Monday Monday

The song should go -- Monday Monday, bizarro day. Monday, we saw a few strange things. While sitting on Playa Norte Monday morning, we saw schools of fish flying out of the water. Craig explained they do that to escape predators. Earlier out in the water, he'd sworn he saw a huge fish -- so that must have been the predator! We've seen rays flying in and out of the water off Cabo, but this was a first on Playa Norte for me.

Craig came in off the balcony in the afternoon and said most of the people on the Albatross anchored off Playa Norte were buck-ass naked. Of course, I had to get the binoculars immediately! Sure enough -- buck-ass naked! The crew of the boat were up on the front looking away from the exhibitionists. I guess it was a nude cruise in addition to being a booze cruise! What's that Jimmy Buffet song? Why don't we get drunk and . . . . Later, they attached people to a parachute and were swinging them off the back of the boat. I grabbed the binoculars again, but this time Donnie Dangler had donned his swimsuit!

Later at Bally Hoo for fish and chips, we ended up with great breezy seats for the Cuban/Caribbean concert taking place over by La Tigrena. And the fish and chips were very tasty!

We saw more people on the beach Monday, so I think traffic is picking up a bit! And there were daytrippers on Medina. Good news! Here are some of my favorite Isla watercolors from our Monday.

Entrance to Playa Norte by Ixchel

El Centro at Sunrise

Oleander on Juarez.

Orange and white umbrellas.

Another scene from the mercado mural.

Mercado wall.

Yellow boat.

Isla clothesline.

Chi Chi's sign.

Sunday Afternoon

After breakfast on Sunday, we changed into swimsuits and headed down to the beach. Doogan would have been thrilled because the two women who plopped down right next to us on the loungers proceeded to strip and hang the chi chi's out to dry. If you've got it, flaunt it? But if the girls are saggin', they'll be a draggin'! Their coconuts didn't hang lower than their skirts, but it wasn't all that attractive. Tee hee. Sorry Doogan. No pictures.

We hung out for a couple of hours. I swam a few laps up and down in the water. The water temp is great right now. Not bathtub water by any means, but very refreshing. Around 11:30, we decided to head back to the room, shower, and try the ribs at the Soggy Peso.

We arrived out there a little too early, following instructions I'd read on the message board about the need to arrive around 12:00 p.m. in order to get a table. For anyone interested, after 1:00 p.m. is more accurate. Manuel took our drink orders and we settled in. This really is a cool bar!

Local Fauna

The bouncer.

Believe me, I didn't lift the lid to look in the mirror!!!

Manny let us know shortly after 1:00 p.m. that the ribs were ready and we ordered. We decided to split a full rack. Another group came into the bar about that time. Jim and Carmita along with a couple who looked very familiar but I just couldn't place them. Duh. It was Cancun Tom and Suzy. They invited us to join them and we took them up on their kind offer. Once our ribs arrived, Craig and I swiftly inhaled the plate before I even thought to take a photo. Tom and Suzy were kind enough to let me photograph theirs!

Yummmm!

And is Suzy cute or what!

At one point, Mr. Bo came in. He looks like he's enjoying his new life on Isla, and his old Texas license tag is hanging from the palapa roof! After several hours of good company, we decided to head back to the condo for a little afternoon nap. We were going to take a cab, but decided just to walk back to town in an effort to burn off some of the calories.

I stopped several times along the way to take a few more photos.

The restaurants seem to be getting very creative!

Looks like an old boyfriend?

Reminds me to order lobster one of these nights!

The look back at the walk home!

Sunday seemed pretty busy on the island, but I think a lot of the people were Mexican daytrippers. Lots of boats dropped anchor off Playa Norte. Once evening came, the crowds seemed to have filtered away, back to Cancun on the ferry. Our walk around town on Sunday night reminded me of the first time we visited Isla in 2002 after Easter. Pleasantly slow. Arriving at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, the traffic on Medina was almost non-existent! Muy tranquilo! I told Craig to enjoy, because the island will be crowded once again soon.

The Best Part of Wakin' Up!

What can I say! It's hard to stay in bed in a place like this! We were both up at dawn because we were afraid we'd miss the beautiful views of the early morning beach and the sunrise. In fact, we were up pre-dawn on the veranda gazing at the stars and listening to the waves.

We decided to head out early for our morning walk down Medina and take some photos along the way.

After admiring the boats, we cut back towards El Centro along the malecon on the Caribe side. It's nice to see it still intact -- no storm damage this year!

Walking along the malecon, Craig commented on the blight. I tend to see the flora and simple artwork instead.

After strolling down Media Luna beach in a quest for seaglass, we cut back in through the market to buy orange juice and some fresh fruit. Just look at the colors of Mexico in that mercado!

And more beautiful Caribe colors along the walk back to the condo.

Sweet rolls from the back of the truck that sits at the end of Hidalgo nightly -- papaya and orange juice from the market.

A breakfast table with a view!

Truly priceless!

Heaven, I'm in Heaven!

Forget the hour sitting on the tarmac in Phoenix while the pilot looked at photos of the weather in the Gulf. Forget the extra hour getting through immigration and customs in Cancun because it was a Saturday. We arrived just in time to view the sunset from heaven. As Craig said, this is what a vacation should always be!

Saby was a little bummed to see us leaving with out packed bags, but she had a scheduled play date with Michael and another doggy friend, so she'll be fine.


The weather in Cancun looked a little dark upon arrival, but once we were out on that water headed for Isla, our hassles with the long travel day just floated away.

We arrived at our room just in time to take in the glorious sunset from on high.

As the sun sank below the horizon, people below frolicked on Playa Norte. These women appeared to be having a very Zen experience.

Looking down the beach away from the sunset -- more incredible views in the fading light.

Honey, I could LIVE here! This is the life!

You know what they say. Red sky at night, sailor's delight! Tomorrow should be wonderful!

Stay tuned! : )

Isla Bound!

By the sea, By the beautiful sea, You and me, Oh! how happy we'll be.

This song keeps running through my head! I haven't been able to shut it down all week. Anyway, by this evening, we should be up on a veranda overlooking the sea, and I'm sure we'll be mucho happy! : ) Woo hooooooo!