7/2/09 Return Home

7/2/09
We ate esparnza’s one last time Yum Fry Jack’s. went to stick my toes in the sand one last time. Short taxi ride to the airport. In San Pedro I was allowed to bring a gallon jug of water on the hopper plane. I saw unattended bags. It was a small airline to Belize City. We checked in a little early to come home so we looked around the shops in the airport. Then Steve & I went to Jet’s Bar to have one last Belikin Beer. On our way home we had to stop in Houston and had to go though customs line was long but went well. Had to check our luggage back in then on to our next flight. We had to go to the other side of the airport. Had a sandwich for a snack and use my debit card for the time in 2 ½ weeks that weird for me because at home that’s how I normally pay. the whole time I was in Belize I used cash in US dollar & got Belize Dollars in change. 1 US Dollar = 2 Belize dollars That was so cool! If you gave them $20 it was worth $40. I can home with $0.40 Belize nickels. I missed my afternoon rest in my lounge chair with the sun on my face wind in my hair and the sound of the ocean. I will be happy to be home soon . Bumpy ride due to weather in Phoenix. Always Belize dreaming!

7/1/09

7/1/09
We ate breakfast at the Cuban Coffee Café it was like a 6 course meal! 1.Cuban cappuccino 2. Fresh squeezed OJ 3. Fruit 4. Toast 5. Eggs & bacon 6. Pastry WOW! What a breakfast. We went to a jewelry store I got a Mayan jade sun pendant to wear on my slide. Then we went to Other shops to see what else we could find. Mom got 2 photo albums to put her photo’s she has taken while we were here. Nate & I went to the ocean it was so rough that we could not stand it so we ended up at the pool . I needed to hydrate so I went to the store to get Gatorade & lounged in the chair by the gate for the afternoon. I sold some of my left over sunscreen for what I paid for it at home $7 US so I got $15 BLZ. On the way back I stopped at the pool Joe aka the king of the pool and others that we meet during our stay here in San Pedro Belize they were getting there hair braided & pedicures. Said good bye being that we were leaving early the next day for home! We ate at Elvie’s Kitchen one last time and got custard on the way home. Took one last walk on the dock at night to say Goodbye to Belize!

6/30/09

6/30/09
I didn’t want to get out of bed today? After breakfast Mom took photo’s of me in my blue dress
In multiple locations. In the mangrove, by an old dock, by palm trees, on the rocks, on our dock where we snorkel from. I was hot in the dress I was wearing was made out of polyester after she finished. I said I was jumping in the water with the dress on! Ready to take a photo I am counting down from 10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1. Jump, splash and what a relief. She need to work on taking photo’s of a human subject.
After that we went snorkeling. While snorkeling today I found 2 beautiful shell in the sea grass like there were placed there just for me. Then we hung out at the pool we found Nate a pool toy called a coconut! Used it as a ball, torpedo, or a cup to dump water on my head. I wasn’t feeling so well so I went to the condo to take a nap! Lazy afternoon & evening.

6/29/09

6/29/09
Today we went shopping for trinkets to take home to our friends & family. I got a couple T- shirts for my favorite girls, a hand carved bird from a local man who I promised early in my trip I would buy one from he was shocked that I approached him to buy one. Belizean coffee & coconut rum. I bought some more anklets from the family to register there kids into school. Hung out at the pool & went snorkeling. Our friend Joe the king of the pool recommended a restaurant called FIDO’s Fi= feed Do = Dose. Great atmosphere until the band started to play country music. I hate country.

6/28/09

6/ 28/09
Went for a walk on the beach south & came back went snorkeling off the dock & went swimming . Mom was harassing the lizards by taking photographs of them. After she went to the condo & put away her camera a big Iguana appeared on top of one of the condo units like a gargoyle. She ran back to get her camera. Joe the king of the pool told us that it was up there in the afternoon some times but we thought he was pulling our leg! We had a Lazy day! that’s what I call vacation!

6/27/09

6/27/09
Went for a walk to the mangroves but today there was no breeze it was hot & muggy! The mosquitoes were out today in full force like an army! I had read to bring bug spray so I did but we didn’t need it until today! It was so hot all we wanted to do was stay in the water where it was cool & the mosquitoes could not bite you . The best place to be was in the pool today! We ate the street vendor for lunch had chicken. Then went back to the pool! It was just us & Joe the king of the pool out due to the mosquitoes everyone else was staying inside. We went back to the condo for dinner decided to get Pizza & Beer. We played some rounds of UNO! Great night!

6/26/09

6/26/09
Mom & I set out to bring back breakfast to our condo. We went to Esparanza’s to get Fry Jacks w/ Egg’s & ham & cheese $8 BLZ $4 US I really like the fry jacks. Then I got on the internet to catch up on emails & check on the butterfly jungle. We set out to see if we could find the butterfly jungle. Well it was no longer there the place was up for sale? Bummer. On the way back we stopped to pick up Mom’s dresses. Mom & I decided to stop in a couple tourist shops. I got a tank top. Then we went to the dock to go snorkeling today the water was rough but we saw the most reef fish that we have seen the whole trip. We saw lots of needle fish millions of neon’s , 3 sting rays and many more! Then we moved to the pool! Then lunch & assumed the spot at the gate and ocean breeze to take a nap in our lounge chair. There is a dog that hangs out at the condo the locals call her princess she come though the gate every afternoon like clock work! We ate the whole in the wall for dinner that Steve found! Best fired chicken & fries and fried shrimp! Also feed the condo cat we call tuxedo the chicken scraps.

6/25/09

6/25/09
We had yummy Chorizo & eggs for breakfast at our condo. We got ready right after breakfast to snorkel our dock. We ended up getting out early due to some boy who weren’t very nice today they wanted to use our equipment. And one boy took a board scraper that Nate had. They were the first bad people that we had experienced in our trip so far. So we went to rinsed our equipment & went swimming in the pool. We ended up going to town to get more bread & pickup our custom dresses. Mine were perfect moms were a little to big so hers were going to be another day. They kept one of my dresses to adjust Mom’s at the top the length was fine. On the way back we stopped at Island Deli to get some lunch it was late there were only 3 items left on the board Chicken stew, Whole fish fried & pork chops. Mom Had the chicken stew & I had the whole fish. After lunch Mom & I assumed the afternoon position in the lounge chairs while Nate went swimming in the pool. There was a family selling necklaces & bracelets to help pay for there kids to go to school . There were $10 US for the Necklaces I got 2. There little boy is so cute he called Steve A hillbillie Red neck. Because of his size. That night we ventured out to use our certificate & went to Sunset Grill. Wow it was warm there when we arrived. We were served our dinner as the sun was setting. They feed the Tarpon there it was cool to watch.
*All of the Kids here sell Bracelets & necklaces to make money for there families. Get use to saying no thank you!*

6/24/09

6/24/09
Today we got an early start Had to be on our dock by 8am for our scuba snorkel trip. We took a short boat ride ten we got our instructions on what we can do I got on my gear first then Mom & Edgar our guide made a big circle around the reef . I dodged my first Jelly Fish to see in open water I had only seen the in aquariums. I also saw a huge puffer fish in a free dive to a open cove in the coral. I also saw a reef shark & lots of fish. The coral is not as bright as Maui and it appears to be in bad shape with hole in the fan coral. When we were getting ready to get back into the boat there was a Sea turtle eating sea grass . I love sea turtles!
We all got back into the boat and set off for shark ray alley1 I got to hold a sting ray and pet it. They are soft like real good leather. It was amazing how many fish there were! But the guide was feeding them! I don’t believe in feeding the fish it ruins there natural ecosystem. Because he was feeding them they tried to eat my swim suit strap. All disappointments set aside we had a good time. We ate lunch & I found my lounge chair & took a nap! After my nap we headed out to eat dinner. We ate dinner at Caliante then we went to the Famous Chicken Drop at the Pier Lounge. You put down a $1 BLZ For a number I got $5. They place the chicken on a bingo like board and where the chicken Poop’s is the number that is the winner. They win $100 BLZ! We didn’t win but had a great time! Time to call it a night!

6/23/09

6/23/09
I didn’t want to get up this morning! but we got up And ate what the locals call monkey bread toasted with ham & mangos. Steve & Mom got a little Sun kissed yesterday so I made sure that we all had sunscreen on today & let it absorb at lest 20min or more. Then we set out to see what the day would bring? We went to the post office to mail out postcards it cost 0.30 BLZ 0.15 US to mail them to the USA but it takes 10 days. Then we went back to the beach to check out some dive shops. We booked a trip with Amigos del marina. Tomorrow we are going to the Hol Chin Marine Reserve. Steve & Nate are going to dive & Mom & I are going to snorkel with them. After we set up our dive we went back to get our gear ready & decided that mom need to try out her fins so we went to our dock that the locals call the blue step. We found some more sea junk and made sure that we disposed of it in the trash. but we also found $ 0.45 BLZ. After that we were all hungry and ended up easting the Jamaican Jerk Pit! Jerk chicken & fisherman soup was good! Moms fish & chips were good as well. We also went today to a meat market called Loin’s meats we got some pork chops, breakfast sausage, then we needed another loaf of the monkey bread. Then we high tailed it home with the meat. we took mom for a walk to show her where we took a boat ride to yesterday & show her the football field we stopped at a few shops on the way back I got some coconut biscuits & a religious bracelet for my friend. Nate went back to the dock to play with the snails & Mom & I sat under the palm trees at the gate and took a nap. Then Nate went swimming until dinner . We ate at the condo tonight pork chops with 2 large Mexican Avocados & baked potatoes. What a busy day ready for bed. Boat will pick us up for our dive snorkel trip at our dock @ 8am.

6/22/09

6/22/09
Today we went to the bakery to get some pastries for breakfast the bakery opens @ 8am. We set out at quarter til 8. We got there at just about 8 o’clock & the shelves were empty. There delivery didn’t get there until 9am. But it was worth the wait. Cinnamon rolls & pastries. We also need regular white bread but the clerk told us that we would need to come back after 10am that is when they get the bread shipment. So we went home to eat our finds. That didn’t fill my boy’s so we made scrambled eggs & ham. Then we went to the dock with our snorkels & masks. Took Mom for her first time using her mask & snorkel in open water. She also got to try her under water camera. I Belize she is hooked! After that we still needed bread so we went back to the bakery to get bread & stopped at the greenhouse market & got some margarine. I got back o the condo with mom & then Steve was ready to go some where so I set out with Steve for I don’t know what? Well so we set out walking south on the beach. A guy stopped us for a timeshare offer. We decided to take the boat ride to the timeshare. We got a certificate for $50BLZ credit for a Sunset Grill that we wanted to try. Mom & Nate thought we got lost we were gone for a long time.

6/21/09

6/21/09
Woke up today to rain & thunder. I enjoyed the rain at home we don’t get rain to much.
We ate breakfast in our condo Toast w/ jelly, Bananas, Ham & mangos.
We got ready for our day slowly that ’s what vacation is for. We went for a walk on the beach to the north side to the toll bridge. On our walk I enjoyed the mangroves. On our way back we walked though town the street was a sandy mud from the rain. We had a guy ask if we were lost because we were in a residential area not normally were tourist go. On our way back the street vendor had just started up there grill said to them be back when chicken is ready. So later that day we had chicken & a bottle of Fanta or coke. So good!
The boy went swimming & I sat on the dock & took in the view. Then we got Ice cream at Manelley’s. I had coconut. I love coconut! Then the locals told us about a market called Super Buy so we set off to find it. We ended up buying pasta & sauce, Belizean Coconut Rum with coke & juice.
When we got back Nate was board so I put on my suit and went down to the dock to get in the water. I got on my mask and saw lots of little Zebra fish, small parrot fish. I found a Belize nickel & gave it to a local boy who was swimming with us. Went back to the condo to make dinner & drinks.

6/20/09

6/20/09
We set out on an adventure! We walked the beach to the Roman Catholic church & park. We crossed the street & ordered custom made skirts that convert into a dress. Then we headed out south looking for the market on the south side they didn’t have much more available then we already got. We went on a walk far south looking for a store called the Sausage factory. We ended up walking to far south & pass up the street that you turn down to go to the Sausage Factory. But we were able to see some of the resorts. They are a ways away from town how boring. We decided to turn around? Then along the streets they have a map on post though out town and was able to find where we needed to turn to go to the Sausage Factory. We found it! We got a smoked whole chicken, Smoked Ham, Pepperoni & Jerky. I was carrying my back pack and was able to pack it home to the condo about 3 - 4 miles home. When we got back we made pasta salad. We realized that we were missing some ingredients so I went to the San Pedro Market there was a street vendor selling BBQ Chicken with beans, coleslaw, red beans & rice also fresh tortillas. I asked how much $9 BLZ $4.50 US. We all ate some for lunch. Yum! Then I went out to sit in the lounge chairs that face the pier & the ocean to rest.

Later that evening Lobster Fest as we were leaving for Lobster Fest it was raining. It cooled off & was a great walk to the Lobster Fest. The rain let up and it was misting us. We started off the Fest with Belize Chocolate with dark chocolate & mango. I had fresh grilled lobster tail $20 BLZ $10 US & Belikin Beer for $2.50 BLZ. Mom & I sat with a nice Couple from Texas & had a great conversation & gave us some tips about our return trip to the USA. We got back to the condo & Nate was a little hungry went outside to the street vendor who was selling hot dogs - they had grilled onions , mayo, mustard, ketchup, Parmesan cheese. Loving Belize & the adventure!

6/19/09

6/19/09

We went for a walk on the beach & through town .

Amazing I saw a sting ray by looking off the dock into the water. Sat in a chair under a palm tree & rested. We ate at Pirates Pizza for dinner & brought it back to our condo. Also we got a few groceries we wonder how the locals buy & afford groceries. Also what kind of meals the compile due to lack of options? Some of the things we came up with to make were Pasta Salad, Cheese Crisps, Peanut butter & Jelly. Butter was hard to find they must use margarine. I also got Fried plantains Mangos, Tang, Lay’s Chips, Bananas, 4 glass bottles of fanta & a few pastries - one ham & cheese, one pound cake & a pineapple pastries. Note to self must go to the bakery when the open @ 9am, We went in the afternoon not much left

6/18/09 arrival day

6/18/09 arrival day

I have a little Colitis humor when we arrived on the main land in Belize my belly was rolling so I need to use the restroom so I found the nearest restroom to find out that the toilet paper dispensers were made in the USA in New Mexico! LoL!

On the flight to San Pedro I got to ride in the co pilots seat we made one extra stop then on to San Pedro.
Our trip was delayed in Belize by an hour so we arrived at sunset
We were all so hungry that sauce & coconut rice.
It was a long day of travel. I was tired but we need to get some water & stuff for the next day! We went to Richie’s Market - it is no bigger than a convince store. A box of cereal was $12.95 BLZ $6.48 US but it was a little strange to see such a large price on things?
1 US Dollar Equals 2 BLZ!
More Colitis humor they use 2 ply TP everywhere Yikes I am thankful that I brought wet wipes from home!