Costa Maya Resort

Day Trip North Darrel and i took the Coastal Express Water Taxi about 1/2hr to the North end of Ambergris Caye to spend the day at Costa Maya Resort ... just to see how the 'rich and famous' vacation. it was great fun. it was a Sat, so their new guests had not arrived yet, so we had the place to ourselves. at the bar; i had a great Dirty Banana drink. Darrel stuck with beer. swam in the pool, ... a chlorine pool !!!!!!!! walked the beach. we had intended to rent kayaks and go out to the reef. but since it was their 'turn-over day', they were not open. so we swam out to the reef to snorkel ... a bit further than i anticipated; but it was fun. saw a lot of Sea Cushion Sea Stars in the sand on the way out to the reef. this was a very curious French Angelfish. i was very happy to finally see a Queen Triggerfish!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love their markings on their faces. the first one i've seen since i've been down here this year! these Tube Sponges were pretty. and this Spanish Hogfish. when we returned to the dock, we found this Yellow Stingray swimming around. it was a fun day, away from the noise and heat of the 'city'.

Kayaking and Diving for Dinner

Kayaking and Diving for Dinner. Darrel, Milo and i decided to take a kayak out to the Reef to 'catch' dinner. i chose the blue one :) so we kayaked (the 3 of us in 1 kayak) out to the reef ... on a rather windy, choppy day. i was glad i had some muscle-power with me, or i'd still be out there. the guys speared the fish. this Golden Spotted Morey Eel came out to see what was going on .... and then came out even further. i took some photos. 2 Gray Angelfish. this pretty spotted Rock Hind. i picked up a Conch as my contribution. and Milo cleaned them. Darrel made the best Conch Ceviche i've ever had ! and a pot of fish - seafood chowder that was undescribably delicious! he placed the fish and seafood on foil and topped with lots of extras and seasoning. then totally sealed it and put it on the burner. when it puffs up, it's done. AWESOME dinner ! ....notice the Hogfish ... my personal favorite!

3 Apr, Sun.

Sun, 3 Apr. went diving at Hol Chan this morning with Darrel and Belize Diving Adventures. there was only one other couple on the dive, a small group is so much nicer. Hol Chan is a Marine Reserve that could be the 'poster child' for marine reserves. it's difficult to compare dive locations because they all have something different to offer. but i must admit, it's great to see so many and large species in abundant supply in one place! my camera is still limping along, but i didn't take it down with me ... i guess i'm not sure about going deep with the underwater housing since it leaked at Cayos. :( we watched a Green Turtle feeding on grass the minute we go in the water! and we saw some REALLY big DogTooth Snappers, almost as large as the one that the fisherman caught at Roatan. and, Green Moray Eels .... at least 7 of them, and they were very large as well. after the dive we went to Shark Ray Alley to snorkel with the Stingrays and Nurse Sharks. they swim directly towards the boats when they arrive coz they know they'll get 'treats'. i got right in the water. i took my camera in with me since we weren't going very deep. so i got to take these photos. beady little eyes ... they look scary; but they are not. that one was pretty big. Nurse Sharks feel like fine sand paper. the fish are HorseEyed Jacks. then the Stingrays came cruizing in. Darrel holding one . there isn't a lot else to see at Shark Ray Alley, but i did spot this Nassau Grouper hanging out under one of the boats. he seemed quite content to have me that close to him. another benefit of a Marine Park. these animals are never fished nor threatened, so they are more used to people being around. i know i've said this before ... Groupers are not colorful, but their patterns of browns, greens, tans, and blacks, are absolutely stunning ! here is a Conch.

San Pedro - Taking it Easy

Taking it Easy in San Pedro When i was in Belize in December last year with the Banana Beach Belize Babes, we had dinner and a great evening at Caroline's. i saw her again, and she has a new beautiful restaurant. it was great visiting with her again! did our share of eating and drinking. and people watching. a Guatemalan woman carrying her tapestries. and dog watching. and bird watching. afternoon party at Crazy Canuks. drinks at the Hurricane, a new bar-grill on the dock over the water. touring around the beach, i saw this ... it was beautiful ... some part of a wedding tradition. Palm leaves, conch shells, flowers .... Milo. and walking around, enjoying the beach and colorful buildings. Milo and Darrel. did a little snorkeling around the dock at Ramon's Village. there are hundreds of fish under that dock. and finally got a few clear shots of a little Porcupine fish. and this Juvenile Angelfish.