A Slice of Island History

It's Saturday, so I'm sharing something special from Facebook.  It's a slice of Isla Mujeres history found on Recuerdos de Isla Mujeres' Facebook page posted by Temo Zurita.  I collect old photos, so I naturally fell in love with this slideshow from my favorite little island.  The music's also fantastico!  Take a step back in time to Isla before the masses arrived.

Cocos! Cocos! Mama Mia, Mama Mia, Coconuts!

On Isla Mujeres, you can identify vendors by sounds.  One of my favorite refrains on Playa Norte signals the approach of the man who sells coconuts. I think his name is Felipe. He's been plying the sand of Playa Norte for as long as I've been visiting the island.  If you listen carefully, you'll hear his distant call.  

I took this video on Playa Norte in late November 2011.  Also take a look at the tide line and notice how much sand's been added since then. 

Mama mia, mama mia, coconuts! Hola amigo! Coconuts, coconuts!  Here he comes in his black apron with his machete.





 We've had a special relationship for years.  A friend of mine used to make a cat yowling sound whenever Coco Man passed and he'd just laugh and yell  Hola Amigo!!!  Later, when I'd be on the island solo, I'd let Coco Man know it was me with the same sound.  The first time I tried it, he came running over laughing, yelling Mamacita, Cuchi Cuchi!   He scared the living daylights out of me!  LOL  Now that Craig's retired and always with me, Coco Man yells out Hola Amiga!

On a recent trip when he spotted some topless women, he added Coco's, Chi Chi's, Coco's, Chi Chi's, Cuchi Cuchi to his song.  He's quite the character!


Love this man and hope to see him on the beach for a LONG time! He's an island icon! 

Next trip I will . . .

We missed our trip in November due to the bike debacle, so I've had time to think about the opportunities I waste when I'm in Paradise.  As the sign says, Imagine, Dream, Believe -- and build that to do list. 


Next trip I will . . . 

Strap on the gear and snorkel at Garrafon.   I've been like Goldilocks with water temps over the years in the tropics.  If the water's not just right, I make excuses for not taking the plunge.  Wonder if the same little old man is still selling tickets? 

Spend an afternoon on the back porch at El Varadero drinking Mojitos and watching the boats pass.  And don't forget the guacamole and chips!

Stick my head through the Poc Chuc menu board and once again get my photo taken.  In fact, Craig and I need to pose for photos multiple times.  He's afraid when I'm gone, there will be no photos because I hate having my picture taken!

Savor every sunset!

Snorkel under the bridge at Avalon Cove.  Yes, I know fish aren't as plentiful there, but kids were chasing mantas on one of our last trips. 

Swim or water walk in the water off Playa Norte everyday!  No excuses!

Hunt through the cemetery and find Mundaca's grave.  Geez Louise!  How long have I been traveling to Isla?

Add a visit to the bead ladies shop to buy some earrings, a tour of the turtle farm, dinner at Limon, and what the heck -- maybe a trip down the zipline at Garrafon to that list!  Hmmmmm.

Build that list!