We have been here on Caye Caulker for a week. Time flies here! The first two days were HOT! I went about setting up housekeeping. Unpacked and arranged all small appliances etc. then stood in front of the fan to cool off. Went grocery shopping and then stood in front of the fan again. So it went those two days, a little work alternating with fan time.

The next three days it rained. Not just a normal rain but torrential downpour with only brief periods of just heavy rain. The soccer field looked like a lake and was about ankle deep when we finally got out of the house. Fortunately we had food, TV, our computers and plenty of nap time.

Now we are returning to sunshine and regular island life.

Lester is trying to get the boat moved. It seems everyone in that neighborhood has been "watching" it for him. At first that seemed like such nice acts of friendship and thoughtfulness. But then they all wanted to be paid for this service. Ha!

The rain, low tides, locals in personal crisis, religious obligations, etc. have all combined to delay moving the boat. But we think this might finally be the day. Or maybe tomorrow!

We have been eating in and my little slow cooker has worked perfectly. But last night we went to the Wish Willy. We have been looking forward to eating there during this last summer and the meal far surpassed all our dreams about the event. This might have been our best meal ever anywhere. When he asked us what we wanted I just said "You decide and surprise us. I'm sure it's all good." So he brought us each a platter of grilled fish fillet, lobster, and steak along with rice and veggies. Everything was so good we just ate and sighed and smacked our lips and talked about it all the way home. He seasons everything to perfection. This meal, served with a rum and coke was $10 US each. Unbelievable!

Here we go again! We are only a few hours away from boarding the plane for our return to Belize. Our suitcases have been packed, weighed, and repacked with loads lightened. If our bathroom scales are accurate we are each only ounces under the 50 lb limit for the checked baggage. Our carryons are almost as heavy. I won't be able to get mine in the overhead compartment. Fortunately, I won't have to do this as Lester takes care of the heavy stuff.

Lester has the yard and shrubs looking so nice it is almost a shame to leave. I have tidied up the inside of the house in order to avoid a scandal in case, as my daughter, Marla, said "my ship doesn't sail back home." I used to have a friend who pledged to spiffy up my house after I was gone and never tell about all the dust bunnies and uncleaned corners. She moved away some years ago and, now that I think about it, she was pretty much not speaking to me when she left. I guess that means she won't be coming back to keep that promise.

We'll be catching the 6:00 p.m. water taxi from Belize City to Caye Caulker tomorrow. After we get unpacked and settled in I'll report on any changes which might be of interest to you who have been there before. In the meantime, Love to you all from Diana and Lester!

Back in Live Oak

We have been back home a week now and still experiencing culture shock. Sleeping on a soft bed with a real pillow as opposed to the hard mattresses and lumpy headrests to which we have become accustomed is a difficult transition. Toilets and septic systems that can accomodate used toilet tissue is another change. How long before we stop looking for a waste basket in which to dispose of this material. How long will we feel uneasy and guilty when we flush it away. Here, when we turn on the faucet, hot water comes out. There is no chatter of birds to wake us as the day is breaking, no iguanas to clean up fruit and vegetable scraps. This all requires an attitude adjustment. But we are working on it.

Perhaps most difficult is remembering where we left everything before we went away. We put keys, checkbooks, etc. away where they would be safe and ready for us when we came back. Turns out we were better at hiding these items than we ever imagined. But we are working on that too.

We are looking forward to a busy summer of enjoying grandchildren, camping, kayaking, and traveling here in Calif. and the Pacific Northwest. If all goes as planned we'll be back in Belize in November. Life is good!

Snorkeling on the Belizean Reef

During the last week of our time on Caye Caulker we were able to go snorkeling with Carlos Tours. Carlos offers an exceptionally good tour in that he is an excellant guide and takes underwater pictures during the tour. I have posted some of his photos of native reef inhabitants. Included is a spotted eagle ray, turtle, manta ray, large school of fish and a transplanted California clownfish. (This particular clownfish is a mature speciman with the juvenile clownfish being more sleek and displaying brighter colors!)
Anyway, it was an excellent day!