A DAY AT THE BEACH

Meghan's last request before leaving the following day was to have a nice, relaxing day at the beach - we all happily obliged.

SCOOTER DAY

We rented scooters for the day to check out Roatan. We drove from the top of the island (as far as the paved roads would take us) to the bottom. It was a perfect day for the trip.

BOXING DAY NIGHT DIVE

CHRISTMAS DAY

After coffee, cinnamon buns & opening presents we went for a Christmas Day dive - back in time to put the turkey in the oven. What a great way to spend the day!!

FELIZ NAVIDAD

Talk about your Charlie Brown Christmas tree!!

WEST BAY, ROATAN (click on photo to enlarge)

A walk down West Bay Beach with a quick stop at the floating bar "Reef Rider" owned by a crazy Canuck, "Cap't. Perry"

WEST BAY, BAY ISLANDS

STREET FOOD NIGHT, WEST END, ROATAN

Matthew suggested we do a sampling of all the street vendors - it was "delicioso"!! We walked from food vendor to food vendor sampling their fare. It was great - why were we the only gringos???

STREET SCENES, WEST END

AHHH, THE SWEET RIVER

BACK IN THE RIO DULCE

We are now back in the Rio Dulce after our 2 weeks of language school in Antigua, Guat. It takes a week to re-commission the boat, that is, to get it from out of the water to into the water. The bottom has to be sanded & painted, the topsides have to be waxed, solar panels put up & sundry other chores. Once in the water, there's at least another weeks worth of work, such as putting sails on, doing the bright work, stainless polished, water maker running, etc. etc. We enjoy our time anchored off Monkey Bay & meeting up with old friends as we prepare to head off to our first destination which is Roatan, Honduras, a 24 hour sail.

SOL LATINO

Peter & I became "groupies" at the restaurant "La Pena". They had an incredible band playing there which we just loved to go & listen to. My favorite was Niri who played with such enthusiasm & you couldn't help but love those "flood" pants!!

MORE STREET SCENES FROM ANTIGUA

The coffee shop "Fernando's" where we were able to escape "the cell". Peter's tutor Jose Luis & my tutor, Siria. The Mayan girl & her mother were at the coffee shop weaving. It would take a month to make a runner for a table - they did beautiful work with incredible detail.

LAKE ATITLAN

An absolutely beautiful spot about 3 hours by bus from Antigua, Guat. We took a much needed break from our Spanish studies to visit this lake surrounded by 3 volcanos. It is predominately Mayan & there is much Mayan culture to be seen in this area.

PANAJACHEL, GUATEMALA

Streets scenes from Panajachel & our Bed & Breakfast (Jenna's River B & B) at Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala. Fabulous!

THE NATURAL RESERVE IN ATITLAN

MUSEO LA AZOTEA, ANTIGUA

The textiles, instrumentos musicales y costumbres of the Mayan people.

STREET SCENES IN ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA

MARKET DAY IN ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA

Isn't she a beauty? This is what we get for trying to better ourselves!! We went to Antigua, Guatemala for 2 weeks of Spanish tutoring & this was our homestay accommodation - the "cell", el bano, the kitchen & our "classroom". Charming with a capital "C"!

TIME FOR PETE & ACE TO COME HOME!!

ONE TOO MANY SUNDOWNERS

HACIENDA TIJAX

On the day before Matt had to leave, we went for a beautiful horseback ride through a rubber & teak plantation. Our guides Raoul & Victor along with horses, Zorro, Aguila & Guapo made for a great day despite the intense heat. Peter however suffered from painful saddle sores the next day!!

(click on any photo to enlarge)