GoPro Isla…
Here are just some fun shots with my son’s GoPro camera on my last visit. This will be my last trip to Isla Mujeres. It has become “discovered” by daytrippers and HGTV, and it just isn’t the same to me. Adios, Isla…I will cherish the memories.
Isla Mujeres Spring Break 2011 – Part III
So, when I first got to Isla on this trip, I started out at the Suites los Arcos. I didn’t get any pictures of it, but I was not impressed. It’s average at best, and overpriced at $98 a night. Maybe it would have been better if I had had a room with a balcony overlooking Hidalgo. At any rate, I left after two nights and spent the next night at the Rocamar…better priced at $72 a night. I’ve never stayed here before, but how could you go wrong with a view like this? The rooms are very stark and basic, but very clean. It’s nice to be able to sleep with the door open so you can hear the waves.
Like I said…stark and basic…
Looking the other way. There’s a safe and a fridge in that cabinet on the right. This room had one of those see-through bathrooms.
I can see why they added the curtains. This would be WAY too much information if you’re traveling with a friend.
It’s such a welcome view every time you walk into the room…
Not to mention the sunrise in the morning…
They didn’t have a room for my last two nights there, so I set out walking to find something else. I’ve always heard good things about the Maria Leticia, so I stopped in to see if they had a vacancy. I didn’t expect them to because I know they have quite a following of regulars who book way in advance to stay here. But luck was with me and they had a room for both nights…at $350 pesos per night. You can’t beat that with a stick.
Again, very basic, but I really felt at home here. I loved the windows that offered a cross breeze and didn’t even use the air conditioning at night. The beds are comfortable and I also felt very safe here. (Although I’ve never felt UNsafe on Isla.)
Nice little kitchen area with a full-sized fridge and coffee maker. This was the only place I stayed at on this trip that had de Pelicula on TV…the station that plays old black and white Mexican movies. Sweet.
Small bathroom but everything worked great and the water pressure was fine.
The little courtyard is nice with all the flowers and palm trees. The owner is very watchful and you feel like he’s very protective of his guests. I would highly recommend the Maria Leticia…it’s convenient to everything, yet you feel like you’re off the beaten path when you are in your room.
Walking down Rueda Medina, I had never noticed this before. Where have I been??
I can never remember what they call these things…
I love checking out what the fishermen bring in in the morning. Quite a catch, huh?
Imagine how many fish have been filleted on these tables on the beach…
I went shell and sea glass hunting along the malecon. I walked along most of the craggy beach there which is no small feat because some of that area is very rough and rocky.
I didn’t see much of anything in the way of shells or sea glass. But I WAS fortunate enough to find a seahorse…
I checked out Vivian’s Qubano this time around and had the Cuban sandwich. Delicious as always.
This was the first time I had a watermelon water, though. Absolutely wonderful! Definitely get one if you go there.
I didn’t even know she had a back patio area. I always prefer eating outside. Cute, colorful little area.
Bally Hoo has become a favorite place to hang out because it’s just so relaxing and always has a nice breeze. It’s a perfect place to watch all the boat activity.
This little guy belonged to a some people who had a boat on this dock. His owner would walk down the pier and this sweetie would hurry behind him trying to keep up. But his feet were so small, he keep tripping on the spaces between the boards. You can get an idea of his size by comparing him with the foot in the upper left-hand part of the photo. It was definitely one of those “Awwwww” moments.
And some more sunsets from day 3…
Part IV coming up!
Isla Mujeres Spring Break 2011 – Part II
When I started posting on this Isla trip, I was going to just do brief little reports with maybe 10-15 pictures each. Well, after uploading about 35 photos on this post, I guess that thought went by the wayside, so here’s just another photo-heavy report from me.
One of my first stops on this trip was the Mango Cafe. It had been a couple years since I had been there and I’ve heard so many great things about it, I had to try it again. I’m glad I did.
Cute little place…
Here’s the menu…at least when I was there last month…
The group sitting at the table next to me recommended the West Indies Tacos…so that’s what I went with. OMG…they were absolutely delicious! The peanut coconut sauce was a wonderful complement. The dish comes with three large tacos which is actually too much for one person. So, if you’re going with someone else, you can definitely split one dish. I got through half of the first taco and realized I hadn’t taken a picture, so I had to reorganize my plate for a photo. That’s what happens when you’re digging into good food.
This place is across the street. I never tried it out but I like the iguana…
Just some shots in the area…
A couple of cuties across the street…
They happened to be giving cat and dog vaccinations that day right across the street from the Mango Cafe…
They wanted me to get a picture…
This cute guy kept pawing at his mistress. I can just imagine what he was trying to say… “Please take me home…please, please, please!”
This guy looked like he wanted to be in on the “fun”. I’m thinking he wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much if he had been there.
One of my quests on this trip was to find the Chuuk Kay restaurant. I drove my golf cart all over the place going towards Punta Sur but didn’t find it. On the way back, I stopped at Oscar’s and took this picture of the marina in the back. Unique use of the canoe or kayak or whatever that is…
Maybe this guy was looking for the Chuuk Kay, too, and was as lost as I was…
But then I found the El Veradero restaurant which I knew was close to the Chuuk Kay. I got out and looked around. I didn’t get any shots of El Veradero, but this was the building behind it…
And here was their “guard dog.” Pretty darn ferocious, huh? Yep, anybody coming into contact with this guy might just start crying because he looks so sad. He was a sweetie.
So, the Chuuk Kay really was right next to the El Veradero…
It’s a pretty large place sitting on the lagoon…
I got there in the early afternoon and there was no one there…
I just had a beer and thought I was going to come back at some time for dinner, but never made it, unfortunately.
Here’s one page of their menu…
And they have really cool bathroom sinks…
If you’re not sure where they’re located, just head down Rueda Medina toward the south end and watch for these signs…
Stopped by Jax one evening to sit on the upper level. I’m not a big Jax fan. I use them for their internet, but they’re a little too Americanized for me. I always get something to eat if I use their internet. Their nachos were okay…a little too cheesy.
But the views from the top floor are pretty darn good as the sun starts to set…
I ran into Sergio this time around. He looked healthy and happy, although he wasn’t on his bicycle. He had lots of batiks on display…
I already have two, but I bought another one for my son who just moved into a new apartment…
This is the one in my living room. Yeah, it’s kind of grisly, but he didn’t have much of a selection when I picked this one, and I do like the colors. When I was robbed last December and the police came to dust for fingerprints, I saw one of the officers take a double-take at this wall hanging. He probably thought I was some weird demonic witch-like person who likes to eat hearts. Haha!
On a final note, he was giving out little free samples which I thought was a really sweet touch. My son gave me this little jewelry case last Mother’s Day, and I have never been able to figure out what to put in the photo frame. Sergio solved that problem. Talk about perfect, right?
Stay tuned for Part III…maybe it will actually be under 35 photos.
Random Travel Musings 