Isla Mujeres Observations after Two Weeks
El Milagro Marina and Hotel – a really great spot with a lot of amenities. Huge outdoor spaces; full kitchen and BBQ pits; stand up paddle boards; bikes; bath houses and conveniently located.
AND then there is that huge potential aspect of what it could become. We enjoy sitting out at the marina and lamenting on how this could be a great restaurant and bar too but that’s probably not in the cards for them and it would require them gating the marina. After several adult beverages, we abandon the conversation of “potential” and decide we like it just the way it is.
Inga and Dos XX at 10am and all day – Inga is the manager of the hotel at El Milagro. She is German -guessing you could have guessed that and she is always around and usually sitting at her outdoor desk with a Dos XX or two…always a Dos XX nearby. She knows everyone and she is IN charge. Need a doctor – ask Inga. Need the Internet to work – ask Inga – she knows where it doesn’t work but not why. Need laundry – ask Inga. Need a bike and a lock- ask Inga. Need the BBQ – ask Inga. She is quite helpful and has an accent and demeanor that Kirk and I not only enjoy but have gotten good at imitating
Oso and the Parrot – the dog and the Parrot- furry friends and usually Inga takes the parrot out for a walk. (You read that right.)
Yoga Moves -that’s what is needed to get off the Salted Rim. One must climb down via the anchor and Bow Sprit – hang on tight and don’t dare miss the step down or attempt to carry anything. SOOO many opportunities to nick and bruise one’s self getting on and off the boat. LISSAH – need we say more.
Bath House with outdoor showers and commodes – constant sun tanning whether you want it or not and moon shine at night.
WIFI – what WIFI -requires use of my iPhone Hot Spot which works most of the time but blows up my data plan – usually an extra $5 per day for Verizon to bump my speed back up (but that’s ok – cost of doing business)
Verizon – well if you are talking on your iPhone more than 30 minutes, Verizon decides to just drop your call – works out great when I am doing 60 minute conference calls
Business – yeah, that’s working out pretty well. I have a beautiful view from my outdoor office at the marina upstairs or from the back of Salted Rim. A bit challenging for zoom sessions but that’s the trade-off. Hopefully Proofpoint is still ok with me after this trip.
Skull’s Landing – a sailor’s hangout with good food and good happy hour. Fortunately or unfortunately, they do know who we are as we frequent it often. Just a few steps away from the marina on the water.
Buckee and her Husband – well, cannot quite figure them out. They are across the dock from us and very welcoming when we arrived. However, we got shunned from a Marina BBQ on day 5 where they only invited 10 people and there were 12 people on the dock- do the math…but then they are always very friendly when we see them – maybe they feel guilty. And just for the record, her name is not really Buckee and we cannot remember husband’s name. So there.
Dinghy ride -great to a “dive lunch spot” across the bay with the best Ceviche and Cerveza or for me CocaCola Dieta con Hielo
Dinghy ride not so fun going to Playa Norte and Captain in the open waters and he wants to Plain or is it Plane – either way, it’s like riding the bull at a Western Bar. We didn’t get along on that outing 😊
Bikes are interesting – complimentary from the hotel and about 30 years old with only one speed and lots of rust but they get you where you are going – but be sure to use the bike lock says Inga –RIGHT – as if someone else would want them…but hey, maybe.
Fantastic meals when we head south to the interior. Glad we have Trip Advisor and Google Maps. Found some local spots – only $1 for a taco (20 pesos) and then very upscale meals with drinks & wine for 1300 pesos all in ($65) Favorite upscale spot: Limon and Fuego del Mar. Olivia’s is still a hit downtown. YUM.
GelaTOE is really good here (that’s for you Elizabeth). We cannot pronounce the flavor we like best but know that we like it in a big waffle cone and we just point. I know, right.
We are VERY clean people I have decided – since we arrived, exactly two weeks ago, we have had the ladies do no less than 6 large batches of laundry at $200 pesos a batch ($10). It’s expensive to be clean and we are only at our midpoint – two more weeks to go.