Western Caribbean

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After a stop at the lovely island of Roatan we continued inside the Barrier Reef up to Belize City.

Roatan was lush, green and not overcrowded. I had not realized that there would be that many hills, I had thought it would be flatter and drier, but it was really quite nice. The cruise ship had their own private cove that we backed into and it was surprising even as narrow and small as this little bay was that we managed to fit in there. We spent a very relaxing day just lounging at the beach, drinking beer and listening to a very good live entertainer playing great reggae and beach tunes. Jane and I couldn't really remember how long it has been since we really just vegged out at the beach.

Belize City was older and a little worse for the wear. It seems like all of these former Colonial Carribbean Countries have really let the infrastructure decline since they became independent. We took a very well done river tour up the Belize River and saw lots of wildlife. After the boat dropped us off 30 miles inland we took a bus another 20 miles to the Maya Ruins of Al Tun. The road was really bad, but the guide was very entertaining and we had a great group of people that really seemed to enjoy the site. The native crafts were a good value from the little shops at our river lunch stop and outside the ruins so I think our tour did it's part for the local economy. Jane got some very nice handmade jewelry items which is her favorite thing to collect.

The cruise back to Houston was a little choppy, but really quite relaxing as we like sleeping with the motion of the ocean. I guess that is good as we are moving on to a new phase in our life journey. We are in the process of buying a 42' Bertram Motoryacht and will be living aboard on the Chesapeake Bay. I will try to post updates from our travels as we cruise around the Mid-Atlantic region. But first we must go up to Maryland to pick up the boat and get it ready for the boating season. It is currently in winter storage and there will be lots to do to get it ready to cruise.

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Photos

Belize River
Iguana relaxing in the tree.

Bertram
Our new home.

Comments

[Shirley and Joe]

Wow!
Keep us posted. It sounds exciting!Shirley and Joe

[Bernie & Maggie]

Keep at it!!
Great to see you are still living a wonderful life and enjoying. We are still getting in a cruise a month and have a new place in Englewood Fl so we are close to the beach, that would be great living on the boat, ours is still at our dock on the Withlacoochie River in Yankeetown, Fl and have thought about bringing it down to this area to spend time on it, have our little 17 ft with us so can go fishing and along the inland waterway and over to the beach, a good life, yeah. M & B

[Daniel & Mari]

Enjoy it!!
Glad to see you on the road again. Enjoy it.

[Sue and Dale]

Western Caribbean
Wow-we actually did that cruise out of Houston in December, and our cruise director was Brett Siborne (same as from our 2011 world cruise). We enjoyed although we managed to have rain everyday!! Thanks for keeping in touch, don't forget to let us know if you are coming out to Colorado!!! sue/dale

[Marilynn & Gary Williams]

We went off of the ship at 7:10. In the car and on the road to Houston at 7:35 after customs and everything! We really enjoyed your company. We stopped many times for stretching legs, gas, lunch, more gas, shopping at a Bass Pro Shop, more gas, supper, and finally reached Panama City Beach, FL about 12 hours later. Our stop for 4 nights. We are right on the Gulf, seventh floor in a 3 bedroom condo with full kitchen and two baths. Today it is cloudy and rain but is rest and recover day. Gary is feeling a lot better, enjoying the rain delay on the Daytona 500 race. Enjoyed your commentary and pictures. Marilynn

[George Eglington]

Fellow Travellers
Great to hear from you guys again. Always enjoy your Blogs.Your comments about the neglect of the islands once they are handed over is very valid based on our personal yachting experiences. Nevertheless it is still great to see how other cultures live. Good to hear that you will go back to boating. Venitia subscribes to the power boating option & suggests from time to time that we should do the same. I do not see it happening with us. We are leaving in April Cruise Ship from Cape Town to UK towards end of April. Then on to Anchorage for a Cruise down to Vancouver. We will then take a rail & bus trip to the Rockies up in Calgary. Then fly to Toronto to visit Venitia's Sister. We then fly to Amsterdam where we will meet up with all of our Sons for a week. Finally fly back home after almost two months of travelling. Quite an exciting trip!!! We are really looking forward to it. Anyway keep enjoying your travels & we look forward to hearing further from you. Cheers, George & Venitia Eglington.

[Captain Frog]

First reaction - Kathy, WOW Holy Shit - look what the Flannelly's did now. Second reaction - When are you inviting me to snoop around your new dids? I could use a Chesapeake reprieve. Let me know when and where and I'll be there. LOVE BOAT LIFE!!!!!!