It was an early morning on the 11th had to be at the airport at 3:45 for a 5:30 a.m. flight out of Boston. We arrived in Belize city early if you can believe it and tropic air put us on an earlier flight. Mario came to pick us up, it was so good to see him. He took us to reef village while my husband and his friend Tiny a newbie went to wait for a golf cart at lime. We arrived at Reef village to so many warm welcomes it was like coming home. Big hugs from my favorite scotsman, ada was her usual smiling self and an even older friend one of the first people we ever met on the island Rodrigo always entertaining.
We stayed in villa 16 which was beautiful. I told the kids to treat it as they wanted guests to treat ours when it is completed. They even used coasters didnt know they knew how. After we unpacked and relaxed at the pool we started out on our adventure.
Went to Patojos at the tides to arrange our dives as usual another home coming. Catherine (aka turtle girl) has become BFF's with their 11 yr old and they were so cute. After a couple of drinks at the bar we headed to the infamous Pedros to meet up with everyone and to drop off the booty we brought with us. As expected everyone was so warm and welcoming made the kids feel very welcome Daniel found a friend. Saw the tacos and caught up with them, Salty and her husand. Met Wade and THE KC Jay Hawks and wife. Jd was there and filled me on the comings and goings since we last chatted. I met the infamous Pedro and I promised not to say it but he is a very kind and sweet man. Had the pizza (3) and the hot wings. Everything was great. The kids played all the games. I was very impressed by the "jaeger bottles" on the wall. After being up for so long we headed home for an early night.
Wednesday morning we went diving bright and early with Guillarmo, sangy, and patojo. Tiny was doing his open water and finishing up his certification so it was great for all of us to be there for this occasion. The water was so clear and warm. Turtle girl saw her turtles, it never ceases to amaze me that every dive she sees a turtle. Groupers were following her like puppies and she even got to pat a couple. It was an experiance few 11 yr olds get to have and the best part is she never fails to see the wonder and excitement in it all. To complete the adventure we had dolphins following the boat back towards the dock, life does not get any better.
After 2 dives headed back to the pool my kids think this is the way you bath in belize - ocean to pool. I had to point out soap as an option.
Made plans to meet with the builders the next day. We then went on to have the experiance of a lifetime - oh yes the chicken drop. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life. We picked our numbers and drummer dan came over to pick a volunteer turtle girl was chosen. She picked up that chicken like a pro went around and forward and back and yes blew on the chickens butt. I lost it, I am suprised the pics aren't blurry. We saw KC and his wife and more familiar faces.
We had dinner at El Patio, it was good and the service was great. The renovations looked amazing without losing its charm. Back to the villa to relax to dive another day.
Thursday -Went on our first dive in the morning great visibility and saw lots of marine life. Getting ready for second dive ready to go into the water turn the wrong way and I saw stars, I pulled out my back. Thankfully I wasn't in the water. This laid me up for 2 days and I missed a lot of my favorite things. Just means I have to come back. Rob, tiny and the kids went on about their business. They dove and catherine and tiny think they saw a hammer head. They did see dolphins and of course turtles. They went to pirate pizza for dinner it was very good not as good as pedros but good enough.
Saturday I was sick of being in bed and Patojo said he could help me get in and out of the water if I felt up to it. I gave it a try and I am so glad I did. The exercise helped loosen everything up and I got to see the statue we call it the Jesus statue and got a great family photo. One dive was enough and I was a landlubber the rest of the day.
We went to the palapa bar for lunch and met the rum loving poodle. Stuck her nose in the air when it was just coke and rum was added she had a couple of licks and a nap. Had a great lunch/dinner.
We had planned on going to BC on sunday but since I missed a whole day we went diving instead. Went to hol chan inside and outside the reef. Snorkel boy went in the water at shark ray alley with dad and tiny. The visibility was suprisingly good considering the winds. Current was tough. Tiny took the kids for dinnner at Celli's and rob and I went to the blue water grill. The food was very good. The key lime pie was amazing. It was nice to have dinner with just the 2 of us.
Monday hubby had to leave a day early for work. We took him to the airport saw KC Jayhawk and then headed off to the RC school and dropped off some supplies. Then just did touristy stuff. Met tiny for lunch went to estelles it was very good. The kids and tiny had breakfast for lunch and I had the barbeque chicken. Sadly we went back to pack to go home the next day. We picked up Sabrina and we all went back to Celi's for dinner. Tried to go to mango grill but the prices were ridiculously high and nothing on the menu the kids would eat. The waiter remembered them and had the smoothie machine all ready to go. Tiny went back to the villa and I took the kids to the park where they met some new friends and they all played great. Met the 2 women who's husbands are building sapphire beach. They are very nice women so it was great to chat with them about the living on the island and their adventures on how they got their. It was fun to watch all the kids to play together locals, tourist and ex-pats we adults can certainly learn a lot just watching kids play. The evening ended bringing Sabrina home, with tears of the girls missing each other thank goodness for email and the promise of February.
The last day was very adventurous - we went to swim at the cut and it was to cold. Went to go to breakfast at Estelles but not open, so we ate at celi's diner it was very good. Went back to the pool and swam, went to go back to the villa and the place was flooded from the hotwater heater letting go. So we left and went down town did some cool photo ops and then had ice cream at mannellys.
Sad time - headed towards tropic air and then got a great suprise saw Sabrina walking home for lunch chance for another hug. Taco Girl at the airport more hugs. We met the infamous jet at the airport and he entertained the kids since our flight was 2 hours late.
Got home at 1:30 a.m. on the 19th (suppose to be the 18th) luggage arrival - the 20th.
If we had been anywhere else one might complain but all we did was laugh at the bumps along the way. We have found a second home and we will be back in 85 days!
Last edited by suecate; 11/26/08 07:46 PM.