Many people we have met come to this island which time after time for a relaxing time to get away from the daily grind and adjust their mental attitude. They come back so often that many of them think of Isla Mujeres as “HOME”
Tag-Archive for "Boats"
Category: Isla Mujeres, MEXICO, Q-Roo, Travel, Vacation, Yucatan
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We went for what we thought would be a nice boat ride with a few friends only to have it go bad due to the weather……………….sit right back and hear our tale…….
Category: CANCUN, Isla Mujeres, MEXICO, Riviera Maya, Travel, Trip Reports, Vacation, Yucatan
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Puerto Moreles is a 45 min. drive from Cancun. We met up with our friends Al and Louise along with Al’s brother Brian and his wife Wanda. The 6 of us bought a snorkel tour of the reef which is just about 200 yards offshore from the beach. The cost was 200 pesos each (approx. $16.40 USD). Our boat was the “Stella Maris”. She came with a captain and the snorkeling guide Maurico. The tour included masks, snorkels, and fins and was for two 45 min. snorkels of the reef in two different locations. The weather was perfect at about 88 F and the water temp was about 82 F. Basically it was hot and humid. We had some currents to deal with but the visibility was out to about 40 feet which is typical in the Caribbean. Our guide, Mauricio was excellent. He dove down once and reached into a small cave to coax out a small baby sting ray. He held it in his hands so we could touch it. I can tell you that the center where it’s spine is is very rough like the shell of a lobster, but it’s body became increasingly soft as you progressed to it’s outside edges. It was about 12″ x 18″ not including it’s tail and barb. What a thrill it was to touch a sting ray in the wild. Next he dug a lobster out of it’s cave so we could touch and feel it. Caribbean lobsters don’t have claws. Later he found a conch shell, brushed all the sand off of it so we could see the animal inside and how glass smooth it’s shell felt. (We did all this under water). Later we saw a flounder, a 4ft. Barracuda, and schools of various colorful fish. The coral reef was amazing to see. I don’t have a underwater camera so the only pictures I was able to get were while on the dock and in the boat. But we had a great time and we tipped the crew generously because they earned it.
This is the little sidewalk stand that we bought our tour from……….It’s just on the corner across from the park in the center of town, and next to the military compound.
Don’t forget to bargain for a good rate…….
The good ship Stella Maris……
The main dock just off the town square……..The building tipped on the beach in the background is a remnant of Hurricane Wilma……
We were waiting for the captain to bring our boat over to the dock…..
Wanda & Brian boarding the boat………..
l to r…….Suzie, Louise, & Al,
Our 3 Mermaids after the first snorkel………..Wanda, Louise, & Suzie
CancunTom, & Brian
Our crew, Maurico our snorkel guide and the Captain…….
Yours truly with the crew after returning from our adventure…..
Louise and Wanda with the crew
Afterward we walked down the street to “Mother-in-laws” restaurant for a few cold ones. Our Canadian friends were going on to the Kin-Ha cenote and other places so Suzie and I hung out in Puerto Moreles until the “Hola Asia” restaurant opened at 3pm ………..watch for my next installment which will be a review of this restaurant.
Category: MEXICO, Puerto Moreles, Travel, Trip Reports, Vacation
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The rains have continued after finally subsiding for a couple of days. Yesterday we were deluged on and off all day………YUK!
We plan to check out XPLOR park this weekend with our pals Al & Louise, watch for the pictures. They have numerous zip lines, a cenote w/underground rafts, a stalactite river, amphibians, and more. It’s a new place run by the Xcaret/Xel-Ha people and has received good reviews so far.
Another new place we want to try is Holkan Kingdom. Many crazy zip lines, all-terrain Segways, horseback riding, and the shotover Jet boat. Our summer should be interesting and action packed, so stay tuned.
Cancun also celebrated it’s 40th birthday this past week and there is a small display over at the Plaza Las Americas Mall that hopefully will yield a few pictures of Cancun in it’s earliest days……….stay tuned for that one.
Cancun 40 Aniversario
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Category: CANCUN, MEXICO, Riviera Maya, Travel, Trip Reports, Vacation, Yucatan
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Isla Mujeres is located 5 miles off the coast of Cancun across the Bahia de Mujeres. Isla Mujeres translated to English is ” The Island of Women” . It is the place where long ago pirates would leave their women and treasure for safe keeping while they would go out to plunder ships on the Caribbean.
In more modern times it is a fishing village. In the last 25 years it was discovered by tourists. The movie “Against All Odds” starring this years Oscar winner Jeff Bridges, was partially filmed on Isla. It also starred Rachel Ward, and James Woods. In the story line they claimed they were on Cozumel but in actuality those parts of the movie were filmed on Isla. Even though Isla is becoming more and more commercialized it still retains a certain charm that visitors find irresistible.
We took our house guests Jeff & Lois for a day trip to Isla Mujeres on Friday Feb.26th. They were visiting us for the week and wanted to see the Cliff of the Dawn. We drove over to the Ferry Terminal, bought our tickets and were on our way to the island for a day of fun in the sun.
This is the ferry terminal on the Cancun side.
Local musicians play for tips on the upper deck. Check out the color of the water….
About half way over to Isla which is about 5 miles off the coast of Cancun.
We rented a golf cart and proceeded to visit the Cliff of the Dawn on the south end of the island.
The sea was calm but the photo opportunities are always great at the cliff.
This is the cliff wall that faces the ocean which has eroded it leaving this labyrinth of intricate limestone lattice work.
I could sit here for hours and just take it all in.
Another interesting rock formation carved by the sea and wind.
One of the Garrafon Park zip line towers……
The new pavilion at Punta Sur
5 sided structure
Interesting ash tray/candle holder…………now sitting on my poolside mesa.
Local artisans table at the sculpture park
Beautiful hand crafted bench…………..I want one for our garden!
New pavilion from the top of the light house
Statue of women giving birth
Beacon at the top of the lighthouse
View of the sculpture park from the lighthouse
The famous “Shell House”
Sign at the Villa la Bella where they serve up “beer so cold it makes your teeth hurt”.
Anchors away matey………aaarrrgggg!
Villa la Bella bar………
Flower holder on table of Villa la Bella
Their pool
Then we drove to the extreme northern end of the Island to check out the Avalon condo’s new paint scheme.
The Kings Bath at the Avalon……
Fountain at the Avalon
View of the Bahia de Mujeres from the Avalon……….
Typical Isla street scene
Our favorite Isla seafood restaurant……Mininos
My “Hog Fish” grilled to perfection….
Isla sunset…
The ferry home with it’s new underwater lights………so cool!
Isla is a beautiful place with a great atmosphere. Make sure you don’t pass up and opportunity to visit.
Category: Art, Isla Mujeres, MEXICO, Travel, Trip Reports, Vacation
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