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Trip Reviews, Ratings and Comments - Trip Review - Judi and Jerry's Fourth Trip to Isla
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Our November 2000 Vacation on Isla Mujeres
Judi and I did many of the same things that were reported during our previous trip reports, so we won’t go into those this time; instead, we will tell of new experiences.
Day One:
While on our way the pilot announces that it is raining in Cancun. With rolling eyes we look at each other and go, “Oh, oh.” When we arrived the rain had stopped, the ground was wet and the sun was out. That was the closest we came to bad weather during our vacation, as it was perfect the entire time.
We arrived Isla, got our room, and headed out to purchase Autan, the spray that works so well in repelling those little No-see-ums and other little devils that seem to be in a few places on Playa Norte. The store located near the north-east corner of the town square has been remodeled, contains a pharmacy, has reasonable prices and is quite nice. It also sells Autan. We bought that and a few other things, deposited them in our new home and headed out to find Sergio’s new beach-bar, the Playa Sol.
While heading up Playa Caribbean, Judi says to me, “Is that Sergio?” This handsome young man is approaching us and the next thing I know he and Judi are hugging.
Seems he had recognized Judi and had come out to meet us. He introduced us to his girlfriend, Charrissa, and another lady. We had a pleasant visit here for awhile and then headed up to Zazil-Ha’s to partake of their delicious Guacamole and Nachos.
We then head for Buho’s and discover they no longer require the purchasing of tickets in order to get drinks. I never did like that ticket business, anyway. This way - the way everybody else does it - is more convenient for customers. Their timing for happy hour seemed to change by the day, but during our final day happy hour was 4 to 5 pm for both Buho’s bars. The bathrooms at Buho’s are in much better shape now than they were in March; they are now lighted, clean and no unpleasant bugs. They even smell good!
We had timed our arrival at Buho’s to meet Glauco and Roberta from Italy who had told us they would try to meet us here. Within minutes I recognize this handsome, young couple coming up behind us. What nice folks they are! Roberta started to tell us a story about someone, saying, “They were like you.” As the story unfolded it became obvious she was talking about “older” people. I had to laugh with this, but guess maybe you had to be there. Think about it. With her wonderful tone of voice as she says, “They were like you…” Oh, well, forget it.
We all then went to Sergio’s Playa Sol, with me thinking Zina might be there, buy she wasn’t.
Judi and I then returned to our hotel to do what folks do in hotel rooms (what are you thinking, folks?) and then headed for La Lomita where we enjoyed what we both felt was a good Garlic Shrimp dinner. (Other Garlic Shrimp dinners in other restaurants, as it turned out, were much better.) After dinner we did our usual walking around town and then returned to our room, where I eventually said, “Night, night, Baby.”
Day Two:
We awoke, do what you do at this time (this differs with all of us) and returned to La Cazuela M & J’s for breakfast to see if things would be different for us this time. During our previous visit, although the meals had been delicious, the wait for it had tested our patience. I ordered one of Marco’s very own creations (with Chaya!), while Judi ordered whatever it was (I think it had something to do with pancakes). Breakfast is served here until closing, which is sometime prior to the usual dinner hour. Our breakfasts were on our tables as quickly as one could expect. My order arrived still boiling, which is the way it’s supposed to be, and after a short wait for everything to cool down (and do wait for it to stop bubbling!) was absolutely delicious. Judi thoroughly enjoyed hers, too. Marco, the chef and one of the owners, came out to chat with us and it was nice to see him again. We highly recommend La Cazuela M & J’s for delicious meals. While enjoying our breakfasts on this Sunday morning, with the restaurant location providing an absolutely beautiful view of the Caribbean, it was also enjoyable listening to the singing going on in the church located right there.
Next was our boat trip around Isla. Without making prior arrangements we just showed up at a place located on Avenue Rueda Medina between the Hotels Vistalmar and Posada del Mar and told the man that we wanted to go around the entire island without stopping anywhere. They aren’t used to this as they usually, no matter where they take the tourists, stop at Playa Launcheros for lunch or dinner. There is some “you take care of me and I’ll take care of you” going on here. We settled on 500 pesos to go around Isla, just the two of us with he and a young man who may have been his son. This was a great little trip, which offered us the opportunity to get great photos and see Isla from an entirely new perspective. We highly recommend this to everyone and, since they don’t have to do anything but steer, we imagine that anyone with a boat will do it for you.
Back to our room and then up to Sergio’s Playa Sol to visit with him for awhile. While leaving and heading up Playa Norte, we hear this voice call, “Jerry, Jerry!” At first we don’t see anybody, but then see these arms waving and assume she’s waving to us. We walk towards her and meet Zina! Because of the way Zina and I communicate on the boards, I was armed with my best defense (duck and run fast), but this turned out to be unnecessary. It was nice meeting this lady with whom I’ve argued a bit on the boards. After a short visit with Zina, we headed up to Zazil-Ha. While there, we met Carol in St. Louis and Chris, her husband. We didn’t know they would be on Isla at this time, so were pleasantly surprised. After visiting with them for awhile, we headed to Buho’s and learned that one of the bartenders is named Danial. Buho’s, we must say, is not the same without either Sergio or Ivan there. It just isn’t. So do we go to places to be at those places, or do we go there to meet up with people we associate with those places? May I suggest it’s because of the latter? Buho’s will always be an attraction; after all, we returned there several times during this stay, but it isn’t what it was while those two guys still worked there. Ivan is in the States – Michigan, we’re told – while Sergio has moved on to his own Playa Sol. Nothing remains as it was, does it? Progress and change is where it’s at, we’re told, so either go with it or be left behind. I predict that Sergio’s new Playa Sol will soon be the new hot spot on Playa Norte.
While walking from Buho’s to Sergio’s Playa Sol, we hear this guy hollering to us from Chi Chita’s. While we are walking towards him we recognize him as Vincenti – and he is wearing Todd’s (from Maine) shirt! We had been unable to locate him during our previous trip and had left Todd’s shirt with Emilio to give to him. Until this moment we had been unsure of whether or not he had in fact received his shirt. After a short visit with him we continued on our way to Sergio’s Playa Sol.
We arrived at Sergio’s and while Judi headed for the bathroom I stood at the bar and ordered a Dos Equis and Diet Coke. While I’m standing there, this guy moves in and sits to my immediate right while this lady moves in and sits to my immediate left. They say nothing. I find myself wondering why these two folks chose to sit right here since all other seats are open, but let it go at that. I’m served our order and as I’m leaving to go sit at the table the guy says, “You don’t recognize me, do you?” Of course I don’t recognize him – I hadn’t looked at him. So I mumble something about his being Carol’s husband and to the lady I say that I recognize her as being Carol. She says, “I’m not Carol.” Oh, oh. What’s going on here? Just then this large, hulking guy walks around the corner and I immediately recognize him as Wes and I’m thinking that he isn’t supposed to be here until the next day. What the hell is going on? Quite to my surprise, he and I warmly great each other and the others introduce themselves as Lolita and John (Critter). Well, I immediately recognize them (after all, this is this first time I really looked at them). Talk about being surprised! Judi then returned and I introduced her to these three folks we had not expected to meet until the next day.
We all sit down at the table and proceed to have a great conversation about some of the things that have gone on with the boards. What none of us know (and everyone but Judi and I are right here finding out for the first time) is that a couple of others who frequent the message boards but who have never posted are sitting right behind us at the bar. We met them a few days later and this is how we learned they had been there. They were amazed that they happened to be there at this time, hearing all this that they were aware of from reading the boards and now hearing about it first-hand. I might suggest that in the future when this sort of thing is being discussed, that everyone be aware of who is around them. We never really know, do we? (And when we met them sometime later, we must say, they are among the most interesting, attractive and delightful people we met during this visit to Isla.)
For dinner, we return to the Velazquez Restaurant, where we both have a delicious Garlic Shrimp dinner. We notice they also charge that extra 10% tax. It’s worth it here, no matter the price.
We then walk around town and find our favorite Cornetto ice cream at Holando’s.
We return to our room, where I eventually say those words so familiar to My Honey.
Day Three:
We get up late, as this is the norm for us here (or everywhere, for that matter, if I have my way), and head for the Red Eye Café for breakfast. We have our usual, always with Inge’s delicious potato salad, and visit with Inge and Gus for awhile. Shortly after breakfast and when I’m standing at the street while Judi is shopping for something in a store on Avenue Hidalgo, I meet Chris Lane of the My Isla Mujeres.com message board and we visit for a time. He seems to be a nice enough guy. After a short visit, he moves on and so do we.
We eventually end up back at Sergio’s Playa Sol and meet Rogelio, Sergio’s right-hand man. “Hey You” and “Jello” are his nicknames. We run into Wes, Fran and Danette here and visit for a time. Then Judi and I move on to Zazil-Ha. After enjoying life here for longer than we should have, we head for Buho’s to meet all the folks who are supposed to be there; after all, this is the big meeting we have all been looking forward to attending.
At Buho’s were Alisha and Chris Lane, Wes, Zina, Lolita, John (Critter) and his wife Chris, Johanne, Glauco and Roberta (all the way from Italy!), Brant, Julie the webmaster, Carol from St. Louis and her husband Chris, and Chris’ parents and Judi and me. A few others whose names I don’t know were also there. I think I can safely speak for everyone by saying that we all had a great time.
Eventually we all started drifting off. Judi and I did, too, winding up at Rolandi’s to enjoy the pizza for which this place is so well known. We said hello to Inge and a few others as they walked by.
Once again we walked to the town square where we so much enjoy the company of Isla’s residents.
We returned to our room and then back to Sergio’s Playa Sol to see what was happening. After talking with Sergio, we headed back – checking out the Posada del Mar on our way home.
My Honey once again hears those words so familiar to her as we fall asleep.
Day Four:
We have a delicious breakfast on the beach at Brisas del Caribe, which is located just north of the ferry dock. We rent a golf cart and after puttering around town for a few minutes to get the feel of the machine, we head south to enjoy what’s there and to look up Wes & Company to tell them it’s time to get their butts out of bed.
We drive around, all the while enjoying seeing and waving to the wonderfully friendly people of Isla.
Our first stop is at the Villa Rolandi, where we enjoy our drinks and take in the scenery. This really is quite a place, folks, so even if you don’t have dinner here please stop in for drinks.
The road was torn up while we were there, as they are installing underground lines in the road.
We continue driving on that road as far north as we can, then turn around and head the other way. We stop by the Villa Rotundo for a photo and then continue south looking for something to indicate we have arrived at the Mar Y Sol. We find it, drive down the gorgeous, narrow driveway and are greeted with total silence. While I repeatedly dare Wes to come out, Judi knocks on every door in the building. Maybe they were sleeping off the previous night’s good time or maybe they weren’t home. I like to think that Wes had told everyone to keep quiet and maybe we’d go away. We walk the beach there for a few minutes, giving him plenty of time to muster the courage to meekly say, “I’m not here, Jerry, so will you please leave me alone?” We neither see nor hear anyone during the fifteen minutes or so we are here, so if seclusion is your thing this is the place to be.
We then take in Punta Sur, and it's as beautiful as ever – and then drive towards town, yelling, “HEY JULIE!” as we fly by her home. We didn’t want to bother her as we had last time by showing up during the wrong time of the day. We return to our hotel for a time and since we still have a couple hours before our cart has to be back, head to Zazil-Ha where we enjoy our Rum and Cokes while watching several young folks play volleyball on the beach. It’s getting close to the time for our cart to be back, so we return to our cart only to find that it isn’t there. SOMEBODY HAS STOLEN OUR CART!
After the initial shock, I look around and see another cart a short distance away. It isn’t our cart because this one has a rearview mirror, while ours does not. I get to thinking, “I bet those folks took ours by mistake.” I check to see if our key fits this one. It does. I have to go with my gut feeling on this, so we take this one back with me all the while hoping that I’m not stealing someone else’s cart. The big guy isn’t there but his son is, so I explain to him what’s happened. He doesn’t speak English! Now what to do? Somehow I manage to convey to him that I need to find where they park golf-carts for the night. Ciro’s is the place. From the street you don’t see much, but walk through that door and there are zillions of golf-carts parked inside. It’s dark. No lights. We get a flashlight from somebody and I start checking numbers. After a few minutes of searching…There’s our cart! I check for damage. None! Great! All is well! Now that it’s all over, I bet they would never have known of a problem if I hadn’t brought it to their attention. The next morning I talked with the big guy about it and he didn’t even seem to know there had been a problem. I also learned that one key from this company will operate all carts. So when you rent these carts be aware that everybody else out there has a key to your cart. I’m thankful that whoever took our cart also had to have it back that same day, because if they had rented theirs for a longer period of time we might indeed have had a problem.
It’s Tuesday night! Remembering Xochiteca’s recommendations to the letter, we show up at Na Balam’s upstairs restaurant and ask for Victor. Three Victors work here! Will the real Victor please stand up? Using the process of elimination, we now have the “right” Victor and move on with our plans. We both order Grilled Salmon on Chaya Leaves sauteed with Garlic and Onion. I’m not a big fan of salmon, but must say that this is one of the most delicious fish dinners I’ve ever had anywhere! Absolutely wonderful! Judi isn’t pregnant, though, so may we suggest that not all of the very positive things being said about this plant can be believed? Thank god!
After this wonderful dinner, we slowly walk the length of Playa Norte. It’s a quiet evening, with nobody at either Buho’s or Sergio’s Playa Sol, so we return to our room and then walk all over town.
We go to bed with very tired feet!
“Night, night, Baby.”
Day Five:
We wake up, do what people do in this most wonderful of situations, and then head out - first dropping off laundry at the place just around the corner. It will be ready for us in a couple of hours. We have another delicious breakfast at the French Bistro Francais. We then walk around town for awhile, picking up a phone book and other stuff that Tiffany has asked us to do.
We then head up to Sergio’s Playa Sol, have a pleasant visit with Zina for awhile
and then head for Zazil-Ha. As we’re arriving we see Glauco and Roberta, eyes closed, getting the sun tan or burn of their lives. We get our drinks and munchies and settle out front on the beach. When Glauco and Roberta awaken to the wonderful reality that is Isla, we visit for a time. They are so lively and fun!
We then return to Sergio’s and run into Colleen and Scott.
We also meet Kristen and John. Kristen has such beautiful eyes, but you unlucky guys aren’t allowed to see them!
This must be our day for meeting wonderful and lively new friends! These nice folks read these message boards but have not posted. We encourage them to post trip reports!
For dinner we again have delicious Garlic Shrimp at Amigos.
To bed!
Day Six:
This morning we return to La Cazuela M&J’s for another delicious breakfast. We then walk around town picking up a few things, head back to our room and then up to Sergio’s Playa Sol where we visit for awhile before heading over to Zazil-Ha’s. While here we meet Ed and Cindy, a pleasant couple who also love this place. I notice a couple dogs having fun on Playa Norte and move in for a photo. While taking it, a lady right there says something about this giving new meaning to “Sex on the Beach.” She’s right about that. A houseboat we had seen docked at Villa Rolandi was a short distance off the beach, looked great, so I moved in for a photo of that, too.
Zazil-Ha makes great fries. We feel that none of the other places on Playa Norte is better than Zazil-Ha's. It was close for a time, but now that Sergio and Ivan have left Buho's, the contest is between Zazil-Ha and Sergio’s Playa Sol. Buho’s is still right up there, though.
We head over to Buho’s for Happy Hour and end up having dinner at Cocos Frios. Judi enjoys Red Snapper, while I have Garlic Shrimp. As usual on Isla, our dinners are delicious.
We then walk around town for awhile, then back up to Playa Sol before returning home and calling it a day.
Nite, nite, My Baby.
Day Seven:
We get up earlier than usual, because we know it’s our last day on this wonderful island and don’t want to blow it. We have breakfast at the Red Eye Café and visit with Gus and Chris Lane while enjoying our meals. We return to our hotel via the route to the cemetery and notice beautiful flowers on and around many of the stones.
We walk all around town again, mainly because it’s so much fun to do this, and then head up to Playa Sol where we enjoy a couple of Sergio’s deluxe burgers with fries. Sergio’s burgers are great and really hit the spot, so give them a try, folks.
Then up to enjoy part of Zazil-Ha’s Happy Hour, where we once again see Ed and Cindy. We visit with them for a short time before heading off to Buho’s. Nobody we know is there so we continue walking back to Sergio’s, say “See you next time” and return to our hotel and pay Aida for our stay. She’s such a nice and helpful lady.
For our final dinner during this visit I decide to break down and treat My Wonderful Honey to one of these delicious Villa Rolandi dinners we have heard so much about. When we arrive at the Villa Rolandi restaurant, we're the only ones here. We both have Red Snapper in Garlic Sauce and white wine. These dinners are delicious, no question about this, but in all honesty we both felt that other dinners we had elsewhere on Isla that cost far less were their equal if not better. So much for the vaunted Villa Rolandi dinners. But do have dinner here at least once, my friends, and make up your own minds.
The Villa Rolandi desk then called a cab for us. After patiently waiting out front for about fifteen minutes, all the while seeing empty cabs drive by, I raise my hand and off we go.
Our taxi takes us to the Mar Y Sol where we hope to find Wes and Company. We had not seen any of them all week (how can this be on tiny Isla?) and want to have one last visit with them. The driver takes us all the way down the steep and narrow driveway and I ask him to wait until we find out if anyone’s home. They are. We have a quiet and pleasant visit with Lolita, Chris, John and Wes before we all walk up to the road to catch cabs back to town.
Judi and I wander all over town trying to find our favorite ice cream, finally give up and walk for one last time on the pier in front of our hotel.
We catch the 7am Saturday morning ferry from Isla and are at the airport by 8.
We’ll be back.
Submitted by: Houston -- DanceGuy2002@Hotmail.com
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