In this tumultuous election cycle and a rise in violence, hatred and prejudice, please allow me to provide a brief respite from the world’s insanity.

Recently, my husband and I celebrated our birthdays in paradise.

We have forgone traditional birthday gifts and instead, take a vacation.

This year we journeyed to Isla Holbox.

Our hotel had fab food, but CasaSandra was highly recommended for a celebration.

We took the short walk to CasaSandra, a beautiful home that has been transformed into a lovely hotel.

We entered through the back, passing the spa and swimming pool.

The lobby is hung with appealing, vibrant  artwork.

The porch was set for an intimate, candle lite dinner at Esencia.

When we arrived there were just a few diners.

We ordered some bubbly and then the raucous celebration started.

A very young girl was set free by her non-existent parents and she accompanied the enticing Cuban jazz by literally banging on the lobby piano for 15 minutes without stopping.

We couldn’t focus on the beauty of the evening.

I approached the manager and he graciously moved us downstream to a table on a platform floating in the middle of a white sand front lawn.

The atmosphere was much improved.

The attractive Argentinian server brought over an amuse bouche of sweet grapes and cucumber in a pesto sauce.

We selected a fabulous Octopus Carpaccio ($11.80).

This was accompanied by a delectable Grouper Sashimi ($11).

The Fettuccine Pesto was perfectly prepared ($13.50)

I resorted back to last year’s Cuban diet and ordered lobster which was divine ($27).

David had the fresh Grilled Grouper accompanied by divine carrots ($16.70).

The restaurant rewarded our making everything all gone with a delectable chocolate brownie.

The owner, Sandra Pérez, a full-time artist, came to Holbox looking for solitude, a place to create art and a way to renew her childhood fascination with nature.

In 2003, Sandra opened the doors of her home to guests.

Esencia was considerably more expensive than any of the other Holbox dining establishments, but well worth it and still quite reasonable by American standards.

Escapism is highly recommended.

Esencia CasaSandra Isla Holbox. Dinner 7-11pm nightly.