Return to Paradise, finally

If you recall, our last episode found intrepid travelers finally making landfall 3 miles north of the San Pedro airstrip (which was mercifully visible and without standing water.) We were greeted at the pier by one of the delightful resort staff, who asked that we join him to sign in all our bags were taken to our condo, we would then offered a welcome cocktail and escorted tour new-home for the next 4 1/2 days-sniff. I had seen the new building last year, when I toured, but had no idea that this would be where I would be staying. It was gorgeous. The porch was surrounded by flowers and palm trees.

The living room was elegant and comfortable with art work on every wall, and innumerable details that were thoughtfully planned to create a homey environment. The kitchen was completely equipped to handle a dinner party for eight. Stainless steel appliances, blender, coffeemaker, toaster.

The bathroom was huge with double pocket doors for kitchen and bedroom, double sinks, a walk-in shower with river rock slate flooring and glass block walls with tile. There was also a ginormous jacuzzi tub. The whole place was equipped with beautiful light fixtures and ceiling fans with wood palm blades. The bedroom had a large king sized bed with a thick mattress, pillow top and a 2 inch comforter topper. This was covered with a thick white comforter. Both the living room and bedroom had flat-panel HD TVs (cable was not functioning because the storm.)

After the ordeal of the last 24 hours, it really felt a lot like a having died and going to heaven. After unpacking and hoisting a wee dram to cheer our good fortune we set off for the Buena Vista restaurant and bar to enjoy our welcome cocktail and the 400 children in the pool. After a little rum, I didn't mind them so much
Tuesday became recreating, relaxing, reconnoitering and reflecting. On Tuesday evenings, Captain Morgan's has a Belizean night dedicated to the food, music and culture of Belize. It was very tasty and enjoyable and just like the night before, we were headed back to the condo by 8:30 p.m. which allowed plenty of time for some reading and knitting before bed.
The morning routine was usually drinking tea on the veranda while we watched the workmen arrive to construct a new building very near us (almost all of which they do by hand); watching the lone beach maintenance man while he raked all of the public area to remove leaves and other debris from the public areas (which he did every morning at 7 a.m.) Wednesday we took the boat in San Pedro and had breakfast at Estele's by the Sea--an old favorite-- and then walked around town a bit. I had to take a break and sit in the town square watching the business in San Pedro transpire: school children, tourists, business people, locals, fishermen dogs and pigeons, all making for a very busy area. WT returned and dragged me kicking and screaming to have a beer at Fido’s and then we managed to catch the Captain Morgan boat headed back to the resort.

Thursday was hanging out day but by afternoon we ventured down to the pier to do some swimming in order to work up an appetite for the pasta and all you can eat salad bar.

We planned a snorkeling trip for Friday morning and found a scheduled trip was canceled, but there was another one leaving in 20 minutes...h-u-s-t-l-e-b-u-n-s! We made it in time, were fitted with goggles, snorkel and fins and rushed down to the boat, only to find the family we were going with was delayed at the restaurant. No problem, Captain Alex kept us entertained with a nonstop monologue for the next half-hour. Turned out the people we were waiting for were familiar and were very enjoyable; five teenagers and a single dad from Louisiana who were very fun.

Our boat crew was well-trained and very helpful. We stopped at three different spots to snorkel and even though the seas were little rough, the fish in the coral reef were fantastic. At the second spot, they fed the stingrays while we watched --it was pretty amazing to be so close while we

We stopped at Caye Caulker for lunch and some leisure time in town. There was one more stop near the reef that I declined, because I was tired, sunburned and well fed. We arrived back at the resort around five o'clock, showered and then hung around the bar to have snacks and a couple of drinks.

( the daily routine...)

Saturday morning, we packed our things and planned to meet our friend Kenrick for lunch. After checking out, we bid a fond farewell to our island home and took the boat into San Pedro for a wonderful lunch and a meeting with Kenrick's family, including two-year-old Joshua. He delivered us to the airport in time to meet at with all of our newfound friends and board a plane for home. We spent a short night in Dallas and arrived home safely Sunday morning.

See you soon amigos....save a stool at the bar, Oscar.