By Jenny Werth
Photography by Garrafon, Isla Mujeres

My reoccurring daydream was so close to being realized I could taste the sugar on the rim of my strawberry daiquiri… my only contemplation during the 30-minute ferry ride across the sparkling blue-green Caribbean Sea from Cancun to the Isla Mujeres dock was what to do first. I had already changed my watch to "Mexico-time"- which essentially translates into "no rush, ever," so once I arrived, it was decision time- sip the daiquiri or plop on a chaise lounge…. Ah, silly me, I did both of course. The biggest difference between a trip to Isla Mujeres (the Island of Women) and other exotic Mexican getaways is the simplicity of life. First, the island is under six-miles-long and half-a-mile-wide so you literally can experience "island fever" is you don't allow yourself to relax. And come 11 p.m. all ferry rides circulating across the eight-mile bay between Cancun and Isla Mujeres end, so if you "miss the boat," you might get stuck on the wrong side of the bay. The ferry schedule is strategically set up so the island can maintain its separate identity and less vivacious life-style from Cancun. And it works, I found it was a place where tranquility and fun could both be experienced without that frenzied "I have to explore everything" spell I normally fall under while visiting other resort destinations. With that in mind, I had decided on a recipe for my exploration on this trip that would consist of many great activities that would all marinate together to create one uncomplicated, enjoyable dish.

I found the best ingredient to start my affair with the island was to rent a golf cart to take off on the scenic saunter around the Yucatan Peninsula. They go for $6 to $12 an hour depending on whom you bargain with. Although there isn't a proper golf course anywhere to be found, golf carts and mopeds are the primary forms of transportation as cars would create an instant island traffic jam, although there are taxis. After I mastered the art of driving the cart, I headed straight over to the bustling downtown area that's an easy intermingle of about five main streets that twist and turn with mopeds, bikes and golf carts parked everywhere. There was nothing better than parking my golf cart where I wanted without worrying about getting a parking ticket and taking off downs the street. Right away I found a concentration of numerous open door shops selling hammocks, ceramic chilies, t-shirts, jewelry and everything else tourists love to buy. Within one-block I had five different store recruiters promise me they'd give me the "best deal in town." Tempted, I bought a turquoise pendant from one and lost the battle of the bargain- the trick is to pretend you really don't want it. Frustrated, I whizzed away in my cart in the pursuit to find one of those typical palm canopied out-door restaurants we all see on "get-away to paradise" pamphlets. I quickly found one and had just sat down with thoughts of an enchilada when Saul cruised up with a bunch of red roses individually wrapped in plastic, "rosas?" "No, gracias," I said. Within minutes I learned that Saul hadn't sold many roses that day and that his grandfather had just turned 100-years-old. I asked Saul what his grandfather's secret was and he summed it up by saying that he spent most of his life fishing during the day and lounging around on a hammock tied up on his front porch, drinking lots of beer with his friends at night. Life, Isla Mujeres-style.

So the next day I planned to add another day to my own life by lounging around on a hammock in the only Reef Park in the Mexican Caribbean, "Garrafon, Isla Mujeres.” But when I arrived to the park and discovered it was 1000-feet long and extended 40-feet out from the shore alive with an assortment of water activities, I knew the hammock would have to wait. Not much longer, I was engaged in an array of water activities. First I went flying over the sea on a "zip line," then I tried out "SNUBA" (not scuba). This is like scuba diving in that you are breathing artificial air from an oxygen tank that you are hooked up to, however, you stay in shallow waters and the oxygen tank is floating above the water on a raft opposed to on your back. It was a big step for me to try this out as I'd never in my life done anything for extended periods underwater except for snorkeling. So, with a lot of motivational self-talk I told the guide I could do it if he held my hand underwater until I felt confident enough to swim with the fish myself. Apparently the guide had heard it all, because he grabbed my hand and said "Vamos!" Thanks to him, I had this amazing experience and although the reefs were not as colorful as I'd seen while snorkeling, the fact that I did it was an accomplishment in itself. If you have ever been hesitant to try scuba, I recommend snuba as it is a similar experience only without the burden of an oxygen tank and the responsibility that comes with it on your back. Visit Garrafon online for more information.

After all that excitement I was definitely ready for the hammock, only Saul's words kept repeating in my ears, so I choose to hammock-it where I could watch a local in full-Isla Mujeres daily life mode. Right in downtown on Rueda Medina was the ideal place to observe the natives lounging around in the tranquility of the island. After some careful consideration I came to the conclusion that while most tourists work very hard to spend a short vacation in the idyllic setting of a white beach sipping on cold beer in a hammock, natives such as Saul's grandfather, are simply born into this type of less complicated lifestyle for free. Either way, the tourists and the natives alike were walking around in the water to find a place where a peninsula peaked out so they could lie down with half their body in the water and the other half on the sand. I'd already enjoyed the shallow ocean so all it took was a whiff of a neighbor's salsa and I was out of my hammock and headed for lunch. I found a great stretch of cafes and restaurants scattered on the boardwalk of Avenue Hidalgo that are friendly for the family during the day and grow more festive with strolling mariachis throughout the evening. I dined at "La Adelita Tequileria" that's a lively restaurant and self-defined tequila bar happy to educate anyone who wants to taste some history of tequila along with exceptional guacamole.

After a few tequilas I was ready for a disco, so I headed off to "The Castaway Nightclub" that's wrapped around the top of a cliff overlooking the crashing waves. The disco is on the northernmost tip of the island and presents a breathtaking vista perfect for "will you marry me?" Not in my cards, so I found it a spectacular way to dance until the madrugada (sunrise).

But sure enough the rays of the sunrise beckoned and the trip had end, so I dragged myself to the dock that led me back to the shore of reality. In a singular island I found there was very little left to wish for, every detail was accounted for and every fruit was in season. Plus a whole new ripe bunch of color is about to be splashed throughout town thanks to a new project called "Painting the Island" that intends to turn the island into an international center of art and culture while maintaining its history and its Mexican Caribbean roots. Because of "Painting the Island" the facades of over 400 homes and buildings in the main urban center of the island will be painted in Mexican Caribbean colors. The event has already gained international acclaim with celebrity sponsorship and will unite more than 450 professional artists from all over the world as volunteers to participate in this "artistic odyssey." The project even aims to paint several hundred golf carts, taxis and boats (including fishing boats) all by different artists…. Hmm… I don't know what Saul's grandfather would say about that. As for me, my reoccurring daydream has begun again… but this time it consists of plans to return to my sapphire sanctuary with a personalized hammock to watch everyone else paint the island while I lounge around Isla-Mujeres style. Click here for more information on Painting the Island, or visit delta.com to make arrangements.