Just the name alone is inspiring
Isla Murjeres is an island 8 miles off the coast of Cancun, Mexico, with a unique history and scenic beauty.
On the southern end of the island are some spectacular world class views at the “Cliff of the Dawn”. On top are the ruins of a Mayan temple to the goddess Ixchel. Ixchel was the goddess of love, fertility, and medicine. Young Mayan girls would make a pilgrimage to the Cliff of the Dawn and Ixchel’s temple as part of their passage from girl to woman. When the Spanish discovered it in the 15th century they noticed the many nude statues offered to the goddess and named the island Isla Mujeres.
Amazingly you can walk down twisting stone paths, winding in and around these great coral cliffs right up to the waters edge with the crashing waves.
The island later became the base of pirates and buccaneers, like Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte. They used it as a hideaway and it is said they would leave their women there for safe keeping while they were on the high seas.
Aye matey, this be the island of women.
All three works are 8x10 oil on canvas panels
Enjoy Jim
