2/5/19
Cat Spring, Texas
Yes, it is time to head south. This season will be shorter due to a lot of things, but we are getting ready for our 7th sailing season. It is hard to believe we have been doing this for 6 years so far. On Feb. 12 we will fly to San Pedro Sula, Honduras where our favorite driver, Geovanni, will pick us up and drive us 3 1/2 hrs. back to Rio Dulce, Guatemala, where s/v Island Sol, our floating home will be waiting for us.
Charlie is toying with the idea of building a rigid fiberglass dingy to export to the US to sell. Since we had our Colibri (our fiberglass dingy) shipped back to the states for US Coast Guard inspection we need to have another one built before we take off to Roatan, Honduras. So we will be hanging around the "Rio" for a few weeks.
So stay tuned and I will promise to blog this trip and hope to encounter more fun on the "high seas" and also under the sea as well.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Roatan, Honduras (Fantasy Island)
1/17/17
Oh, my to be stuck in paradise! We have been here 25 days now and can not get out of here. Roatan is, of course, a beautiful island. Unfortunately for the cruising community, it is a very large island and the only way around it is by car. You can take your dinghy here and there, but not very far from the "mother ship". So, it makes it difficult to shop or sightsee without renting an expensive taxi or rental car. Both of which we have done.
The island is also, from what we have experienced so far, not a gastronomical feast, as was Isla Mujeres, Mexico. We did get a ride to Punta Gorda and had traditional island fare out over the water. Met some locals who offered us a "drink" from their bottle, followed by a sip of Orange Crush. The older gentleman told Charlie is would be good for his sex life when we got back to the boat. (yeah...whatever)....
Most of our days are spent laying around reading or "bobbing" in the water with our British friends, Jan and Richard. So not only am I learning Spanish but "English" as well from them. We will be sailing to Panama with them in our small flotilla. We have done one dive trip (a 2 tank dive) to Mary's Place and Gold Chain. These are 2 dive sites very near Fantasy Island. The dive boat drops you off on top of the reef (approximately 15') and then you make your way to the wall and down to about 65'. The coral (both soft and hard) is breathtaking. But my favorites are the sponges. Of course, it goes without saying that the reef fish are pretty cool, too. I had some great photos with our GoPro, especially of a Hawksbill Turtle that seemed to love to swim all through our group of divers. Unfortunately, my sweet husband lost the tiny chip from my camera so all photos are lost somewhere in our boat.
The local grocery store, Eldon's, sends a large bus to the "Tiki Palapa"....the meeting ground of the cruisers at Fantasy Island, on Tuesdays at 3:00. They wait for an hour and then return us with all our groceries, so that is a help. Presently we are thinking about trying to rent a 4-wheel drive truck so we can really explore the islands north side as well as the east end. John is looking for a way to rent a house for a month and bring his "fast" panga here from Guatemala to do some serious fishing. So if our exploration actually unfolds I will report on that in a future post. Until then....
Oh, my to be stuck in paradise! We have been here 25 days now and can not get out of here. Roatan is, of course, a beautiful island. Unfortunately for the cruising community, it is a very large island and the only way around it is by car. You can take your dinghy here and there, but not very far from the "mother ship". So, it makes it difficult to shop or sightsee without renting an expensive taxi or rental car. Both of which we have done.
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| Now, this is a MEAL |
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| Add caption |
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| Our restaurant bungalow |
Most of our days are spent laying around reading or "bobbing" in the water with our British friends, Jan and Richard. So not only am I learning Spanish but "English" as well from them. We will be sailing to Panama with them in our small flotilla. We have done one dive trip (a 2 tank dive) to Mary's Place and Gold Chain. These are 2 dive sites very near Fantasy Island. The dive boat drops you off on top of the reef (approximately 15') and then you make your way to the wall and down to about 65'. The coral (both soft and hard) is breathtaking. But my favorites are the sponges. Of course, it goes without saying that the reef fish are pretty cool, too. I had some great photos with our GoPro, especially of a Hawksbill Turtle that seemed to love to swim all through our group of divers. Unfortunately, my sweet husband lost the tiny chip from my camera so all photos are lost somewhere in our boat.
The local grocery store, Eldon's, sends a large bus to the "Tiki Palapa"....the meeting ground of the cruisers at Fantasy Island, on Tuesdays at 3:00. They wait for an hour and then return us with all our groceries, so that is a help. Presently we are thinking about trying to rent a 4-wheel drive truck so we can really explore the islands north side as well as the east end. John is looking for a way to rent a house for a month and bring his "fast" panga here from Guatemala to do some serious fishing. So if our exploration actually unfolds I will report on that in a future post. Until then....
The Bay Islands....Honduras
1/8/17
We arrived at Utila on December 23. We had been beaten up on this first and shortest leg of our trip. The trip from Livingston, Guatemala where we checked out of the country began with sunny weather and a brisk wind. We made it across to Tres Punt
es and were beginning to make it around the peninsula and getting ready to raise the main. Fortunately, John saw the boom flopping around and we had lost a clevis pin that attaches the boom to the mast. We made a u-turn and I took the wheel in the lee of the peninsula and motored back and forth until John and Charlie got the problem resolved. The evening was fast approaching, once around the corner and heading for Utila we spent the next 20 hours in hardly any wind and what we had was clocking all around the boat. The bad part was the seas...8' and coming at us in all directions...it was pretty miserable, but "whatcha" gonna do? We also had the added squall with high winds that would hit ever so often and then be gone as fast as it came.
We hit the cut in the reef to enter the harbor in Utila at daybreak and in some major rain. We dropped anchor and just sat and looked at each other, too tired to do anything else at that point. Around 1:00 pm....we dropped the dinghy and made it to shore to check into Honduras. In the past this has been a very quick entry, but no not today. Four hours later, after many walks to this office and that shop to print more copies of our paperwork and Charlie taking the port captain out to our boat for pictures (this was a new one on us), we finally got that all important "entry stamp". It is now dark thirty and we have not had any sleep or eaten. We made our way to a new restaurant, Mango Tango and had frozen Mojitos...many frozen mojitos! And, then to our surprise a fabulous dinner. Full stomachs now and bed!
We arrived at Utila on December 23. We had been beaten up on this first and shortest leg of our trip. The trip from Livingston, Guatemala where we checked out of the country began with sunny weather and a brisk wind. We made it across to Tres Punt
es and were beginning to make it around the peninsula and getting ready to raise the main. Fortunately, John saw the boom flopping around and we had lost a clevis pin that attaches the boom to the mast. We made a u-turn and I took the wheel in the lee of the peninsula and motored back and forth until John and Charlie got the problem resolved. The evening was fast approaching, once around the corner and heading for Utila we spent the next 20 hours in hardly any wind and what we had was clocking all around the boat. The bad part was the seas...8' and coming at us in all directions...it was pretty miserable, but "whatcha" gonna do? We also had the added squall with high winds that would hit ever so often and then be gone as fast as it came.
We hit the cut in the reef to enter the harbor in Utila at daybreak and in some major rain. We dropped anchor and just sat and looked at each other, too tired to do anything else at that point. Around 1:00 pm....we dropped the dinghy and made it to shore to check into Honduras. In the past this has been a very quick entry, but no not today. Four hours later, after many walks to this office and that shop to print more copies of our paperwork and Charlie taking the port captain out to our boat for pictures (this was a new one on us), we finally got that all important "entry stamp". It is now dark thirty and we have not had any sleep or eaten. We made our way to a new restaurant, Mango Tango and had frozen Mojitos...many frozen mojitos! And, then to our surprise a fabulous dinner. Full stomachs now and bed! |
| Hopefully she won't be Christmas dinner! |
Friday, January 6, 2017
12/20/16
Rio Dulce, Guatemala
The last few days have been filled with getting the boat ready for our first leg of this adventure, to Roatan, Honduras. Luv and his wife, Amy, had a big Christmas party for all of his employees. It was a catered affair at the palapa. I ate fresh fried chicharrones for the first time, and I have to say they are the bomb with a beer....not like the ones out of a package by any means. The party started around 2:30, but got into full swing by dark. I danced the night fandango and then couldn't hardly walk the next day....Charlie is laughing his ass off about this. My mind is 35, but my body is 65....damn I hate that!
So, here are some pictures of our last days on the Rio. Adios....we won't be back for a couple of years at least. It is a nice place, but it just isn't the Caribbean, what can I say!
Rio Dulce, Guatemala
The last few days have been filled with getting the boat ready for our first leg of this adventure, to Roatan, Honduras. Luv and his wife, Amy, had a big Christmas party for all of his employees. It was a catered affair at the palapa. I ate fresh fried chicharrones for the first time, and I have to say they are the bomb with a beer....not like the ones out of a package by any means. The party started around 2:30, but got into full swing by dark. I danced the night fandango and then couldn't hardly walk the next day....Charlie is laughing his ass off about this. My mind is 35, but my body is 65....damn I hate that!
So, here are some pictures of our last days on the Rio. Adios....we won't be back for a couple of years at least. It is a nice place, but it just isn't the Caribbean, what can I say!
Here is the garbage "truck" on the Rio Dulce. We were having
a nice breakfast in the sunshine and then before you knew it is
was raining cats and dogs, it can be a white out at times.
Rosita's is our most favorite restaurant on the Rio Dulce.
It's clientele is mostly rich Guatemalans and the food is excellent.
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| This is view from Rositas looking back down the river to the bridge. |
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| So here we had fresh Robalo (snook) carpaccio with avocado slices, peppers and red onion (large plate). And braised pulpo (octopus) in a fabulous spicy sauce with the best garlic bread I've ever eaten to sop up all that delicious sauce. |
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
12-14-16
Cayo Quemado, Guatemala
Sunny, hot and humid (oh
boy!)
Actually, the weather has
fluctuated between sunny and then a huge rain cloud will appear and empty all
its contents on US. Which means we are
scrambling to close all the port holes and hatches.
Cayo Quemado, is the last
bay before the river enters the gorge.
There is a small community here and several “gringos” have helped get
schools going in the area. One woman,
Kelli, raised three thousand dollars (the benefit was located at RAM Marina in
Rio Dulce) to get a music program started and to buy instruments. There is a Mayan village up the mountain that
produces woven baskets. I have been told
it is an arduous climb for an hour to get there….I don’t think my knees will
let me do that…damn!
At 3:00 today, Charlie and
I took the “Colibri” back up the lake, passing 2 more bays to visit,
Jennifer. Jennifer is a gringo that has
lived here for 25 years and has a beautiful open air home with lush gardens she
has planted. She lives here with her cat
and her dog….Dog (pronounced “dee OH gee”).
Jennifer is an artist that dabbles in all sorts of mediums. We have commissioned her to use our collected
sea glass (from Isla Mujeres, MX) to add to a turtle shell. She has decorated many cow skulls with coins
(“Cash Cow”) and seeds, glass, etc.
Besides her talent she is an interesting woman to talk with. At any rate, I joined her and two other women
for a yoga class up the hill from her home and under a beautiful palapa. (Kathe
and Janice, you would have loved this).
Back to the boat by
sunset, buying a loaf of fresh bread from the community restaurant. Again, we grilled on our new BQ pit and movie
for the night….Dead Man Down. Buenos
Noches mi amigos y amigas.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Starting Again
Cat Spring, Texas
December 4, 2016
Time to go again. While the weather today is cold and rainy, the weather in Rio Dulce, Guatemala is sunny and warm. Charlie has been on Island Sol now for over 3 weeks trying to get her ready for this season's sailing. Our "cruising" friends are all returning to their boats and getting ready for new adventures as well. So my last few days at home are being spent trying to put all the parts and food, that Charlie has ordered for our boat, into 2 pieces of luggage, which I am sure have already gone over the weight limit.
Enjoyed last minute fun with friends, family, and my yoga buddies, I will miss you all. But the sea calls..... (that was corny!)
Rio Dulce, Guatemala
December 7, 2016
So 2 bags grew to 3 bags and one was way overweight, but the airlines love your $$$$. I also threw my back out the day before I left making the trek very uncomfortable. I had a little bottle of vodka with me to add to some OJ for the trip. I didn't realize that was against the law...the stewardess told me it was like bringing liquor into a bar, she then told me to put it away and not get it out again....OK..so I put the rest away in my drink...that was a stout screwdriver....but it sure made my back somewhat better.
Charlie met me at the airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras (now the 2nd "murder capital" of the world) and with our wonderful driver, Giovanni, we made the 3 hour trip back to the Rio. We met our buddy John at the dock at Bruno's and after dinner made our way in "Solita" (our 14' runabout) back to Island Sol. It was a beautiful night full of stars and the lake was like glass. So our new adventure begins for our 5th season....thanks to all the gods for our many blessings.
Enjoyed last minute fun with friends, family, and my yoga buddies, I will miss you all. But the sea calls..... (that was corny!)
Rio Dulce, Guatemala
December 7, 2016
So 2 bags grew to 3 bags and one was way overweight, but the airlines love your $$$$. I also threw my back out the day before I left making the trek very uncomfortable. I had a little bottle of vodka with me to add to some OJ for the trip. I didn't realize that was against the law...the stewardess told me it was like bringing liquor into a bar, she then told me to put it away and not get it out again....OK..so I put the rest away in my drink...that was a stout screwdriver....but it sure made my back somewhat better.
Charlie met me at the airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras (now the 2nd "murder capital" of the world) and with our wonderful driver, Giovanni, we made the 3 hour trip back to the Rio. We met our buddy John at the dock at Bruno's and after dinner made our way in "Solita" (our 14' runabout) back to Island Sol. It was a beautiful night full of stars and the lake was like glass. So our new adventure begins for our 5th season....thanks to all the gods for our many blessings.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Bobby and Haley's Visit
Isla Mujeres
6/2/16 ~ 6/8/16
The weather in Texas and (elsewhere) has been horrendous with massive flooding and property destruction. Haley was so tired of the rain and couldn't wait to get to "fun in the sun". Their 9:30 a.m. arrival in Cancun was delayed until around 2:30 p.m. due to the plane being grounded because of weather and then engine problems. It was a long and hairy day for them, but we finally swooped them up at the ferry and got them to the island.
Little did they know that the weather has followed them! In the next 2 days we were expecting thunderstorms for the first time in a good month. So the 2nd day of their vacation we got them on a boat for a whale shark tour. It is a little over an hour to get to the spot where the whale sharks feed on an upwelling of plankton due to the current and sea floor landscape here. Unfortunately, no whale sharks were spotted that day....the incoming weather has driven them down deeper. But....not all was lost as they got into a school of huge manta rays and were able to swim with them. Not something Charlie and I have experienced.
So, the rain arrived, but in between showers Haley and Bobby used our scooter and Haley gave her sweet husband a tour of the island. There was a lot of laying around and reading and then at night some fierce "Farkle" (or 10,000) playing was going on. The week was up way too soon and they were back to Austin and work. We so enjoyed their visit and I think they had a good time too!
6/2/16 ~ 6/8/16
The weather in Texas and (elsewhere) has been horrendous with massive flooding and property destruction. Haley was so tired of the rain and couldn't wait to get to "fun in the sun". Their 9:30 a.m. arrival in Cancun was delayed until around 2:30 p.m. due to the plane being grounded because of weather and then engine problems. It was a long and hairy day for them, but we finally swooped them up at the ferry and got them to the island.
Little did they know that the weather has followed them! In the next 2 days we were expecting thunderstorms for the first time in a good month. So the 2nd day of their vacation we got them on a boat for a whale shark tour. It is a little over an hour to get to the spot where the whale sharks feed on an upwelling of plankton due to the current and sea floor landscape here. Unfortunately, no whale sharks were spotted that day....the incoming weather has driven them down deeper. But....not all was lost as they got into a school of huge manta rays and were able to swim with them. Not something Charlie and I have experienced.
So, the rain arrived, but in between showers Haley and Bobby used our scooter and Haley gave her sweet husband a tour of the island. There was a lot of laying around and reading and then at night some fierce "Farkle" (or 10,000) playing was going on. The week was up way too soon and they were back to Austin and work. We so enjoyed their visit and I think they had a good time too!
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