Roatan

Our cruise ship anchored off the coast of Roatan this morning.  We took a tender into the town of Coxen Hole.  We walked away from the cruise port and asked for advice from a local policeman.  

He sent an eleven year old boy with us, through a local market, to find local transportation.  

We hopped on board a minivan and rode, with the locals, to the town of West End, 

and then back to Coxen Hole.  The locals were friendly and helpful along the way.  We enjoyed seeing their homes and gardens, local beaches, and fruit markets. 

River Boat to Lamanai Ruins

Our ship anchored about five miles from Belize City this morning.  We rode the tender into town, then met our tour guide, Javier by 8:45.  Two other couples from the cruise joined our tour.  Javier drove us an hour north into Belize and then we stopped and changed transport, to a small motor boat.  Javier steered us through the New River about an hour.  We saw crocodiles, unusual birds, and many different bromeliad species growing on the trees.  We arrived at Lamanai Ruins before noon.

The visible and excavated ruins at Lamanai include three large temples, built around 100 AD.  There are close to 1000 unexcavated ruins on the same site.  Papa and I climbed to the top of one temple, and looked out over the river and rain forest all around.  There was intermittent rain throughout the day and we got soaked, but the temperature was so warm, that we were never uncomfortable.  Javier drove us back the way we came, up the river and via minivan, to the ship.  An amazing day!

Flowers of Cozumel

We woke up in Cozumel today.  We spent much of the morning exploring on foot, 

seeing tropical flowers in full bloom, in bright, deep colors.  They were beautiful! 

A Day at Sea

We spent a day at sea.  The ship traveled from Key West to Cozumel, an island off the coast of the Yucatan, Mexico.  We spent the day reading, walking 3 miles on the fitness track, doing an hour of water aerobics in the pool, working out in the gym, and having a sinfully rich dinner of osso buco, sea bass, and fresh pasta.  We don't have but two days at sea on this cruise.  Thank goodness!  We can't sustain the pace!

Fort Jefferson

Our cruise ship docked in Key West by 8 this morning.  We explored Key West, and then went to the airport to board a seaplane for a four hour, 140 mile round trip to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.  The seaplane flew close to the water, with the pilot narrating in both directions.  We saw several large sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and other large fish.  The colors of the water were beautiful!

The seaplane landed on the water and motored into the beach within a few feet of Fort Jefferson.  It is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, built of more than 16 million bricks, over nearly thirty years, from 1846-1875.  Fort Jefferson was named a National Monument by FDR in 1935 and became a National Park in 1992.  We enjoyed the afternoon, exploring inside 

and outside the fort, plus bird watching. 

Cruise Begins

We had a leisurely breakfast with Mom and Sonny, then drove to the airport for our flight to Miami.  We rode the train from MIA to downtown, and took a taxi the last mile to the port.  We settled into our veranda suite on the ship.  By 5 p.m., we were leaving the Port of Miami.  

Time with Family in St. Pete

After breakfast at the B and B with Mom and Sonny, we walked around downtown St. Pete.  Hibiscus and bird of paradise were blooming, as well as a giant jatropha tree.  Sailboats were sitting in calm water in the harbor.  Later we had lunch on the bayfront, followed by our favorite gelato at Paciugo.  We were joined for dinner by cousins Renee and Russ, Jane and her friend, Fred.  

We had a wonderful time!

Dinner in St. Petersburg

Papa and I flew from Tucson to Tampa today.  We arrived at Tampa International Airport this afternoon with the feeling that "we had come home."  Over the many years we lived in Sarasota, 

we flew in and out of Tampa many times.  Mom and Sonny met us at the airport and we drove to 

St. Petersburg, to stay in a B and B for the next two nights.  Our long time friends, Joy and Jim, drove up from Sarasota to spend the evening with us.  We sat on the porch while enjoying a bottle of Chablis.  We walked to the bayfront for dinner.  We enjoyed the evening with family and friends! 

Latest DALE Bags

About a month ago, Papa and I bought two new cow hides, with a veg tan finish.  Since we got the leather, Papa has been at work making two new DALE bags.  He made one for cousin Renee and one for me.  The straps are very different on each one.  Nice work, Papa!

Horses

My hike this afternoon was punctuated on either end by the horses.  Oscar, Pablo, and Doc were near the gate to the Buck Knob pasture.  A herd of deer passed between us as I first approached them.  As I was passing by them, they behaved like little boys, nipping at each other.  On my way back through the gate, they stood in my way, begging to be patted.  They are good horses...  spoiled but good.