Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for our excellent Captain and the watchful eyes of your servant Chalo. Nervous giggles and smooth sailing from here on out. The tequila took care of the nervous giggles and Apache DID promise us a good time. True to his word…..let’s continue on around the bend by The Avalon Hotel. That is a pretty hotel from this distance. I’ve toured the grounds, lovely, Kings Pool is magnificent it, the rooms are crappy. That’s why I opt for private houses. Which is why I am glad we are on the east side of the island. I’ve stayed in a few homes along the way. Casa El Pio, La Mission, now Casa Tranquila, very fond memories at Casa Luna Turquesa (Hey Arturo, Hey Tequila Tuesday, Hey BaraFish, Hey Steff and Laurie!), been in Casa Morgan (Hola Jim and Carmita) but my favorite spot of all (thus far) is The Shell House.
Apache had the boat at full throttle again. It was difficult to say the least trying to get photos of this side of the island. We waved at the Lobster Fisherman, wanted to act like Girls Gone Wild and show our Hooters to the yacht cruising past, mine would just flap and hit me in the face so I kept the girls tucked in! The water on this side of the island is darker, mystical-like. This is where the big dawgs swim; giant sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, more sharks, dolphins. Apache says it’s best to just cruise and not swim on this side of the island. The water gets very “choppy and rough -too many accidents – ha! Accidents!
Holy Monstrosity Batman! What is that looming behind The Shell House? From where we are at the house, you don’t see the lumbering half finished giant of a condo. Word on the island is they ran out of money when it came to putting in the sewage system. The locals didn’t want that condo cutting into their lines so, the building remains empty. I could ride my high horse on this but it’s only my island for a few days at a time so whoa Big Pony!
So here are a few shots of The Shell House – always wondered what the cruise ship passengers see.
Coming to the end of the island – Punta Sur. Those who’ve been to Isla Mujeres know this is the first part of Mexico that sees the sunrise. The islanders and now a lot of tourists come to the end of the island to catch the first sunrise of the New Year. I’ll do that someday.
There are numerous statues at this end of the island. Why? Don’t make me go there. The only one that belongs is the Mayan Man holding an offering (it seems) towards the heavens. Some of the others look like worn out dildos. Apache doesn’t care for the way this end of the island has become. Commercialism has taken away the natural beauty and this area was one of the remaining “holdout” spots the locals could call their own. What Apache does like about this end of the island are the fish. Delicious Dinner!!
See those two rocks out there? You can cross over to them when the tide is low but hold on to your buts and pray for daylight if you miss the tide or fall off those bad boys. At that Chalo laughed out loud! What? Translated by Apache, Chalo said he has been knocked off those rocks by giant waves when a storm was heading to the island. Apache and Chalo do a lot of fishing in this area. Spear fishing. I’ve seen their catch of the day and I’ll just stay in the boat. 
And there is the Mayan Ruin of Fertility (Island of Women, remember!) I heard that if a female touches that ruin, she will become pregnant. In 2006 Steff, Laurie and I (with escort Enrique something) witnessed what I call The Great Conjunction that happens every 50 years. The moon and Sun rise at the same time, their lights shine at a certain angle which causes a triangle to form at the right corner base of the ruin…It signifies something to the Mayan Culture. We thought it a blast to witness a piece of history (that’s another story).
But we’re not here to talk about statues and slippery rocks, it’s almost snorkel time!!
JACKIE HAS COME ALIVE!!!! SHE’S ALIVE!!! Jackie has been waiting patiently all week to get her snorkel on. Well baby, here’s your ocean!
Now I don’t know if you know or remember that we have been drinking steadily since 10AM and three of the Syllables were going into the water….to snorkel…with giant fins and a tiny breathing apparatus.
Kodi was ‘tipsier” that she thought. Apache was worried about her getting into the water. He would have Chalo be as close to her as permissible while keeping an eye on Jackie as well.
Sorry Kodi but this picture is hilarious!
Jackie would be fine. Strong swimmer and ready to go. Nady would feed the fish tortillas and cookies while I took photos and kept Apache company.
Apache showed us the GIANT BOUYS that let the fishermen know snorkelers and divers are in the area. Duly noted. We circled around for a few minutes so Apache could adjust to the current. Okay Jackie.
In ya go. If it weren’t broad daylight, I could swear I saw fireworks in the sky as Jackie entered the water. We gave her the ocean. Watched her float and sway – totally a mermaid. Kodi followed, after a quick lesson on how to breathe through the snorkel tube. That girl was ready to go without it, without a life vest, just going for broke. She hit the water flopping like a flounder until she got her bearings. I’m amused that Kodi can handle the water. Her greatest fear was being in such an expanse of water. Nothing like the lakes back home, this is the EF’n OCEAN!!
Chalo is making sure Jackie is alright - he thinks she cute!
Circling around them for a few "I WAS THERE" shots.
Oh My Gawd! DID YOU SEE THAT?
As Kodi, Chalo and Jackie became one with the sea, Apache, Nady and I shot the bull. We assisted Apache with keeping the buoy/dots in view as not to run over our own peeps and to keep the gas fumes out of their air tubes. Nothing could be worse than sucking Mexican carbon fumes.
Did I tell ya that we haven’t eaten all day – well, if ya wanna call Rum, Pineapple, chips and cookies a light brunch, be my guest. I brought snacks for the fish. Apache wanted to toss my Green Haired Troll in the water to attract more fish – Dude – you’d be a part of the permanent sculptures down below if you toss my troll! Nady to the rescue. Took this shot which she doesn’t remember!!
DINNER!!!!!!
These fish like tortilla chips better than chocolate cookies. Fabulous opportunity for pictures cuz this is as close as I’m gonna get to getting into that ocean.
Nady decides to put on the snorkel mask hoping that would help get her nerves together to plunge into the water. She’s an excellent swimmer but this much water can be daunting. I’m no fool – I have my camera as an excuse to stay boat side.
Here’s a hilarious turn which NADY DOES NOT REMEMBER DOING!!
She asked Apache if he would hold her (uh-huh) while she put her face in the water. Apache looked at me, I whistled and turn the other direction!! She’s kinda diggin’ Apache - - me? All I have are my trolls – my luck huh! The boat was put in park (in case he lost his grip, she wouldn’t be chopped by the blades), Nady giggling and getting in position – Apache is all smiles and here are the shots!
I was laughing so hard I nearly went overboard – SAVE the camera!!! I tossed more chips into the water, Apache tightened his grip and Nady was all smiles each time she came up for a decent breathe of air. “GIRL!! You gotta try this!! Those fish are enormous!!!” “I pass – knock yourself out!”
Don’t ask me how long my Chicas enjoyed the ocean. I was ecstatic that all the planning to get them here has paid off in spades. I know they won’t forget this day, near death experience in the past. My girls, my ocean, my island, our memories.
Water-logged. Thirsty. Underwater photos taken…Chalo dove deep for their photos 25 feet down. Legs exhausted. Time to come on board. Jackie, Kodi and Chalo came aboard and immediately began shivering. Beer and Tequila to warm the insides, dry towels to warm the outside.
Kodi and Chalo with Apache leaving his mark overhead!
Gonna be a pretty sunset...Apache realized I am a photographer since I was fiddling with the knobs and dials - checking for glare from the water and movement from the boat. – “You never get in the water. Why?” "Amazing how I come to this island and remain dry 95% of the time. "I love, respect and admire the water, I never said I’d get in it."
Kodi dove back in without gear so she could enjoy the freedom of being in the sea – she overcame her greatest fear – being one with the ocean….no shoes, no shirt, no snorkel, put your swim top back on, no problem (sorry Kenny C.).
Nady got her nerve up again. She was going in this time. Chalo said he would go back in with her.
Private adventure for Nady – she came up sputtering – “They’re trying to eat me!!!” Apache said “Fish only eat what is delicious!” Nady blushed and I cracked up.
Sunset and tequila - good friends - great Captain and Co-Captain.....a perfect Friday evening
We thought we’d try our hand at a bit of fishing before it got too dark – wouldn’t that be fabulous to have Apache cook our last Isla dinner for us – we have more tequila and fixing’s at the house – fingers crossed – come on fish and take the bait!
Jackie and Nady took turns with the pole – I lost track of Kodi. I tuned out the boat, the chatter and in the moment...
I began to sing this song (Alejandro Fernandez ,Canta Corazon) – need I say I shed a tear into my beloved’s water.
Canta corazón, que mis ojos ya la vieron por aquí, que he soñado con su risa, que he pasado por su casa,
que ha venido porque quiere ser feliz.
Canta corazón, que el amor de mis amores ya está aquí, que he guardado cada carta que escribí con las palabras que sembraste en cada beso que te dí.
Y con el tiempo te pensaba aferrada a mis manos y con la lluvia consolaba tu ausencia en los años
y con el tiempo yo sabía que algún día morirías por volver.
Te lo dije cantando, te lo dije de frente, que sin mis besos no puedes empezar una mañana
y sacarme de tu vida y de tu mente.
Canta corazón, que en la vida estaba escrito que ella y yo éramos Abril y Marzo,
una gota en el desierto, que íbamos a estar tan juntos como la Luna y el Sol.
translated:has come because he wants to be happy.
Sing heart,the love of my life is here! I've saved every letter I wrote with the words
you planted in every kiss I gave you.
And in time I thought my hands clutching rain and consoled in the years of your absence
and eventually I knew that someday die for return
I told you singing, I told you from the front without my kisses you can not start a morning
and me out of your life and your mind.
Sing heart, that life was written that she and I we were in April and March,
a drop in the desert we'd be so close as the Moon and the Sun.
My private moment over.
The sun has set.
Our memories of The EF'N Friday is etched into our gray matter.
Jackie is becoming nauseated by the fumes and lack of sustenance. Nady is giddy and loud with happiness. Kodi is telling us once again how she’s overcome her greatest fear. Chalo is quietly guiding us back to the dock and Apache and I don’t want the day to end. Sadly but merrily we find our safe harbor and I almost bust my ass getting these hips out of the boat.
Fees and ENORMOUS tips left to our Men of the Day. Gracias fellas - we have GOT to do this again.
We were to turn Apache's golf cart in to him after the ride but since we had a great time and tequila does funny things to the mind, he said we could keep it for the night and he would take us to the ferry in the morning – damn ferry.
Hunger is the word of the evening. I know they would love the Ballpark Taco place – we drove by the latest location in the colonia – closed – WTF? He would be open by 10PM. What time is it now? 8:45. I could wait cuz I know how awesome it is – they couldn’t so we followed my nose to a taco stand not far away – more like a tortilla factory by day, restaurant by night. Who wants what? Jackie is in search of the elusive Torta – Nady, Kodi and I don’t care at this point. So I order Torta’s, cochinita pibil and barbacoa tacos. We’ll round out the meal with the foods we have left at the house. Why is it you buy stuff you think you will finish on vacation but never do – guess that’s a ritual we all go through.
Home to the Shell, exhausted, elated, emaciated. That first bite was heaven in a clamshell. The Torta wasn’t quite what Jackie was expecting – we have time in (EEWWW) Cancun tomorrow to find one for you. We sucked down our meal as we had more tequila reliving the events of the day. Robert from next door came to check on us – we’re fine – sunburned and happy.
Guess it’s close to midnight and my Three Chicas are heading to La-La Land. Me – I spend the last few hours talking with Isla. Tequila, the ocean waves, friends safe behind me as I wait for the dawn on a lounge chair.
Sweet time, slow down. Sweet Isla, thank you for a rockin’ week of adventures.
My Chica’s, ride the memory train with me anytime.
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