Peter and Francine, Stephen and Marlene, Glennda at Paraiso

This meant getting into a collectivo for the half hour or so ride up into the hills. After much negotiation, we were on our way. The large van was very full, but still it stopped and more people got on, then more and more people, until there were two men on the roof and the ticket taker was hanging onto the roof ladder. I counted twenty-seven people (some children) in total.

Twenty-seven people and the CHICKEN!

Our mistake was to travel to a popular place on a Sunday when most llocal people are off work and travel to visit family. But would we really not want to have had the experience!!

Once at our destination, we walked into the park. The falls were a wonderful sight, with water cascading over the bathers already in the water.

Glennda' s Gone Native! Theis Mayan dress is cooler to wear than Canadian clothing. I am standing beside a Bird of Paradise plant.

Warm, no, HOT water flowed over us, relaxing us, as we swam up to the falls: pounding our heads and shoulders when we stood, and splashing our faces as we dove for the shelter of the overhanging cliff. Small fish nibbled on the toes of anyone who stayed put for any length of time. One even tried to eat a little of my knee cap! OUCH!! However, once you are moving again, they quickly move away.

WOW!!

A picnic on the rocks

Once again the beauty around us is astounding!

The gurad who watched our stuff while we swam

Dinner in the Jungle was Next!

Casa Perico is a restaurant up a tributary of the Rio Dulce River. It is a large two story palapa, with a number of outbuildings: dorms and cabins. Many backpackers stay at Casa Perico while they explore this part of Guatemala.

Casa Perico

On Saturday evenings, the staff prepare a very special smorgasbord meal! Meat is often scarce in the Guatemalan diet, but at this meal there will be at least 5 kinds of meat!

While at Casa Perico, we met Captain John, his wife Elvira and all of the boaters who are planning to leave their boats at his marina for the summer. A retired boat captain (commercial) we feel the care of our boats will be superior! We have also seen the great care he takes of his won boat.

Captain John's Marina

Elvira is known as the best varnisher on the Rio, so we are going to have her work on Island Girl II. We look forward to returning to a boat that looks much improved. The sun and salt water over the last 3 years has really done a number on the rub rails and toe rails.

The BBQ

In the Kitchen at Casa Perico

written by  bobandglennda on March 22, 2009 from Fronteras, Guatemala
from the travel blog: Sailing from Florida to Cenral America
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Glennda in the middle of a swing bridge 30 meters in the air

There were flowers and interesting plants everywhere, but we were disappointed not to see more birds. We also expected to get to a bathing pool, but did not see it.

Monkey Vine

On our way back to the resort from which we began our journey, an older couple walking with us heard gunshots and took off very frightened. However, the shots were to frighten away the water birds because they kill the trees in which they roost.

We were not disappointed! Great company, great food, wonderful views and the chance to try out a Nauticat 44'. The weather also blessed us with a sunny, Bright day and some breeze. What a beautiful boat! Thank you, again, Ed and Benia!

Largo Izubal is 30 Miles long, and varies in width. Most of the time you can see the other side of the lake, but often you cannot see the other end of the lake.

written by  bobandglennda on March 22, 2009 from Fronteras, Guatemala
from the travel blog: Sailing from Florida to Cenral America
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San Felipe

Floating islands of Hyacinths

Ever since arriving in Fronteras we have been curious to find out what is on the other side of the bridge. The weather presented us with an absolutely beautiful day! There was much laughter, great food, and a perfect breeze, right on the nose! Oh, well!

The three captains sail the boat while.....

the admirals have a good visit!

The views were once again awesome in the true sense of that word!
Usually, we were able to see the other side of the lake, but with the end of the lake 30 Miles away, water stretched ahead of us without Shoreline for a couple of hours.

Largo Izabal

written by  bobandglennda on March 22, 2009 from Fronteras, Guatemala
from the travel blog: Sailing from Florida to Cenral America
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Waiting for Better Weather

Raul, answered promptly and within 5 minutes of anchoring in front of the town, all of the appropriate officals were on board, welcoming us to Guatemala. Once the boat was inspected, we went ashore with Raul and the officials in a launcha. The launcha driver promised to be available to take us back to our boat in about 1 to 1.5 hours. We went for lunch and Raul assured us that he would have our visa's prepared for us before Siesta.

Using the communication towers as an aid to navigation

The port captain walked us to the bank and we used our debit card to get Quertzals, the local money. There are 6.4 Q's to the Canadian dollar and over 8 Q to the US dollar. Fun!

Street Scenes

Street Scenes

Laundry and Secretarial Service Together?

Store Fronts in Livingston

We were really surprised to see all the cars in this town: there is no road into this place just the roads in town and for a few Miles out of town. Here you must come by boat or plane. Also, many goods and services are available. It really is a busy, busy spot, where people, golf carts, tuk tuk taxi's, dogs, people and bicycles all share the roadway!

The Lumber Yard in Linvingston

Cars and Vans in a place where there are no roads into the town

And surprise, Ed and Benia on Sea Angel, also replied! We have only seen them once since Isla Mujeres, despite being in some of the same anchorages. Although, we have never sailed in really bad conditions this whole trip, the weather in harbour has not been condusive to putting the dingy in the water and going for a visit! But the sun has come out and we will be able to roam at will!

Almost everyone who has been to the Rio Dulce encouraged us to go see it for ourselves. They all stressed what a great lifestyle there is in the Rio for boaters and talked about how much cheaper it is to live than in the US or Canada. They did not prepare us for the majesty of the trip through the cannons to Fronteras. The following pictures speak for themselves.

It was good that we planned to do short hops on this section of the coast, as the sea was on the beam causing the boat to roll and be uncomfortable even in light air.

Our first stop was Little Monkey Cay where we saw very little. No villages were apparent from our vantage point and the only lights we saw at night were from the next bay south:the village of Monkey River Town. The anchorage was very quiet after the roll of the sailing day and we had a great night's sleep.

On Sunday, we headed for New Haven where we thought we would encounter some civilization. But we were wrong! Hard Luck Charlie died about ten years ago and no one has taken over his farm/marina/restaraunt. His place is fast becoming part of the jungle again, but you can still clearly see the frame of his old house and the marine railway which in the past lifted boats up to 40' out of the water for repairs and storage.

Hardluck Charlie's

On Monday morning we were up and on our way be 7:00 a.m. Arriving in Punta Gorda at 12:30, we ate lunch and then went ashore to clear out at customs and immigration. Of course, it was another "Experience" of a 3rd world system! The solution to any problem seems to come with a price tag, but again, I guess its much the same the world over and the fine for not having been given a medical certificate when we checked into Belize was not unreasonable. We are after all is said and done, visitors to this country.

The most disappointing thing about Punta Gorda was that the power was off for 5 or 6 hours, so we couldn't get onto the internet! No contact with the outside world!

Normally, a boat cannot risk anchoring over night at Punta Gorda and must go back up the coast a few miles to anchor behind an island. However, we were able to stay due to a low pressure system that was hanging over the area. There was literally no wind!
It rained sohard in the night that the port over the bed leaked causing me to be rudely wakened. After being wakened a second time, I moved to a drier bed!

Bob has since repaired/adjusted that port and I no longer open it, EVER!!!!!

written by  bobandglennda on March 15, 2009 from Punta Gorda, Belize
from the travel blog: Sailing from Florida to Cenral America
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Our dingy makes yet another trip to shore

Here you can find most items you might wish to buy, and laundry service and internet are readily available. But the Anchorage is quite rough if you are not close to the point.

While exploring the island, I found the local school, and before you know it, I was volunteering a week of my time to help. It was a very rewarding experience! However, I was not looking forward to my daily dingy ride to the mainland because, I kept getting soaking wet! Not a nice feelig to stay wet for most of the day!

Fifth Form

Volunteer at St. John's Memorial Anglican School with student from Infant II

Fortunately for me, when Bob was out exploring with Donna and Steve, they came into the back harbour, where some new townhomes are being built. They toured one of the new townhomes and got acquainted with the builder, who offered to allow us to tie up at his dock. The townhomes and their setting is absolutely gorgeous, with very upgraded finsihes and the shared facilities include a pool and hot tub, as well as, a large palapa where you can BBQ or sit and read.What a beautiful spot! THANK YOU ED!

We also found several good restaraunts and coffee bars in Placencia. I think my favourite restaraunt was the Secret Garden, which is run by a young couple from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The food was excellent and they are also a lot of fun!

We also really enjoyed the Paradise Resort for its great food, good morning coffee and wonderful fresh squeezed juices. Donna and Steve stayed at the resort before leaving us to fly home to Toronto.
We are already missing them!

Donna and Steve on the beach at Cay Caulker

Donna and Steve at the end of another tropical day

We had some rain again today, after a late start. Yesterday, was too miserable to go to shore, so early this morning the guys went for gas and propane, while Donna and I bought some provisions.

Despite the rain and later start we were anchored at the Drowned Cayes just after 3:00 p.m. This is considered to be a Hurricane hole and we can see why! This is the most protected Anchorage we have seen in many, many days!

The Drowned Cayes Anchorage

The Drowned Cayes

The crew from Ruby Slippers made the suggestion that we head for Cucumber Marina tomorrow. It was a unanimous YES onboard Island Girl II. Hot Showers, Laundry, and electricity sound really good!

written by  bobandglennda on March 12, 2009 from Belize City, Belize
from the travel blog: Sailing from Florida to Cenral America
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The Marina inside the highest wire link fence that I have ever seen and razor wire tops this! Armed guards walk the perimeter, but everyone is very friendly and the facility is wonderfully clean, with pools,zip lines, beaches, museum, restaurant and gift shop.

We immediately packed up our laundry and headed to the far side of the marina, where we found the office and showers, as well as, laundry. There was a lineup of the laundry, but between Donna and myself, we were able to get everything clean again!

While doing laundry, an Ontario motorhome arrived and after they were settled, they offered a ride to Belize City in the car they were towing. I was thankful that we found a more full service gorcery store. However, after we were already in the city, my new friends confessed that they did not have a guidebook or map. The streets we followed into the city, so while I shopped our driver, tried to get directions to get us back to the marina.

It was not an easy drive, but we eventually found ourselves back on the western highway, headed to the marina. It was a big relief to see that high fence again.

Dinner in the restaurant was a wonderful treat and the crew from Ruby Slippers also took advantage of this great setting!

The next morning we visited the museum Olde Belize and are very glad that we did. It really is a wonderful display!

Inside a Mayan Home

The Rain Forest

Replica of Myan Altar

Conch are plentiful along this coast.

written by  bobandglennda on March 12, 2009 from Belize City, Belize
from the travel blog: Sailing from Florida to Cenral America
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