A quick morning walk as I had lots of writing to get to.

Even after almost 20 years of visiting, this quirky island always brings me joy. Like one set of neighbours who long ago made a balcony railing out of empty wine bottles.

Or other neighbours who fill their golf cart with plastic crates. They place the crates in their unoccupied parking spot while they are out running errands.

If you want a great vantage to see the diversity of Isla, sit in one of the municipal loncherias. On this day I was awaiting my friends Jan and Bruce who ended up treating me to lunch at the 4th loncheria. The food was great and the catch up visit was even better.

I ordered the pork chop so that I would get fries. You might find that silly but the fries were so good it was worth it and there was enough pork for a second meal!

The watermelon water was also delicious.

I was going to be joined by my dear friend Karen on the island soon, so I checked out her new digs just across from Centro beach.

I love staying in Centro where there is always a water view, just moments away.

I was drawn to Centro Beach again at sunset and then hopped a bus with Sister Sue to visit our Isla friend Criss Medina at her new restaurant in the former Sesso Locos.

We met her daughter Dani who is managing Riconcito Kahlo.

There was a wonderful trio playing and the ambience was so lovely. Our dinner was first class and you can read all about it here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-features-riconcito-kahlo/

Home early. Started reading Stanley Tucci’s fascinating book (with recipes!)

Kath’s quote: “Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven”.– John Lubbock

Love never fails

I sprang from bed and walked my walk.

Little did I know that I would get glued to my beach chair (but not at the beach) for most of the day. I was so enthralled by my book and finished it. Erin French-Finding Freedom. If you are a foodie it is absolutely delicious!

I did manage a little shop so I would snack on wholesome food as I read. I also went and visited Hortencia and her family.

At Happy Hour downstairs my friend Penny heard me lamenting about drinking wine from a coffee cup and loaned me hers for my time left at the apartment! There is a lovely circle of new Isla friends staying here.

Sister Sue and I dined at Kokonuts where my gorgeous friend Sylvia has moved her staff from Sardinia Smile.

Dinner was scrumptious. Read all the details here: https://foodmusings.ca/uncategorized/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-feature-kokonuts-sardinian-smile/

Another perfect day in paradise.

Kath’s quote: There is not in Italy what there is in Sardinia, nor Sardinia what there is in Italy.-Francesco Cetti

Love never fails.

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.

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.

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.

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.