Alone again but not lonely.

I walk a lot when I am on the island. With staying in Centro (and the heat and humidity) I realized that I hadn’t done so this stay. So I got my runners on and walked to a wonderful breakfast with Jan & Bruce at Green Verde Restaurant. Here is the link. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/green-verde-breakfast-isla-mujeres-restaurant-feature-2026/

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.

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.

My first Beach Day. I was awake way too early but there happened to be an eclipse, so it was kinda worth it. I was loving the vibe at Hotel Las Palmas. Here is the link that I wrote about my stay. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/hotel-las-palmas-accommodation-feature-isla-mujeres-2026/

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…).

I had been to Casa Diego before and still wasn’t really sure where it was. We headed west from the apartment and I knew we would come to find it before we hit the red and white lighthouse. There was a small sign above a long hallway but there were also a whole bunch of sincere ambassadors who said “are you looking for Casa Diego? It is right there and the food is so good”. Fast forward to our departure and the same guys sincerely wanted to know if we enjoyed everything, which we absolutely did.

When we arrived we were supposed to ask for Remix, but ditz that I sometimes am, it got scrambled in my head and I inquired after Felix. Remix teased me about it when I was leaving.

Remix speaks amazing English and when we asked him about it he said that he was originally from Chiapas but he wanted to come to Isla Mujeres to learn more English. (Now his dreams include going to Quebec and the Rocky Mountains in Canada). He also wants to find ways to import Chiapas coffee to more and more restaurants on the island. Lastly, he is an artist, and a good one at that.

His boss, the owner Gerardo told us the story of discovering the amazing little oasis right smack in the centre of Centro. He named the space as a tribute to his late brother.

When he says that he “built the place with his own two hands” he means it as he pointed out the shelving and the jute chandeliers and the fountain in the corner (that he made last weekend). Truly a labour of love and all for his love of Diego who’s mural adorns the wall of the restaurant.

We started with an appetizer of seared tuna in a soya base marinade. The Asian twist on the recipe was unexpected but delicious.

My dinner date chose the Shrimp Medallions from the Mexican section of the menu. The crustaceans had been wrapped in bacon and baked with a grilled cheese adorning the top. The shrimp were perched upon a light tomato cream sauce. It was accompanied by a lovely serving of veggies and rice. He enjoyed it so much, he put half the dish aside to enjoy for lunch today.

I too chose shrimp. Mine was the Shrimp Pasta. The menu described it as white wine and garlic. There were also heaps of diced and sauteed onions in the dish and it was so flavourful! I have a Slavic heritage so I cannot get enough of onion and garlic. The shrimp were plentiful and juicy. The spaghetti in the dish had been cut so that I didn’t make a mess of myself eating it. That was very much appreciated.

At dessert time we were surprised by a delicious banana cake served a la mode, for us to share. Still the greatest surprise was the space itself. I never made it up to the second floor for live music. I will just have to find the casa again.

Kath’s quote: “A surprise can change everything in a heartbeat; cherish those moments.” – Emma Thompson

Love never fails.

The sun was fully up by the time I awoke that morning.

I caught a sunrise reflection in my kitchen window.

It was a gorgeous but cooler day, so we enjoyed an extended time around the pool.

I napped several times in the hammock.

Me and my guy loving our lives.

We walked into town with Richard & Melinda. I captured this shot of her along the way.

We spent Happy Hour at El Patio and then met up for dinner at Asia Caribe to wish brother Kelly and Sister-in-law Lorraine good-bye.

We watched the Jets game at Nash’s and then walked home. La Lomita was all light up that evening.

We were trying to savour each moment by then.

Kath’s quote: ““The present moment is all you ever have.” – Eckhart Tolle

Love never fails.