30 August 2011

30 August 2011 - Interesting day, we found a new marina the other day, Hacienda Tijax Marina, $100.00 a month less than Mario’s and we like it better and I can put up my satellite dish, so we checked out of Mario’s.  We had started checking on bottom jobs the other day and there are two boatyards that come highly recommended Abel’s and Ram.  WE got a “guesstimate” from Abel’s and then went to Ram’s.  We met Richard the owner, a very nice man, and he informed us that he would not do a estimate without seeing the bottom.  We pulled the boat and it isn’t as bad as we thought, surprising enough his price wasn’t that much more than the “guesstimate” we got from Abel’s and we strongly feel we will get a far better job.

For the cruisers, both yards charge for being on the hard, Abel’s $20.00 per day and Ram’s $25.00 a day, the difference is that if you are staying at Ram’s marina, they don’t charge for being on the hard.  Something to think about if you are planning to hull out in the Rio Dulce.

Spending the night here at Ram’s tonight, then off to Hacienda Tijax Marina in the morning.  Poor Mia is wondering where she will be on land in the morning, I don’t really think she cares where the land is as long as she can go ashore at least once a day.  When we get settled in tomorrow Rose will take some pictures and I’ll add them to the blog.  Hacienda Tijax Marina is really unique, there are several cottages on the property all connected by boardwalks winding through the jungle, there is a swimming pool, 24 hour security, free WIFI,  bar, restaurant, free coffee from 0700 – 1000, they wash down your boat for free once a week, palatable free water, a workshop, storage for guests, walking trails, garbage pickup at the boat, a travel agency, and more for about a $100.00 less than we were paying at Mario’s.

28 August 2011

If you see any pictures in the blog that you would like to have a larger view of, just click on the picture or e-mail me, willstrop.MyPeace@gmail.com  the date and comment under the picture and I will be glad to send you a larger view.

28 August 2011 - Been one great trip, the only time we were really worried was when tropical storm, cat 1 hurricane, tropical storm Harvey was coming at us. When we first took notice it was a tropical storm about 350 miles away then it was upgraded to a cat 1 hurricane so we decided to take shelter as all indications were a direct somewhere between Placencia and Dangriga, Belize.

Dinghy dock at Placencia, Belize

At that time we were anchored offshore at Placencia.  We decided to try to run back into the mangroves in Mango Creek but the water was too shallow, so we headed out into Placencia Lagoon which was our second best place.  As the storm got closer it was downgraded back to tropical storm status, winds less than 75 mph.  As it got closer the wind were sustained at 60 mph and was headed 30 miles north of us at Dangriga. 

Mango Creek, Belize

We were on the southern side so the high winds we would get would be coming from the west.  I set two anchors, the primary to the west and the secondary to the south.  The storm hit us around 1500 hours that afternoon; thank God we didn't get the brunt of it.  In fact Belize was pretty much spared, a tornado hit Dangriga and destroyed two homes and killed 50 chickens, some flooding, but nothing major.

Caribbean side of New Haven, Belize

I made up my mind then it was time to get down to Livingston, Guatemala and up the Rio Dulce and quit playing chicken with the storms.  What makes being up the Rio Dulce around Fronteras so hurricane proof is that you travel up the river through the canyons about 8 miles to El Golfete, a small lake about 9 miles long and 4 miles wide, then back in the river another 6 or so miles through the canyon to Fronteras.  We are protected from the Caribbean by mountains to the east that the major force of the storms can't get through.  We do get storms here but nothing like hurricane force.

Mia checking out the shoreline

Every night the thunderstorms come into the mountains from the Caribbean putting on the most beautiful light show, and yes it is the rainy season so almost every day we get a shower that last a half hour or so, but it cools everything off.  You just have to plan your day so that if you are going to Fronteras, the only way to get there is by dinghy you do it in the morning so you can get back before the daily showers.

Freighter entering Big Creek

The life here is not as bad as all the "talking heads" that have never been here say it is.  Before we left the states, we heard all sorts of horror stories about murder, thefts, ppricey, drugs and the like.  Yes it is a very poor area and if you leave something lying around it will be gone in town.  According to those that have been here for years there hasn't been a theft at this marina in years, for that matter there hasn't been any crime.  That is not to say that I wouldn't be walking around at midnight in Fronteras, but for that matter I wouldn't do that in San Antonio.

The worst of the storm season lays ahead of us for this part of the world, September and October is when it really gets active, but while my daughter Jessi is visiting I'm going to make a weather check and if nothing is brewing we will go out to Sapodillo Caye and the surrounding cayes, a long day sail back into Belize for a few days.  We have only been at dock for 4 days and Rose and I both are getting itchy to travel.

Mountains of Guatemala behind the cayes of Belize from New Haven, Belize

Due to the location of Sapodillo Caye the Belize government allows cruisers from Guatemala to visit those cayes without checking in with customs. Immigration and the port authority.  It is a nice break from being in a marina.

Hard Luck Charlie's "marine railroad", New Haven, Belize

This morning I got up had my coffee and re-tied the mooring lines, and continued putting away stuff we don't need tied up and just basically turning a sailing vessel into a dock side cottage.  Rose finished catching up on the laundry; she had almost a month’s worth.  We had brunch and lay around and watched the movie Patton from beginning to end that is one long movie, 172 minutes, almost 3 hours.  When it was over the sun was setting.  Retirement is hard work!

25 - 27 August 2011

26 August 2011 – Went to Fronteras yesterday with Mia and Rose just to look around, very interesting little town.  We stopped at Bruno’s Bar and Grill where we left the dinghy and Mia had to have her water on the rocks. 

 She is turning into a regular bar fly

"That's my kind of drink water on the rocks!"

"Watch it Dad, Mom is coming!"

27 Aug 2011 – Our friend Tony here at the marina said he would go into Fronteras with us and show us around so we would be able to find what we were looking for.  We took 2 dinghies and tied them up at Bruno’s and walked up to the main street.  He showed the market place and where to go to find what we wanted at the best prices.  The sad part is I like margaritas and Tequila is an imported liquor in Guatemala, $160.00 “Q” a liter or about $20.00 USD, 3 times what it cost in Mexico.  Now Guatemalan rum on the other hand is about $50.00 a liter ($6.00 USD)  So now I guess if I want a drink is going to be rum and coke.

Our friend Tony

We walked around the streets and found what we need for groceries we needed and met Tony back at Bruno’s.  From Bruno’s we went under the bridge and across the river to Cheekies (sp) has good prices and variety, then back under the bridge to Mar Marina to the West Marine Port supply store they have almost as much as the West Marine in San Antonio, but at 30% more than the catalog price.  They did say they could exchange my fresh water pump that is still under warranty.

In the market place

As you may have figured out by now, the dinghy in our case and pangas in the case of the Guatemalans is not only the prime mode of transportation, but in most cases the only mode of transportation.

Guatemalan children in the market

Back to Mario’s as the heat of the day is rapidly approaching so we can get in the pool and stay cool.  Today in the boat at 1400 hrs it was 103 degrees.  We don’t use the air conditioner in the day time due to the price of electricity being 43 cents per KW. 

This place has everything

So we do the cheap thing and sit around with our friends in the cool shade around the pool and swap stories about the places we have been, storms encountered, problems with the various governments checking and checking out and where we’re going after hurricane season.  It is truly amazing the way we all know the same people from different ports. 

Main street Fronteras 

I told tony I planned on cooking on the grill on the boat this evening and he countered with we should use the marina grill and share the heat, as it ended up we had a pitch-in dinner by the pool.  It was great!

More of the market

22 August through 26 August 2011

22 August 2011 – Took the Hooky Poky water taxi to Mango Creek and checked out of Belize leaving in the morning for New Haven, Belize where we will spend the night at anchor before heading to Livingston, Guatemala on Wednesday morning to check into Guatemala, then up the Rio Dulce to Mario’s Marina until late November. 

 Hokey Pokey Water Taxi

 Hokey Pokey Water Taxi Mango Creek

Got an e-mail from our daughter Jessi today and she is thinking about joining us in Rio Dulce for a week or so, she is the daughter that has the hard life and lives on Maui.  Won’t publish again until we are settled in at Mario’s.  Thanx to all of you for your Prayers concerning the storm, the Lord Blessed us and the country of Belize well as there was no loss of life and the storm was minimal.

My Peace at anchor in New Haven, Belize

23 August 2011 – Had dinner with matt & Carla last night at the “Secret Garden Restaurant” last night the dinner and presentation was “4 Star”.  It was a very enjoyable evening; we are going to miss Matt and Carla as we have traveled together for the past 2 months.  If it hadn’t been for Matt & Carla we would have missed Belize due to the negative things we had heard about it from other cruisers.  I must admit it was a little more expensive checking in and out than Mexico, but it was worth every penny, nowhere else in the world will a person find such a verity in culture, language, food, and beauty.   

Last dinner with Matt & Carla

We upped anchor at 0935 and headed south to New Haven lagoon about 25 miles south of Placencia to spend the night before heading across the Bay of Honduras to Livingston, Guatemala.  New Haven is a small lagoon about 1 mile long and wide; for the most part it is totally uninhabited.  Years ago there was a man known as “Hard Luck Charlie” who cleared most of his 100 acres and planted it with citrus, cassava, Cuban sugar apple, cashew, pineapple, mango and rice.  Before he could realize his dream he was killed in a tragic boating accident. 

Very little is visible from shore and the bugs are so fierce we were advised not to go ashore.  This is a very well protected lagoon from all directions except southwest winds.  Tonight it appears the wind will be out of the north.  We are anchored in the middle in 11 feet of water with a very slight 3 knot wind from the north.  We plan on upping anchor around 0700 hours in the morning and heading 25 miles southwest across the Bay of Honduras (open water) to Livingston and checking in to Guatemala.  This is really unique as from where we are anchored you are able to see three countries without turning your head, Honduras to the southwest, Guatemala to the south, and Belize to the west.

About all that's left of Hard Luck Charlie's New Haven

Palapas on the Rio Dulce

I haven’t written much about the food we eat on the boat and what we miss, ran out of Fritos about two months ago (miss them), ran out of Land-o-Lakes butter about the same time, tried Mexican butter, no comparison so I found New Zealand butter, better than Land-o-Lakes, beef in this part of the world is much different than the U.S. still have two rib eyes in the freezer saving for a special occasion.  Pork is about the same, but the cuts are different.  Then there is chicken the most popular meat in this part of the world, I have eaten so much chicken I’m starting to grow feathers and cluck.  Tonight we cooked the last of our American hamburger that was given to us by our friend Mike Kelm of Rockport, Texas.  He raised some dairy steers and took them to slaughter and was kind enough to give us a few packages. 

Mia likes Ritz Crackers & Kippers now 

The hamburger is so lean that it doesn’t shrink when you cook it.  Ate the last package for dinner tonight and thought about Mike the whole time.  By the way Mike is also one of the best metal fabricators I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with.  Coca-Cola is much better here than in the U.S., they use real cane sugar instead of corn syrup which makes a world of difference, (the way they used to make it in the states).  Most everything you want can be found if you are willing to pay the price, Rose and I prefer to save money and us the products the locals use.  Like when we eat out we go to the locals’ restaurants not the tourist restaurants.  The local restaurants & street vendors have similar food to their tourist counterparts, but at half the price.  Cruisers refer street vendors as “street meat”, as far as the sanitation difference, there isn’t much difference between the 3 behind the kitchen doors.  When it comes to fish, kind of like chicken, think I’m growing scales on my skin I have eaten so much.  We have even gotten tired of lobster, still have 6 tails in the freezer, I think that will change when we get to Mario’s, there won’t be much fish or lobster.  The water in the Rio Dulce is very polluted and you don’t want to eat the fish from it.

 Livingston Harbor

24 August 2011 – Anchor up 0730 new haven, Belize heading to Livingston, Guatemala.  Motor sailed most of the way trying to maintain 5.5 knots to get to Livingston by 1330 hrs.  Arrived Livingston at 1335 hrs contacted Raul to let him know we were in port.  I had sent him an e-mail a few days ago to let him know when we would be in port.  Raul is the agent in Livingston, speaks English perfectly and handles everything to do with documentation. 

Livingston, Belize

Immigration, customs, port captain, and health inspector arrived at 1405 hrs by launch, rose fixed them all a coke, all my papers we ready laying on the table, and the air conditioner was cranked down to 74.  The finished the paperwork in about 10 minutes and sat around and visited for another 10 minutes enjoying their cokes and air conditioning.  Raul gave us a map to his office and to the bank he told use to pick up our papers in a half hour. 

 

 Main Street Livingston, Belize

I walked to the bank to get some “Q”s but the ATM was out of order.  I went inside and the young lady tried to get the money out of my account directly with no success, said my card was no good.  I gave her Rose’s card, same result.  I gave her a card to another account still no luck.  I went back to Raul’s office and asked if he would take a personal check for the $1,200.00 “Q” for the paperwork, instead I tried using his computer to access my account, no luck, wouldn’t accept my login/password.  So we called Broadway Bank in San Antonio and got hold of one of the ladies at the Randolph Branch, Jeanette and Vicki weren’t in so the lady who answered to control.  As it turns out Guatemala is blocked by most American banks and only access is open by special request.  In the few short minutes I was on the phone she transferred funds from one account to another, contacted “Bank Card” unblocked our cards and told me by the time I got to the bank in Livingston (a 5 minute walk) everything would be OK.  By the time I got to the bank and gave the card to the teller, I was able to withdraw the $1,500.00 “Q” I needed.  THAT’S WHY I LOVE BROADWAY BANK!

Papers in hand we walked back to the dinghy dock, set a record loading the dinghy and pulling anchor, and headed up the Rio Dulce to get to Texan Bay before dark.  (We had 2 hours to make 8 miles)  The current against us the first part of the way up river was about 3 knots, the best I could get out of My Peace against the current was 5.6 knots, after about 5 miles the current weakened and I was able to get 6.2 at 2,500 RPM. 

Rio Dulce 

Cliffs lining the Rio Dulce

I think Rose set a new record taking pictures today going up the river, Mayans in canoes paddling up the river fishing, throwing cast nets, the shear walls of the canyon, a flock of parrots squawking and flying overhead, the palapas lining the river banks, just the beauty of it all boggled the mind. 

 Rio Dulce

 Rio Dulce

 Cliffs on the Rio Dulce

 Palapas on the Rio Dulce

 Looking across El Golfete

The sun was in my eyes and trying to follow the charts and watch the depth kept me busy.  I’m glad to she took the pictures so I can enjoy them latter this evening.  (Thank God for digital) We arrived at Texan Bay 1800 hrs just as the sun set.  In this canyon when the sun goes behind the mountains to the west it is pitch black in an instant.  I called Mario’s Marina on the radio and told them I would be in around noon tomorrow.

Rio Dulce

25 August 2011 – Up anchor 0900 and headed across Golfete, a lake just a little larger than Canyon Lake back home 10 miles long and about 4 miles wide, we have to travel the full length and then back into the Rio Dulce for another 2 miles.  Arrived at Mario’s Marina at 1130 hrs, Marco the marina manager greeted us on the radio and directed us to our slip where 3 dock hands helped us tie up My Peace.  Mario’s is located just a few east of Fronteras.  We got settled in and rested a few minutes before taking the dinghy to Fronteras to pick up a few things. 

Palapas

An interesting little town, unlike any I have ever seen in Mexico.  The main street has vendors on each side of the street where you can buy anything you need, produce, meat, prepared food, and yes fried chicken.  We went to the local “Wal-Mart” actually a Wal-Mart owned business that has good prices and lots of the basic necessities.  Went to Sun Dog Grill for a hamburger and back to Bruno’s, where we had left the dinghy met some cruisers had a drink then headed back to the marina.  The wind had picked up and it was a rough ride in the dinghy.  We have latter learned that you go to town in the morning and return before 1500 because the afternoon thunderstorms come in from the Caribbean around 1530 to 1630 hrs.  Had dinner and called it a day.

Texan Bay El Golfete

26 August 2011 – Slept in until around 0700 and got up to start changing the boat from sailing mode to dock mode as we will be here for 3 months.  Filled the water tanks after checking the water quality, 043 ppm, about the same quality you get from bottled water, packed away the on deck safety equipment, adjusted the dock lines and basically started making it home.  Rose sent the bedding to the marina laundry to get cleaned, and went off visiting our new neighbors. 

Fishermen on the Rio Dulce

There are many nice cruisers here; some have been coming here for over 10 years to spend the hurricane season.  Our friends Floyd & Lauren‘s boat, who we met in Isla Mujeres on our trip last year, is just 4 slips down from ours.  At dinner this evening talking with Tony, he related a horror story about a mistake he made checking out of Belize. 

Waved to by everyone we passed

Seems when   he went to check out in Big Creek, Belize he went to customs to get his exit documents.  He presented his passport to the official and he said he didn’t need it.  What he failed to say was that Tony needed to take the passports to immigration about 4 miles up the road in Mango Creek to get them stamped.  So Tony went back to his boat and sailed off to Guatemala.  A friend traveling with them went back to Belize to return to the states and was arrested for leaving Belize illegally and put in jail.  He got a call off to Tony and it took Tony over a week to get it straightened out with the officials in Belize.  Finally the officials in Belize agreed that Tony could bring the passports back to Belize and get the exit stamp without going to jail and paying $1,500.00 USD each fine for illegally leaving the country.   Tomorrow going to Fronteras and looking around.  Mia isn’t going to like it but she is going to spend the morning on the boat by herself, I don’t like taking her to Fronteras as there no sidewalks and no place for her to run.

Dinghy dock Placencia

 

 Brenda (good food)

 16 August 2011 – woke up took care of our regular chores then went to shore.  Saw Brenda, Brenda’s Caribbean Cooking, and found out she was having jerk chicken and lobster for lunch, $10.00 BZD.  We ordered jerk chicken to get a break from lobster and headed over to Above Ground Coffee House to use the WIFI.  Updated the blog and saw it was lunch time.  Walked back to the dinghy dock where Brenda had our lunch ready.  Sat down to eat and met Clifford who works for the Social Security Office for Belize.  A very nice man, we discussed the politics of the world, laws in Belize and the problems he thinks his country has.  Funny how no matter where we are the nation’s problems are the same Mexico, Belize, and the U.S., governments that really aren’t doing what the people think is in their best interest.  He was surprised to hear about the welfare system in the U.S, food stamps, WIC, EIC .  He found it hard to believe all the government handouts in the U.S.  Went back to the boat and still full from lunch just had a few snacks and watched Indiana Jones “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.   Settled down for the night which was short lived, had to clean the seawater strainer 4 times during the night to keep the generator running, kept plugging up with “Turtle Grass”.

Spurs fans everywhere

We noh wna no cruise ship

17 August 2011 – Woke late after a basically sleepless night had coffee and Matt came over to see what the day’s plans were.  We went to the Above Ground Coffee House for WIFI, walked around town, stopped at “J” Byrd’s to say Hi to Tracy, picked up veggies for dinner and headed back to the boat.  I fixed lobster stir fried rice for dinner, good way to get rid of 4 tails.  Turned out great, I’m learning a whole new way to cook since I’ve been in the Caribbean.  Rose has expanded her world so much, she is so compassionate toward the people we meet, and always has a smile on her face saying good morning to everyone she meets on the street.   The beauty of it all the people here are the same way.  You walk down the street and you meet someone and they always say, my name is (whatever their names is) welcome to my island or sometimes they say Belize, they always want to know how you like their country and the people.  They are always helpful when you are looking for advice or information.

Carla & Rose

Palapa bar 

18 August 2011 – Woke up and headed to the fuel dock on the other side of the peninsula, which was a dicey trip.  There was a channel marker but no one could tell me which side to pass it on.  Saw a “landing craft” and asked the captain how much water his craft drew, he said 6 feet, so I followed him.  MY BAD!  I either misunderstood or he lied about his draft.  Hard aground the depth sounder said 2 feet and we need 4 1/2.  After about 20 minutes of wriggling around I got My Peace backed out of the mud.  Saw the channel to the fuel dock and was able to get through it with no problem.  Filled up on diesel and topped off the 2 water tanks not connected to the water maker.   The young man who took care of us was embarrassed when he had to charge me $0.10 BZD for the water after paying over $800.00 BZD for fuel.  No big thing he only charged me for 100 gallons.  Made it back into the anchorage area and dropped the anchor and took Rose and Mia to shore, saw Brenda and she said our Key Lime pie would be ready tomorrow morning; the lady that supplied here limes didn’t bring any yesterday.  Rose told her about my back, she looked at it and made me an herbal poultice to cure the sun allergy or heal the sunburn I got form snorkeling at Carrie Bow Caye.  Checked on the storm, nobody can agree on what it is going to do or how powerful it will be, guess we’ll find out Saturday.   Stopped by and saw Tracy and watched the “Tropical Update” on the weather channel, didn’t learn anything.  If you ever come to Placencia you have stop in the “J” Byrd and meet Tracy, this is the lady in the know.  She sponsors the annual Easter Egg Hunt, 1,000 eggs on the beach for the kids.  She founded the toy drive for the children at Christmas, she helps the parents obtain scholarships for the kids schooling, I think she has her fingers in almost everything here.  If she doesn’t have the answer she knows who does.   On schooling, after what we call elementary school here to go to Jr. High or higher the student must pay tuition of around $1,000.00 a year, plus books and school uniforms.  Apparently free public education stops around 5^th grade.  

Bus to Dangriga

Robert's Grove Marina - NOT!

19 August 2011 – The tropical depression to the southeast of us has been upgraded to tropical storm Harvey with winds up to 60 knots and it looks like we’ll take a direct hit.  We are checking with the locals to find the best place to hide from the storm.   The general agreement is that we should go to Placencia Lagoon which is between the Caribbean and the peninsula which Placencia is located.  We will up anchor at 0630 hours tomorrow morning and head that direction.   The storm shouldn’t arrive until late afternoon tomorrow.  Took the bus to Robert’s Grove to check on a transit slip for Escondida while Matt and Carla head into the mountains for a week, these folks are crazy, $3.75 BZD per foot plus $7.00 BZD per day for electricity.  We were told that the return bus would pass at 1600 hours; we got to the road at 1555 hrs and waited until 1630 hours no bus.  We started walking, we got to the airport, my knees were about to give out so we caught a taxi the rest of the way back to town.  When we got to town we found out the bus got there at 1630 hours which meant that it must have pass Robert’s Grove around 1550 hours, moral of this story. Belizean buses don’t have a real schedule.

My Peace storm wraped

Rose on storm watch

20 August 2011 – Up anchor 0630 hours heading to hide in Placencia Lagoon about 5 miles away on the way a panga came along side and said to go to Mango Creek which would provide better protection.  We made two attempts but the water was too shallow.  Escondida went hard aground in the attempt but was able to wiggle loose.  Headed back to the deeper water of Placencia Lagoon and then heading north to the most sheltered part of the lagoon we can get into without going aground.  Set the first anchor about 1030 hours, placed a second anchor by dinghy at 90 degrees to the south of the main anchor.  We will be on the southern side of the storm so most of the wind we will take will be from the west.  Listening to the local radio and they are saying the storm will make landfall about 10 miles north of Dangriea or about 30 miles north of our location.  We have removed everything from the deck, storm wrapped the sails, removed the curtains around the cockpit to reduce wind resistance.  I have decided to leave the dinghy in the water drawn up close to the boat, it is too late to remove the outboard from the dinghy and place it on deck so it had to ride out the storm on the dinghy.  The storm hit 2 hours earlier than projected, but the good thing it is not as powerful as advertised.  We heard on the radio a village to the north of us got hit by a tornado which took out 2 houses, fruit trees and cashew trees.  The local concern now is flooding from all the rain that is falling in the mountains, people along the many rivers and creeks are being warned to seek higher ground.  It is now 1502 hours, for the most part we are in the clear.  The winds have dropped down to around 10 knots and the heavy rain has stopped just a little drizzle.  During the storm Rose read a book and I fell asleep watching Indiana Jones "The temple of Doom".  We will stay in Placencia Lagoon until morning then move back to between Placencia Village and Placencia Caye in the morning.

I ordered a water on the rocks!

That's better!

Bleziean fishermen

Mountains of Belize

21 August 2011 – Up early to start putting My Peace back into sailing condition, taking the storm wrap off the sails, pulling up the secondary anchor, replacing the curtains around the bimini, drying out the cockpit cushions, and making coffee.  The storm had cleared the haze from the mountains to the west and we got a real good look at them for the first time since we have been in Belize, they were absolutely majestic.   I was surprised how easy the secondary anchor came up; we were Blessed by a wind shift during the night making the wind out of the north.  When we anchored prior to the storm, the wind was from the west as it was expected being on the southern side of the storm, so I took the anchor in the dinghy 200 feet out and placed the secondary anchor 90 degrees to the south.  With the overnight wind shift to where the wind was now coming from the north it placed My Peace almost over the secondary anchor which made it a straight lift.  This was nice because there is no windless for the secondary anchor and I was afraid that I would have to take the dinghy and follow the anchor line to where it was placed and pull it up from the dinghy which would have been a real pain.  Rose spent most of the day drying things out, the boat didn’t leak but with the curtains taken down going up and down to and from the cockpit I got things real wet down below.  We upped the primary anchor around 1130 hours and headed back to our old anchorage off the tip of Placencia Village.  Dropped anchor at almost the exact spot we had left yesterday.  Rose chased Mia and me off the boat when I got my work done so we wouldn’t be underfoot while she was finishing up.  Mia and I walked the beach for about an hour before Rose called us on the portable radio to come pick her up for some time on shore.  We stopped by “J” Byrd to say hi to Tracy and have a coke; Mia even had a drink at the bar.  Back to My Peace to get our paperwork together to check out of Belize tomorrow, we will take the “Hokey Pokey” (the local panga ferryboat) that runs from Placencia Village to Independence and Big Creek where the Customs, Immigration, and Harbor Master are located.  Once we checkout we have 48 hours to leave Belize, our plan is to get up around 0400 hours Tuesday morning and sail southwest  into the Gulf of Honduras then turn more westerly down to Livingston, Guatemala.  This leg of our journey should take about 9 to 10 hours.   We will anchor in Livingston harbor overnight under the “Q” flag go ashore in the morning process in and head up Rio Dulce to Mario’s marine where we will stay until mid November, the end of hurricane season.

22 August 2011 - Took the Hooky Poky to Mango Creek and processed out of Belize, will leave in the morning for New haven, Belize, spent the night at anchor then on to Livingston, Guatemala and up the Rio Dulce to Masrio's Marina.  Should arrive at Mario's no later than Friday.  This will be the last posting until we get setteled in at Mario's.  did get an e-mail from our daughter jessi, the one that lives in Maui, Hawaii, she is planning on coming to visit us at Mario's for a week or so once we are setteled in.  We are really looking forward to her visit.