The weather is right, We're low on cash(2 transmissions, dinghy, autopilot)............Homeward Bound.
Here's the link to the spot
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0a4cNAoHyGP95UDtTJKZGBQCULqaZKdNq
Wish us luck!!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Carla's Transmission Rant- who'd-uh-thunk???
Grab a cup of coffee this one has quite of bit of text...but, to start off with the star of the show...
Dr Beef in the cockpit window of the s/v MY PEACE
OK, so I have to start with the email Matt got yesterday from the transmission distributor...
20 October
OK, so I have to start with the email Matt got yesterday from the transmission distributor...
20 October
Mr Parker,
Have you received your XXX1 (XXX2)? It appears that when we shipped this unit, we shipped you an XXX2 instead of and XXX1. Power wise, this would be to your advantage. As the XXX2 has a higher power rating. However, the XXX1 and XXX2 are not dimensionally the same. We want to make sure you are going to be able use the XXX2 in your application. Please contact me if you have any questions about this matter.
It's ok, go ahead, read it again! Yes, they said they've shipped the wrong transmission. Instead of Matt's normal expletives, this time all I heard was "No,no,no-Argggggggg!!"
Now for the rest of the story-
27 September
We topped off our water tank, checked the engine, untied the lines and then said our tearful goodbyes to our new friends at Moko Point Marina. Who knew you could become so connected to so many people in just a few weeks! We were sad to leave, but so looking forward to getting back to Placencia to meet with our friend Lynn for a long weekend of sailing, snorkeling, island hopping, and rum drinking. As we up anchor, I felt the excitement that comes from knowing we are going back to the salt water, the beautiful, clear, endlessly blue, healing sea! We are about 1/4 mile from our mooring when I hear "We just lost forward". Now, it's not the first time I've heard that, but it was certainly not what expected to hear this morning- less than 150 hours after we installed this new transmission in Venice, Louisiana! Matt continues to shift and throttle and shift and the transmission is slipping enough that we decided to turn back and return to Moko Point. Miguel Rodriguez, co-manager of Moko Point and new best friend, pulled alongside in his lancha and asked if we were ok. We told him what was up and he went back to our end of the dock and prepared to help us tie up. As we backed in dropping anchor everyone was sad to hear we have a problem, but all are sincerely happy we aren't leaving yet! Silver lining--- we are at the best marina in Central America!
Anyhow, the transmission that has failed us 4 times will NOT do it again. Matt already had a replacement in mind for when this one crapped out--- now, how to get it to us.
Getting things in Central America and Mexico is a pain in the ***! But of all the places to be, I'm glad we're in Guatemala, they have systems in place and in the Rio Dulce there are people who specialize in marine items because of the amount of boaters here. There are two large haul out facilities that are busy all year long, parts are relatively easy to find (especially, if you have a good friend like Lanny to take you to Puerto Barrios to get such things), and the internet is always a click away. We found a way to get it hear, it's a forwarding company that ships from Miami to Guatemala City and then to it's outlets in Guatemala. One outlet is here at Bruno's Marina- very close to us.
It was such a pain in Belize and Mexico to ship things (and expensive) that we were lucky to have friends that wanted to vacation, visit us and bring us things we needed. In fact, Lynn was going to bring two items to Belize. So, as soon as we could, we called her on Skype and let her know that we would not be meeting her in two days and to leave the packages for my brother to ship to us. Robert and Lynn--THANK YOU!!!
3 October
After almost a week of research and measuring and discussion, we ordered our new transmission- different manufacture, different size, better design:) Yay. After getting signed up with the shipping company (Thanks you John, Nancy, Lanny & Peggy)and having it hand delivered to the shipper in Miami we figure it will be about a week to 10 days for it to be in our hands. Oh Dorothy, you are sooooooo NOT in Kansas anymore!
13 October
We get notice that our transmission is being held in customs. Apparently, any items valued at $1000 (after taxes) require the recipient to have a Guatemalan tax ID number, a NIT #. (Remember we are saying NIT in Spanish, so it's pronounced "neet"). Of course we didn't have one of those, but Lanny does, he had to get one when Guatemala TOLD him he was importing his truck! So, he offers his and goes to the shipping company's representative and offers it. "Well, that would be fine" says Jim (shipping company's representative), "but where's your inscription?". "My what?" says Lanny. WELL... the NIT# form comes in two pieces, one has a summary of information and the other part that no one has ever seen before is the inscription. Anyhow, without the inscription, customs, or the shipping company, or Guatemala... won't release the transmission!
14 October (happy birthday-TLT)
Matt and I went to talk to Jim to see what we needed to do- he said find Lanny's inscription, someone that has their inscription, or get our own and to let him know before 3:00 that day, because it was Friday! We traveled around Fronteras asking strangers for their NITs or if they knew anyone with a NIT. No luck- NITs are hard to come by! We return to Moko Point deflated, we wanted to see Guatemala City, just not this way. Then Matt mentions it to Miguel (my hero, again) and he says that Raul, the agent in Livingston, can probably help us. Miguel calls Raul. Raul says "No promblema, I'll get NIT # for both your friends"! Awesome! This means we can relax, have fun at the Poker Run that will be stopping by at the marina and get our NITs next week!!! THANK YOU MIGUEL! Brilliant:)
17 October
NIT #s are filed and they will arrive by messenger on a boat from Livingston later this week. There's light at the end of the tunnel...
19 October
Just another beautiful day in Rio Dulce, Guatemala! Just two people and their schnauzer going hiking with their friends from s/v MY PEACE through the rubber tree plantation. Nothing to do but enjoy life until our NITs arrive on their boat:)
Matt, Beef, Rose, Geff and Mia (in the grass to the left of Geff) on the way to the rubber tree plantion
Hola! According to the GPS we are at 278 feet, is that all!
Crew of s/v ESCONDIDA on top of the tower, anxiously awaiting their NIT
20 October
It's a beautiful day! The cold front has blown through and we were actually cold in the morning when we woke!! Cold, that's a good sign, it's gonna be a great day! We have plans for pork chops and cocktails with the Moko Point crew this evening. Now, if our NITs would just get here...
We made coffee, I started making dal and a pumpkin pie and then, Matt checked his email... yes, just in case, you didn't read it right the first time....
The day passes, we laugh, we measure, Matt empties the cockpit lockers, converts metric to inches...
Finally, we have word, the NITs will be here on the 4:00 boat! Happy, Happy!!! Joy,Joy!!! Matt goes to meet the boat and retrieve the NITs while John, Nancy, Miguel and I enjoy an adult beverage in the cockpit of s/v DIXSEA-- it's still a beautiful day, until Matt arrives.
The NITs were there, he had to chase down the messenger at the restaurant where he was having dinner to get them, but get them he did. BUT, they did not come with the inscription part!
21 October
We should find out this afternoon if our NITs are approved without inscription. We are thinking, since the package is in our name and the NIT# is in our name we may be okay, maybe. Well, we'll know this afternoon. Maybe:)
For all of you who care about transmission specifics, Matt will elaborate on another date:-)
As always, thanks for reading and keeping up with us. Love, Carla
Just another one of the beautiful flowers we get to enjoy everyday we are here!
3 October
After almost a week of research and measuring and discussion, we ordered our new transmission- different manufacture, different size, better design:) Yay. After getting signed up with the shipping company (Thanks you John, Nancy, Lanny & Peggy)and having it hand delivered to the shipper in Miami we figure it will be about a week to 10 days for it to be in our hands. Oh Dorothy, you are sooooooo NOT in Kansas anymore!
13 October
We get notice that our transmission is being held in customs. Apparently, any items valued at $1000 (after taxes) require the recipient to have a Guatemalan tax ID number, a NIT #. (Remember we are saying NIT in Spanish, so it's pronounced "neet"). Of course we didn't have one of those, but Lanny does, he had to get one when Guatemala TOLD him he was importing his truck! So, he offers his and goes to the shipping company's representative and offers it. "Well, that would be fine" says Jim (shipping company's representative), "but where's your inscription?". "My what?" says Lanny. WELL... the NIT# form comes in two pieces, one has a summary of information and the other part that no one has ever seen before is the inscription. Anyhow, without the inscription, customs, or the shipping company, or Guatemala... won't release the transmission!
14 October (happy birthday-TLT)
Matt and I went to talk to Jim to see what we needed to do- he said find Lanny's inscription, someone that has their inscription, or get our own and to let him know before 3:00 that day, because it was Friday! We traveled around Fronteras asking strangers for their NITs or if they knew anyone with a NIT. No luck- NITs are hard to come by! We return to Moko Point deflated, we wanted to see Guatemala City, just not this way. Then Matt mentions it to Miguel (my hero, again) and he says that Raul, the agent in Livingston, can probably help us. Miguel calls Raul. Raul says "No promblema, I'll get NIT # for both your friends"! Awesome! This means we can relax, have fun at the Poker Run that will be stopping by at the marina and get our NITs next week!!! THANK YOU MIGUEL! Brilliant:)
17 October
NIT #s are filed and they will arrive by messenger on a boat from Livingston later this week. There's light at the end of the tunnel...
19 October
Just another beautiful day in Rio Dulce, Guatemala! Just two people and their schnauzer going hiking with their friends from s/v MY PEACE through the rubber tree plantation. Nothing to do but enjoy life until our NITs arrive on their boat:)
20 October
It's a beautiful day! The cold front has blown through and we were actually cold in the morning when we woke!! Cold, that's a good sign, it's gonna be a great day! We have plans for pork chops and cocktails with the Moko Point crew this evening. Now, if our NITs would just get here...
We made coffee, I started making dal and a pumpkin pie and then, Matt checked his email... yes, just in case, you didn't read it right the first time....
Mr Parker,
Have you received your XXX1 (XXX2)? It appears that when we shipped this unit, we shipped you an XXX2 instead of and XXX1. Power wise, this would be to your advantage. As the XXX2 has a higher power rating. However, the XXX1 and XXX2 are not dimensionally the same. We want to make sure you are going to be able use the XXX2 in your application. Please contact me if you have any questions about this matter.
Ok, I haven't even mentioned the fact that we haven't been shipping this in our name, someone was nice enough to let us use his account. This has caused it's owns set of problems and they have been sooooo patient. Thank you! Can you imagine? Ok, so they are holding the WRONG transmission in customs. Holy crap, what happens if they realize that what's in the box is not what the invoice says, or what we said? If it's been this hard to get it here, what will it be like to get it back?
Will it fit? What if it does fit? What if it doesn't fit? Good Lord!!!!!!!!The day passes, we laugh, we measure, Matt empties the cockpit lockers, converts metric to inches...
Finally, we have word, the NITs will be here on the 4:00 boat! Happy, Happy!!! Joy,Joy!!! Matt goes to meet the boat and retrieve the NITs while John, Nancy, Miguel and I enjoy an adult beverage in the cockpit of s/v DIXSEA-- it's still a beautiful day, until Matt arrives.
The NITs were there, he had to chase down the messenger at the restaurant where he was having dinner to get them, but get them he did. BUT, they did not come with the inscription part!
21 October
We should find out this afternoon if our NITs are approved without inscription. We are thinking, since the package is in our name and the NIT# is in our name we may be okay, maybe. Well, we'll know this afternoon. Maybe:)
For all of you who care about transmission specifics, Matt will elaborate on another date:-)
As always, thanks for reading and keeping up with us. Love, Carla
Just another one of the beautiful flowers we get to enjoy everyday we are here!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
It's all about the boats!
For the boat enthusiasts that thought they'd see some sailing pics, here are a few. Mind you there is only one of Escondida, but we though you might enjoy some of the other vessels we've seen along the way.
My Captain!
The first two pictures were taken the day we went sailing between Isla Mujeres and Cancun with Shannon & Laura.
Yo Baby! got a new rig!
Our beautiful Escondida...
Offshore of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Our travel buddies through Mexico and Belize, My Peace with Geff, Rose and Mia
Offshore of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
This line up made me think of the children's story of the 3 bears...
Placencia, Belize
For you fishing enthusiasts, here's the dream team for shallow water fishing...
Robert's Grove Marina, Placencia, Belize
These are especially for the Cat Alley boys and other marine engineer friends...
Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Imagine crossing an ocean in this!!!
My Captain!
The first two pictures were taken the day we went sailing between Isla Mujeres and Cancun with Shannon & Laura.
Yo Baby! got a new rig!
Our beautiful Escondida...
Offshore of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Our travel buddies through Mexico and Belize, My Peace with Geff, Rose and Mia
Offshore of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
This line up made me think of the children's story of the 3 bears...
Placencia, Belize
For you fishing enthusiasts, here's the dream team for shallow water fishing...
Robert's Grove Marina, Placencia, Belize
These are especially for the Cat Alley boys and other marine engineer friends...
Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Belize to Guatemala August 2011
An update...finally! This will be a long one, so grab a cup of coffee or a rum and coke and catch up with us. I apologize for taking so long. It will take several posts before I can fit everything, so hang in there with us and thanks for following!
Let's start with a photo of everyone's favorite charater underway...
First of all, we would like to thank our friend Lynn for making plans to come visit with us, enjoy Belize and bring us some items we needed! We would also like to thank Lynn for being so gracious about having to change her vacation plans due to our crappy transmission ( an entirely different post for later)!
Why did we leave Belize when we had grand plans for the St. George's Cay Day Celebrations on Sept 10 and our girlfriend arriving Sept 27? One word- BAYAMA! Pronounced 'buy-YAH-mah', it is also locally named naked shorts or naked man's storm. These storms come so fast and so hard that you don't have time to put your clothes on to get outside and tidy up anything you don't want destroyed by 40-50 mph winds- and don't forget the driving sheets of rain! Freya Rauscher describes them as "local southerly storms that produce a large band of nimbostratus clouds that blacken the southerly horizon often accompanied with intense lightning. They typically last for a short while, but can produce intense southwesterly winds up to 60 knots."
These photos really show nothing, but I HAD to put them in...
Monday Sept. 5
22:37So, here we just finished watching Snakes on a Plane, when we hear the wind howling, the boat is heeling and waves are building! The place where we anchored in Placencia is decently protected for some winds, but not these. We removed our sun shade before it was ripped off. Matt started the engine and put the boat in gear to help take the strain off the anchor, since the waves were big enough that our bow was plunging down into them. It only lasted about 30 minutes, but it felt like much longer. We were safe and aware. After the rains and wind subsided the fetch began and we were rolling with the waves at our beam- not a lot of sleep that night!
Tuesday Sept 6
We went into town and talked to everyone, they all felt it and had an opinion or a story of bahamas past. These storms are well known and unpredictable. Fortunately, there are many well protected anchorages around Placencia. We didn't want to take any chances, so we weighed anchor and moved to a better protected body of water. This turned out to be a grand decision, since there was another bahama that night. This one came at 00:15 and was, also, fast and furious, but we were protected from the waves, so the ride wasn't so rough. We just stayed up long enough for the winds to pass.
Wednesday Sept 7
This day we gathered our documents, took the Hokey Pokey water taxi over to Big Creek and Mango Creek and "cleared out" of Belize. We were leaving that day for Guatemala, no sense in sleepless nights! There was no wind, so we had to motor to New Haven ( poor Matt, hasn't sailed in over a month). New Haven is a secluded hurricane hole halfway between Placencia and Livingston, Guatemala. We were there in 2006-FYI Carpe Feline crew, Juan Carlos is gone, not a trace of him. The bahamas were not ready to stop, this night we were in our most protected harbour, but it was obvious that these were the strongest winds yet!
Thursday Sept 8
We motored through dead calm to Livingston, checked in and anchored for the night. Still stormy, but just the normal storms that come almost everynight during the rainy season.
A note about Livingston, especially, for those who have visited there previously. We went in 2005 and it was not uncommon for visiting boats to anchor just off the main commercial dock or further up river by the marine railway. After a pleasant and uneventful clearing in Raul, the local agent*, asked where we were going to anchor that night. He was very suprised when we said by the marine railway. First he suggested Texan Bay, 7 miles upriver, and when we mentioned we wanted to stay and enjoy Livingston for the rest of the day, he strongly suggested that we move our boat closer to the fuel dock and a popular restaurant BuggaMamma's. We got the same response from several people up river when we mentioned that we were going straight to Livingston on our way back to Belize. They all said it was unsafe and we should go to Texan Bay Marina for the night. When we were in Livingston six years ago, I found one of the best cotton shirts I have ever owned, many of you knew it well:) It was lightweight, well made and on the label it said Guatemala and had a picture of a pyramid. There were several stands around the park that sold items like this, as a matter of fact, the other girls on that trip bought the local wrap around skirts made of the same cotton. Sadly, all of these local items are no longer for sale. Next to the park, all you will find is Abercrombie and Fitch clothing and other popular American brands. The beggars and pot dealers seem more aggressive, but not violent, just very present and unrelenting.
A short rant from Carla...Actually, we went to dinner at BuggaMamma's (average) and the guy who was "watching" our dinghy kept coming up to our table to talk to us while we were eating- trying to make conversation. I believe he was going for the theory the more you get to know him the more you'll tip him. We politely kept conversations short, until he saw our meal was almost over. He then started to talk about how he was hungry and there's a lady down the way that sells a full meal for 40 quetzales (local currency = $5) and she was closing soon. He then had the nerve to come up, sit at the table and tell us he really needed the money before the lady closed. Note- he did watch our dinghy and make sure it didn't get stolen or jammed up under the docks, but we watched it all and could have done the same thing. Feeling a little helpless, I gave him 30 quetzales. After we payed for our meal and tipped our very nice Mayan server (I believe it was her first day) I realized that I gave a beggar more money for doing nothing than I did the nice young lady who went to work for her money. Livingston is still beautiful, and the people are, generally, just as nice, but like so many other places influenced by western culture, it is losing it's own identity.
Friday Sept 9
We leave for the community of cruisers that wait out hurricane season up river! Below are some pictures of only a little of the amazing scenery along our 5 1/2 hour voyage up the Rio Dulce. There aren't words for how beautiful it is here and my photography skills are greatly lacking. Stacey, I sure wish you were here:)
***Note- much of the text describing the Rio Dulce is taken from the "Cruising Guide to Belize and Mexico's Caribbean Coast" by Capt. Freya Rauscher;Windmill Hill Books, 2007.
Upriver- Part One
This is the best picture I could take of the chart of the Rio Dulce.
Entrance from the Bahia de Amatique (Bay of Honduras)
Note that Livingston is only accessible by boat.
Part 2 Upriver- The Granite Cliffs
From Livingston, you'll follow the Rio Dulce as it twists and winds for 6 miles through a spectacular gorge of 300-foot towering limestone cliffs backed by dense walls of tropical green. After the first bend, you'll come to a long limestone wall of graffiti where generations of mariners before have left their mark. In the 17th century, the Rio Dulce offered a safe sanctuary for Spanish galleons heavily laden with gold plundered from the Inca Empire in Peru. Here they sought refuge from the pirate infestested waters that plagued the Caribbean. In more recent times, it is rumored that German submarines transited these waters.
There are a lot of similiar pictures but I wanted to get across how beautiful and grand it is; not just the granite but the landscape of the river, coming and going.
Note the date under the vessel Kukulcan below...they say there are markings dating back to mid 19th century, but it is hard to get close enought to see. Ask the crew of Carpe Feline 2005!
Part 3 Upriver- Cayucos & Other Landscape
Following timeless traditions, the Maya Indians still carve these dugout canoes from logs of mahogany along the banks of the river. You will see small children rowing themselves to and from school and multitudes of fishermen laying fishtraps and casting bait nets. The cayucos do not have engines.
For my family & friends back home in Texas... here's some amazing green...
As the palms (below) grow, their roots grow out and down, much like mangroves. These palms are used all over Belize for fencelines or borders
local homesites, just beautiful!
and a few mountainside views...
By popular request, a people picture. This photo was taken in Belize with our friends Geff and Rose-- yes, a picture without the dog:)
Sooooooooooo much more to come!
For now, signing off-FINALLY!
ok, something pretty...
Let's start with a photo of everyone's favorite charater underway...
First of all, we would like to thank our friend Lynn for making plans to come visit with us, enjoy Belize and bring us some items we needed! We would also like to thank Lynn for being so gracious about having to change her vacation plans due to our crappy transmission ( an entirely different post for later)!
Why did we leave Belize when we had grand plans for the St. George's Cay Day Celebrations on Sept 10 and our girlfriend arriving Sept 27? One word- BAYAMA! Pronounced 'buy-YAH-mah', it is also locally named naked shorts or naked man's storm. These storms come so fast and so hard that you don't have time to put your clothes on to get outside and tidy up anything you don't want destroyed by 40-50 mph winds- and don't forget the driving sheets of rain! Freya Rauscher describes them as "local southerly storms that produce a large band of nimbostratus clouds that blacken the southerly horizon often accompanied with intense lightning. They typically last for a short while, but can produce intense southwesterly winds up to 60 knots."
These photos really show nothing, but I HAD to put them in...
Notice the water level inside the dinghy...
Monday Sept. 5
22:37So, here we just finished watching Snakes on a Plane, when we hear the wind howling, the boat is heeling and waves are building! The place where we anchored in Placencia is decently protected for some winds, but not these. We removed our sun shade before it was ripped off. Matt started the engine and put the boat in gear to help take the strain off the anchor, since the waves were big enough that our bow was plunging down into them. It only lasted about 30 minutes, but it felt like much longer. We were safe and aware. After the rains and wind subsided the fetch began and we were rolling with the waves at our beam- not a lot of sleep that night!
Tuesday Sept 6
We went into town and talked to everyone, they all felt it and had an opinion or a story of bahamas past. These storms are well known and unpredictable. Fortunately, there are many well protected anchorages around Placencia. We didn't want to take any chances, so we weighed anchor and moved to a better protected body of water. This turned out to be a grand decision, since there was another bahama that night. This one came at 00:15 and was, also, fast and furious, but we were protected from the waves, so the ride wasn't so rough. We just stayed up long enough for the winds to pass.
Wednesday Sept 7
This day we gathered our documents, took the Hokey Pokey water taxi over to Big Creek and Mango Creek and "cleared out" of Belize. We were leaving that day for Guatemala, no sense in sleepless nights! There was no wind, so we had to motor to New Haven ( poor Matt, hasn't sailed in over a month). New Haven is a secluded hurricane hole halfway between Placencia and Livingston, Guatemala. We were there in 2006-FYI Carpe Feline crew, Juan Carlos is gone, not a trace of him. The bahamas were not ready to stop, this night we were in our most protected harbour, but it was obvious that these were the strongest winds yet!
Thursday Sept 8
We motored through dead calm to Livingston, checked in and anchored for the night. Still stormy, but just the normal storms that come almost everynight during the rainy season.
A note about Livingston, especially, for those who have visited there previously. We went in 2005 and it was not uncommon for visiting boats to anchor just off the main commercial dock or further up river by the marine railway. After a pleasant and uneventful clearing in Raul, the local agent*, asked where we were going to anchor that night. He was very suprised when we said by the marine railway. First he suggested Texan Bay, 7 miles upriver, and when we mentioned we wanted to stay and enjoy Livingston for the rest of the day, he strongly suggested that we move our boat closer to the fuel dock and a popular restaurant BuggaMamma's. We got the same response from several people up river when we mentioned that we were going straight to Livingston on our way back to Belize. They all said it was unsafe and we should go to Texan Bay Marina for the night. When we were in Livingston six years ago, I found one of the best cotton shirts I have ever owned, many of you knew it well:) It was lightweight, well made and on the label it said Guatemala and had a picture of a pyramid. There were several stands around the park that sold items like this, as a matter of fact, the other girls on that trip bought the local wrap around skirts made of the same cotton. Sadly, all of these local items are no longer for sale. Next to the park, all you will find is Abercrombie and Fitch clothing and other popular American brands. The beggars and pot dealers seem more aggressive, but not violent, just very present and unrelenting.
A short rant from Carla...Actually, we went to dinner at BuggaMamma's (average) and the guy who was "watching" our dinghy kept coming up to our table to talk to us while we were eating- trying to make conversation. I believe he was going for the theory the more you get to know him the more you'll tip him. We politely kept conversations short, until he saw our meal was almost over. He then started to talk about how he was hungry and there's a lady down the way that sells a full meal for 40 quetzales (local currency = $5) and she was closing soon. He then had the nerve to come up, sit at the table and tell us he really needed the money before the lady closed. Note- he did watch our dinghy and make sure it didn't get stolen or jammed up under the docks, but we watched it all and could have done the same thing. Feeling a little helpless, I gave him 30 quetzales. After we payed for our meal and tipped our very nice Mayan server (I believe it was her first day) I realized that I gave a beggar more money for doing nothing than I did the nice young lady who went to work for her money. Livingston is still beautiful, and the people are, generally, just as nice, but like so many other places influenced by western culture, it is losing it's own identity.
Friday Sept 9
We leave for the community of cruisers that wait out hurricane season up river! Below are some pictures of only a little of the amazing scenery along our 5 1/2 hour voyage up the Rio Dulce. There aren't words for how beautiful it is here and my photography skills are greatly lacking. Stacey, I sure wish you were here:)
***Note- much of the text describing the Rio Dulce is taken from the "Cruising Guide to Belize and Mexico's Caribbean Coast" by Capt. Freya Rauscher;Windmill Hill Books, 2007.
Upriver- Part One
This is the best picture I could take of the chart of the Rio Dulce.
Entrance from the Bahia de Amatique (Bay of Honduras)
Note that Livingston is only accessible by boat.
Part 2 Upriver- The Granite Cliffs
From Livingston, you'll follow the Rio Dulce as it twists and winds for 6 miles through a spectacular gorge of 300-foot towering limestone cliffs backed by dense walls of tropical green. After the first bend, you'll come to a long limestone wall of graffiti where generations of mariners before have left their mark. In the 17th century, the Rio Dulce offered a safe sanctuary for Spanish galleons heavily laden with gold plundered from the Inca Empire in Peru. Here they sought refuge from the pirate infestested waters that plagued the Caribbean. In more recent times, it is rumored that German submarines transited these waters.
There are a lot of similiar pictures but I wanted to get across how beautiful and grand it is; not just the granite but the landscape of the river, coming and going.
Note the date under the vessel Kukulcan below...they say there are markings dating back to mid 19th century, but it is hard to get close enought to see. Ask the crew of Carpe Feline 2005!
Part 3 Upriver- Cayucos & Other Landscape
Following timeless traditions, the Maya Indians still carve these dugout canoes from logs of mahogany along the banks of the river. You will see small children rowing themselves to and from school and multitudes of fishermen laying fishtraps and casting bait nets. The cayucos do not have engines.
For my family & friends back home in Texas... here's some amazing green...
As the palms (below) grow, their roots grow out and down, much like mangroves. These palms are used all over Belize for fencelines or borders
local homesites, just beautiful!
and a few mountainside views...
By popular request, a people picture. This photo was taken in Belize with our friends Geff and Rose-- yes, a picture without the dog:)
Sooooooooooo much more to come!
For now, signing off-FINALLY!
ok, something pretty...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)