I walked the narrowest stretch of the island with water very close on both sides. D and I usually stay on the east side. This was the west. I made it back to Centro in time to wish Victoria and Hilary off at the ferry. I had to rig up a desk in the part of our apt with ac. Then it was off to Jax for the Oscars and sunset!
Feeling like a local.
2 weird things: 1) I realized that the wall of the Malecon had been painted since my arrival but I don’t know when it happened! and 2) the book I was reading disappeared into cyberspace and then reappeared at my bedtime. I took a nice morning walk.
I jumped on the bus to Isla Bistro. The bus driver failed me and I got lost, but no matter, I needed the exercise as it was a day of eating. The ride took 75 hot, sweaty minutes when a cab would have been 10. Such is life.
I got to meet three generations of my friend Gus’s family-his beautiful son, his beautiful wife and his beautiful mother. Ironically, I was arranging logistics with The Reef Culinary Experience for dinner, when we realized that he was just around the corner so I obtained supper while I was still eating lunch (I think that is called gluttony). Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/the-reef-culinary-experiences-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/ Shared charcuterie and squid ink pasta with my friend Peggy. Then we did a last loop of Centro. I saw her off at the ferry the next morning. Life is good. God is good.
I enjoyed coffee at Sabor a México. The link here is when my sister visited them earlier. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/sabor-a-mexico-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-bistro-brunch-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ Then I was off to Isla Bistro for brunch and to visit with our dear friend Gustavo. Link here. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-bistro-brunch-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ I feel sheepish to say that later that evening we had dinner at the newly opened Simone on Hidalgo. No link, but it was sensational! It was raining in Cancun so there was no sunset but beautiful skies none the less. When I left Victoria and Hilary they were off for salsa lessons!
Maya Beach Day. I actually packed up for a morning at the beach! In the shade of course. It was like old home week, seeing Jan & Bruce, and Lissa & John. I finally got to meet Jan & Bruce’s Prince Albert Friends. Off to Caribbean Brisas for a wonderful dinner! Link here. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/caribbean-brisas-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ It was lovely to reacquaint with Karina and her husband Wbeymar. Home for a walk and churros! Saw my Mexican family celebrating Maricruz’s birthday at Pizza Rock. And….my lovely 5th granddaughter was born!
It was my last day w Victoria and Hilary. I loved celebrating the 2nd Anniversary at Juanita Cafe! Such wonderful people. Spend the afternoon Playa Medina Luna in the shade. I was hosting Happy Hour (like the olden days) so I had to visit my favourite produce stall at the market for lime juice. Hil was our bartender. Then we enjoyed dinner at the beautiful Caribbean Garden. Link here. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/caribbean-garden-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ We cabbed home to Police cars at Roca Mar. Not an emergency but a big basketball game on the court. I wish I had gotten a picture. Got to watch a video of my grands seeing their baby sister for the first time! Life is so good. God is so good.
Golf Cart Day with Kathy, Karen & Sister Sue. We headed up the airport road to the church and the views at “Edge of the World”. I had dinner there later in my stay. All the accolades are true.
We stopped for coffee and almond croissants at Xaman (she bakes her Croissants to order) . Our next stop was the Women’s Beading Coop and then we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Star Kids Cafe. It was very windy at Punta Sur. We stopped at the beautiful Ulan Gallery and then headed back into Centro.
Later, Sue and I enjoyed a glorious dinner at Olivia’s. Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/olivia-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/ If you think that is too much food for one day, fear not, the fridge was full of leftovers!
The next day was a really tough one, proving once again that even though Isla is a paradise, real life can find its way to creep in. I did manage to spend some time with Kathy around the beautiful pool at The Mint (which is right on the malecon and the sea). That evening I took a lovely solo walk at sunset.
Church Day. I was up and out the door for sunrise. Watching sunrise and sunset keeps me grounded when I am goin through a tough time. K and K joined Sue and I at Jax for Island Church. I know now, that Ken & Debbie who were the pastors of the church were on the island for their last season. That day, he prayed over my sister while the three of us blessed her, with streams of tears. It was a bittersweet time. We stayed for a lovely breakfast afterwards.
Our wifi was down so I spent the afternoon at Juanita Cafe in the AC (it all of a sudden got very warm). I sipped on an iced coffee and wrote away. I was able to greet my Goddaughter (a newbie) and Victoria at the ferry. Victoria and I have three beautiful granddaughters together. I introduced V to Isla, years ago. We took that uphill walk to Roca Mar. The sunset that evening was the best of my stay, thus far. I was able to call home as my family of 13 were assembled for Sunday Supper. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Pizza Rock, which has been a favourite of ours for decades! More details in this link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/pizza-rock-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/
Getting in the groove. I had a very busy day as I moved in with Sister Sue and had some unpacking to do. An afternoon walk turned into time on the beach. Lots of writing to try to get caught up on.
The gang all enjoyed a delicious dinner at Taquería MAFER. Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/tacqueria-mafer-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/ Margarita was busy getting ready for Jose and his Cultura Cruisers Food Tours visit. What a great way to taste your way around the island. A brief glimpse of sunset & to visit our friends at Juanita Cafe for their Carrot Cake!
A Spot of Sun. Well my dermatologist is going to be happy with me this trip. I was too busy to hit the beach today. I took K & K to Hortencia’s to pick up their dresses. I wore my creation by her daughter Maricruz from the prior year. Home for lots of writing and learning.
I drank clamato juice all afternoon to save my appetite for an early dinner. Sue and I walked to Yaakun Cocina . The tasty food and drinks were works of art! Here is the link to that story: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/yaakuun-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/
There was no sunset. Then I was lucky enough to meet old friends for a glass of wine (ok 2). Jan and Bruce were dining at Asia Caribe. Speaking of more works of art.
My day of reuniting with old friends. I enjoyed my morning coffee on the malecon at Villas San Miquel where I meet Isla friends Ann and then Donna and Cheryl. I spend the morning writing at the villas.
Karen & Kathy join me to walk to Hotel Las Palmas. We had lunch at the Loncherias and then I was off to visit my Isla family at Hortencia’s. There were hugs and tears all around. I had more writing at to do Las Palmas and there were lots of comfortable places to do so.
While visiting my sister Sue at the little apartment that we share, it is like an Isla reunion when Peggy, Gloria and Hugh joined us. We enjoyed an absolutely delicious dinner catered by Glay & Gaby Food. Here is the link: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/glay-gaby-food-drink-isla-mujeres-food-feature-2026/
I joined K and K at El Patio Casa de la Música where they dined. Here is the link to their dinner: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/el-patio-de-musica-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/
En route home we met up with my long time friend Javi (yes that Javi!) My heart was full.
I spent the afternoon under the palms at Playa Centro with my brother Kelly, Lorraine, K & K and Deanie. That gang and my sister Sue assembled for dinner at Marina Bartalome. Link here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/marina-bartalome-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/
At la quenta time I realized I had misplaced some money. I tried not to be frantic. I raced “home” to search through all my belongings! (I had put in the cooler bag that I took to the beach! What a ditz I am…).
