Sean & Will visit Scott Free

Will, Sean, Scott, and Heather on South Water Cay at the bench

 This was a special year for us as our son Sean and son-in-law Will came down to visit us for the first time in many years. It was an exciting two week trip for them. The first week they visited Guatemala - Antigua, Tikal, and Flores. Then they flew some tiny planes into Placencia, Belize where we met them.
After a two night rest at a lovely beach resort, we all got together for a full day tour with Truly Wild Belize through the whole country by van up to the ruins of Xunantunich and then cave tubing. Great fun!
We enjoyed two nights anchored in Placencia and then headed out to Pelican Cay for another two nights. There we did some snorkeling, exploring by dinghy and kayak during the day and socialized at Hideaway Cay in the evening with other cruisers and our hosts: Dustin, Kim, and their daughter Ama.

Will and Sean watch the sunset with Scott Free anchored off South Water
Cay 

Sean & Will at the summit of  Acatenango volcano near
Antigua, Guatemala. This was a grueling hike to over 12,000 ft. 

 Next, we spent 2 nights at South Water Cay out on the barrier reef. This reef is the second longest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Sean and Scott went scuba diving one day and saw sharks, a turtle and manta rays as well as plenty of fish and coral. We also did lots of snorkeling and exploring. One night we had drinks at the EZE bar on the island and the second night enjoyed martinis on Wahoo with Roy & Dale and Scott & Tamara from Kookie Dance.
There was some discussion on where to go next but Sean solved the problem by suggesting we just return to the Pelicans and spend another night at Hideaway. And it was a lovely one with just our hosts. Next day Ama came out to swim and paint with us.
But it was time to return to Placencia as our week together was coming to a close. Our last evening we had drinks at Yoli's and then dinner at Rumfish. We were celebrating our 40th Anniversary the next day and Sean's birthday the day after.

And watching the sunrise over the ruins at Tikal

They flew a number of small planes in Guatemala and
Belize - 9 passenger and 4 passenger ones with Tropic Air. 

Will gives a thumbs up for their "private plane" to Flores, Guatemala from Guatemala City

To get to Xunantunich we had to cross the river on a hand
cranked ferry.

A series of gears made the job easy. Scott
gave it a try as well.

Our guide for our full day tour, here at Xunantunich

The stonework was very intricate

Heading up to the main temple which we were able to climb

Looking up the steep stairs

You can get an idea of how steep the stair is

The view over the plaza from the top of El Castillo, the main temple

Sean and a view of the countryside. The border with
Guatemala was only less than a mile away,.

You really couldn't have a problem with
heights and climb over these ruins.

And we got lots of exercise as well!

We pose in front of the amazingly intact carvings on El Castillo

The start of our cave tubing adventure! We
spent an hour exploring a series of caves
with an underground river.

Sean with Heather at the wheel

But then Sean takes charge

The morning we traveled out to the reef was misty and it
was hard to see the border between and sea and sky.

Heather, Sean and Maya work diligently at the drawings

The local fishing vessels are amazing - 8 or more fisherman
live on these tiny sailboats for a week at a time.

Our dinghy with Sean, Heather, and Scott heading into the
bar at EZE, South Water Cay.

Scott Free under sail from Wahoo

Sean & Will with Scott from Kookie Dance on Wahoo for
a Marini Night.

Scott and Sean scuba diving

Having a close encounter with a turtle

And a number of manta rays

Pluse a few sharks

Sean floating in space...