We have now spent six nights on the Isla!

We arrived on Monday the 6th of November with no problems on the road. Even the bad Isla roads ( huge pot holes ) worked out for us. We did not have to have anyone move their vehicle for us as we lumbered the heavy RV down roads .Our final day on the road in Mexico had us driving only 195 miles but it seemed to take forever. We were so very anxious to arrive.

From our home in Kelowna until our arrival here we have driven 2654 miles. The girls seemed to be tired of traveling as well as us. Once we started down the road from Estrella del Mar they knew where we were. Their tiny noses never stopped. However they were confused when we pulled into our new compound at 12:45PM. Where were we? If you have any specific questions re the road conditions or anything else make a comment, send me an email. I apologize to those following, but we have not yet had the time to set up our Shaw TV System. Hopefully within the next 5 days or so. I have read in a few places that Shaw will no longer be functional in Mexico come February.

We could not drive into our site, as a wire was hanging about mid level from the front RV window. Colin reached out to the manager who showed up an hour or so later. He simply cut the wire. Turns out it was someone’s internet/TV fiber optic which was broken anyways. Glad we did not do it.

Next we had to park in order to show the manager where the services had to come to. It was a challenge moving the bus back and forth trying to find the perfect position for a set up which would be permanent. I did not have time to take photos and was exhausted. Just 48 hours earlier Colin was told that the site was ready for us except for power and water. It wasn’t what we expected. Weeds/grass needed to be removed. There were some rocky areas. We wanted the site to be as level as possible re our set up plus avoiding any tripping hazards for me. It is a new RV Park and a new concept to the manager here. There was some concrete in an area where they had mixed the cement to build the fence last April. It did not appear to be too difficult to remove it. He thought the site was ready while we did not.

Monday, I went to bed very early with no dinner. I was too tired to eat. The next several days all began at 6AM, most usual for me. And never ended before 7PM. We were often in bed by 9PM. Because of the heat and humidity we have had to run air conditioning 24/7, either the front or the back and sometimes both.

About two hours later Erik arrived ( at least a month ago we gave him our our arrival time and date ). We could not believe our eyes, Erik and Gustavo had arrived 😀 They even had our water tinaco and pump which they proceeded to install. Suddenly we had over ten people working for us 😛 An electrician just showed up, no idea who he was. It was magical. They hooked up the 50AMP plug that our special friend Colin ( yes same name ) had purchased for us the day prior to our leaving Arizona.” we can’t thank you enough, notre ami especial” and shrugged their shoulders as if to say okay.  Our 50AMP electricity is running. It is even being metered. Incredible!

So by dark that very first night, we were able to pull into a reasonably level rv site. We had electric and we had water. I can’t say anything other than that it was a TRUE miracle. Thinking back I was pretty sure I would’ve not made it that first night dealing with the heat/humidity and no electricity.

The next day more area around and behind us was cleared. Two days later the entire three sites had been cleared.

It really appears to us to be a miracle to have a clean and level site, 50 AMP  power and water. Tuesday they actually connected our site to the septic system, using much physical labour to connect up to that main line. It has been a fascinating three days watching how these so very skilled labourers work all day with the extreme high humidity readings. It was obvious to us that we needed to be onsite for them to measure the electrical hook up, where the water should be linked to our RV plus where to connect the sewer to the exceptional septic system. We can attest to the fact that it all works perfectly.

Such a perfect first night.  Since then many activities have been happening. Colin and I have been involved whenever we could to help including the provisions of liquids and comida, carrying bricks, raking gravel, etc.

The girls were happy to have a fenced in yard to run around in. Colin has taken them to the beach I think 3 times and will again today. I can barely get in and out for the RV. I ache everywhere. But is so very worth it. We are in love with this place. We are constantly looking out the window or at the vista when outside.

Alex, the master palapa builder, and his crew are outstanding, they never walk when they run. More on the palapa next post.

Our local temps remain high with extremely prominent humidity readings all day. Looks like El Nino is going to control the weather pattern this winter.

Each day has been a challenge from the delivery of our pea gravel early Tuesday morning to spreading of it out over the next few days. Wednesday, Colin along with King Kong (truck taxi driver we have used in the past ) to pick up our plants and stored belongings.  Two back and forth runs and to pick up our fabulous looking plants ( they were so well looked after this past winter ), plus another two runs from storage with all of our “stuff”. I spent a few hours that day on the phone arranging for our internet to be set up. I had arranged that once with someone back in September but he backed out a few days before we arrived saying that Total Play would not install in an RV. I didn’t believe that and arranged for someone on the Isla to handle the installation. They were a no show Tuesday. So after a few hours on the phone Wednesday I had a crew coming to do the job on Thursday.

The palapa construction started with hole digging on Wednesday and something has happened everyday since. It was a good thing that I had planned a weeks worth of meals as we still have not had a moment to get out to purchase any food. At then end of everyday we sit with a glass of wine and look at each other and say ” we sure did a lot today, didn’t we “. We are constantly astounded at our daily accomplishments.

We have been busy setting up our site, a bit here and there. Of course once the palapa construction started that all had to be moved away from the side of the RV. Because of so much outdoor activity by others, we kept the girls inside with us and took two days to organize things. So nice to not be stepping over things. Once the palapa is complete then more things will go outside. I have no idea where Colin gets the energy to keep on going and going. Hopefully towards the end of next week we can take a few days off and just sit and enjoy the moment.

The photos I have included have come from our 2 iPhones and my camera. Neither of us have been taking a lot of photos, too busy working. So what is here is a mix of everything. Beauty shots and beach shots and sunrises and sunsets will be coming in the weeks and months to come.

We have been without internet for so long ( a full week I think ) that I became used to not having. It took a bit if a push to write this and to sort out the  photos. Mind you I did get to sit down to do it 😎