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Day 2 on the whirl wind one week company train.

We hit Ruby's this morning and had a johnny cake by the water - came back home for a bit then left to drop off some containers at Island Perk for Sharon and off to Estel's for more food and drinks then back home to blog and enjoy the rain.

Chili cook of tonight at Pedro's 7 pm

1:33 pm off to wander a bit.

Chili was great and fairly close vote with marked winning at 12 votes to unmarked at 8 - afterwards we played wii came home to watch best dance crew show and house hunters on hgtv then off to walk the beach and sit outside Fido's on the dock.

Side street road work

Erin Joanne Penny and Cindy

Chili cook off

Winners

Wii bowling

Wii bowling

Our ride home - thanks

I am delinquent in checking my gmail account tend to use my hotmail more. Todays wake up work with my morning coffee was to go see what was waiting there for me.

After a fast delete spree I found a few hello emails that needed answering - sending a shout out to Snowy Indianapolis, Naples Florida and, Destin Florida.

It is cold here today (I am just about ready for socks) and I have been joking with Paul that our canuck cousin and friend who are arriving today 12:55 pm have brought some Canadian weather with them.

12:20 pm... count down is on cousin Erin and friend Joanne will be here on island at 12:55 pm

In the grand scheme of things a week on the island is not long so we will make good use of time.

I went to find them at the airport and they had got in early so they saw me from Lime balcony where they were having a rum punch. Paul met us on the way home and helped with luggage.

First stop tour San Mateo and school - so we headed of towards the bridge. Vernon toured us around and Joanne was brainstorming with him about San Mateo and the school. Since was a social worker this was of particular interest to her.

We took the beach home and the girls could not wait to walk in the water. Paul was waiting for us when we got back and no rest for the weary just a short break before walking to roadkill cafe to meet up with Paul h - we also got to see his parents Penny and Albert, Tracy, Diane, Nancy, Courtney, Stacy, Michele and betterbeer .

I had pre arranged to get dinner delivered from Stacy's fresh foods yum. We got sweet pepper shrimp skewers with brown rice and slaw on the side. The food was great and it came right to us - I was happy to pre order wed night so we did not have to think about what to do for dinner when they arrived.

Next stop was Fidos where we saw Michele betterbeer klcman Courtney Stacy James and listened to Gino and Justin's band - did not stay out late as the girls had been up before the sun.

we walked over 4.12 miles.

Meeting at Lime

Toy car

Waking across bridge

HC kids cleaning up the beach

Fixing seawall

New sea wall

New sea wall heading north on beach

Tamale man

Dianne and Tracy scored money shots of the evening. Tracy just got in for a very fast visit and we were lucky enough to see him at road kill last night - hope to track him down this morning to go to Island Perk. Hi to Bill and Mimi and any of Dianne's family reading this.

Tracy and Dianne

Money shot


Speaking of Money here is a deal being offered....

Good morning Laurie the details of the week that we have to rent out at Captain Morgans... it`s Easter week - the 22-29th March. It is a one bedroom villa that sleeps up to 4 people and she wants 200usd per night as opposed to the usual rate which is 289usd per night. People can log onto their website and see what is has to offer they can email me at sharonkimboyd[at]hotmail.com cheers a lot lol.

In an effort to get the kids thinking about their future, Holy Cross School held Career Day on Monday February 25th at 1 pm.

12 people, local and from abroad came out to teach the kids about the work world. The speakers covered a wide range… banking, tourism, hospitality, Ambergris Caye Apprenticeship program, agriculture, Police, medical, health and wellness.

The kids leaned why it is important to do what they love, what skills they will need to focus on in order to advance in the career world such as math science language, spelling to name a few. They also leaned what schooling is required for each field and how they can earn an income within that field and also have the potential to travel and relocate in different places. Some jobs such as Atlantic Bank positions are open to learning new skills be promoted from within - other jobs such as yoga instructor showed the value of being flexible in body and mind within the work world.

Big thanks to our speakers - Cheri, Lydia, Chris from Casa Picasso, Danny, Emily, Deacon Tess, Atlantic Bank – Ellis Sanchez, Vito Herrera, Jody Martinez, Melissa Cuellar, San pedro Police dept - Dwayne McCulloch Cpl 900, Randy Lyons pc# 225

Lydia Cheri Chris and Miss Grace

Ellis Vito Jody Melissa - Atlantic Bank

Emily

Deacon Tess

Cheri Lydia Chris

Danny talking tourism

Crunching numbers with Atlantic Bank

Atlantic Bank staff

Danny Officers Dwayne and Randy

Learning how to sell pens

Prize winner

Raise your hand if you know the answer

Another busy day.

Uploaded more pics to yesterday's post, double checked town crawl list - what they may lack in numbers they will for sure make up in noise, printed of Chloe's flight info going to go drop it of while I head north to check for some more name tags.

A few crawl highlights - Bloody Mary's and blended Coffee drinks at Estel's - playing 2 truths and a lie at Fido's - Lucky calling bingo for us at Pier Lounge - Paul H's parents Albert and Penny arriving at the Tackle Box after just flying all the way from U.K. - view food and music at Bay Side Bar (got to see skydivers) - Usual Suspects and view at BC's - Poker Tourney and pizza at Pedro's

Grand total 43 crawlers in all

Under construction

Breakfast club enjoyed Bloody Mary's

Next

Off to Fido's

Group shot

T-shirt winner

klc buying his bingo card

Otter won

Otter collecting his loot

Courtney drinking a come on %&*$@#er

Mrs Otter won

Rudy Paul

Winner of a Pier Lounge shirt

Group shot

Off to Tackle Box

Hanging out

Winner - tackle box tank top

We are getting biger

Bayside

Enjoying the view

Got to see skydivers jump

Group shot

Off to Bc's

Cheers from Albert

Getting in on the ride

Rest of us walked

Still crawling



Bc's was packed

Still standing

Off to Pedro's for Poker tourney

Outside party

Poker

A few of the gang

Cherie and Cindy

Outside at Pedro's

DCG and Forrest

Second table

Poker players

Pedro passing out Jagers after bell was rung

Still crawling

Still crawling

klc waving

Forrest gives great massages

last of crawlers - by ?

Beer Fairy and Pedro - by klcman

Last of the poker players - by klcman

Winners - by klcman

Could this day get any busier?

DCG and Dita jumped from a plane today. We spent the morning getting them signed up and making plans to meet at Spin drift and head to Coco Loco's.

Some of us hitched a ride back to town with Dick Carole and her son Ritchie - Chloe Ted and Nova went for lunch and to hook up with the Otters and Klcman - Carole Dick and Ritchie went to sign up for Richie to jump - I came home for home for a quick break and to get DCG a pair of shoes - DCG and Paul kept each other company at the bar. Going to go with Dick and Carole in a minute so we can get the Miss Carole and head back up to the landing area.

Ran into a few of Brat pack second time around and some of us headed to Sharon's place for a pool party potluck. YUM. Was good to have an early night.

Skydivers are in town

Jump plane

Shark

Hand painted signs are not a lost art here

Dita and Lydia signing up

Dita andLydia

Walking to Coco Loco's from the bridge

Coco Loco's

Waiting in anticipation

Watching the skydivers

Dita

Dita

Lydia

Lydia

Dita after falling from the sky

Heading back to landing area by boat

Water view

Coco Locos

Looking for the plane

Falling from the sky

Floating in the air

Ritchie

Reaper otters and klcman
Brat pack

Jackie and Sharon

After breakfast at Estel's with the gang I took the opportunity to catch up on some much needed rest while everyone went to Caye Caulker. We lost a few today Gailtor Islenutt Capt Jeff and Bobcatbill all went home.

Hooked up with everyone at BC's then again at Canucks after coming back to get DCG - as we were leaving canucks for Fidos Reaper and a few of his boys showed up they lassoed DCG headed for Pedro's and met us later.

Chatting at Canucks

DCG and skydivers

Dancing at Fidos

DCG and I are getting ready for Reapers big Board Meeting tonight - will be lots of fun.

All 30 people showed for the big dinner and we had an enjoyable time mixing, mingling and eating.

Moon

Moon before eclipse

Chatting

Lots of people

Party at Blue Water Grill

Headlights

Reaper and mini me

Group photo

Our table

Capt Jeff rang me yesterday after our fishing trip and invited me out with him and Maya today - how exciting, of course I said yes so here I am at 5:43 getting ready to catch some more fish. We will meet up at Estel's shortly and the boat will get us at 7 am.

DCG comes in today and Reaper's big dinner at Blue water Grill is on for tonight - just prinitng some town crawl maps to have handy.

Dear Colette

Hope you are well on your trip. Not sure if you are checking internet much but I felt to write and say hi - I know you will find it sometime soon.

Maya is not starving in fact she caught a big jack today as well as mackerel and snapper. It was quite amazing to watch her reeling jack in especially when there were dolphins in close by feeding. You now how it is here some days - nature sensory overload and today was one of them. I kept watching from Abel with the gaff, to Maya Jeff and her line then back to the dolphins again - it really was a sight to see.

Boarders dinner is tonight as well as fire show, lunar eclipse and karaoke - so lots more visual stimulus coming our way.

See you soon xxoo

Getting on Abel's boat

Birds

South end

Mangroves

Thumbs up from Maya

Catching Sardines - live bait is so much better

Fishing with Capt Jeff Maya and Abel

Small reel

Mackerel

Catching fish

Mackerel

Maya gets a big one

Capt Jeff and Abel coaching Maya reeling in jack

Jack took almost all her line out

What a fight

12 pounder

Fish

Fixer upper - waterfront view

Heading for home

Catch of the Day

Maya Jeff jack

Good amount of fish

Igamel and Kenmel found us

Line up

Fillets

Jack mackerel

Pelican

2 pelicans and a ray

Preched

Snacking

Jack is red meat - look at the size of that steak

Feeding

Nothing like eating the fish you caught hours ago for lunch - I took some fillets and fried them up with coconut oil they were so tasty.

Went fishing with Capt Jeff on Clifford and Eric's boat this morning. Getting bait was not an easy task because the water is murky but we managed to find some sardines by the mangroves and set off for some inshore trawling.

Today Capt Jeff was coaching me on timing and how to reel fast after hooking the fish with a sharp upward motion.

Capt Jeff quote of the day on making major decisions ... Ask yourself is th juice worth the squeeze?

On a side note the other fishermen caught wahoo tuna and a big barracuda - Bill took Maya, Gail and Paul outside the reef with Dilzon. Sounded like an awesome time but with 7 foot waves I am so glad I went with Capt Jeff in the morning that was definitely more my speed.

Note to self... get more waterproof gear and make sure it is calmer waters when going outside the reef.

Looking for bait

Sardine time

Eric

Got some

Oscar the octopus

Capt Jeff

My fish

Lunch

We did ok

Heading back to clean the fish

Clifford and Eric's boat

Cleaning

Snacking

Getting ready to go meet the boat in town. About 18 of us are heading up to Robles Point (about 15 miles north) for some fishing snorkeling and beach bbq.

Off to roadkill soon - I was not going to upload pics tonight but then Capt Jeff called and invited me fishing tomorrow morning with him and Steve.

Trip with SEAduced was great - Sylvan and Jovani (hope I spelled those right) were great cooks and delight full hosts putting up with us lot. They even made a pit stop at Palapa bar on the way home so people could get more drinks having drunk the boat dry - we got to enjoy a few min with Tulu while we were waiting.

Fishing was delayed due to lumpy water so everyone ended up at Estel's for breakfast - after we wandered around town shopping and got some ice cream. Bill and Ted went off on their excellent adventure so we all hitched a ride with Carbunketrumpet.

We are all taking some down time now - some are meeting up in town for lunch before everyone heads to BC's.

Checking last nights party on tacogirlblog from Estelle's

Hitching a ride with carbunketrumpet

FYI...

Alan says: Wed, just after sunset going on till around midnight - Crazy Canucks would be an ideal place to watch it from - Karaoke after at Roadkill

Total Lunar Eclipse: Wed 20 February 2008

The lunar eclipse will be taking place off the coast of French Guiana, and the Moon rises at 17:45, so those of us in Belize should have a superb view of the whole event, weather permitting!

The total eclipse phase lasts nearly 25 minutes from 21:26 to 21:50 and, during that time, Saturn will be visible about 3 degree to the northeast of the Moon.

Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 18:36:35
Partial Eclipse Begins: 19:43:19
Total Eclipse Begins: 21:01:10
Greatest Eclipse: 21:26:05
Total Eclipse Ends: 21:50:57
Partial Eclipse Ends: 23:08:47
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 00:15:39
(Please note that all times are GMT-6, so Belizean time)

Lunch gang just arrived

Lagrange on drums

Beaching it at BC's

Ed mike Dita Mary

Bobcatbill and the gang at BC's

Potluck party

Chatting in kitchen

Dick on bbq

Yum

Snack time

Hungry monkeys

Crawl day has breakfast of champions with Bill and Jan at Estel's - needed to fuel up before the big party.

Becky is getting her hair done at Carole's and we are counting down till Nova and Ted arrive - will not be lone before we are counting down Dita Ed Mike and Mary.

Getting hectic at the tacoshack. Gail and Jan came by to help do some party prep and get their drunk wranglers bracelets.

Crawl party was off the hook we had so much fun and were pleased to see a few crawlers go the full distance - others came and went thanks to tacoboy's map they were able to find us easily.

Jan and Bill

Bill Nova Sunandsand

Nova and Ted arrive

Nurses hats and medic bag by Islenutt - Nurses Jeanh Sunandsand

Group picture at Blue Water Grill

Heading of to Sandbar

Race ya

Detour by Victoria House - pay attention to signs

Sand Bar here we come - travelprincess ready for a swim

Sand Bar

Paul Cindy and Cherie joined us there

Islenutt Rounding Third Jeanh

Group shot at Sandbar

We're off

Dick Carole John and Janet joined in along the way

Mata Rocks

Group at Mata Rocks

Gail won 50/50 draw at El Divino

2 for 1 martinis

Snack time

Group pic El Divino

Off we go to Crazy Canucks

Ride share

Cart full

Hideaway

Group pic at hideaway

Hideaway

Off to Canucks

Rudy

Gail wins again at 50/50 all proceeds went to calender girls

Heading to Pedro's

Look who popped up

Keli tacoboy nova ted

Pedro's

Scored

Foozeball

Donna and Dawg crawled the sistance

Impromptu Fire show

Pole Dancing

Out of the blue was rocking the crowd

Dancing at Casino

Pole time

Ted racing around Windjammer

Bill and Becky have arrived, and the gang is all at BC's. They got in an hour earlier than we expected, and we ran into them at Coral Beach Hotel as we were getting organized to to meet them at the Air Strip. Tonight we are off to Rojo Lounge for diner, and are meeting back up with everyone in town. Paul and I are staying the night at Coral Beach also thanks to Islenutt, should be fun.

Earlier this morning the girls went to Beach N' Kitchen for breakfast, and gave me a ride to the school. The Valentine's Fair at the school went very well.

Went to Rojo with Shannon and her mom was excellent. After we all met up at Fidos except Paul he needed down time.

After I came home packed a small bag and headed for coral beach hotel - watched south park and a bit of jack ass and called it a night. The room was nice and clean but the loose points for lumpy pillows.

Islenutt

Coffee crew

Looks like more roadwork coming in Boca Del Rio - beach good alternative

Fair was packed

Girls

Marble game

Drinks

Games and food

Fishing

Fish pond

Tambola

Special Ed kids enjoying the fair from the ramp

Food delivery for feeding program

Miss Dianne Quicksilver

Ryan baked Scones and packaged them

Scones were popular

Face painting

Cute

Going to get bouncy slide

It's here

Getting closer

Almost

Miss Dianne came back from the office to find her bike decorated

Line up for bouncy tent

Boys hanging out

Bouncy slide is always a hit

Alexis helps Jana get a turn at facepainting

Ryan giving people a lift

Hands are flying

Rebecca and Paul

Ran into IGAmel kenmel and bobcatbill on way to bc's

Windjammer joined us there

Ozzie Gailtor Islenutt

Dinner with Shannon and her mom at Rojo

Group shot

Becky and horn player

Keli doing banking at Fidos


My room at Coral beach

I am off to go met Islenutt at SEAduced so we can confirm our numbers and boat to Robles point for Monday. After that we will head down to Estelle's and meet the gang before they all go out with Tulu. Chloe is not going on boat so hoping she will want to go for coffee.

Everyone invited to the Valentines Art Auction for HC school tonight at Sunset Grille from 5 - 9 pm come out for a drink or dinner what ever works - we will all likely stop by the Tackle Box afterwards - the Valentines fair is tomorrow from 9 - 2 at the school there will be food and games and you are all invited.

Valentines Art Sale was fun - to see more pictures please visit the Holy Cross blog

Afterwards we decided to go to the fire show at Ramon's but figured a quick pit stop at BC's was in order. Unfortunately travelprincess got something in her eye and we had to fix hat - luckily Fred had a sure cure for eye troubles and he got her to pull lid down and move her eye around that worked faster and better than drops. We just missed he fire show but got to say hi to Lara and Drummer Jim did not stay long headed back to BC's to Chloe and Becky - next stop tackle box we are in good training for the crawl on Saturday. We just missed the kitchen so the girls ordered some ceviche and we chatted for a while then Chloe and Becky went back down the beach, Gailtor decided to call it a night - Islenutt Sunandsand and I went to the park for tacos.

travelprincess travelqueen with gailtor and travelmom in background

thavelprincess and I - taken by travelqueen

Breakfast at Estelles

Meeting up for snorkle

Beach shot

Tulu's boat

Girls snorkeling day with Tulu

Donna Dex Chloe at Island Perk

Sunandsand Chloe

Islenutt tacoboy Simon travelprincess tracelqueen

Windjammer Chloe Islenutt

Fred (Coral Beach Realty)

Big turn out

The girls

Windjammer bought Paisano

Heading to Bc's

Windjamer Kenmel

Simon chatting with travelmom

Gailtor taking a picture

Complimentary shots at TackleBox

Chloe Windjammer

Gail Dancing Bouncer

Just got word on coconut phone that Cousin Erin and Joanne have booked to come for February. Finally lol - I kept thinking how many of the best pics I can post on tacogirlblog to get people here.

Dick's folks are in town and had asked me to bring them to the school so they could drop off their donations. I already had some other stuff from message boarders who came to town bearing valentines treats and Bonnie had sent some stuff for Janet to bring. We are getting ready for the big Valentines fair on Friday February 15th 9 am - 2 pm. There will be food for sale and you are all invited to the party - limbo, sac races and lots of fun make it a perfect time to visit the school and see the kids in action. I think DB's son Ryan will be baking some scones, those alone are worth the trip.

Paul ran into Chloe at perk and she said that travelqueen, her mom Julie, travelprincess, Windjammer and Islenutt are all going to be delayed. So I will leave you with kids pics for now over girlfriend pics ha ha.

Caught Islenutt and Windjammer at the airport - just missed travelqueen, Julie and travelprincess. Gail and I are off to find Chloe.

Suitcase full of donations - Miss Grace principle Janet and John

Group picture

Valentines donations from all over

Candy

John John Janet - middle John is helping build new library and pc lab with his mission group

Girls watching the new library / computer lab get built

Miss Rosalie and her crew serving up some healthy fruit snacks

Tyra and Denvan

Emily

Emily says Peace all

Janet John Jaymin

Islenutt Windjammer

Big fish

More big fish

Juan (?) cleaning barracuda

Cleaning fish

3 little birds

Bobcatbill

Chloe

It's starting again - everyone is meeting up in San Pedro for February fun. Gail and I went to find Chloe today and ended up running into a few more message boarders on our way home.

Just met Odina (beachgal) and her husband to pick up some candy they brought for valentines fair at the school. The fair runs from 9 am - 2 pm and anyone who is in town is invited. They will be selling food there and we are doing games for the kids.

Gailtor Chloe touching squid

Gailtor Chloe holding crabs

Nice view

Para sailing

We ran into Dunk Godinsky and their gang after a dive with Pro Tech

Last day in Playa.

It is pouring down with rain and I hope it stops soon or I will be drenched walking back to our hotel - Paul just turned up all wet. Looks like we have time for a quick coffee then hustle to the bus station - good thing we are a stones throw away from everything that helps a lot. We were very pleased with Michele's hotel recommendation and would definitely stay there again.

Ado bus had more leg room and was much colder than Mayabgood thing I had my wrap Paul and I were able to share it. I spent the ride napping, snacking taking pics out the window reading teen vogue and eat pray love. When we got to Chetumal, Revey from Get Transfers was waiting in the bust station to meet us. He helped us get across the border quick and easy and we made it to the airport 1 h ahead of time whic meant we were able to catch an earlier flight back to San Pedro.

3 stories

Skylight

First room on right second one on left

Rob and Michele's on the right our hotel was just past them- parking lot on left.

Unique wood furniture

Vet

Heading to stop point

Tostada from stop off on the way home 2 cost 5 pesos

House

Pink house

Thatched roof house

Blue Church - Iglesia De Dios De La Profeda

Bus stop

Sign on the way from Playa

Side road

Buildings at side of road

Tacos El Gordo

Roadside vendors

Water along highway

Fruits stand

Plant growing place

Big Modelo cans

Get Transfers information

Tropic Air

Air strip

Corozal

Corozal

Corozal

Corozal

Water and Mangroves

Air shot

Heading for San Pedro

South west side of Island

We booked our return bus tickets this morning. Decided to go on the first class Ado bus which cost us $380 pesos or $38 usd versus the $29 we spent on the way here. Not a big price difference - will see how much faster it is (turned out to be 1/2 h faster). I am glad we prearranged/payed the flight home and transfer service.

Just had breakfast at 100% natural - we both had the popeye omelette's with spinach and melted cheese - yum. Paul has gone to star bucks to get me a frape what a sweetheart. Time to go back and switch hotel rooms, we had originally booked a room with 1 bed with the online deal - they told us to stay put for the first day and move to a new room the second day. After we sort that out, we will head over to meet Michele Rob and their kids at their house - from there we will call Carol and Rick and then head off to go to a Cenote.

Pronounced [seˈnoˌte] which is a type of sinkhole containing groundwater typically found in the Yucatán Peninsula and some nearby Caribbean islands. The term is derived from a word used by the low-land Maya to refer to any location where groundwater is accessible.

Funny my computer knows I am not in San Pedro anymore as I am getting spanish directions showing up for log ins and such. Michele says the internet here an be just as frustrating as it is in San Pedro and sometimes it takes a long time for her to post pictures to her blog - made me think we do not have it so bad after all.

5:41 pm Cenote Azul was amazing - the water was so clear and there were lot's of fish to look at. We also got to see some very acrobatic people do some amazing things like go right into hand stands, hang off trees and watch people cliff diving, including Paul, Birdie and Rick - I have some great pictures to post when we get back to San Pedro.

Right now I am sitting on 14th street just down the road from our hotel (managed to tap into an unsecured connection.) We are all taking a couple of hours down time then will meet up for dinner later - going to eat at La Parilla and probably stroll on 5h ave a bit.

Our new room

Bar area

Rick and Carol - we picked them up near their hotel in Puerto Aventuras

Walking to Cenote

View from above

View from above

Peaceful

Heading to secret stairway

Cenote Azul

Clean Clear water

Cole

Small piece of Heaven

So peaceful

Perfect day

Paul Rick

Fossil

Georgeous

Cenote Azul

Me taken by Paul

Carol

Enjoying a cool swim

Dreamy afternoon

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul

Birdie

Cenote Azul

Clear cool water

Rick Cole Michele Birdie Carole Paul

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul

Lush vegetation

Water was cool and refreshing

Paul and small fish

Feeding fish

Birdie

Catfish

Cole and Birdie deciding to jump or not to jump

Daniella doing back flip off dock

Very acrobatic

These guys were incredible

Daniella doing a flip

Pauls splash

Paul

Birdie found a new friend and jumping partner Daniella

Back flip off cliff

Rick at the top of cliff

Rick jumping

Rick's spash

Cole Michele and I - by Birdie

Me - by Michele

Birdie Cole and I - by Michele

Fossil

Water was like glass

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul

Relaxing day

Steps down to Cenote Azul

Wow

This one also spun poi

2 at once

They made it look easy

Upside down

Agile


Very fit

Cole

Paul Rick Carol Michele

Doing a twist off the cliff

Cole Michele and I

One handed handstand at the edge of cliff

Cliff diver

Cat fish eating

Rick Carole Paul

Heading back to our hotels

Nap time

La Parilla

Big kitchen - food was fabulous as always

Inside La Parilla

Rick and Carol

Mariachi band

Making cigars

Surprise we are headed for Mexico – Playa Del Carmen to be exact. Got an email last Sunday from Paul’s sister saying they were on their way there Tuesday for a week and could we meet them for a couple pf days, so we started making plans and decided to catch them closer to the end of their trip. I wrote Michele right away, her and husband Rob are fellow bloggers that live in Playa Del Carmen. We met them when they came to San Pedro recently through Paul and Cindy. Michele told us of a decent place to stay near where they live and we made plans to meet up.

Alarm was set for 5 am - got woken up at 10 min to by happy UDP people parading through the streets, they were cheering and playing their political soca music song.

Our flight is for 7 am to Corozal- I booked it yesterday along with our return flight for Sunday. While getting ready we realized that we needed to get our hydro bill paid so we called Dianne quicksilver messenger and got her what she needed to pay it on our behalf how handy for us. It was getting close to 9 pm and we realized we had not booked our transfer service yet so Paul called Moralez transfer service and arranged a pick up to go across the border for this morning. I was considering trying the bus but in the interest of time and having used George and Esther Moralez Get transfers service before, we decided to stick with them.

5:50 am chatting Bill on coconut phone – pretty well packed, need to add ice packs to the cooler.

8: 30 or so - waiting at the bus station - our bus leaves at 9 am. Border crossing was easy with transfer service – will write out process later on the bus. I am very hungry now and can’t wait to get settled in our seats and start snacking on the lunch I packed. We were too rushed for johnny cakes this morning.

We are on the bus now and just realized we did not go first class with Ado, which means a few more stops and no movie (we forgot to specify when buying tickets). The trade off is that we got on the bus in ½ h instead of waiting 1.5 h for the 10:30 bus. It is 11 am – I just saw signs for Tulum 132 km – looks like the chicken bus is not so slow after all. (we figured out about 1/2 h difference between this bus and first class - I guess it would depend on how many stops it made though)

Here is a walk through of trip and pricing from San Pedro to Playa Del Carmen….

Tropic air to Corozal (return flight to San Pedro Included) $328 bzd

Get transfers $35 usd one way – we paid for round trip – Landy was our driver and he was great – answered all our questions and chatted with us.

Departure tax from Belize $37.50 bzd or $19 usd per person (p.a.c.t. included) - Landy helped us change Belize dollars for Pesos at this point. (We have to pay 237 pesos on leaving Mexico on our return to Belize)

Tourist Visa at Mexican Border - have an extra pen or 2 – Landy shared his with Paul

Landy said that the 15^th and the end of the month can be very busy at ths spot. We did not have to wait and we were given 180 days tourist visa. Landy also told us to make sure we did not loose that paper.

It took is about 15 minutes to pass through both borders – after we went through a spray down which is a customary procedure for vehicles coming from Belize to Mexico.

Not long after that we were at Ado bus station in Chetumal. Our tickets cost us $29 usd one way or $292 pesos. The bathrooms at the bus station cost 3 pesos and the girl at the desk was willing to make change. We made it to Hotel Alux (Alush) and managed to check in with our limited Spanish.

This is a cash only hotel and for 2 nights it ran us $1100 pesos or $110 usd

Time to put shorts on head to the internet cafe to post this and see if we can hook up with Michele, Carole and Rick. Of course you know I have pictures coming eventually ha ha. (I had emailed the hotel to reserve a room before we left, when I checked my email from Noah's Zoo net cafe, I found out they had reserved for us at better price. Luckily we could print the email and Michele was close by - she came to meet us and walked back to the hotel to help us explain that we had reserved at $40 usd a night and we got pesos back.) After we went next door to see her place and she helped us find the number for Carole and Rick's Hotel - then it was off to Mega and Wal-mart to buy a few things we cannot get or that are much cheaper than in San Pedro - odd thing they only sell razors in packs of 3.

We met up with everyone easily. Had a nice dinner with Carol and Rick then strolled 5th ave for a bit before heading off to PJ Gringos sports bar to meet up with Michele and Rob. Barefoot skinny was playing - did not stay out late we were tired from a long day of travel and needed to catch up on some zzzz's - went back to hotel and watched Simpsons in Spanish before turning in.

Tropic air flight

Air shot

Corozal

Corozal

Getting ready to land

Corozal

Our plane

Baggage pick up

Get Transfers

Driving through Corozal

Roadside animals

First stopping point - pay departure tax here

Getting Pesos for Belize dollars

Off we go

Bienvenidos a Mexico - Welcome to Mexico

Next stop

Filling out tourist visa's

Easy pass through

Chetumal Mexico

En route to Ado

Getting vehicle sprayed

Heading to bus station

Punch buggy green and blue no punch backs

Ticket sales

Main floor seating area

Pesos

Seating area to wait for busses

Our bus

Statue at bus station

Taco festival sign - taken by Paul aka tacoboy

House

Roadside vendor

Park on other side of bus station

Tostada girls

Juarez statue

Side street

Blue truck

House

Roadside vendor

Banana chips for sale

Rancho Guadalupe

Playa is a lot bigger than San Pedro

Fish delivery

Side street

Walking to hotel

Hotel Alux (alush)

Our first room

Big church

Keeping people out

Tropical Wal-mart

Looks like Steak for dinner tonight

Barefoot Skinny on left

Rob and Michele

The San Pedro Artists Group has donated 21 paintings and drawings of the children of Holy Cross that will be sold at Sunset Grill on February 14 and all the proceeds will go to the school. Time 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

One of the paintings
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Blue Lotus - Authentic Indian Cuisine "Romance on the Seas"

Special buffet dinner, glass of wine, flowers & lucky draws $95 bzd per person

Thursday February 14th
Our complimentary taxi leaves Fisherman's Pier at 7:30pm or 8:00 pm
(lagoon end of Buccaneer Street)
Call 610 Blue (610 - 2583)

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Message Board Specials - A few local places have come together to offer message board specials for the month of February. (Any businesses wishing to offer a February deal please contact me through email in my profile)

Sol Spa - 10% off services
http://belizesolspa.com/

Tabu - 10% off food
http://www.seaducedbybelize.com/tabu.html

The Gallery at Exotic Caye / Crazy Canucks – 10% of art work
http://www.ambergriscayefinearts.com/

Xiu Li Chinese massage - ½ h massage $20 usd 226 – 3068

Carole Goudreau Esthetic - 10% off any services 626 - 2154

Island Perk - happy hour pricing all day (must use password Chica Blanca for discount)

Tackle Box - mention this ad and get happy hour prices (regularly 8-9pm) $1 off belikin bottles - $1 off local rum drinks - $20 beer pitchers.

Hideaway bar -$4 local rum drinks, Belikin products and rum punch through the end of February

Between the fire at Wings, rushing off to the advisory board meeting at the school and meeting up with Greg and Diane yesterday was a busy day - so when Paul suggested we take a short trip to Caye Caulker this morning I was ready to go enjoy the relaxing pace over there. We walked to island Perk - got our frape's to go and headed off to the water taxi to catch the 9:30 am.

It is Election day many of the stores were closed - the energy seemed even more laid back than usual if that is possible. We got a chance to meet Debbie Cooper of Coopers Art Gallery, I have always liked her colorful art work and it was nice to put a face to the name - we see her on the message board.

We walked leisurely around the island for a while enjoying the absence of traffic.

Getting on the boat

On our way to Caye Caulker

Colorful boat

Mangroves

Bucket salesman

Many stores were closed - election day

Swimming dog

Quiet

Boat

News sure travels fast via cyberspace.

All these people checked in to read about a fire happening in our one department store on the tropical Island of Ambergris Caye Belize.

Charleston USA - Seattle USA - Kansas City USA - Virginia Beach USA - Mint Pellier France - Downey USA - Ashburn USA - Belize City - Oslo Norway - Ayios Stefanos Greece - Irana Spain - North Richland Hills USA - Glendale USA - Oakland USA - Rome Italy - Taichungsien Taiwan - Ginnheim Germany - East Brunswick USA - Markham Canada - Linda a Velha Portugal - Rockland USA - Pittsburgh USA - Atlanta USA - Madison USA - Barcelona Spain - Fort Worth USA - Gunnison USA - Sao Paulo Brazil - Las Vegas USA - Baltimore USA - Port Lorne Canada - Delhi India - San Antonio USA - Indianapolis USA - Greensboro USA - San Diego USA - Brunner USA - Chesterfield USA - Sherman USA - The Hague Netherlands – San Jose Costa Rica – Saint Paul USA – Arvada USA – Halifax Canada – Milford USA – Sedona USA – Isle Norway – Leystad-Haven Netherlands – Lancaster UK – Philadelphia USA – Holbrook USA – Memphis USA – Marquette USA – Casper USA – Sacramento USA – Beaverton USA – Sevres France – Collblanch La Torossa Spain – Boulogne-Billancourt France – Edmonton Canada – Gold Coast Australia – London UK – Gennep Netherlands - Hartford USA – Little Rock USA - Como USA -Kuala Lumpur Malaysia - Livingston USA - Elm Springs USA - Regina Canada - Moscow Russia - Mortola Sweeded - Bjorkenas Sweden - Pointeverda Spain - El Palmar Spain - Downington USA - Toronto Canada - Dublin USA - Mentor USA - Fergus USA - Steger USA - Overland Park USA - Tuscon USA - Fairfax USA - Dayton USA - Rouen France - Birmingham USA - Mount Laurel USA - East Brunswick USA North Palm Beach USA - Saint Paul USA - Akron USA - Calgary Canada - Scarborough Canada - Topeka USA - Meriden USA - Harrow UK - New York USA - Concord USA - Danbury USA - Whittaker USA - Cromwell USA - Spokane USA - Minneapolis USA - Bronx USA- Wembley UK - McConnel Canada - Brooklyn USA -

Thank you for tuning in to tacogirlblog.

Around midnight last night Paul heard the firetruck go by - a fairly rare sound in San Pedro.

This morning We got call from Miss Dianne - quicksilver messenger that Wings was on fire. We walked over right away to see what was up and take some pictures.

The air was thick with smoke as the fire still smoldered. It was hard to breath and my eyes got watery- not good for those working there for extended periods. We went upstairs to the Belizean Reef roof to get an aerial view then headed back to the tacoshack to continue on with our day and chat about the news on the coconut phone.

If you are passing by the area and feel to bring bottled water for anyone working there or a clean wet cloth to help not breathe in so much smoke I am sure it would be welcome.

3 different views from 3 different girls

Fishing outside the reef - by Carole Goudreau

Snow in Toronto - by Gailtor

Painted kids - me

Boys fishing trip - by Carole Goudreau

Snowed in parking lot - by Gailtor

Fauxhawk - me

Big grouper - by Carole Goudreau

Snowy roads - by Gailtor

Painted people - me

Outside the reef - by Carole Goudreau

Canadian Winter - by Gailtor

Bull and Matador - me

Today we went on a boat, bus, taxi and plane.

Almost there thankfully - to early for vibrating boat can't wait to get on the bus to Belmopan.

Off we go in search of the chicken bus - was not hard to find Novelo's bus station a bout a 15 minute walk from the water taxi. We took the 7 am boat and were able to catch the 9 am bus. Boat cost us $30 for 2 one way and the bus was $8 one way for both of us - a guy comes around to collect the money after you sit down no advance tickets.

We made it to Belmopan for just after 10 am - it was very easy to find the Department of Immigration. I am standing at the counter waiting to see what comes next and how long we have to wait for out interviews. I am not moving I do not want to be out of sight out of mind. I just got asked to move to the aside ha ha - luckily a seat opened up right in front of the counter.

I hope we pas through quickly and easily as I do not want to stay overnight. Paul just told me to think happy thoughts, we are both a bit tired and hungry - I do not feel to eat in the office though will wait a bit.

We just got told to come back for 1 pm so we decided to go for a walk and find Chap at the new book store.

1pm back in the office again ... 1:20 pm still waiting.

Our interviews were relatively short it was all the waiting that had us catching the 3 pm bus with minutes to spare - that meant standing room only for a bit until some school kids got off and we were able to sit. I sat beside Felipe a guy from Orange Walk who was on his way back home after work. We chatted a bit he showed me pictures of his kids and I shared my sandwiches with him and the extra bottle of water we had.

Speeding back to Belize city but not speedy enough - we arrived at the same time as the last boat was leaving (4:30pm) . Met a cab driver right away and he said $10 bzd to take us to Municipal - we asked him out of curiosity how much to cab to Belmopan and he said about $125. We had to wait for the 5:50 flight to San Pedro - tickets cost us $37 usd each person more than the boat but worth it to get back to our beloved Island instead of staying overnight - another bonus is I get to take some areal shots. We have 45 minute wait for our flight and I so want a nap.

Got up in the air for 5 minutes then landed at Goldson airport to pick up 4 more people - up up and away we are heading for home.

Tips
Have quarters for the bathrooms and possible extra tp or kleenex if you think you might need it. I paid 50 cents at the water taxi terminal and the girls at the bus station did not want to make change for Paul - while I do feel I was given more than enough toilet paper I could see how in some cases one might want a bit more.

Bring water and a packed lunch or snacks - I found it helpful that we did not have to think about when and where we could grab a bite to eat.

Get a seat early on the bus or you may have to stand for a bit.

Be prepared in case you need to stay overnight or change modes of transportation- we ended up missing the last boat and caught a cab over to Municipal Airport to catch a plane.

On swing bridge

Heading to catch bus

Belize City

School girls

Cool vehicle

Walking near the bus station

Near bus station

Novelo's Bus Terminal

Our bus

Market stalls

Fruit trucks

Fruit market

Fruit stand

Novelo's Bus Terminal

Standing room only for a short while

Colorful houses

Bridge shot

Snapping pics out window

Side road

Belmopan Bus station

Department of Immigration

Immigration is close to bus station

Walk to office

Lots of people waiting

Oops

Walk way

Pinata's

Pinata maker

Fishermen

Municipal Airport

Silly picture

Plane to San Pedro

Leaving Municipal Airport

Mangroves

Long road

What a view

Air shot

Road

Pit stop at Goldson International Airport

Sea of green

Mangroves

Caribbean Sea

DFC

Just missed Paul and Cindy's house

I must confess I am not a huge football fan - I do like a good party however, so we decided to go to the Tackle Box for the big game - a great day to hang out by the water.

Before tackle box went to BC's for a bit to meet Renee and Norm, they brought some candy for Valentines fair at the school.

Big Screen tv sales are up

Carnival

Painted girls

On the prowl for other painted kids

New Martini bar where Cannibals was

Paul and Rudy watching the game

I have been hearing from friends how it is cold and snow back in Toronto.

This morning on the coconut phone, Patrick sent me a few pictures he shot recently and while they are nice to look at, I am sure glad that we ended up with a palm tree view especially when it includes pig roasts and calender girl parties.

February 2nd - Come join the Calendar Girls at the Mardi Gras Party at Crazy Canucks. 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Every year people bring their best Gumbo and Mardi Gras Food and shares with all. Bring your best dish and enjoy the evening with old and new friends.
February 3rd - The Calendar Girls will be featured at Fido's South along with Kelly McGuire from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Come enjoy the sites, the sounds of Kelly McGuire and the Super Bowl.
February 3rd - Super bowl party at Tackle Box, come on out and enjoy February message board drink specials.

Toronto Snow - by Patrick Doherty

View from Bart's Dad's place by Patrick Doherty

Pig Roast

Calender girls

Mardi Gras pot luck party

Beer glasses

It's hot and sunny in San Pedro today got rained for a minute while I was out for a walk just a few drops to cool me off not enough to make big puddles.

I need to go get some stuff ready to swap.

I just talked to Rebecca on the coconut phone and she said 4 guys came in for tacogirl-message board special at the Tackle Box and are enjoying a $20 pitcher right now. Got a few things for swap but was easily sidetracked - multitasking.

Full house

Waiting for lasagna

Lasagna time

Yum

Enjoying meal with friends

Greg Diane and friends

Checking out the merchandise

Aida Coleen and Jules

Walter and Andi-Lee

Puppy love

JD and I - by Carole