Land Trip Belize!

We've been plagued by a series of cold fronts coming down from the north. Every week so far we've had to duck into a safe anchorage while it passes through - either Placencia or Sapadilla Lagoon. As a particularly strong front was coming our way and lasting for several days, Jim & Renate on Emerald Seas and ourselves decided to take a 4 day land trip inland here in Belize and see some new sites. We left our boats in The Reserve Marina and headed off in our rental car. Our first stop was the Blue Hole National Park for a refreshing swim and hike. It's a lovely spot as you can see from the photos.
Next we headed for lunch in Belmopan. Scott and I love to pick a place after reading the reviews on TripAdvisor and we hit a winner this time. We weren't sure at first however as it was very hard to find - being down a pedestrian-only local street with very modest eateries. But the Everest Indian Restaurant was a terrific surprise. It's really not more than a shack but the food and service was unusual. Raj, the owner, convinced us to order "the full boat" and when the bill came to $35 US each we didn't complain (although that was a lot of money here in Belize for lunch at such a place). First, he painted our faces with colorful stripes, then we had an assortment of Appetizers followed by our choices of main dishes, which we could all share. Then a big plate of green leaves with a variety of spices like fennel seeds, coconut and honey were arranged (see the photo). Raj bundled each one up and fed us individually. It took a while to chew and swallow them - but it was fun and cleared the palate. Lastly, we had delicious cups of chai.

There are two "Blue Holes" here in Belize. One is at
Lighthouse Reef and is one of the top 10 dive sites in the
world. The other is a sink hole in a National Park with that
name. We entered at the turquoise blue hole and then
walked up the stream and into the cave. That's Renate on
the stairs leading down.

Jim has a waterproof camera and several of the shots
throughout this blog entry are his. This from's Scott's cell
phone.

These artistic cairns were balanced on
several of the rocks.

A charming family joined us and we had fun with their
children

Here's the four of us on our trip - Heather, Scott, Renate and Jim

Renate and Heather framed by the cave entrance.

Jim getting fed!

We were painted on the forehead, cheeks and
chin with colorful stripes.

Raj with his after dinner "packages"

After our long lunch, we drove north to our hotel for the next two nights in St. Ignacio, near the border with Guatemala. The Maya Mountain Resort was set in a beautifully landscaped garden. Individual bungalows lined the paths and one larger house with 7 rooms. Renate & Jim got upgraded to a big bungalow as their original room was already occupied. We had one of the comfortable rooms in the larger building - all with private baths and airconditioning (if necessary). After drinks on our porch meeting fellow guests, we had dinner at the resort's restaurant.
The next morning we parted ways after breakfast. Jim and Renate took the car to see Xunantunich (which we visited last year with Sean & Will) and dropped us off "near" Cahal Pech. I say near because we couldn't find the entrance and the road was marginal - so we said we'd ask a fellow nearby so "go ahead". After several requests for directions, we finally found the big parking lot and visitor's center. Here's a case where Google Maps had an old location for the entrance on the other side of the property. Scott sent an email with photos to correct it. We were the only visitors that morning and it was rather magical to explore the grounds and ruins by ourselves. There is also a small but nice museum at the entrance with lots of history and information in English.
More info on our trip in my next post.

May of the site.

The small but perfect "ball court"

The site was probably the home for an Elite Maya family
and although most construction dates to the Classic Period
evidence of continuous occupation has been dated back to
1200 BC.

These roofs were reconstructed but represent
 what archeologists believe existed then.

The site is a collection of 34 structures.

The tallest structure is 25 meters high

We walked up and down a lot of steps!

The narrow rooms were due to their not developing
more advance arch technology.

It was truly a beautiful and peaceful spot but sure would
have been different when occupied.

Cascada Caliente (Hot Waterfall ) Trip

Our cruising friends in the launcha ready for our trip to the
Cascada Caliente (minus me as I was taking the picture)

And now the group is complete!

Our launcha dropped us off at the Public Dock where our
driver waited. The 11 passenger van brought us to the
start of the trail into the waterfall.

 It's been work, work, work here on the Rio getting our boats ready to start this season's cruise. Five couples decided to take an afternoon off and I organized a trip into the Cascada Caliente on the way to El Estor. Besides ourselves, there was Renate & Jim from Emerald Seas, John & Sharon from Sunsation , Steve & Sam from Wanderlust, and Scott & Tamara from Kookie Dance. A launcha from Tortugal Marina took us to the Public Dock and then our driver Ottolei drove us to the start of the trail into the waterfall. It was a 15 Q entrance fee each and a guide led us that we just had to tip later. The van ride took about 45 minutes each way from Fronteras and cost 200Q a couple, including a tip.

Looking down from the trail before we descended to the river.

Steep stairs were built down to the river bank.

The waterfall is indeed hot and only a few of us could stand
being right in it. I preferred standing just far away to be in
the mist.

Renate and our guide

Jim and Scott enjoyed chatting in the lake formed at the bottom

Steve was able to stand the heat directly
underneath and John managed to climb
up onto top of the falls.

Sharon, Heather, Renate, Tamara, Sam and Steve

Renate, Sharon & Heather

The day was actually sunny but we were really in the shade
of the trees so it was very comfortable.

We brought snacks and drinks - here Sam, Heather and Renate enjoy some vino tinto. Sharon got the award for best appetizer -  tiny French goat cheese rounds.

John, Tamara and Scott 

Enormous trees towered overhead and sunlight filtered through. We really lucked out on the
weather. Every other day since we arrived, it rained but this time it didn't!

It was a lovely walk back through the forest.

We met a young boy who was gathering wood for his
family's cookfire. He used a tourniquet to tighten the big
bundle of branches with a strap that went onto his forehead.

Mayan children have to work hard to help
their families.

But after the day's work is done, the boys can at least play
 in the river. 

Scott, Jim, Renate, John, Sharon, Sam, Steve, Scott, Heather and Tamara line up in front of our van.

Several of us bought young coconuts from a woman at
the start of the trail

These two boys were fascinated by watching us foreigners
and the wood didn't get home until we had left. 

From Vermont to Guatemala

We had a lot of snow early in November and
it continued until we left on January 1. We flew
 from Rutland on Cape Air's 9 passenger
plane to Boston. They had to deice it just
before we left.

We had Thanksgiving with our daughter Zoe's family in Palo Alto, CA. Here's Heather, Nick, Tommy, George, Scott and Zoe.

That's Kyrie, Zoe's older sister and behind Heather,
Scott's second wife and Zoe & Kyrie's mother Nancy.
In the back with Nick & Tommy are Kyrie's two sons.

The cross country tracks weren't ours. We just enjoyed a
leisurely walk up to the AT/LT.
. 

We visited the Silversteins at their home in
Vermont while Scott was visiting and met
his new son Calvin - what a doll!

A group of our old friends meet each year on the Friday before our Holiday Open House, which is held alternatively at the Wolfs and the Martins. This year we met for lunch in Braintree - left to right: Bill Fonvielle, Marty Wolf, Karen & Ted
Martin, Carole Sharoff, Scott & Heather, Leslie Silverstein, Dick Bond, Deb D'Arpa, Russ Wolf and David Silverstein.

Each year our Bridge Club has a Pot Luck Dinner at our house. We had 20 this year. Following the excellent dinner we
have a Yankee Swap exchange of gifts. You can't see everyone in this photo, unfortunately. 

We cut our tree down at Paxton Greens right in our
town and it was a beauty.

Our youngest son Sean & grandson Kolya

Sean and his husband Will in their new scarfs
we bought in Scotland.

Our daughter-in-law Morgen opens gifts.

Our son James and his son Kolya

Gary, our son-in-law Will's father joined us for Christmas
this year.

Kolya got his own computer but that doesn't stop him from
wanting our's.

OK so you'll have to forgive me but I'm going
to include a lot of Kolya!

Our old friend Larry Barns often joins us for the holidays

And his son Luke as well

Grandpa and Kolya

Bird's eye view of our Cape Airplane
landing at Logan Airport, Boston

Kayaking in Bonita Springs

Scott and I at the beach in Bonita Springs, FL

We spent four days with our great friend Barbara at her
lovely home in Pelican Landing. 

And then a wonderful night with our other great friends
Uli & Thomas on their boat in Ft. Lauderdale.

We had a miserable time at the FLL airport trying to
fly to Guatemala on Spirit Airlines. The baggage
conveyor failed and the line to try and drop off your bags
stretched out onto the sidewalk. No one at Spirit tried
to help the situation and we, along with many others,
missed our flight. It took 3 hours to actually talk to someone
and reschedule for the next day. Happily, everything went
well then.

Scott Free with her "winter cover" on at the dock at Tortugal
 marina on the Rio Dulce.

And next to her our cruising buddies
Jim & Rentate on Emerald Seas.