Isla Mujeres

Feb 2001 - Our Visit To Isla Mujeres

So as we sit here waiting for a break in the wind and waves, fondly known as a weather-window, we have time to reflect on the wonderful times we've had here in Isla Mujeres. We had a wonderful visit with our daughter Laura. She flew in from Spain to spend the holidays with us. We had a great time.

We spent Christmas morning opening presents on the boat and then went to a Cruiser Pot-Luck Christmas dinner. It was delicious. We took Laura to Chichen-Itza and Uxmal to see some of the Mayan Ruins and we also went to Merida, an old city located on the western part of the Yucatan Peninsula. We had fun on New Year's Eve, dancing at the town square in Isla. We went to Playa del Carmen south of Cancun and many trips to Cancun's beaches. We also had fun at the local beach here on Isla, Playa Norte. Laura even had opportunity to swim with a shark and hold it too. It was so wonderful to spend time with Laura. We look forward to her coming sailing with us when she finishes classes in Spain.

Chichen Itza's pyramid which we climbed!

Pool side at the marina complex

The day Laura departed, Ted and Mary Ann Mitchell, our dear friends from Sparks, Nevada landed. We spent a wonderful 10 days with them also. I love it when people come to visit, I get to see all the sights. We visited the turtle farm and swan with the sharks again. We took in many sights and even took off for Isla Contoy a bird sanctuary just 14 miles north of Isla Mujeres. We enjoyed the little island with so many birds. We snokeled and saw many beautiful fish and underwater reefs and animals. We were only sorry to see our guest leave.

We spent one month at dock at a really nice marina Pto. Isla Mujeres. The day we left the dockside, our steering chain broke so we had no steerage. It was scary! We had to think quick because we were heading right back into the slips with other boats! We dropped anchor and it held. A cruiser not far from us saw what was happening and came to help us set the anchor and put out another one. The wind was getting stronger. Dave went to find someone to repair the chain and I kept watch on Sorrento. Before I knew it the wind started gusting and a sailboat in front of us starting to drag down on us. I was stuck. I couldn't turn on the engine or try to use the auto-pilot because the binacle was all taken apart. So I called on the radio for help. As I was waiting, another cruiser jumped on the dragging sailboat and couldn't start her but was able to let out some scope, more anchor line, and it worked. The dragging boat stopped, we were in handshaking distance from each other. Well, that was enough adventure for one day. We finally got towed to a secure anchorage and are here now just waiting for a window. Our plan, when we leave this beautiful island , is to head for Florida. We will write again as soon as we are State-side!

Fran & Dave

Florida here we come!

So as we sit here waiting for a break in the wind and waves, fondly known as a weather-window, we have time to reflect on the wonderful times we've had here in Isla Mujeres. We had a wonderful visit with our daughter Laura. She flew in from Spain to spend the holidays with us. We had a great time.
We spent Christmas morning opening presents on the boat and then went to a Cruiser Pot-Luck Christmas dinner. It was delicious. We took Laura to Chichen-Itza and Uxmal to see some of the Mayan Ruins and we also went to Merida, an old city located on the western part of the Yucatan Peninsula. We had fun on New Year's Eve, dancing at the town square in Isla. We went to Playa del Carmen south of Cancun and many trips to Cancun's beaches. We also had fun at the local beach here on Isla, Playa Norte. Laura even had opportunity to swim with a shark and hold it too. It was so wonderful to spend time with Laura. We look forward to her coming sailing with us when she finishes classes in Spain.
Chichen Itza's pyramid which we climbed!
Pool side at the marina complex
The day Laura departed, Ted and Mary Ann Mitchell, our dear friends from Sparks, Nevada landed. We spent a wonderful 10 days with them also. I love it when people come to visit, I get to see all the sights. We visited the turtle farm and swan with the sharks again. We took in many sights and even took off for Isla Contoy a bird sanctuary just 14 miles north of Isla Mujeres. We enjoyed the little island with so many birds. We snokeled and saw many beautiful fish and underwater reefs and animals. We were only sorry to see our guest leave.
We spent one month at dock at a really nice marina Pto. Isla Mujeres. The day we left the dockside, our steering chain broke so we had no steerage. It was scary! We had to think quick because we were heading right back into the slips with other boats! We dropped anchor and it held. A cruiser not far from us saw what was happening and came to help us set the anchor and put out another one. The wind was getting stronger. Dave went to find someone to repair the chain and I kept watch on Sorrento. Before I knew it the wind started gusting and a sailboat in front of us starting to drag down on us. I was stuck. I couldn't turn on the engine or try to use the auto-pilot because the binacle was all taken apart. So I called on the radio for help. As I was waiting, another cruiser jumped on the dragging sailboat and couldn't start her but was able to let out some scope, more anchor line, and it worked. The dragging boat stopped, we were in handshaking distance from each other. Well, that was enough adventure for one day. We finally got towed to a secure anchorage and are here now just waiting for a window. Our plan, when we leave this beautiful island , is to head for Florida. We will write again as soon as we are State-side! Fran & Dave Florida here we come!