Friday, November 28, 2008

Happy Hour at Casa Sirena

The Chica's were all invited to Casa Sirena for Happy Hour. What a treat. Steve is a wonderful Host and has such a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. He had just finished some major renovations. I will give you a picture tour.

The beautiful Statue by the roof top pool.
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This picture almost looks like a postcard.
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The main back garden area. We ended up down here instead of the roof top bar because of the high winds.
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The New Roof Top Bar...Notice the wind blowing Steve's Shirt. What great views from this beautiful area.
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Me and Steve.
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Daniel, Kathryn and Steve
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Steve had ChuCho's new CD "Bonanza" playing as background music and had invited ChuCho to come and sell his CD's. Here he is signing one of his first sales....I, of course, received the first CD!!
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The Chica Group by the pool, with Daniel, Steve and ChuCho
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Mother and Son...Serogate
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The rooms are beautiful.
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After the party at Casa Sirena we all went downtown to continue the party. I stopped at Bamboo to say hello to Rob.
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Then we all met over at Faynes. Dr Salas was dancing and having a great time.
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And Daniel was.....making new friends!!
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It was another great day...full of more ab (laughing) work outs.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Day 2...Beaches and Bimbo Dogs

You may be asking, "What Happened to the rest of Waking up on Isla?" It was spent cleaning the apartment, fixing shower heads, water leaks, hanging medicine cabinets and wall decorations. (With the help of Steve the Plumber/all arourd handy man!!)

The next morning I recruited Jeri for my morning walk. We walked the whole airport strip, checked on a friends house and then headed back. On the way back we started by dodging a rain shower under a tree. Jeri is trying to figure out how to start some plants from cuttings. Caught her borrowing a few cuttings!!
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We walked back, cutting down Juarez, behind the Navy Base.
Checked out the progress of the new CFE Electric Company Building
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Decided to check out the New Yellow Hotel, that still has not opened up. (Get to it by going up the stairs to the old Navy Store Entrance). We did get a guided tour by a guy who may have been the job super.
View from one of the Penthouse Suite Balconies!
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You can look right in to the Navy Base
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Had a great view of the Car Ferry getting ready to pull in to dock.
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The skies are clearing. Let's get some breakfast and hit the beach!!
The winds were still pretty strong, but we made the best out of it....with a few cervesas.
Laura and Wanda met us on the beach while we waited for Doris and Jan to arrive later in the afternoon. Kathryn was working and would be the welcoming committee.
After saying, "No Gracias" to many beach vendors, a little girl came by selling bracelets. How could I resist this little cutie?? I decided it was time to buy the girls friendship Ankle Bracklets.
Jeri
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Laura
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Wanda
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And one for myself.
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Yes, there are a few more I will have to buy on the next Chick Trip!!
When the clouds looked like they were ready to dump rain, we moved under the Palapa.
Kathryn, brought Jan and Doris down for the beginnings of an awesome "chick trip!" As the days progressed, more chicks arrived! Laughing and smiling would become a prerequisite for starting my day!!
Is this the traveling Bra???
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After a few rounds of 2 X 1 Happy Hour Drinks at Playa Sol,
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it was time to head off for some supper. We all decided to go to "Justicia Social", since a few had never eaten there.
On the way, the "Bombo Girls" were created!! (It's all Carl's fault). Sorry girls, but I have to repost the picture. Figure I don't need permission, since I posted it once already in another forum.
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Dinner was awesome!! Red Snapper, whole, deep fried!!
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Mapchick began documenting!!
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After dinner, it's time to move the party to Miguel's Moonlite!! Look at this...No drinks???
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Then it was off to Faynes to listen to Javi, with a sit in by ChuCho!!
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Javi (My Good Friend)
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Chucho...My Mexican Son
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Alex..My Mexican Husband (There is a story behind that)
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After the beginnings of many good times to come for the week, I recruited Wanda and Doris to walk the next morning with me.
We said our good nights and headed off to rest up for our next ab work out!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Waking up on Isla Part 1

After a good night sleep I was up and ready for my walk. No arm weights, so it's time to improvise. Two large bottles of water from the mini super!! I'm off!! Through Centro, down Juarez, past the back side of the Navy Base and out the airport strip. Doing my arm exercises along the way, with two large bottles of water!

What a great morning to walk. Not too hot and it's not raining....yet!!
New Mosque looking building being build on East side of Airport Strip.
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On the way back to the apartment, I decide to stop and take pictures of Centro Area and the New Malecon.
Statues to the South of The Hospital.
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As I walked back to the "Sea Wall" I sat and watched to waves, trying to guess when they would break. The wind is picking up today....again and it looks like it could rain at any time.
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When inspecting the new lamp posts on the Walkway, I notice how the salt air has already corroded the metal posts. They are only about 6 months old!! Being a Contractor, my mind starts thinking of better materials that could have been used for these posts. (Brick, stone, etc.)
View to the South, towards the RocaMar
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View to the North towards the now closed Perla Del Caribe
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The benches along the walk-way are very nice and great places to enjoy the ocean, except for one thing......They should face the water!! Oh well, With my feet dangling over the edge of the wall, I sit and enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing and the smell of the sea air.
I would normally be down by the water in search of shells or sea glass, but the waves are crashing to close and high to risk it today. Instead, I will just enjoy the moment.
After my quiet solitude, I stroll back to the apartment, make some coffee and finish unpacking, start some cleaning and organizing. Steve the plumber and handyman extroidinaire, is going to come over today and help me with some projects....He doesn't even know what he is in for!!
I decide to go and have coffee with Steve and Jeri and call Biggy B. This becomes my morning routine.
La Vida Dulce Casitas. Two newly remodeled suites in the Centro area. Suite Number two is towards the back, away from the street.
The living room has a big couch, dining room table, TV area.
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Kitchenette has a toaster, coffee pot, Microwave/Pizza oven, refrigerator, and is complete with dishes.
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Off of the kitchen is a 1/2 Bath with sink and toilet.
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The bedroom has a queen size bed, A/C, dresser and night stands
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The full bathroom has double sinks and toilet and a full closet area
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And a seperate room with shower area.
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Unit Number one is on the street side. This is the unit I stayed in on my two night extension!! I never heard any noise from the street!!
kitchenette has snack bar/eating area complete with bar stools.
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Living room has Couch, Chair, TV area
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Bedroom, again complete with Queen Size Pillowtop Mattress, Dresser and Nightstands, A/C. Closet area for the room is in the bedroom.
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Full Bathroom with Shower, sink, toilet and shelves for keeping all the necessities.
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Outside of the units they have a sitting area for guests with shelves of books, a phone for free calls to the US, Canada, Landlines to England and Ireland. There is an entry door from the street, which is locked every night. The room entry doors are inside of this gate.
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Steve and Jeri are on-site managers and do all of their own cleaning, etc., so security is not an issue at all!!

After coffee and the tour of La Vida Dulce Casitas, it's time to get back to my own apartment and get some work done!!

Part 2 Coming!!