Belize and Wonderful Friends Arrive...

Heading back out to the Cays, we felt like we were the only "cruisers" left in Belize. We only came across two other boats in the two weeks we were out.

The beautiful white sand and palm trees at Salt Water Cay 

We went to visit the Smithsonian Research Centre at Carrie Bow Cay

We met Brandon, a Singaporian Scientist (who is doing his PHD in Germany).  

He was kind enough to show us around and explain the research he was doing on a minute worm that lives in the sand in Belize

North Long Cocoa Cay was a gorgeous spot.  Richard set up the shade cover, where I spent the afternoon painting the scene of the two overwater palapas…

We were sooooo excited heading back to Placencia as Lynnette and Dean were finally due to arrive.

They had come all the way from New Zealand to spend three weeks with us.  It had been 18 months since they joined us in the BVI's.

They came so loaded with goodies for us, we felt so very spoilt.  Crunchies, Jaffas, Pineapple Lumps, Pink Pegs, A beautiful dress they bought me in the Cayman Islands, DVD's, Music and lots more - they gave us so many things.

They even came loaded with gifts from Chris and Michael, 

Richard immediately wearing one of their wonderful gifts…

The next day after clearing out, we headed to Hatchett Cay, where we had a lovely dinner…

Lynnette took the opportunity with wifi to Skype chat to her beloved Grandson 

who she was missing terribly…

 Deans Birthday on the 23rd July,

so we greeted his day with fresh fruit and presents, followed by Chelsea Buns…

Dean and Richard went for a dive,

  then headed back for a relax before his birthday dinner…

Guacamole...

followed by crayfish two ways, smoked fish, panko crumbed fish, apple ginger cucumber salad…

followed by Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese icing…

We felt so lucky to share Deans birthday with him.

The next day we had and Sashimi from a kingfish we caught…

and crayfish caesar salad, homemade rolls…

We were now out of Belize waters and entering Guatemala.

Belize...

Belize is famous for its barrier reef (second largest to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia).  

The waters are a beautiful turquoise, with many atolls.

We cleared in at San Pedro.  We then went and had lunch, where we watched these gorgeous local children enthralled at watching a local elder opening coconuts to sell to passersby...

This was a great sign at Caye Caulker.

At Halfmoon Cay marine reserve – a lovely scenic cay with Palm Trees 

and a Red Boobie Bird Sanctuary. 

The Red Boobies were nesting in the top of the trees, 

a spectacular sight from an observation deck, 

watching the males fly in with food for Mum and the Chicks.

Bill (the Ranger) showed us a “baby” Boobie, which had fallen from the nest.  These babies will not survive, so he was looking after it until it was strong enough to fly and be returned to the wild.

We motor sailed amidst rain showers to Glovers Atoll, where we had organized to catch up with Teresa and Brett (Seismic Wave).

We all dived “The Wall” from our dinghys – a lovely dive seeing Crays, Spotted Eagle Rays, and lots of fish.

North East Long Cay had a tricky entrance of coral reefs, the light was perfect for our visual navigation (thank goodness) as the electronic charts in Belize are not accurate!

North East Island has a small resort with the Bures over the water, they have nurse sharks, stingrays and lots of fish swimming under their accommdation.

Us diving with Brett & Teresa,

Some of the Fan Coral

Loggerhead Turtle that was very friendly with us

At a safety stop before surfacing...

This guy greeted us on arrival at Hatchett Cay, a lovely resort owned by an Australian

These are the local fishing boats that go out to dive for the crayfish.  The little canoes are towed by the diving, then they head back to the “mother-boat” where they sleep.  The Motherboat has ice for the crayfish to be chilled immediately.  They then come back to Placencia, where they sell their catch to the local Co-Op for local and export sale...

Placencia Cay for the “Lobster Festival”, though they are actually Crayfish.

Lion Fish are a major "pest" here, being introduced from Asia - they have wrecked havoc on the fishlife and reef system.  Lionfish are venomous.  

They had a competition as to how many Lionfish could be brought in...

Belinda and Ken (Free Spirit) had also arrived so it was a lovely catch up…

and the Lobster (Crayfish) festival was fun...