Tropical Paradise

We're in Caye Caulker, Belize. Took a wonderful snorkle trip to the reef this AM with three stops: first stop our guide, Salvadore, led us (seven total with only Frances and I choosing to wear PFDs around our waists) as he pointed out a green moray eel, a sea turtle, various corals including one called "brain" (eerie how realistic it looked), another called "staghorn" and yet another called "fire."

At our second stop (sting ray and shark alley) we were in water so shallow that the guide told us to take off our fins and just walk or float above the sting rays. Sharks have not been seen on this reef recently so we watched the sting rays from the boat while Salvadore held one in his arms and pointed out where the stinger is located along its quite long tail. Their eyes were amazing.

I was perfectly happy watching from the boat when Frances ventured in. She slid into the water too late to see the baracuda that several others were watching. This was where we also had a snack of fresh pineapple, bananas, and oranges ... delicious.

At our final stop Salvatore told us we could go out on our own to view some schools of fish and swim around the barrier looking for whatever we could find. I was too careful, not wanting to accidentally hit or touch the coral or injure myself so Frances had to wave me further into the reef to see more fish. I was also too careful about sunscreen, I guess, and being reluctant to put any on that would wash off in the sea I now feel the heat of a fabulous snorkeling sunburn.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day were spent at Cerros Beach Resort, across the bay from Corozal, Belize. What an experience! The owners, Jenny and Bill, are focused on sustainable and nature-centered experiences. They heat their water and run their electricity on solar, capture their shower and toilet water from the rain, house their guests in four cabanas built with local palm thatch and wood from their property, pick us up and boat us across the bay to their resort, and treat us with great care and attention, feeding us wonderful food that Bill cooks. Each breakfast and dinner were times to share travel stories and stories of life in Belize.

On Christmas Day, Jenny drove Frances and I to a nearby town (Chenux?) where we visited a local family they have befriended. This trip was intended to allow us the experience of crossing a river using a hand crank bridge. The bridge holds two vehicles plus pedestrians. Cars drive on, then a government worker starts cranking and within five minutes the wooden bridge meets the other side of the river and cars drive on their way.

The day before our trip over the bridge a man and his wife drove quickly onto the bridge while it was raining and went straight off the bridge and into the river. His wife couldn't swim and died. The sad remains of their experience sat beside the road ... a water-soaked car with its windshield smashed out.

Christmas night, Bill (our chef, who told us he's prepared a meal for two presidents--Clinton/Gore and Bush/Cheney) made us a pork roast that was shared with us and the other two guests there, Kath and Ian (from London). As an aside, Bill told us that each president always gives a memento to their chef. Clinton gave him a keychain with the presidential seal on it, Bush gave him a small bag of M&Ms from Air Force One.

So many stories were shared between guests and hosts during our three days at Cerros Resort we'll have to tell more later when our internet cafe charges are cheaper. Still can't believe we're here. I told Frances over lunch today that I feel guilty when I think of all my friends and family who are shoveling and layering on coats and gloves and hats and mittens. I'm working on getting over my guilt. The warm salt air and beautiful azure water seem to help.