Merry Christmas!

We're enjoying Christmas in the Northwest this year, but wherever you are, beach, mountains, or plains, we want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!  We actually saw some white stuff yesterday and it wasn't sand!

 

Happy Holidays 2016!

 

 

 

Some Beach, Somewhere . . . .

No words needed today.  Just some beach shots from Isla Mujeres in December!

Day is Done, Gone the Sun.

Today I'm posting some of the December sunsets from my recent Isla trip.  Where I photographed them depended on how far I made it on my mad dash to the other side of the island on foot or by taxi.  It's harder for me to catch a sunset this time of year since it's a little earlier!

This is my favorite sunset of the trip taken through the Isla Mujeres fish arches.  (At least that's what I call them!)

Sun worshippers linger on the Posada del Mar beach while the beach guys gather loungers and sombrillas. 

 

We walked into town this evening.  We made it to the beach across from the Navy base right as the sun was setting.

Serendipity!  I just happened to catch this couple in the foreground waiting for the sun to drop.

 

Another night we were craving Barlito's smoked buffalo wings with blue cheese dip.  Happy Hour at Barlito was wonderful with the smoked wings and grouper fish and chips. The sunset at Marina Paraiso was gratis!

 

 

Going . . . going . . . .

 

 

Day is done, gone the sun.

I Miss the Village!

The struggle is real.  I'm missing the village.

I miss the convenience of walking into town, plunking down in a chair overlooking the street at Mogagua, and ordering my 60 peso fruit plate with yogurt and granola for breakfast. 

 

Afterwards I stroll around El Centro.

 

 

Matamoras always seems to be festooned with street banners.  Locals must have a lot of fiestas on this street! 

 

Evidently I'm not alone in my love of people watching.  These giraffes stand on the curb everyday watching humans pass by.

 

A lone chair waits on the sidewalk on Juarez.  I imagine someone else watches the village pass by from that perch.

 

I photographed this woman strolling down Hidalgo decked out in local finery on one of my morning walks.

 

December's a special time of year on the island with Catholic confirmations and first communions for boys and girls.  This pretty young girl and family were walking down Hidalgo after a ceremony at the church.

It's always fun to spot Senor Queso Oaxaca walking the streets selling his cheese.

 

On this November morning walk, I noticed a mural painter with a work in progress.

 

Another morning I heard laughter above me and looked up to see men building a palapa.

 

Sometimes we're joined by furry friends on our morning walks.

 

 

 

Mary, from her position atop the church in the zocalo, occupies the ultimate people-watching perch.  I guess I'm in good company with my daily habit!

 

 

Luna Turquesa -- Our Heaven Away from Home

It's been soooo long since I posted on this blog -- I forgot my password.  I was recently on the island and reminded a few times that some people actually did read this blog!  That gave me a little motivation to continue.

I'm headed into a very busy time, but I'd love to post some photos from my month on Isla Mujeres in November/December.

Once again, we stayed at our favorite location on the island -- Casa Luna Turquesa.  This casa gets better and better with each year.  The inside's beautiful and well-maintained, and the location and views are spectacular!

We wake up most mornings from our oceanfront perch in the upper studio to a beautiful sunrise!

Beam me up!

 

This one seems biblical!

 

It's all about the rays!

 

And beautiful ribbons of orange and yellow in the sky!

 

 

As the day progresses, the beach and sea evolve into a pastel landscape.  Almost Monet-esque!

 

 

Most days, I take a mid-afternoon stroll at the shoreline to add to my display of sea treasures.  That's a washed up perfume bottle in the middle filled with tiny tidbits of seaglass.

 

 

Evening approaches and the coastline becomes even more spectacular.  The view extends all the way to the northern tip of the island.  That pink building in the distance is the Mia Reef!

 

For those not familiar with the island, the house sits towards the southern end of an area referred to as the airport strip, easily walkable to town and direct oceanfront.  The airport referred to in the location is a small former seldom-used Navy airstrip.  When a helicopter or small plane lands, it's an event.  The strip is an area of beautiful oceanfront homes beginning at the southern end of the Navy base on the eastern side of the island.

 

Sometimes I hesitate to post about my little slice of heaven, but I hate being selfish.  The listing can be found on VRBO, and can also be rented through Isla Beckons.  Those two links contain professional photos of the casa and rental information.

 

I also want to mention Lynda Lock's new adventure novel set on Isla Mujeres, Treasure Isla!  It's available at that link as a download!    It's a great fun beach read.  For those who vacation or live on the island, you will love it!  Lynda weaves a lot of Isla Mujeres history and facts into the mystery adventure, and my little friend Sparky with his acute sniffer has a leading role in this novel!  Lynda's blog Notes from Paradise is also listed on the sidebar here.

 

I'm back, but soon off to the Pacific Northwest for Christmas!  Hopefully I can wedge in some quick posts of new Isla photos while I travel!

 

Feliz Navidad to everyone!