Our Beachfront Home

Our Beachfront Home
For Sale: Click on this photo

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Rain Or Shine?

This past Sunday was a typical day for us. The weather couldn't decide whether it was going to rain and be stormy, or be nice.

This picture was taken at 9:45 a.m., and no my lens isn't dirty, those things that look like snow flakes are rain drops. Honest, they are.

You can barely see the buildings across the way, and the waves are crashing in.

It just got worse and worse.

And then this picture was taken at 10 minutes after 12 noon. What a difference a couple of hours can make.

A Walk Through The Village

Last Thursday, during a non raining spell (I was going to say sunny day, but it didn't last), we decided to take a walk down the sidewalk and see what was happening.

Here we have some property for sale. I think they will need more fill than they originally planned on. It still looks pretty wet.

Although Scott looks like he is trying to break out of jail, he is actually waiting for a haircut, the barber was away on a lunch break.

This is a view of the parking area between the road and the sidewalk. You need a zodiac to get from your vehicle to the high areas. Hip waders at the very least. This view is from the sidewalk towards the road.

Speaking of hip waders, I hope who ever had to hang the laundry out, had a pair and lots of bug spray.

This is just one of the many signs along the sidewalk. Good advice.

This building is high and dry.

This little guy was guarding the steps to the coffee house/laundry/internet cafe.

We reached the end of the sidewalk and decided to head back along the road. At the corner there is a building and the outside is a huge aviary of sorts. All kinds of parrots, as well as other birds. Caught this guy trying to eat his dinner.

Here is that parking lot again, from the road, looking towards the sidewalk. I still don't see any zodiacs.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Cave Tubing

I got the pictures back from cave tubing at the same time as the ones of the rays. Here are some pictures of us cave tubing last January.

This shot is taken when we were drifting through the cave, it was pitch black in front of me and I turned around and took a picture of the entrance. Last bit of natural light we saw for awhile as the cave had twists and turns and was longer than we expected.

Finally there is light at the end of the first cave.

Bob making faces. This was before he punctured his tube in the rapids.

The group heading into the second cave. As you can see there was quite a large group. Once we got through the caves, we found we got to shoot rapids and Bob punctured his tube on an underwater root that was sticking out. We managed to both hang on to my tube and made it safely through the rapids. Our guide then traded tubes and we continued on while the guide had to hike and swim the rest of the way.

Swimming With The Rays

For us, it isn't a trip to Caye Caulker unless we take a trip out to the reef. We finally got our pictures back from the trip in December.

When we say we go swimming with the rays, everyone asks us if it is dangerous. The answer is no. The rays we swim with are very friendly and we have never heard of anyone being hurt by them.

This guy was just coming over to say hello, don't worry, he moved out of the way.

Here comes his brother, or maybe sister, how can you tell?

They just glide along, checking out everything, everyone!!

The tail is the part you never, NEVER touch.

Now this moray eel is far more dangerous than any ray.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Independence Day In Placencia

September 21st is Independence Day in Belize. During a break in the rain, the parade happened.

The official parade pace car/truck?

The start of the parade, we are outside Tutti Fruitti. Yes it is still closed... sigh...

The good doctor Alexis, we think.

The music vehicle of the parade. This is where the little kids rode when they got tired, the official photographer rode (no, not me) and the music, music, music.

The parade got bigger as it went along. People joined in as it went past them.
Pretty as a princess, don't you think?

We also joined in once the parade went by us.

These ladies were doing the 'punta'. I don't think they really ever stopped once.

We continued on with the parade until we reached the road to come home before it started raining again.

A Week In The Life

Okay, it's more than a week. We have been busy, what with the rain and all.

Sunrise September 11th.

Woodpecker in a palm tree September 12th.

We went snorkelling off the beach on Sept 14th.

Nice starfish.

Our friends and neighbours, Kathy and John joined us for a swim.

Then the rains started. I know it is rainy season, but ... hello!!!! enough is enough.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Placencia Village

Friends and family have asked about where and how we live, so here are some candid shots.

David Perez brings fresh fruits and vegetables to the peninsula. He has two stores now, one in Seine Bight (the original) and has opened a second store in our village.

The local police station. Not that busy on a regular day, thank goodness.

Our mini-mall. As you can see there is room to expand as there is an empty space between the corn tortilla factory and the post office.

There is only one road in Placencia, this is the south end looking north. If we stepped back any further, we would be in the sea.

This is Lacy with Belize's version of fast food. She makes corn tortillas, heated and deepfried, flour tortillas and burritos. That big yellow cooler is usually filled with ice cold juice.

Your typical shrimp fisherman, just in with a fresh catch.

Some local artwork at the tourist shop. These pictures don't do it justice.

Placencia Tourism Center, very helpful and pleasant people in there.

Our deck with our new flag in the breeze.

The moon from our deck.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Just Another Day in Placencia

People are always asking us about the weather. Right now it is rainy season, or hurricane season. So far, no hurricanes. It usually rains in the night and is sunny during the day. It works for us.

Every once in a while there is a great mix of sun and clouds. I was able to catch the sun behind the clouds.

I like this shot, it is just a couple minutes after the first one.

Then came the rain.

Those are rain drops in the palm tree next to us. There are no woodpeckers in the tree in the rain.

We had a visitor on the deck. He stayed for two days and left after the first rain.

We were testing the new waterproof camera. My first underwater picture.

We went swimming yesterday to give it a good test. The neighbour's dog came with us. As you can see she wanted me to take a closeup.

Then she decided that swimming with Bob was more fun. We all had a great time and the camera works great.