It's Official

We went to Cancun a couple of days ago to complete the temporary import permit paperwork for the boat.  After a few minor glitches, we finally got it done and received our permit.  The boat can stay here for 10 years, while we have to leave every 180 days...only for a day or two, after which we can come back and get the next 180 days.  They make it very easy.

We came home to a wonderful dinner put on by the marina/hotel staff...barbequed chicken, grilled red snapper, grilled grouper (both done mexica style with tomatoes, onions and peppers and wrapped in banana leaves) and lots of sides like beans, rice, salad, salsa, guacemole, bread and tortillas.

Hotel guests and boat people mixed and mingled as we all sat at long tables together.  Our table had 6 from Denmark, 3 from England, 1 American and us from Canada.  We all had a wonderful time, and only broke it up when the bugs got bad.  At $15US each for food, BYOB, it was a very good deal, and we are looking forward to the next one.

It's hot here...really, really hot.  Humidex today has already reached 119F, so we are not planning to do much other than float in that nice shady pool, and drink lots of ice water.  My most valued possession right now is my insulated sippy cup (thanks to sister Jill).

El Milagro - Home Sweet Home

We have always loved Mexico, but what a treasure this place is!

Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast near Cancun.  It is very laid back, and we have been able to completely relax after a rather stressful couple of weeks.  We haven't been here very long, but already are so 'at home'.

The marina is lovely.  It only has space for a handful of boats, but it is also a small hotel, so there are lots of people wandering around.  It is one of the prettiest properties I think I have ever seen, with little nooks and corners scattered around, and muskoka chairs strategically placed beneath huge coconut palms.  The pool is completely shaded too, which at first seems odd.  But when you think about it, it is such a brilliant idea...with temperatures in the high 90s and humidex over 100, nobody wants to be in the sun.

There's a movie theatre with a huge projection screen and air conditioning, a games room and book exchange, bbqs and grills, and a fully equipped kitchen which we are welcome to use.  Two outdoor showers with giant shower heads are my personal favourite.


Brightly coloured tiles decorate everything....tables and counters, walls, and of course the staircases.

And the staff are fabulous.  Every day someone comes by to make sure everything is OK, and they will all go out of their way to make sure that everything is perfect.

Love this place already.  I may never want to leave!!

Maria La Gorda to Isla Mujeres, Mexico

After several days in Maria La Gorda, Michael and I decided that we were not going to venture further along the south coast, but would head for Isla Mujeres, Mexico as soon as the weather was suitable for the crossing.

Cuba was a bit disappointing for us, and we were ready to leave.  So we got our weather window, said our goodbyes to Patrick &Jaqueline, headed back to Los Morros at Cabo San Antonio to check out of the country, and were up and away shortly after 7 the next morning.  It was a bit windier than we would have liked, but all reports said it would settle, which it did....until about 3 pm.  We still had several hours to go, and I will admit it got a little scary at times as Michael struggled to keep us pointed in the right direction (the autopilot was relieved of its duty, as it was unable to keep up with the constantly changing wave directions).

Furniture moved across the salon floor, cupboards disgorged their contents onto the floor, and one of our 5 gallon water jugs crashed onto the galley floor.  We were lucky that nothing broke....we just had a lot of stuff to put away.

We were all extremely happy when we got close enough to the Mexican coast that the seas settled into a pleasant swell, auto was able to resume control, Kokie was able to go to sleep again, and Michael was able to relax.

We got settled into Marina El Milagro, ordered pizza for dinner (real pizza - not Cuban pizza) and collapsed into bed...with no waves crashing into the swim platform, and no swell, I had the best sleep I've had in weeks.

Mileage:
Maria La Gorda to Los Morros              41
Los Morros to Isla Mujeres Mexico    136.5

Total Miles travelled                               887.8