We are enjoying a very quiet Christmas. Yesterday, Christmas Eve was our big busy and eventful day. It started out with a nice sail on the boat. I needed to be back no later than #:00 p.m. to do my part of the cooking for our shared dinner with the landlady and her family. My contributions were to be dressing, sweet potatoes, gravy, mashed potatoes to go with the turkey that she was baking and whatever else she decided to make. It was the first time I ever attempted to make dressing in the slow cooker. (It turned out to be successful enough although not my best.)
Anyway, it was a perfect day and we sailed down to Caye Chapel and back in water that was brilliant turquoise. As we were coming back in to tie up we commented on what a special day it had been. That's when all hell broke loose. We came in a bit too fast and when Les grabbed for the post to tie up the dinghie caught on something on the back and swung us into the post and caught his arm. Almost broke it but he managed to move fast enough that he got away Unfortunately, leaving a chunk of arm behind. I grabbed the first aid kit and we managed to staunch the flow and get tied up. He took me ashore so I could cook but when we got there I did not follow instructions ("Sit still until I can help you out.") and decided to hop out on my own. Halfway through that maneuver I discovered that my "hop" is no longer functional and did some kind of wild split that pulled some muscle in my back. By the time I got up to the house to start my share of cooking I was shaking so hard I could hardly get up the stairs. Lester went back to the boat to close it all up and (drum roll) that was when the finale occurred. He was pulling the motor up in the lock position when the motor mount broke and the motor fell off in the water. What a day!
So now he is drying out and cleaning up the motor and waiting to see how much damage was done. But the dinner was good We are about to partake of leftovers today. Expect better news next posting
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Exactly one month since we arrived back in Belize. Yesterday we had to go over to San Pedro and renew our visas. As usual we were ready to come back to Caye Caulker as soon as we finished at the Immigration office and stopped off at Captain Shark's for boat parts and supplies. It is so busy over there, a complete different world from laid back Caye Caulker. This suits us well!
We finally have the sailboat moored out back and Les is doing a few more repairs before we start sailing. As those of you who have been or are involved with boats will know, a lot of boating is getting ready to use the boat! We are still in the getting ready phase. But gaining on the actual doing it phase!
Other pastimes here include Thursday afternoon jam sessions at the sports bar on the beach which we finally attended this last week. We enjoyed it very much . From that get down and party atmosphere we went down the street to the outdoor basketball court to attend the elementary school Christmas program that turned out to be every bit as lively with music blasting (loud music is popular here and apparently necessary for any public function.) and young people dancing to the Jingel House Rock. Then there was a nativity play and an emphasis on the religious aspect of Christmas which we no longer seem to acknowledge back in the US. Tuesday is Taco and margarita night at the Dive Shop Bar next door. That's tonight. We're going! Our adopted son, Fredrick, is bringing my kayak from a friends stotage for me today so I expect to be exploring coves out back in the morning.
We have a new neighbor, Sam, a New England retiree who has taken the house in front of us for three months. Hr has taken on the project of cleaning the soccer field out front early each motning and has an appointment to talk to the village council about organizing some clean up events in the future. I plan to go with him as this is a cause dear to my heart as well.
We are planning Christmas dinner with the landlady and family. (She has the oven) So I have ordered a turkey and am gathering other ingredients for a traditional holiday dinner.
All is well except for a few aches and pains, a slight hearing loss, diminished eyesight, shortness of breath when experiencing even minor exertion, a tendancy to bruise at the least bump, memory lapses, an inability to get up unaided from a seated position on the ground or sand, and a general bedraggled and bewildered appearance that could be taken as symptoms of aging, except that, of course, we all know better!
More later. . .
We finally have the sailboat moored out back and Les is doing a few more repairs before we start sailing. As those of you who have been or are involved with boats will know, a lot of boating is getting ready to use the boat! We are still in the getting ready phase. But gaining on the actual doing it phase!
Other pastimes here include Thursday afternoon jam sessions at the sports bar on the beach which we finally attended this last week. We enjoyed it very much . From that get down and party atmosphere we went down the street to the outdoor basketball court to attend the elementary school Christmas program that turned out to be every bit as lively with music blasting (loud music is popular here and apparently necessary for any public function.) and young people dancing to the Jingel House Rock. Then there was a nativity play and an emphasis on the religious aspect of Christmas which we no longer seem to acknowledge back in the US. Tuesday is Taco and margarita night at the Dive Shop Bar next door. That's tonight. We're going! Our adopted son, Fredrick, is bringing my kayak from a friends stotage for me today so I expect to be exploring coves out back in the morning.
We have a new neighbor, Sam, a New England retiree who has taken the house in front of us for three months. Hr has taken on the project of cleaning the soccer field out front early each motning and has an appointment to talk to the village council about organizing some clean up events in the future. I plan to go with him as this is a cause dear to my heart as well.
We are planning Christmas dinner with the landlady and family. (She has the oven) So I have ordered a turkey and am gathering other ingredients for a traditional holiday dinner.
All is well except for a few aches and pains, a slight hearing loss, diminished eyesight, shortness of breath when experiencing even minor exertion, a tendancy to bruise at the least bump, memory lapses, an inability to get up unaided from a seated position on the ground or sand, and a general bedraggled and bewildered appearance that could be taken as symptoms of aging, except that, of course, we all know better!
More later. . .
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
A Report from Captain Lester and First Mate Diana
It's official! Lester is a bonafide Belizean Boat Captain with a 3 year certificate to back it up. The boat is 99% registered and licensed. All that remains is a trip to the Port Authority in Belize City to pick up the papers.
And this is how it all went down (remember when that was such a frequently used phrase on TV. Now, of course, it is all about talking points!) Anyway, Lester gathered up required safety equipment and transported all out to the marina and into the boat. He made a nice gangplank to allow the inspector easy access and armed with the required papers, gathered over the past two years, we were first in line on the first day the inspectors were at the village council office. As it turned out they were not particularly interested in seeing the boat and were content to take his word about required items being aboard. They did give him the written Captain's test, which he passed with flying colors, but opted not to have him demonstrate his sailing skills. It all came down to making contributions to the inspectors upcoming personal Christmas funds. (Our landlord had suggested that might speed things along.) Our friend, Richard, showed up and after a similar contribution to said fund, was granted a license as well, based on the inspection of his boat. Pretty nifty, considering his boat is still down in Guatemala as he hasn't even brought it up here this year yet.
We are enjoying some early morning bicycle rides out to the marina and also to my property. I am strengthening leg muscles that have enjoyed significant and noticeable lack of use lately, developing calluses on behind areas that make painful contact with the bicycle seat, and practicing deep breathing, all at the same time. With all this physical activity I will either come home robust and healthy or slumped over in a wheelchair.
But we won't come home skinny. There is a woman from Oregon who spends her winters here and is a gourmet cook, She prepares and sells these gourmet lunches, delivering them by bicycle each day. We enjoy them with a lunchtime rum and coke (diet rum and coke! Ha!) Besides her great food I have put out a few tasty dinners as well. Grilled lobster, Vegetable and shrimp curry. and eggplant parmisan, just to mention a few. Served with wine, of course (diet wine, that is!
Ah yes, life is good!
And this is how it all went down (remember when that was such a frequently used phrase on TV. Now, of course, it is all about talking points!) Anyway, Lester gathered up required safety equipment and transported all out to the marina and into the boat. He made a nice gangplank to allow the inspector easy access and armed with the required papers, gathered over the past two years, we were first in line on the first day the inspectors were at the village council office. As it turned out they were not particularly interested in seeing the boat and were content to take his word about required items being aboard. They did give him the written Captain's test, which he passed with flying colors, but opted not to have him demonstrate his sailing skills. It all came down to making contributions to the inspectors upcoming personal Christmas funds. (Our landlord had suggested that might speed things along.) Our friend, Richard, showed up and after a similar contribution to said fund, was granted a license as well, based on the inspection of his boat. Pretty nifty, considering his boat is still down in Guatemala as he hasn't even brought it up here this year yet.
We are enjoying some early morning bicycle rides out to the marina and also to my property. I am strengthening leg muscles that have enjoyed significant and noticeable lack of use lately, developing calluses on behind areas that make painful contact with the bicycle seat, and practicing deep breathing, all at the same time. With all this physical activity I will either come home robust and healthy or slumped over in a wheelchair.
But we won't come home skinny. There is a woman from Oregon who spends her winters here and is a gourmet cook, She prepares and sells these gourmet lunches, delivering them by bicycle each day. We enjoy them with a lunchtime rum and coke (diet rum and coke! Ha!) Besides her great food I have put out a few tasty dinners as well. Grilled lobster, Vegetable and shrimp curry. and eggplant parmisan, just to mention a few. Served with wine, of course (diet wine, that is!
Ah yes, life is good!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Caye Caulker 2012/13 Season
After only a few days we have slipped easily back into our comfortable Caye Caulker island lifestyle. There are few tourists here now, allowing us to fully enjoy our cast of local characters and friends. Among them are Chocolate, the legendary protector of manatees, bandy legged, trademark white moustache leading the way, we pass him on his early morning dog walking excursion. "Mornin" he calls. Fredrick, our gap toothed 40 something adopted son, delivering cargo to various businesses with his bicycle cart, "Mom! - Dad" he greets us. Maurice, the dredlocked owner/cook of "The Wish Willy" a backyard eatery where the lack of ambiance is more than made up for by the generous helpings of delicious local cuisine. Lucianna, our darling transplanted 95 lb(soaking wet) bundle of Italian energy and the best darn snorkeling guide in Belize. Ras Creek, the owner of a palm frond decorated, brightly colored boat that he uses to transfer tourists to the reef where they may swim with the sting rays. Marie, the "Laundry Mat" lady. Mark, the internet cafe guy. Raena, the meat pie lady, To mention just a few.
Two new acquaintances. A man somewhat worse from over indulgence in local rum crawled up into a boat stored next to our place and remained there for so long without evidence of movement that we asked the local police to check and see if he were still alive. Yep! and happy to stagger off for another go at the bottle. Also a large iguana, one of the group that lives under the house and comes out daily to sunbathe below suddenly bounded up our stairs onto the porch and demanded to be fed. (At least, that was our guess). Apparently a correct one as she allowed Les to hand feed her chunks of banana. This after never being able to get near any of the iguanas before.
I am happy to report that the nu wave cooker that I smuggled into the country on Sunday works like a charm. Our first time use? Broiled lobster tails drenched in garlic butter. (Notice how cleverly I worked in that part about already having lobster for dinner!) Subtle, right? Today eggplant parmesan is bubbling gently in the crock pot. Looking forward to cooking a pot of the local red beans with the "Better Than Bullion" ham flavoring, a seasoning trick passed on to me by neighbor Mary in Panama. Life is good!
Okay, there is one fly in the ointment. No internet in the house. For that reason I am here at the internet cafe pecking away and posting the first report of this new season on Caye Caulker. Wish you were all here!
Oh yes, about the boat. It is trapped in the marina behind several others that came in later. We expect to get it free in a few days. The inspector is expected later this month. We must be ready!
Two new acquaintances. A man somewhat worse from over indulgence in local rum crawled up into a boat stored next to our place and remained there for so long without evidence of movement that we asked the local police to check and see if he were still alive. Yep! and happy to stagger off for another go at the bottle. Also a large iguana, one of the group that lives under the house and comes out daily to sunbathe below suddenly bounded up our stairs onto the porch and demanded to be fed. (At least, that was our guess). Apparently a correct one as she allowed Les to hand feed her chunks of banana. This after never being able to get near any of the iguanas before.
I am happy to report that the nu wave cooker that I smuggled into the country on Sunday works like a charm. Our first time use? Broiled lobster tails drenched in garlic butter. (Notice how cleverly I worked in that part about already having lobster for dinner!) Subtle, right? Today eggplant parmesan is bubbling gently in the crock pot. Looking forward to cooking a pot of the local red beans with the "Better Than Bullion" ham flavoring, a seasoning trick passed on to me by neighbor Mary in Panama. Life is good!
Okay, there is one fly in the ointment. No internet in the house. For that reason I am here at the internet cafe pecking away and posting the first report of this new season on Caye Caulker. Wish you were all here!
Oh yes, about the boat. It is trapped in the marina behind several others that came in later. We expect to get it free in a few days. The inspector is expected later this month. We must be ready!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Final days at Cerro Velero
"Our days dwindle down to a precious few" Yes, our time here is almost over. It is early morning and I have just come back inside from watching and listening to the beginning of another day here in the jungle. The bay was becoming increasingly more visible and there were a couple flickering lights across the way. Probably from two sailboats moored there. A few lingering fireflies twinkled in the bushes below the deck.
The Howler monkeys are out in force this morning, announcing loudly their current locations and proclaiming their rights to forage there for the day. There are various bird calls, ranging from sharp and shrill to soft and melodious. There is the sound of distant thunder (Some mornings the thunder has been anything but distant). Right now a soft rain is falling on the roof. (As opposed to the occasional torrential downpour) A few roosters are crowing, reminders that all is not wild out there.
I have been trying to record these sights and sounds for some future reference. In case we never pass this way again, I hope to be able to close my eyes and return to this place and this time for a few moments.
On a lighter note, after having reported many of the things that have happened while we were here, it might be appropriate in this final Panama blog post to report some of the things that did not happen. For example, I was not stung by a scorpion. I did not trip and fall down the stairs or trail leading up to the house. (Well, I did slip once and sit down unexpectedly but that doesn't count.) And most importantly (for this highly arachnophobic individual) I did not come back from a hike in the woods wearing a big spider on my head.(As the cacao farmer lady reports she often does.)
So that about wraps it up. We'll make one more shopping trip to town tomorrow, pick up our house sitting replacements in town on Friday, get them settled in and instructed on all things Cerro Velero, and then hand over the keys on Sunday.
If all goes well, there will be a picture posted above of a truly amazing sunset that Lester captured a while back. If it's not there, well, it did not all go well!
It's been a great adventure!
The Howler monkeys are out in force this morning, announcing loudly their current locations and proclaiming their rights to forage there for the day. There are various bird calls, ranging from sharp and shrill to soft and melodious. There is the sound of distant thunder (Some mornings the thunder has been anything but distant). Right now a soft rain is falling on the roof. (As opposed to the occasional torrential downpour) A few roosters are crowing, reminders that all is not wild out there.
I have been trying to record these sights and sounds for some future reference. In case we never pass this way again, I hope to be able to close my eyes and return to this place and this time for a few moments.
On a lighter note, after having reported many of the things that have happened while we were here, it might be appropriate in this final Panama blog post to report some of the things that did not happen. For example, I was not stung by a scorpion. I did not trip and fall down the stairs or trail leading up to the house. (Well, I did slip once and sit down unexpectedly but that doesn't count.) And most importantly (for this highly arachnophobic individual) I did not come back from a hike in the woods wearing a big spider on my head.(As the cacao farmer lady reports she often does.)
So that about wraps it up. We'll make one more shopping trip to town tomorrow, pick up our house sitting replacements in town on Friday, get them settled in and instructed on all things Cerro Velero, and then hand over the keys on Sunday.
If all goes well, there will be a picture posted above of a truly amazing sunset that Lester captured a while back. If it's not there, well, it did not all go well!
It's been a great adventure!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Rana Azul today. Beef Stroganof - Absolutely delicious! That Austrian, Joseph, and his wife are good cooks! But the big news is that this morning we saw a sloth in a tree down by our boat dock. Carol spotted it and we watched as it slowly made it's way down a branch. Here the locals refer to them as "slow monkeys". The fast monkeys, howlers, are getting close again. We are hoping they will be in our back yard again tomorrow as Carol and Frank have to leave for California on Tuesday.
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