Belize 2010_8

We ran out of milk today for cereal so it was left over Chinese and toast for breakfast. After breakfast we got moving and went up North to find Mexico Rocks for some snorkeling. When we had been there last there were a ton of people and buoys to tie up to. We knew where abouts it was but did not see any people in the water nor any buoys to tie up to. We dropped anchor where we thought it could be and Karlene was in the water first. She said that she did not see any coral I pointed to a large patch of dark water and told her to keep swimming. She got to the dark patch that ended up being sea grass. I jumped in and went to the dark patch next to it and it was also sea grass and it wasn't nearly deep enough for Mexico Rocks. Before the boys could get in we told them that it wasn't the place and we moved more south. This happened again so we moved again.

Third times a charm they say, and it was. There were people here now and we made a mental note that it was south of the big antenna on land. There were still no buoys to tie up to and we found that a bit odd like the town didn't want it to be advertised anymore because of its popularity or something. We snorkeled for a good hour and dad did scuba. I would guess it was maybe 15-20 feet deep he just wanted to mess around. The wind was fierce out of the West and all Matt could think about is that we should all be kiting on the other side of the island. We will go explore one day.

Dad suggested we get ready to go to town early and stop off at El Pescador's for a few games of pool and drinks before dinner. El Pescador's is about 5mins North of where we are staying and town is about 20-30 mins South so not out of our way at all. We played teams; Dad & Karlene vs. Me & Matt. Dad and Karlene won two games, we won two games and they won the final game. Good fun. Off to town we go with a quick stop off at Wet Willy's to hear one of the local bands.

It was Saturday night and Karlene was supposed to know where Gino was playing but forgot. I thought one of dads friends/band members Gary would know so I went and asked him. He laughed and told me Gino would be at the Playa Lounge tonight. I passed the vital info off to Karlene and we rounded up the troops. Dad told us where abouts it was on the beach and Karlene and I peddled a "little" faster than the boys. We rode past one bar and we heard a man singing and started laughing because that definitely was not him, must have been karaoke night. Almost the next venue we could hear his raspy voice coming from the speakers.

We sat down at the only table left almost right in front of him. He saw Karlene and said "What up ladies". The boys joined us and we ordered a drink. All of the skydivers from the other night happened to be there showing videos of their jumps over San Pedro on the wall behind Gino. We were all really hungry so we decided to slip out and grab a bite to eat at The Papusaria again. We happened to remember the magazine this time and I showed the lady and she started to giggle like a little school girl. She also showed the waitress that was in the picture and she said "oh that's the first one we've ever seen". I guessed "the first picture of themselves in a magazine". I told them that it was me madre's last copy but we would get them a copy before we left, even if we have to xerox it.

The three amigos had papusa's again and dad ordered a shrimp and lobster burrito. It came out and it was the biggest pile of shrimp and lobster that we have ever seen! He was in heaven. He told us to dig in, we all had a bite but I knew that he would finish it no matter what it took, and he did. We paid up and it was ice cream time. After ice cream we went back to Playa Lounge to catch the last of Gino's set. It was extremely loud and we all noticed he was so wasted! Apparently all the skydivers were buying him shot after shot and they just kept lining up.

Matt and Dad left around 11pm and I stayed with Karlene so she could talk to Gino when he was done. As soon as he was done wrapping up all his equipment he came over to our table and talked with us. He told us (Karlene) that he was glad we came but he noticed we left as well. We told him we were hungry and popped out for a bite to eat. He thought that was acceptable. All we could do was laugh at him because he was so drunk. He kept apologizing but we were glad it was him and not us! The ladies at the bar kindly kicked us out so they could close up shop. I rode my bike a little ways away so Gino and Karlene could talk in private. She finally got done and met up with me (I didn't go far, I could see the flirting just fine from where I was). We peddled home and she told me everything they talked about, including hanging out sometime when he was sober.

Belize 2010_7

We woke around 10am the wind was the right direction today but still a bit light. Matt made us some cereal with bananas for breakfast. I've been wanting to go down to the local Humane Society (SAGA) and volunteer. The website said they were open from 1-5pm and I have been talking via email to Heidi the volunteer coordinator and she told me that Ingrid would return from lunch at 1pm so try giving her a call then. I called right at 1pm but no answer so I left a message. Two o'clock rolled around and I call again and spoke with Ingrid. She told me that they really need extra hands on Wednesdays and Thursdays because the on call vet comes those days. She also said that I was more than welcome to come any other day to walk/play with the dogs. I told her because it was so late and I wanted to get a full day in that I would see her on Wednesday.

With that taken care of we decided to take the boat into town, get some lunch and head out to the reef from town to find a new snorkeling spot. Dad was craving Chinese, the man did not speak much English and you had to point at pictures. Dad ordered, I ordered, Karlene ordered and Matt tried to order sweet and sour chicken extra spicy and he ended up getting breaded chicken strips and fries. A big plate of deep fat friedness which he did not want but ate it anyway because he was obviously not going to get what he ordered even though he pointed at the sweet and sour chicken picture on the wall! We could only laugh about it. After our Chinese it was time for yet another ice cream. The wind better pick up soon, we have some major calories to burn! Good thing we ride our bike in to town most days.

The wind had picked up a bit from the N.W. so we decided to just fish instead because the water was a bit choppy. We picked a good spot. The fish were extremely smart, every cast I threw I could feel them nibbling and they just took my bait, every time! I did eventually catch one and then gave my pole to Karlene. She was having the same problem at first and then she got a keeper and after that it was all little babies. When we were out of the bait we had brought for the day we headed home with 2 keepers.

A quick wash and brush and we peddled into town where my dad was going to help out his friend Doug that was doing music for a fundraiser hosted by Sir Barry Bowen. He is the local big wig that owns almost all the bottling companies in Belize like; Belikin Beer, Coca Cola, Crystal Drinking water, etc. We rode to where the party was going to be held and there was a big tent with lots of lights and decor but no one was around. We rode back up the street to ask a local and my dad found out that it had been canceled due to a plane crash that Mr. Bowen was piloting and everyone on board perished. It was very shocking and put quiet a damper on the night as you can imagine.

Dad thought that his friend Doug who he was going to be helping would be at the local "watering hole" down the street the Road Kill Bar. We rode down there and sure enough Doug was there with a few friends. Matt, Karlene and myself just snuck in and sat at the back so Dad could talk to everyone. Doug was pretty upset because not only was Mr. Bowen a good friend he was supposed to be on that plane with his girlfriend, but thankfully his plans were cancelled. We had one beer and decided to let them all morn without us.

We rode our bikes to the Papusaria in town for some delicious cheap dinner. They were as good as we remembered and the same lady was there making them out by the road that I took a picture of last year and submitted with the article we wrote in The Kiteboarder Magazine. We decided that we would bring the last copy me madre' had to show her the next time we went in. Somehow we have to get her a copy. After some good grub it was time for another ice cream this time we all had a small one. When we were all about to burst at the seams it was time for bed.

Belize 2010_6

Karlene made us another fabulous breakfast. The tide was extremely low today so we decided to take the kayaks out and go fishing by the reef. Matt and I took the inflatable kayak and Karlene took the hard kayak. The wind was still a bit off shore and our inflatable was going this way and that, we knew it would need a big fin (from our own experience) but we didn't bring one with us. We got out to the buoy and tied up. Matt got our poles ready and we fished for about two hours. Karlene caught a few, one keeper, Matt caught a few, no keepers and I didn't catch crap. We were out of bait and Karlene had one more so Matt and I took off knowing she would catch up in no time.

Back to the house for some sun and book reading. Dad had another gig planned tonight so we all got ready again and rode our bikes in to town. Plans had changed last minute and the band was getting together Pedro's Inn instead of the Road Kill Bar. It was supposed to be a thank you for the skydivers coming to town and putting on a show. There was a local Rastafarian band planning and then it was dads turn. All his band members showed up and two of the skydivers joined in, one on base and the other on the keyboard. It was quiet a mess in the beginning with them all trying to get tuned and on the same page. The skydivers were so drunk and thought because their two buddies were in the band they could start hassling them. It was so immature and annoying that I finally told one of them to take it down a notch. He looked at me like an embarrassed 12 year old and all he could do was take a picture of me. I didn't hear another peep out of him and the band got on with getting tuned.

They ended up really getting there stuff together with two new band members. They took a break and Gino showed up, the lead singer of the jam session the other night. He did some solo songs while the other band members took a break and then Zach and the skydiving base player joined him. The crowd was dancing and my belly was growling. Matt, Karlene and I rode back into town to get some food. I was craving a papusa but they were all shut. We rode back to the bar as the band was clearing up. We went inside because the bell rang and that meant it was time for Jager shots. They had Jager bottles lining the walls but we stuck with rum instead. Dad introduced us to a few people.

I went over to Gino and told him that I thought he was incredibly sexy when he sings. He got so embarrassed and said thank you. I introduced myself, Matt and Karlene. Karlene started to chat him up and ended up inviting him to come and get some food with us in central park at what Matt would call the "roach coach". Gino took Karlene's bike with his guitar and I peddled Karlene. We all made it to the park in the center of town and Dad ordered us some shrimp burritos. Matt went somewhere on his bike and got us all a beer. The burritos were so good we all had another, I could have had 5 more.

Some of the band members and skydivers started showing up and we all got to chatting. After a bit I was starting to get chilly so we all decided to call it a night. Zach rode his bike with us because he lives up north as well. We got home around 1am and had a chocolate bar and went to bed.

Belize 2010_5

We got up around 11am I don't know about anyone else but I wasn't 100% Dad wanted to go into town for breakfast and ice cream. We had made a shopping list as well so we needed to pick that up. We went to My Secret Deli and we must have shown up at their busiest time so we thought we would run some errands and come back when all the locals had got their lunch and left. First stop was the bike shop that we got Karlene's bike. We needed to change the handle bars it was like they put that bike together from parts. The only mistake was the handle bars they were for a little kids bike! He changed them no problem but we would have to come back for the bike. Dad and Karlene went back to the restaurant while Matt and I decided to get some shopping done.

First stop was Sharky's to get some live bait for fishing. Then it was off to the south grocery store to stock up, and waste time. We past Wings a shop that burned down the first year we were here and they were rebuilding the second year. Matt suggested we go in to see if he could find some flip flops. We didn't have a bike lock so I said I would stay with the bikes. The "welcomer" saw that I wasn't coming in and Matt told him why and he offered to lock up our bikes for us. Very nice of him, we locked them up and went in. I was really surprised with all the things they had. And the prices were unbelievable they had Crocks that sell in the US for about $30-50 and they were selling them for $25 BZ! To bad they didn't have Matts size. Nor did they have anything he was interested in in his size. So no luck but I am definitely going back to look at swim suits.

We had wasted an hour so we skipped shopping for food and went back to the restaurant to eat. They were still busy and had to wait for a table inside to clear out because it was way to hot outside. Oscar took our order and we were able to move inside. Of course I ordered my favorite 2 breakfast burritos everyone else had snapper with rice and beans. Oscar brought out this huge fresh snapper for us to see what we were going to eat. Our meals came out and mine came out like Matt and Karlene's did the other day 2 separate plates of one breakfast burrito. We had a good chuckle and I let Oscar know what I meant right away so it didn't happen again. I think they were just really busy because they usually came out two burritos on one plate and Oscar acknowledged that.

After breakfast we went back to the bike shop to get the bike. Matt also picked up a bike seat stem and an old bike inner tube to make ankle straps for our boards. Dad grabbed some ice cream and we headed back home to the grocery store north of the bridge. Stocked up with most of our list and peddled home. I put the groceries away, dad went to work and Matt and Karlene jumped on the computer. After the groceries were put away I grabbed my book and went to the pool. Two pages in I couldn't keep my eyelids open so it was time for a nap.

I think I was out for an hour and fully rested when I came to. I wanted to go fishing in the kayaks but the wind was out of the north west and blowing pretty hard, very gusty to. So that meant if we went out in the kayaks we would be blown off shore which is not the best idea. Matt and I grabbed the fishing gear and went out to the end of the dock. It was incredibly gusty and helped me with my cast. I ended up catching two tiny fish and threw them back. Unfortunately the first fish didn't revive and a bird got him. A local man came out to greet us as we were packing up to go in and he asked us what we were fishing with and showed us that there were fish under the end of the dock. Maybe we'll try under there next time.

It was time for dinner and Zach the drummer came by to order something online and eat with us. We had beans on cheese toast and watched American Idol. Karlene has been having some tingling in the ends of two of her fingers Zach is a massage therapist and took a look. He says its something to do with nerves exactly what Matt thought. So he is working on her arm and that made me ask him how much he charges and it looks like we will be getting a massage while we are here, very exciting! I'm having some trouble downloading pictures so I will upload them as soon as I can.

Belize 2010_4

Karlene made us breakfast today, egg scramble with diced potatoes, onions, green pepper and sharp cheddar cheese yum. The wind was forecast for only 2 knots so we planned for another lazy day around the pool. Matt was noticing that the wind was picking up and he thought he might just go out and try to kite. Barely making it up wind to where he started dad got tempted to go out. When Matt was clearly not struggling to stay up wind anymore (still not jumping) I told dad that he should try and go out. He got ready and decided that he would upgrade to his waste harness and get rid of his board leash! He was a bit nervous but I told him that everybody needs to give up their "security blanket" at some point. The wind was super light and as efficient as Matt is it didn't help that he made it look more windy than it was. Dad was slowly loosing ground so I hoped on my bike and cruised down to him. He came in right were he popped his last kite on a piece of re-bar sticking out of the water so he was thankful I was there.

I rode past him because I knew Matt was probably wanting to come in. I caught his kite and he said he was glad he went out even as light as it was. I made some left over shepherds pie for lunch and went back out to read my book. Karlene was almost done with her book and was not interested in going out to kite just to struggle in the light wind. At around 5pm we all got ready to go out to hear my dads jam session with his band at the local burger joint. Karlene and I got all dolled up and she did my hair while we sipped out cocktails. We took a roady with us to the burger joint so we didn't have to pay for drinks, such a great idea! We all shared two burgers and fries then dad took off to the bar to tune with the band while we settled up. After we paid the bill we went to the bar where the band was and there were no more seats and it got packed! I took pictures of the band and when I ran out of memory it was time to dance! The band was hot figuratively and literally we were dripping!

It was a great night and all we wanted to do was jump in the pool. We were all out by the pool and Zach the drummer of the band road by us and heard us swimming so decided to join us. After a cool down it was time to ingest lots of water and bedtime.

Belize 2010_3

Today was an early one we all woke up around 8am and left the house in the boat to take madre' to the airport. She was on her way to England to spend time with my Nanna on her 90th birthday! After we said our goodbyes if was time for an iced latte. There was absolutely no wind today and it might be that way for a couple of days, so says the forecast. Perfect time to go kayaking, snorkeling and fishing. After coffee we walked down a few blocks to go see Weni, the dog I talked about in day 1. The store sign says "Come in we're open" but it was locked and there was nobody there. O-well maybe another day. We walked back to the boat and stopped at Sharky's the boat/fishing store. Matt stocked up on hooks and weights, we were going to get some bate but they were all out. We thought about getting one of those nets with the weights all around it to catch our own bait like the locals do but they were $114 BZ (about $57 US). Anyway the locals make it look easy.

It was so nice to get back on the boat and head home it was like air conditioning compared to being in town, we were dripping! Tuna sandwiches and chips for lunch, a little catch up on the computer and off to read our books and wait for the sun to cool down a little before we do anything to adventurous. After a couple of hours sun bathing and reading books by the pool we helped dad move some pvc pipes thats were left over from the building of the dock in the water outside their place. The thing was they were full of concrete and really heavy. The 4 of us managed just fine to get them under the dock instead of where they were right under the water where dad docks his boat.

After those pipes were moved dad put a new prop on the boat and we all went for a test drive out to the reef for some snorkling. Karlene and I were the first in the water. She had her point n' shoot which happend to be waterproof, much easier than mine. The first thing we saw was a baby sting ray, very exciting. Then we saw a bigger sting ray, then I freaked out and started yelling at Karlene to get over to me because what I saw buried in the sand was just so unbelievable! It was the biggest ray I had ever seen its wing span must have been as big if not bigger than my arm span! It was beautiful eating off the ground and floating around so effortlessly. We were both squealing obscenities. I asked Karlene if she could video it and she did can't wait to see it. After we got over the fact that we must have either scared or annoyed it by squealing so much we moved on. I found a lobster hidden in the reef and had her take a few pictures of it. Every time she got close one of its long antenna type things looked like it was reaching for the camera, it was really cute. Matt had joined us by then and I went back to the boat because I was chilly.

They swam around for a bit longer and when Karlene came back she told us that they found a nerf shark hidden deep in the reef. As she was telling us this Matt was close enough to the boat that he stood up and yelled that there was another shark just in front of him. All in all it was our best snorkel here to date and I wish we had the GoPro camera with us to video tape it all.

Back to the house for a rinse and shepherds pie for dinner that me madre' so kindly made us before she left. Yum it was delish (and she says she doesn't cook)!

Belize 2010_2

Karlene woke us up today and we all got ready to go out and kite. I was slow as normal but I caught up pretty fast because Karlenes kite was leaking air. Matt came prepared this trip with a kite repair kit. He grabbed a new strut and put it in as Karlene pumped up his kite. Dad was already out kiting up and down the beach. I was the last one out and had a few line issues that made me come back in to re-rig my kite. Thankfully me madre' is very patient and she launched me for the second time. By the time I got out Karlene had come in a few docks down and madre' went to help her. We only had an hour before we needed to go into town and get a bicycle for Karlene. It was the best kite session yet (granted it is only the second day)! Matt and I were fully lit on our 14/12 meter kites. I saw Matt down towards town watching the skydivers landing and while he was coming back he stopped off at the Palapa Bar to give the patrons a show. I went down to join him and I am sure they liked what they saw.

We kited back home and played around for another half hour then it was time to round in the troops. Karlene wanted to go out again but she needed Matt to fly her kite to see if it was tuned correctly so we told her we would both get her out when we got back from town. Dad left first as he was ready and we only had 20 minutes to get to town before the bike shop shut. There were 4 of us and only 3 bikes so we each took turns peddling Karlene into town. We stopped at the bike shop but dad had already left and so we headed to Estel's where we were to meet him for lunch. Matt was giving me a ride on his bike at this point and my abs were killing me and I was begging him to let me off so I could walk. He reached the beach and just kept going. I thought I felt the seat move and started to laugh and yell stop! The bike seat kept bending back with each tiny little bump until I was sitting on the tire! Thats when he decided to stop. It was so ridiculously funny!

I walked the rest of the way to the restaurant (about a block) and had a fabulous lunch with a few beers. There were some local kids playing their homemade drums (one was actually made out of 3 turtle shells, they made for a really good tone but pretty sad when you think about what they came from). As we were leaving Karlene and I went in to use the restroom and she noticed this cockatoo that look as familiar as the one we took a picture with two years ago at this fair we went to. It was the same cockatoo and we got more pictures with her. She was so sweet doing tricks and dancing up and down. Once the owner told us she would live until she was around 60 I told Matt that that would be our next pet!

After some shopping around town and some snap shots of the locals we went for ice cream as usual then headed back home to get Karlene out for a proper session. Matt and I read our books until dad and Karlene for ready for us to launch them. Dad went out and then Matt launched Karlene's kite to make sure it was tunned correctly, it was. Karlene took over and had some good kite control re-learning to do. She had a few small runs here and there and ended up coming in down at the next resort, Grand Caribe. Matt and I walked down to meet her and I saw that my dad had come in and his kite was in the water. I did not know if he had anyone to land him so I went back to help. Thankfully the neighbor was out around the pool and went to help dad come in only because he pulled his safety to self land and the safety didn't engage properly so all the lines were still pulling. Everything was good and we all went in for some well deserved Rum n' Cokes and chips. While sitting around the pool chatting with the neighbors a very sweet dog came up to us and hung out (the picture at the top of this post is him, his name is Copper).

While watching tv for the night I gave madre' and Matthew a pedi (madre' red, Matt hot pink)!

Belize 2010_1

Matt woke up bright and early as usual (the wind banging the window shutters around didn't help). He was almost all ready to go kiting by the time I got out of bed. Dad launched him on his 14m. I had a bowl of cereal and mozied about getting ready. Dad was the next one on the water, then Karlene. I laid out my lines and was about to pump up when Matt offered up his kite. I went out to get it and Dad came in as well as Karlene. I was on my own cruising out to the reef and back as good as I remember! The boys were out for about an hour and a half maybe two (yes thats how slow I am) so they were nice and tired. Karlene did really well for not kiting since the summer going downwind and body dragging back up wind all in between a few docks. I was beat after about 45 minutes and came in after a nice jump that got some woot woots.

We were all buzzing with excitement after the first session of our trip and not to mention dog tired. The girls took their books out to the pool while the boys did boy things. After a power nap we decided it was time to bike into town for some much needed food. First stop My Secret Deli and Oscar whipped up his famous breakfast burritos for me which I had been craving since we left to go home last year! Matt and Karlene had a sandwich, Karlene made the mistake of telling the waitress that she wanted two of what Matt ordered meaning she wanted the same. Well two sandwiches came out for each of them plus rice and beans on the side! Pretty funny, we'll make ourselves more clear next time.

After breakfast/lunch we went to a lady that me madre' is going to have a sun dress made. While they were talking we noticed some wet rolled up kite gear in the corner. Her husband was the local kiter that we see when we are in town and its windy. She also has a dog named Weni that is half wiener half beagle. He wasn't there but would be on Monday so we told her we would come back. After a few more errands we all went for ice cream at Mariano's Arcade. It was about 5pm when we started the trek back home. A lot of people we pasted were looking up into the sky. We new the skydiver were in town and there was a plane circling above us. We stopped at the park right before the bridge and saw one person jump. They kept going and going we all thought when are they going to pull the shoot? Suddenly this one person split up into about 5 people and pulled their shoots! It was quite a sight. They all landed on the other side of the bridge the way we were headed so we peddled fast to see them all come down. There were a bunch of them and more had just jumped out so we got to see them all land.

At home we were all stuffed, Karlene and I took our books out to the pool. I finally finished my Z for Zacharia a book I read in 8th grade and remembered liking it. It was as good as I remember. We got in some tv and a movie and now I have to figure out how to process my RAW files on this computer so I can share all my pictures not just from my point n' shoot.

Belize 2010_.5

We're home, well it feels like home anyway. We got in yesterday around noon all the traveling went well, no lost baggage or extra charges. After we drug all the bags through the sand and to the boat we went to Estel's for lunch. They have the best homemade scones called Fried Jacks. We decided to go home and settle in. The 3 mile boat ride home was a little wet because of all the extra weight and direction of swell. No worries it was 75 degrees (only because of the cold front going through)!

After unpacking I thought I would take a nap but Matt broke out the rum instead. We had a few shots and went next door to the neighbors for a party. Karlene brought Jello Shots and a lot of people partook. Even me madre', the funny thing was she likes jello and decided to chew it instead of shoot it! The picture is priceless. After we stuffed ourselves with bbq'd shrimp and fresh salsa we called it a night. It was only 8pm and we were so tempted to go to bed (we didn't get much sleep on the plane). Time to get out the book.