I started my trip report the other day and got 2 pages into it. Realized it was way too much information and chucked the whole thing. Also realized that most of it I had already said in my previous trip reports. Oh, and it wasn’t funny at all.

I stopped doing day-by-day reports quite a few trips ago. Again, it seemed like I was just repeating myself. The funny part is that I love to read others. Go figure.

Now, as I think back on our 12 days there over the holidays, I can’t even tell you what I did most days.

But, as always, certain people and events stand out. Nothing hugely dramatic (well, except for before we even left – a cautionary tale that I will share). So, it looks like this will be another one of those rambling reports. Let’s see where it takes us.

Here’s the drama. The day we are leaving, my boyfriend (Mario, a newbie) and I are sitting in AAA, getting traveler checks. Don’t usually go that route – ATMs are way too easy – but I was paying for three rooms for 12 days and didn’t want to carry that much cash. And in the midst of the idle chit chat, it is revealed (drum roll please) that Mario has neither a birth certificate nor a passport. Now, you have to understand. Mario is a big jokester and at first I think he is pulling my leg. As I am saying something girlfriendish like “That isn’t even funny” and “Now is not the time to be yanking my chain”, it begins to dawn on me that he isn’t joking. I really don’t think that spikes in blood pressure like that are very good for 40 year olds. I am pretty sure I lost 5 years off my life that day.

Neither of us can really figure out how this never came up before but there it is. Arghhhh! Now here is the really weird part. My MO in younger days would have involved lots of yelling and seething and down right freaking out. Instead (and I completely attribute this to the Isla mojo that has seeped into my soul), I became eerily calm. I also have to give tons of credit to Mario too. This could have turned ugly. Instead, we both slipped into action mode.

Did you know that in this day and age of the Patriot act, it is no longer a simple process to get a certified copy of a birth certificate? Thank God for good friends that still live in hometowns and who happen to be around when you need them. Many phone calls later, the NEW plan is set. Mario will join us two days later than originally planned.

My brother (Jeff), my daughter (Elana) and I set off on the Frontier red-eye as planned that evening (12/22) to arrive in Cancun at 5am on the 23rd.

Just a little plug for Frontier here. The red-eye is brilliant. We left Denver at 12:20am and arrive in Cancun at 5:00am. The plane wasn’t that full and Elana and I shared the emergency row exit. One of the best parts of this flight is that when we arrive in Cancun, we are the only flight and immigration is quick. Having flown in before on a charter on Wednesday afternoon where the line was out the door, I truly appreciate this.

Of course there is nothing that can speed up the luggage handlers and it takes FOREVER to get our bags. Green light for all and we walk out, where Cancun Valet is waiting. Another plug here for Vic and Grey at CV. We use them on almost every trip and couldn’t be happier with them. The drivers are always there and always great and those guys can schedule (and handle changes) on a dime. Love them and highly recommend them.

Away we go. Ahhh, there is the ferry. Gran Puerto is a little beat up from the hurricane but that is the place where I finally start breathing again. Beautiful sunrise while we head across the water.

As we get closer to the island, I am having a twilight moment. Obviously there are lots of things I recognize – I have been here a time or two. But the island looks odd. And in my delirium from lack of sleep, I almost think we are going to the wrong island. Why? What is different? What is that building? Why haven’t I seen it before? My brain is clicking along at about ½ speed (if enemy agents ever want to break me, all they have to do is keep me awake all night) and processing the changes isn’t happening very fast. I finally figure it out. Hurricane Emily has destroyed enough of the vegetation and palm trees, you can see Posada del Mar. Never could see it before.

We grab our bags and head to catch a taxi. I love the tricycle guys but I am thinking Suites Chac Chi is just a wee bit far for them (or is it me, that it is too far for???).

Now, here comes a story that epitomizes Isla for me and why I love this place and keep coming back. Our taxi driver is named Blue. He speaks English very well and is a chatty sort. Now normally, at 7am and pre-caffeine injection, I am not much of a talker. But hey, we are on Isla! Blue tells us a lot about the effects of the hurricane and has lots to say about the government, while he drives us to our rooms.

We arrive at Suites Chac Chi and imagine this – no one is there to greet us at 7am. Huh. I had mentioned to our rental agent that we would be arriving at 7am but I think I wasn’t very clear that I meant we would be on the island by then (not arriving in Cancun, which would put us on the island at 8:30 or 9:00). Blue tells us that he knows the woman that works there and knows where she lives in the Colonias and lets all go find her.

Even with my diminished brain capacity, I realize this would be unbelievably rude. There is no way I am going to go wake someone up because I wasn’t clear about our plans. So my next brilliant plan is to go find Marianne in NY at Trinchan, drop our bags there and come back to our place later. Away we go.

Nope, can’t find her. Now what? Come on brain. Thank God for Blue. He comes up with a plan. We have mentioned that we are hungry. He will drop us off at the Loncherias, he will go to this woman’s house, get her, take her to Chac Chi, and come back and get us. Of course, he will give us an hour so that we can have a leisurely breakfast. Because you shouldn’t rush a meal, no matter what is going on.

And so that is exactly what happens. The timing was perfect. We had just paid la cuenta and here comes Blue. And off to Chac Chi we go.

Now, I hesitate to plug a place because it might be hard to book again at it (Punta Piedra ring a bell?) but Chac Chi was great – and a great deal. We were staying in the new section. Just completed and they did a great job. These rooms are smaller than the original ones (but also cheaper). All one room and a bathroom. Two of the three had kitchenettes, and two of the three had a balcony. All had king size beds of a slightly softer variety that the usual Mexican bed. Very clean, tastefully decorated and nice design. Located in the first Colonia down the main road, next to Escuela Secondaria. Views from the 2nd floor to the Caribbean and the Bay. At night you can hear the waves. No access to the water from there but hey, at these prices, no complaints from me. Besides, Playa Norte is a short taxi or bus ride away (or a 25 minute walk). We paid $225/week for the ones with kitchenettes and $200/week for the one without. Booked though Mornings in Mexico (Marcia was great – we kept adding people and adjusting the dates and asking questions – she responded promptly and thoroughly.)

The next two days were spent laying on Playa Sol. I finally got to meet Marianne in NY – after 2 years of e-mailing. And of course, shoot the sh** with Rogelio – one of my favorite people. Met Jackie from PDX and her crew (Tara and Kelly), met a bunch of other people and, my favorite part of all, got lots of hugs and kisses from the islanders I have met on my previous trips. The cool part is that they remember even though I haven’t been on the island for almost a year. Alberto, the guard at Nautibeach. The older gentleman at the Tienda around the corner from Trinchan. Leore, at Loncheria A&G. The guys at Ciros. Pedro at M&Js. Angelica, who sells necklaces on the beach and her daughter Maria. The pepita lady – who is unbelievably sweet. Hortensia and her family. Sara, the beach vendor at Playa Lancheros – who is our go-to-girl for all things Spanish since she speaks English so well. Eloy, the popcorn man.

This is the life, eh? I can’t think of a better way to spend my time. And as frustrating and disappointing as it was that Mario couldn’t join us for two days, it was good for me to slip into Isla mode, get a couple days in the sun and just relax.