Agua Caliente

        We took a trip inland to experience Agua Caliente, a hot spring that waterfalls into a cold, clear river. We took the reliable local public transportation inland for about an hour and arrived at Finca Paraiso.

Monos on the Dulce

        On the Rio Dulce, surrounded by jungle with marinas called such names as “Monkey Creek Marina,” we thought we should go on a Search for Monkey’s Safari. (We pretty much add the word “safari” to most activities we do, I find it adds a little more excitement to say, going into town to get vegetables and some lunch).

Our Marina on the Rio Dulce

         The Marina we decided on while in the Rio Dulce was Tortugal. We loved it. Frank, the German owner, has about 20 acres and he artistically has built bamboo walk ways, small cabanas, and a thatched roof resturant/bar with a communal game room upstairs with a pool table, TV, and library.

Riding the Rio Dulce

          A week ago we checked into Guatemala at Livingston, and headed up the river for Texan Bay.  Going through the Gorge, as it is called was amazing.  The gorge lasts for the first 6 miles or so upriver.  We were destined to make Texan Bay for the night, which is 7 miles upriver, or something like that.  It was getting late and we had nearly 3 knots of current flowing out the gorge, so we motored at full throttle up the river in order to get there by nightfall. Meg and the dogs stood on the bows the whole 6 miles taking pictures and basking in the excitement of entering a new country.   Raul, our check-in agent advised not staying the night in Livingston, as you were almost guaranteed to get fucked with.  Not that the Guatemalans were interested in hurting anyone, but he made it sound like they were gonna scope your boat for anything that wasn't locked down while you slept in your bed.

Thank You and Goodnight, Belize

          After our inland trip we were winding down on  Belize and started making plans to check out and check into Guatemala.  Knowing we'd be on the Rio Dulce for a while, we wanted to get one last island/snorkel/fish eating fix before taking off. 

Inland Trip, Belize

          Instead of my usual spouting off at the mouth and only posting a few pics, I'm gonna try a new format:  I'll tell my story with mostly pics and keep the verbosity extra short.  They say pictures tell a thousand words, and although I do like to read myself type I have to agree I think most blogs could do with more show and less poe. We'll see how this goes.  Allow a little verbosity to set up the picture show.

Tobacco Cay and Conch Fever

          Tobacco Cay is a beautiful, palm covered island filled with friendly locals and located right off the reef. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on this peaceful little piece of Belize for a few days. This particular story, however, started the first beautiful morning off of Tobacco Cay. We took the canoe to the south side of the small island to snorkel the reef and it was beautiful. We saw awesome coral, snappers, hogfish, other tropical fish I am not sure the names of, sea fans, a huge spotted eagle ray, and the water was warm and clear. It was a great start to the day.

Dangriga

            We anchored off of Dangriga in murky water that made you hear the Jaws theme song in your head when you look at it and paddled ourselves into shore.