N 17.28.319, W088.14.916  Belize City

 Left Cay Caulker and made a 4 hour sail to Long Cay which was once a bird sanctuary until a hurricane came through a few years go.  But that didn't seem to negatively affect the sunsets here.  Arrived at the Cucumber Beach Marina, Belize City, on Wednesday as we needed to get Paddy in for a medical check up.  Ah, a hernia - go figure!  Surgery was scheduled and completed on Friday as an outpatient procedure.  The private clinic, doctors and staff were very thorough and friendly.  The surgeon is Indian, spends 6 weeks in North Dakota and then 2 weeks here.  Gets around.  The total cost was $1,300 USD, or $2,600 Belize $$.  Sound cheap? So he's now recovery nicely.
  
We met some Rotarians from New Mexico.  They are in Belize along with a group from 2 other states to distribute the wheelchairs pictured below.  The Rotarians got together with a company in California that was able to order these chairs from......where else? - China.  Over 200 were shipped here, assembled and are being distributed to the needy throughout this country.  Do those white chairs look familiar?  Well they should since we probably all have a few!  The chair is attached to a structure that has bicycle tires (allowing the user to better navigate on dirt and cobblestone roads).  The kit includes a seat belt, bicycle tire pump and a wrench in the foot plate to change positions for adults and children.  It is always a humbling experience to see in person the good works of other.  All you Rotarians and other volunteers can be proud!

Things are quiet for the time being until the Captain is fully recovered, as his 1st mate is still in major training! 
Book recommendation:  The Tiger's Wife, a novel by Tea Obreht.  Very interesting mix of legend, magical realism and reality.  (thanks for the bookmark Gail P.!)  Any reading suggestions would be appreciated!
And I'm now addicted to Mahjong - playing that on my new laptop.

Caye Caulker, Belize

Very Colorful fabrics made with the ancient Mayan tradition into bags, table runners, and anything else they can think of.

 This is how the "yatistas" prepare for a run on the mainland.

Below -  Numerous frigate birds flying overhead and pelicans floating waiting for this fisherman to toss in the air the foot of the conch -- that's what he is cleaning.

Party boat for the Sticky Ball?????

It’s Sunday,  January 21, 2012 and we have been at Cay Caulker south of Ambergris Cay since……I forgot! Oh well, it’s definitely a funky island – 4 miles long, lots of mangroves, backpackers, beach bars, and people from all over. Lots of Canadians.  Most are even young – what a concept!  This island also parallels the reef, so yesterday we went on a guided tour with 4 other guests for a day of snorkeling with nurse sharks, rays and a great variety of beautiful fish – big and small as well as swimming over and around the many varieties of coral. 

Every morning at 8 am all the cruisers get on their ham radios for the NW NET.  First the “leader” asks for any medical or emergencies that require immediate attention.  Then we are given a complete NOAA weather report for the western Caribbean from as far north as Isla Mujeres (near Cancun) and as far south as Roatan, a beautiful island off the coast of Honduras.  It’s on our list!  Any cruisers under way are asked to identify themselves as in some cases you are cruising straight through the night.  Then the rest of the “yatistas” (cruisers) can check in announcing the name of their boat and the names of the people aboard, their location, and local weather.  Many of them know each other, so they are making plans for birthday parties and when they can meet up.  This yachting community keeps close track of each other.  We have already had cocktails with the Queen Mary and Expectations.  We are all meeting up on Tuesday to sail south to the Turneffe Islands which are @ 8 NM (that’s nautical miles) east of Belize’s barrier reef, also the largest of Belize’s three offshore atolls.

Milk – real milk - is hard to find here.  Daily Paddy and I are on a mission to visit every market to see if they have any.  This is when you really appreciate Publix!!  Otherwise we are eating and drinking like the king and queen that we are.  Can’t say I miss working - J just Brad!!!

Ambergris Cay

Monday – January 16 ,2012 - The Flaunt Girls arrived at an early 5:50 a.m. in Suburban Limo driven by Lt. Dan with the appropriate hat!! Champagne and quiche in hand – now that made us all happy. Thanks so much Lt. Dan, Karen, Jill, Tracy, Joanne and Cajie. Paddy was waiting for me at the cutest little airport ever.  Had an interesting cab ride to the ferry which was a 2 hr. boat trip on their version of a “bus in India” – slightly cramped – passengers hanging out the windows,  oh and then there was a little water in the stern which was making me want to bale – literally.  But those 3 x 200hp Yamahas had us flying to Ambergris Cay.  Took the dingy into town Tuesday as Paddy was in dire need of clean clothes (a real cruising issue!)  19 lbs of clothes, washed, folded and repacked is costing him 38 Belize dollars = @ $19 USD.   Sounds like a deal since I didn’t have to do it!  Major form of transportation is a golf cart.  Look out – they’ll run you over whether they’re a Mom picking up the kids at school (they all wear uniforms) or tourist on their way to or back from the local pub.

The people here are friendly, speak English – thank God! And the currency is EITHER the Belize or US dollar.  Very tourist friendly.  San Pedro is the main village on this cay.  Lots of scuba and snorkeling here as the 2^nd largest reef in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia) runs @ 200 miles parallel to the coast here.  We’ll be snorkeling later.  Check out Ramon’s Village for a thatched hut cottage on the beach.       

 Waves breaking on the reef in the background.

 You can go snorkeling with this colorful dude!

 Le Chat Beaute.

 Moi and Le Chat Beaute with reef behind it.

After several hours,  Jungle Joan was able to make this work!  You go Girl.

Preparing for the next chapter!

The past few months I have been preparing for the biggest adventure in my life - up to this point of course!  Going from  a 2 bedroom house to 2 duffle bags for 2 years isn't easy.  Sorting through years of memories, crying, and hoping to see well enough to not throw out the wrong things has been challenging.  I'm moving out of my charming home located in the pristine marshes of the Salt River into storage and flying to Belize  City to meet Paddy for our next adventure.  I welcome you to follow us as we go where the winds blow us!  Namaste.