Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Fourth Week in Paradise December 3rd to 9th 2017


The flowers are beautiful again this year. I am going to have to do a flower walk and get more photos one of these days.


The hens are still living in the community, they must still be laying their eggs for their households. The eggs we purchase here are the best tasting eggs and the yolks are a deep pumpkin orange. So good!



One of our neighbours across the street is a fisherman, on Sunday as we strolled by he was unloading these lobsters from his ice chest. You see they have had their tails removed (must be waiting in a good restaurant somewhere for you Ann M). The weirdest thing happened here, I stepped inside his property to take this photo and his dog without a sound jumped up and put his front paws on my back side. It frightened the life out of me, I let out a loud scream, I even frightened Allan. I knew the dog was there but forgot about him as I was talking about and taking photos of, the lobsters. That was a heart stopper but was quite funny after the fact. The lady at the man's house still laughs about it when I walk by 😁.


I mentioned in an earlier post the town is installing water and sewage lines, this is one cover a dog seemed to have found great fun in tracking through before it had a chance to dry.


Wonder if this is one of the roosters we hear crowing in the early morning hours.


This little fellow and others like him are dressed for these cooler days of winter.



This restaurant on Calle Chaca across from the community library which seats about 30 people is often without seating space. This surely is  the sign of a good restaurant and that encouraged us to stop by for brunch one day. We were not disappointed.



This  is the special - all for the small fee of $50 pesos, in day's rate of exchange in Canadian dollars $3.50


A fruit dish with 4 different types of fruit,



scrambled eggs with bacon or ham, plantains fried and beans with nacho chips,


along with fresh juice or Jamaica tea, regular tea or coffee.


Delicious for sure. We will return. Oh, when we first arrived we were the only guests, before we had our meal complete the restaurant was full, without any more seating space.




We invited Dani and Kris over for a swim in the pool and pizza for dinner. The water was 83 degrees F/ 28 degrees C, Dani was shivering so much her teeth were chattering. This is their winter time and they notice the difference in temperature.






We went to Cancun one afternoon and as we walked down a street we came upon this beautiful Christmas tree.


We stopped to take a closer look and found it is shaped from steel support bars and chicken wire then covered with the plastic rings or yokes that hold 6 packs of pop or beer together, then the aluminum cans are cut into shapes and used for decorations. What an idea! It is one of those times you just have to say "Who'da thought!" 


Beautiful!



We stopped at one of our favourite restaurants for lunch 


Our goal on this Cancun trip was again to shop at Home Depot - almost like Canadian Tire Addiction.

Donna C and anyone else who does not like four legged furry creatures smaller than cats, close your eyes to this next photo please.



This was either a small rat or a large mouse we saw on the floor in the Garden Centre at Home Depot. It had been baited we were sure because of its seemingly inebriated state. Workers waited until we left the area before disposing of it.

A few days later we were walking down a street here in our subdivision and came across this decorated palm tree.



Then we saw this car jacked up on blocks waiting for repairs.

              One look at this pole suggests it might fall over,




not to worry, second look tells you it won't
 because it is taped to the pole beside it.

I wonder how old this tree is, we see many 
like it and most are huge,

and give off a beautiful shade.


We found another place we didn't know was here, a nursery. We have driven past it every time going to and coming from the port. It is in a little hidden away spot. Thanks to Kris for taking us there to purchase soil for our flower pots at  Casa Pura Vida.


You have to love this town.


This little fellow was helping Allan wash the windows
 the other day. They are cute little creatures - for legs, small than a cat but no fur. lol

Our Puerto Morelos friend Dani had a spa appointment this past Saturday,

then we went for lunch with Kris and Allan at another restaurant we have never been to - El Picudo, at the South end of Zetina Gasca.

A surprising ending to another fantastic week in paradise.

Until next week, take care and stay safe.

Monday, December 4, 2017

Our third week in Paradise November 26 to December 2nd 2017

The cat population has not increased but seems to have changed - different cats but the same amount. I wonder where the others went. This little miss - has such beautiful colours.


I think it is a constant mating season for them here because you hear them often throughout the night. This little fellow looks like he is tired out from last night and needs a long sleep. No I am not feeding them, I learned my lesson a couple of  years ago.



This dog wished me well for the day as I passed by on my walk one morning. I miss our dog "Lady" so much, she had to be put down this past spring due to bone cancer and   I have not yet found any dog that will replace her. Allan is happy about that, but the day will come. The Manitowaning group "Fixing our Felines" is trying to help find a cat or cats for me. Allan was getting his truck licence plates updated before we left and Colleen was trying to find one of her cats that would melt his heart. He said he searched the truck thoroughly before leaving her office parking lot, afraid that she may have put one there for him to bring home on a trial run.

We see some graffiti on the walls throughout 
the community, but this one isn't too bad.


This dog is laying on the sunny side of the street to stay warm on one of their cool winter mornings. 25 degrees - Brrr.


I love walking down this street and coming to this lovely shady spot. It is so cool here on a hot humid day.


Now this is the type of Graffiti I don't like - it is obvious there is some talent here so why not do something pleasing to the eye.






We have an ongoing problem with birds flying from tree to tree and pooping on our patio walls as they fly by. 

We have found a good cleaner that you just spray on and then scour with a brush and hose it off. Easy Peasy 


Wow - what a difference a little elbow grease makes.


Next is the removal of mineral deposits along the top of the water line in the pool.



Then comes the wall ornaments




A job well done.


A much deserved cervesa and a dip in the pool is needed following that hard work.



We went to El Nicho's for brunch one day before a 
walk on the beach, I saw this sign and loved it.


This is the view from the inside looking out
on to the street and park


Their Eggs Benedict are the best


Even Allan likes them!


The El Nicho dog - gets to lay in the centre of the floor while customers and staff walk around or step over him as he rests. This is Mexico isn't it?


The Christmas decorations are being put up in the Park at the Port and on the streetlight poles.



Allan taking in the view of the beach - this doesn't look like a Christmas Card from Canada does it?


It just seems weird with weather like this and they are decorating for Christmas - it just goes against what we have been taught in our neck of the woods - there should be snow on the ground for Christmas. They have Christmas decorations and posters up with pictures of real snow - these kids must think we Northerners live in a fantasy world.




These birds remind me of our killdeer - probably because of their size. They are always along the beach running from one pile of sea grass to the next looking for insects.



They have a sasquatch here too - he goes walking on the beach from time to time.






Sometimes there is nothing you can say, you just have to relax and enjoy the moment.



We came across an area where turtles have laid their eggs. It is well signed so people will not bother the nests or the adult turtles should they come around. We have never been here at the right time to see the sea turtles nesting. We did in Costa Rica though and it was nice to see.


Our walk again today took us to the Government dock where pelicans sit watching the water below for food.




We treated ourselves to another wonderful meal at Chilpayas here on the Colonia side of Puerto Morelos.


Allan celebrated his birthday on Friday December 1st, we had friends in for dinner to help him celebrate the occasion.


He even had the opportunity to blow out "a" candle - helping to keep his number of years a secret - lol. Our kids are likely thinking "Mom's losing it and probably forgot how old he is and was too embarrassed to ask" LOL


This Thai Batik was handmade in Thailand and given to me by a lady who thought it would look lovely in our Casa Pura Vida - and it certainly does. 


There are not many on the beach these days - this is the beginning of  high season but the tourists are not here in mass like they have been in previous years. Those of us who are here are enjoying the sun, the beach, the cervesas, the food, getting back together with friends made over the years and meeting new acquaintances. Oh what fun!


This beautiful fish found dead on the 
beach - what awesome colours.





A view of paradise from My Paradise Beach Bar. What can I say other than Hmmmmm!



Saturday evening we went to La Sirena's for dinner and entertainment - this is the menu for the evening and the entertainer was Rick Michel who sings Frank Sinatra songs and his 7 piece band.


We had a lovely evening and met many friends from
past years at the event.


This is the star of the show - Rick Michel - you can go to YouTube and listen to his splendid performances or here you can do a cut and paste to your search engine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDyHk2B_qgI 

So nice to meet up with old friends.

That is our past week - we are really enjoying ourselves and looking forward to the rest of our time here. Still lots of places to go and people to see.

It is a very unique spot where we live - I just stepped outside and heard a neighbours rooster crowing. Love it!!

Until next week, stay safe, keep warm and continue smiling, 
life is good.