of egg, cheese, spinach, on toasted homemade bread, was served with chipotle mayo,

while the chicken quesadillas came with a green salad.

I had the huevos rancheros, as I’m partial to variations of Mexican style eggs. Described as crispy tortillas bathed in ranchero sauce, they were topped with fried egg, avocado, and crema. 

I also got a chance to taste the croque madame which is currently in development. You may have heard of a croque monsieur- it’s a French grilled ham and cheese smothered in béchamel sauce. And the feminine version is topped with a sunny side up egg. This signature dish is sure to be the talk of the town. Can’t wait to let you know once it’s available. 

Marea is open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All the menus are currently being reinvented and will be unveiled later this month. I for one can’t wait. 

If you were under the impression, like I was, that Marea was just for millennials living the yoga retreat lifestyle, think again.  Its relaxed vibe will make you feel like you’re on a retreat and the delightful food and beachy atmosphere will not disappoint.  So “your mission, should you choose to except it” is to seek out Marea and enjoy all it has to offer. 

Kath’s quote: The people who give you their food give you their heart – Cesar Chavez

Love never fails.

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