It is quite possible and cheap to go by bus from Mexico into Belize and even Belize to Honduras. But that second part is long and tedious. Plus, you miss the beautiful islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. This is a viable route, the route I took.
Although I LOVE it here, I cannot stay forever. I had planned to leave today, going to Dalia’s sister’s home (for a few days) when Dalia finished working. My clothes were clean, my backpack packed up nicely. But as it turns out, they felt water was too rough for me and my backpack to be comfortable and dry in Delia’s small boat, so I am back in my room up the hill, again enjoying the breeze from the fan above my head and the sounds of Roatan’s tropical jungle life and breezes outside my patio doors. Tonight’s dinner was a fabulous beef and shrimp kebab. It wasn’t quite Teriyaki. It is Dalia’s own concoction — a bit sweet and a bit spicy. Lucky for everyone who doesn’t get to eat Dalia’s cooking here, she is putting it in her recipe book.
Mango Rule Never hit a mango out of a tree. I suppose the tree doesn’t like to be hit because once you hit the tree its mangos turn sour. Just grab it instead. You can pull it off. You can twist it off. But be nice to the tree. (Mango lesson brought to you thanks to Shannon, who I hope and expect to see managing a resort one day soon.)
As you walk around the Mango Creek Property, or at least the parts by the housing and docks that most people walk when here, you cannot help noticing the very many holes in the ground. These are the land crabs’ holes. But try as I did, I never saw a crab inside any of them. The other night I had a delightful treat. As I stepped off the back porch in the dark, I noticed a shape moving on the ground just a step away. It was a land crab! Noticing me or feeling my step, it scooted under the step for safety but I could still see it. Then I noticed another, and two more! I watched them for a while. It was fun to see them slowly slide sideways.
Today I helped save the Conch again. The last couple of days here at Mango Creek Lodge, I have noticed Patrice pick up Conch and place them into deeper water. She’d explained that they like to climb up the shore to eat the sweet grass that grows there, but then on some hot days the tide goes out leaving them stranded. Patrice and Terry have created a safe zone for Conch because they’re being over fished. So I have taken to doing this when Patrice is focused on taking guests out snorkeling or such. Actually, last week I snorkeled for Conch too, carrying a mesh bag in which we collected the Conch and carried (swam) them into our safe area so they have a chance to live, grow, lay eggs, and help their population thrive. I must comfiest though, Conch were actually deeper than I like to go so Terry, […]
I left the boat today, partly because of my discomfort at lack of true answers and because it appears they are unlikely to actually go to Panama. I will be staying at Mango Creek Lodge for a few days. This is my view now: the beautiful tropical jungle of Roatan and the over-the-water cabanas!
Today we moved again. Again I expected to sail on to the next island but again we just motored a short way. We are in Port Royal, anchored out at a buoy kindly put out by the owners of Mango Creek Lodge here in Port Royal. It is their beautiful, colorful over-the-water cabanas we face. I knew about Mango Creek Lodge from Lori, who told me and said it is a nice courtesy to go on land as soon as we get there and say hello to the owners. I told this to the family as we pulled in and tired up to the buoy. And they did go in. While I was cleaning up below, they quietly dropped the dingy and headed ashore. I came up and looked at them, hands up to ask “what…” No reply. how long would they be ashore? Why wasn’t I allowed to come? […]
As the past 2 days, in the morning I went up to the cafe to check email and keep in touch with people to let them know I was safe. It has become difficult to explain to clients that my month of being out of touch has not begun yet, so I am quite uncomfortable. As I sat there, Nico came in to let me know “we are going out to visit the area for the day.” That was ok. They needed family time. But were they just going to motor away in the dingy and not tell me? Here is where bring “crew” can be uncomfortable: it turned out I, the woman of the boat felt I was acting like a guest and not working. I was crew and waiting to sail and in the meantime trying to be helpful with the kids and to help her cook. (And […]
Today was a terrific day. Mark, owner of Turtlegrass Marina here in Calabash Cove took us out on his motorboat for a tour of the area. Now I have seen some of Roatan’s unique life on the water. The island is mountainous so there is on,y one main road across it, with small offshoots leading to homes or neighborhoods. Many homes are right on the water, built on stilts, and boats are a major mode of transportation. Businesses are either a tad inland so you can still arrive by boat or they are right on the water. The island, or at least this area, has many small inlets or waterways called Bites. Some passages are narrow and lined with mangroves so one proceeds slowly through them. We went to a supermarket or general store that was pretty well stocked. I also bought some great tasting oranges from a fruit cart. […]
Today we finally moved out of the harbor to which I arrived. We are on our way to Panama. Well, not quite…. Turns out no one bothered to tell me that we were stopping at another location a few miles, if that, away. We are in Calabash Cove. But we didn’t raise a sail to get here, so still no sailing. Not that I mind seeing more of Roatan. I just wonder why I cannot get any straight answer about plans. “We’re cruisers. We have no plan.” That is what I am told by the skipper/owner. Except that the post inviting people did have a plan.
EVERYTHING you pack matters when you’re packing to travel.
One of the hardest things to find in the US as I packed to travel was a tube of toothpaste. Sadly, flip tops have become the marketing rage, and they do not close well. Whether on the light weight, minimal space-using tube or on the horrid plastic-wasting heavy thick-sided toothpaste containers, those flip lids are far too likely to open as you travel.
The best toothpaste cap for any travel is the good old screw top that you fully remove in order to get to your toothpaste. But finding this is not always easy.
I can actually recommend brands for the USA and for Central America.
We remain anchored out here off Roatan having gone nowhere. So much for the promise of moving on in a few days. It is pretty here but I am not getting to meet local residents of Roatan and not learning Roatan culture. I was promised plenty of sailing but we have yet to raise a sail. I rushed here, passing by places and sights I very much wanted to see. I hope it was worth doing so but am now doubtful.
Something impressive, unique, and thrilling. More about it here as I have time. http://www.stanleysubmarines.com/about/
Exactly one week ago, on Sunday evening, April 15, I arrived at The Sailboat. We remain anchored out here off Roatan. I am loving it, but not fully. I am not seeing Roatan but am seeing the water, which is beautiful. I would like some more interaction with locals. We were due to leave yesterday but things happen, or at least that is what I am told when I try to learn the immediate plan. I am told we will move on in a few days.
Today I purchased my first data card, a SIM card for my iPhone that enables me to access the Internet on my iPhone. I should be able to use my iPhone as a Personal Hotspot, but the silly system requires that I get set up with TIGO, the provider, for that. About the card – for those who may with to know: It was 45 limperas for the card, then 150 limperas for 2GB to be used within 1week or lost. The alternative was a one-month card that provides 5GB but we would not still be in Honduras in 3 weeks. It was not possible to buy two weeks at a time. Data and voice/texting are sold separately. I purchased voice minutes some days later upon learning that a cal to the US is only 2 Limpera and a tad per minute. I spent just 50 Limpera.
On Saturday, April 21, I donned SCUBA gear for the first time since I was in Townsville, Australia. I expected to do a guided dive after learning some basic skills, and as I had learned and done all those skills before, was looking forward to seeing some of the amazing, colorful life that lies below our everyday view down in this Caribbean ocean. I was less comfortable with the idea of being deep below the surface, dependent on equipment than I expected to be. Stormy weather that night apparently ruled out a second day attempt. I wasn’t terribly disappointed and confess I was somewhat relieved. At the yacht club, I met/know four women who were as apprehensive as I was, but got past it and are enamored with diving. It made me think I should push through my discomfort. Under other conditions, with another instructor, I probably would. But my […]
One post, several adventures. This would be a very full travel day. From sunrise until after sunset I’d be on the road.
By 7am I was on the dock awaiting the day’s first Belize Express Water Taxi to carry me from Caye Caulker to Belize City. The boat was 10 minutes late (which gave me more than 10 minutes to worry that I would miss the boat to Honduras) but did a great job of making up for lost time if any time was actually lost. I was on land again by 8.
Backpack firmly on my hips, I received clear directions to the Radisson Hotel boat docks where I was to find the Pride of Belize, the ferry that would deliver me to the Honduras mainland. And upon arrival at that dock, learned the boat to Belize was departing from another dock this morning, so I hiked back the way I’d come.
The Pride of Belize, the boat to Honduras — a 5+ hour ride — was more utilitarian/cargo than passenger comfort but the crew was great. This was a little engine that could type of boat and crew.
And then there was the bus from Puerto Cortez, Honduras to San Pedro Sula — followed by the bus to my final destination of the night.
I would be traveling from my final night’s destination to Roatan.
