My friend, Joan, has been here for almost two weeks and we have been staying busy. We went to Cayo District to see the kick off of the Ruta Maya canoe race. We stayed at the hi-et guesthouse. Les and I stayed there last year too and really like the place and the family that runs it. If you are ever in San Ignacio that is the place to stay.
On the day of the race we got up early (at 0 Dark Hundred) and made our way to the Hawksworth bridge. Below us was the starting line. There were about 70 canoes in the 4 day race and it was great fun to be part of the excitement of the event. (If all goes well I will include a couple pictures taken from the bridge. If they aren't included, I couldn't get it to work.)
We also rented a car while we were there and explored some sites, Barton Creek Cave, the Mennonite home builders at Spanish Lookout, and Cahal Pech (small Mayan ruin on the hill above town.) It was a good trip.
Our first days back on the island were too windy for the kayaks and snorkeling. But the last few days have been perfect. We have bicycled, kayaked, etc. until our legs are sore, we have blisters on our hands and our noses are sunburned. It just doesn't get much better than this.