Serendipia

Sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the right time!  Here are some serendipitous moments from our February/March trip.

By the way, I translated serendipity to Spanish and serendipia popped up.  Acquiring a new Spanish word never hurts!

We were at Bally Hoo for a late breakfast and noticed a small panga come ashore with their fresh catch.  The lobsters were plopped into an ice-filled cooler and within minutes the fishermen were inside Bally Hoo and the manager was picking the ones he wanted.  (And yes, this was in February during the legal lobster season.)

Another February morning I was out early and just happened to catch the sun peeking through the mermaid.

During the two hours when we were waiting for a Carnaval parade to begin, this guy was rockin' it with some ladies dancing in front of Mininos!

Another day after lunch, I caught these little boys on the boat.
 

One evening, I remembered I wanted a photo of the new Isla Mujeres sign on the malecon when it was lit.  People love to pose with the sign, and this happened while I was waiting my turn.  Perfect!

Serendipity = a fortunate happenstance, a pleasant surprise.  I'll take it!

Everyday Isla

 

School girls walking down Guerrero in the afternoon.

 

Squeezing a van around a truck delivering concrete blocks on Matamoras.  How did the rearview mirror clear the truck?

Eloy on his daily rounds selling salty snacks.

 

The Tuggui man selling treats.

 

Hanging at the beach (no pun intended).

 

One of my favorite vendors on his daily rounds.

 

Daytrippers in colorful hats!

 

A malatero on Guerrero.

 

Speedy beer delivery to the Face Bar.  I love watching these guys toss the cases of beer up and down.

Blowing the conch at Mininos.  Day is done!

 

 

Murals Everywhere

Back in the early years of our travels to Isla Mujeres, I was fixated on taking photos of political ads on walls. If you look carefully, you can still see the names of past El Presidentes on old walls around the island.

The island's evolved and now it's a game to search out new murals to photograph every trip.  Some of these have been around for awhile, but I just happened upon them my last two visits to the island.

I'm a Frida lover.  This mural's at Tres Mentiras on Hidalgo, a great place to imbibe Isla Mujeres Brewing Company beer and eat street tacos! 

Part of a lovely mural painted on the courtyard wall at the Rocamar.

 

Jenny Penny's been painted with a new mural!  Love it!

 

This lovely mural's finished now.  The artist was painting it when I was on the island in November/December.

I'm not sure if this is a banner or a mural, but its placement gave me a good laugh.  The King of Kings in the cemetery now presides over a Coco Loco business.

Mural on the Medina side of the airport.

 

Mural on a casa in El Centro.

Sidewalk murals.

 

Mural on the wall by the cultural center.

 

Mural on Casa D Ghetto or Casa D Chetto in El Centro.

More Tres Mentiras artwork.

 

 

Mural on a Juarez casa.

 

 

This one's on the malecon side of the Cultural Center.

 

 

Another on the Medina side of the airport.

 

 

Mural on the side of a colonia casa.

 

The steps.

 

Tres Mentiras.

 

 

Craig's favorite mural.

 

 

I know I'm in trouble for that last one!  It's a cloudy blustery day in Arizona, so I need a laugh!

 

 

Avenida Juarez -- Isla Mujeres

My favorite street on the island has always been Avenida Juarez.  In addition to being the most colorful street, it's also the best place to people watch as locals go about their daily business.  Here are some of my Juarez shots from the past few trips.

 

In December after annoying locals for years with my camera, I finally got punked on Juarez while taking photos of a procession.  LOL  It's about time!

Walking on Water: Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres

Some people love to sunbathe.  Us -- not so much.  Our favorite past time at the beach is water walking.  We love to take the plunge and walk from one end of Playa Norte to the other out by the buoy line.  We found out February water temps are slightly chillier than November/December -- probably in the high 70's -- but still very doable.  By March, the water was wonderful and warming up!

He used to hate going to Playa Norte, but like me, just loves to get in and walk.  It's good exercise!

Small pangas drop sightseers and snorkelers just beyond the buoy line towards the eastern side of Playa Norte. 

One of the smaller Albatross boats drops anchor just beyond the buoys so daytrippers can enjoy Playa Norte.

The Punta Sam car ferry crosses the northern tip of the island on its way to the dock.

 

Fenix Beach Club by the Mia bridge.

This guy makes it look so easy!

 

 

Happy Monday!  I've been back four days now and have almost recovered from jet lag.  Hope 2017's treating everyone well!