Calming Our Nerves

After the harrowing effect on our nerves yesterday morning, we decided that after lunch we would go take a stroll along North Beach. We haven't done that in a while and, since I have been getting some requests for more beach pictures, off we went. During the hottest part of the day, I might add!



We started where we normally do. The side beach of NaBalam, across from the Avalon Reef Club. I noticed that somebody had built this little bas-relief face on the wall. At first I thought it was supposed to be a Mayan god, which are many and frequent around here. On second glance, I think it may be the self-portrait of one of the many Rasta musicians who grace the island.











NaBalam has this nice side deck area to some of the rooms. These are the lounge chairs.








There were a few swimmers out and about, not too many though. The water wasn't very clean but it was very warm. Much warmer than I think it should be this time of year. And we all know what hot waters spawn! (ok, if you don't know, it's hurricanes!)








Nobody was using the rental palapas for relief from the shade. Probably two factors at work here: low tourism and Sunday is Mexican family day. They don't waste their money on these.












The waterline was still full of Sargasso weed but the beaches had, for the most part, been cleaned of it. Yesterday's storm will wash up plenty more, I'm sure.












I'd rather see some seaweed in the water than this.









I really like the stick roof over the front dining area at the Zazil-Ha restaurant at NaBalam.










It makes some interesting shadows on the floor and sand.










Something new I noticed was that the NaBalam is now offering a shower for guests. Somebody just happened to accidentally jump into the picture just as I was getting a shot of the shower.










These fish have been around for years and years at NaBalam. They use them to show who has paid for their chairs, umbrella or one of those awful beds. I don't think the color has any meaning. You can get blue....








or red.






There were a few pleasure boats around. Most of them come over from Cancun for the day. They all seem to have large sound systems and compete with each other to play the loudest music. Not nice to be around. The varying sounds all drift into the beach.










Four of the trees that have survived the onslaught of erosion. I pictured these same trees several months back. They were actually in the water, surrounded by sandbags. So the beach appears to be returning in this area anyway.










Unused lounge chairs were stacked everywhere.








There were quite a few golf carts around.








Moving on further down the beach, we see the tourists all spread out under their rental shade.








Most of them come from here.





That's Casa Ixchel, the first of the many condos that have been or are being built right on top of North Beach. Biting my tongue and moving on....



There seemed to be no end to the people enjoying the free shade under the palms.









More boats, more erosion walls.








One of the victims of erosion. This one managed to remain standing though and now the beach has filled in around it again. Too bad it couldn't have held on a bit longer.







Remember this fish? He was in a post a few months back also. Looks like he has been fishing and caught himself a nice pair of underwear. What is it with draping underwear off stuff???







Finally, a 4 second video. This girl practiced and practiced her diving skill yesterday. Dive in, get out, run back out onto the bridge and do it all over. She was a hoot to watch. And she actually got better. If somebody would just tell her to keep those legs straight!

A final note. Even though I never intended it to be, this blog has turned into what is classified as "picture heavy". I don't see that changing anytime soon. I know most of you probably don't give a shit about what I have to say, but you do like the pictures! I know it can be a pain waiting for all the pictures to load. To help with that, I have limited the number of posts that show on page one to five. That should cut down on some of the loading time for you.

CORRECTIONS: A reader tells me that the fish do have a meaning. See Comments. Also, I think the correct name for those condos pictured is Condos Ixchel, or Ixchel Condos. Casa Ixchel is a totally different property on the island. It is a cute house out by the high school.