Isla memories...

I haven't done an Isla post for awhile, so I thought it's about time. It kind of came about when I finally bit the bullet and bought a portable hard drive for all my photos. I had been storing them on CDs which became VERY inconvenient when I would look for ONE particular photo. So I have an old computer with my first photos of Isla from back in September of 2006 that I downloaded onto this portable drive which were kind of fun to see again.

This is one of them. Now I saw this again in May of 2007, but didn't see it last Christmas or this past May/June. Did they paint over it, or did I just miss it?? I know I walked down that street again...can't believe I wouldn't have seen it.

Just another east side view. Can't get enough of those. Wish I could wake up to this every morning.

Even an occasional blurry picture turns out kind of cool. The camera I had back then was just a basic no frills Kodak. But you never know what you're gonna get.

Stormy skies.

I can't believe I got such a surprisingly sharp shot of Gran Puerto with such a cheap camera! And no one is ever going to get a pic like this again. I'll have to get the same shot next time for comparison. Considering the big parking garage that has gone up behind it, the view will never be the same.

And here's a pic leaving Isla. Kind of nice without Senor Frog, eh?

Siesta on the stairs.

This was one of my favorite "first trip" photos taken of Loncheria Chely (now closed) across from Alexia & Geovanny's.

The friendly waiter at La Adelita.

Another view to the east that you're not going to see again.

This one kind of got lost in my menagerie of photos...love that aqua door.

Now we get to Christmas 2007 photos. Winnie the Pooh and Isla...just like peanut butter and jelly...hot chocolate and marshmallows. Nevermind...Winnie the Pooh is about the last thing I think of when I think of Isla.

I loved the netting they had on this sign when I took this picture in May of this trip. Last time I was there, the netting was not there. Oh, well.

I saw this picture and I can't even remember where it was taken! It doesn't ring any bells at all. Maybe someone else can recognize it??

The rest of these photos were taken on my last trip in May/June, but didn't pay much attention to them for some reason. This was taken on the corner of Zazil-Ha.

Boats shot.

"Love the color of the water" shot.

Taken from Justicia Social.

One of those pics showing the difference in the colors of the water.

Photo of the northwest corner from the pier...another "love the colors" one.

One of the nicer shots of Playa Norte I got considering all the sand bags, posts and junk that are there now.

A "lotsa boats" picture...two pleasure boats on the left, an UltraMar Ferry in the background, and one of the navy boats preparing for el presidente on June 1st.

One of the healthier (and happier) looking pups I've seen on the island. But he has a collar so that says something.

The last trip definitely offered some different photo ops.

I thought this one was nice because of the nice clean view from Na Balam...no sandbags, chairs, beds, etc.

A shot of the boats I had missed before.

And I always appreciate the "unappreciated" side of Isla.

Here's a place for rent right on Hidalgo.

A couple different views of the Madonna.

And the community hang-out place for locals.

I took this from the window of Cafe Cito. This is why I love Isla so much. You see a collection of every different kind of person on the island...students, natives, children, old folks, 30-something, 40-something, 50-something...everyone. And EVERYONE is having a great time...being laid back, enjoying life, appreciating a little slice of paradise.

I originally discarded this photo because of the water spots on the lens. But when I looked at it again, I remembered how I was sitting on the back steps of the ferry that go to the top level taking picture after picture, trying to get the last memories of the place I love. So now the water spots don't seem so bad.

Till next time, Isla...