2015-05-02: Bye, Bye Belize

 

 

While awaiting the importation of our new head gasket from Florida, we went down to Alvin's place to watch him teach the local kids to sail.  That's me & Alvin, by the way.

 

 

The kids are great. They compete in several regattas each year around the country.  The next regatta will be right here in Placencia, sponsored by Alvin's club.  We wish them success.  Apparently, the better sailors have a chance of making the Olympic team!

 

 

The new head gasket arrived.  Alvin put everything back together & lo & behold: the Yanmar started instantly, ran smoothly & lost no coolant!  Yeah, Alvin!  We gave Alvin & his helper some dinner from Habaneros & a couple of rum & cokes & wrapped it up by 10 pm.

 





Next day, April 26, we motorsailed @ full cruise to Middle Long Cay.  Fifty four nautical miles, eight & a half hours, no overheating, no loss of coolant.  All right!

 

 

On to Cay Caulker the next day, to meet up with our buddies Daniel & Piedad on their trawler "Jodi M".  Passed a cruise ship & 2 cargo ships anchored off Belize City.

 

We diverted West of the recommended route through Porto Stuck to avoid the spot where we grounded last year.  The magenta/ blue line is the recommended course, the adjacent dotted line is our "bread crumb trail".   As we approached the entrance to the narrow channel, a moron aboard a sailboat called Coquina tried to overtake us.  We had to ease out our jib to slow down & let him pass.  Shortly thereafter we watched him (without displeasure) go aground on our starboard side.

 



Habaneros (of Cay Caulker) provided an excellent dinner for the crew of Dance Aweigh & Jodi M.  The Cuban guitarist was superb.

Cay Caulker's a nice, laid back island.  Very relaxing.

 

 

Lots of backpackers (eco-tourists).  Check that out: "sleep boxes"!  And we thought Dance Aweigh was a bit tight.

 



 

At the North end of town is the Lazy Lizard (Restaurant &) Bar.  It's the "in" place for the young crowd.  If we were 40 years younger, we'd fit right in!  Beautiful spot though - & I bet the owner is rolling in the dough.

 

While we relaxed in Cay Caulker, a cold front came through.  35 kt. winds (some say 50 - I saw 35 on our wind speed).  As usual, it was at 1 AM.  Only one boat dragged - a catamaran called Sunsation.  Our Rocna anchor did fine.

 

Meantime, Jodi M left for Mexico.  The winds were from the North, but they prefer head winds to beam winds.  They have the extra horse power to punch into seas, but don't like the roll from beam seas.  For you non-sailors reading this (both of you) - we prefer the wind from our side, as we can then sail nicely & the wind in the sail steadies the boat & prevents it from rolling too much.

 

 

Friday, May 1, we motorsailed up to San Pedro to check out with Immigration, etc.  Mexico is very strict about your Zarpe (exit papers from last country).  Little did we know (my bad) that May 1 is a national holiday here - all closed 'till Monday.

 

 



Don't let the sign fool you, neither Mr. Phillips, Ms. Grinage nor Mr. Ingram seemed to be answering their phones.  Not to worry.  Sounds like the weather will be even better after we check out Monday & depart Tuesday.

 

 

Could be worse places to wait.  Lunched at Caprice on the beach.  The stewed chicken, rice & peas, plantain & potato salad was as good as last year & the price had not changed - B$14 (US$ 7) - what a deal.  I gotta start that diet - soon!

 

 

No question about it, the scenery in San Pedro is terrific.

 

 

Well, most of it anyway!

 

 

 

No problem finding a place to tie up when you dinghy in to town.

 



 

Well, if all goes as planned, this should be our last stop in Belize.  The sign says Miami 735 miles - or hey, Jamaica only 699.  You never know!

 

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