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Do we leave and where shall we go???
We are nearly at the end of March, any other year, we would be having plenty of new experiences to share. But it is March 2021 and we are still in the Rio Dulce, however, we think, finally, we are nearly ready to leave….
Our plans, which did change radically, several times, are now, to head to Belize and then Roatan. We have had to seek entry permits from the authorities for Belize and an agent to represent us in Roatan. Gone are the days of just arriving, we can’t just arrive anywhere. For Belize we had to apply to their Port Authority, await permission which came in the form of a certificate. We had to get an agent for Roatan, he then had to apply for our entry several weeks ahead, and we awaited permission.
To depart
To leave the Rio Dulce it is always necessary to have a high enough tide to get over the bar at the entrance to the river. Otherwise you have to be hauled over by another boat. We are not really deep drafted, drawing just under 6 foot, but we still need the tides that come with the full moon. Therefore we had to await the end of this month.
Then timing is everything as we can’t just sail off, as the weather has to be favorable for a passage to Roatan. Everything was arranged, Roatan it was to be, but John sees the predicted weather. Winds would be right on the nose blowing at 25+ knots. It would be terriblely uncomfortable and Aeeshah would get beaten, not to mention Chico and Jen would be distressed. So, plans were changed:
Now the plan is….
Belize it will now be. We anticipate going to Livingstone checking out late on the 29th, Raul our agent there will take us for our PCR tests, which they do even in Livinstone. Then hopefully over the bar at 9:15 we will head to Tres Puntas to spend the day making water. Up before light on the 31st to head to Punta Gorda to check in.
This month has been very quiet.
We met with friends for a few lovely lunches and dinners. Well one lunch had a surprise at the end as I found a small roach under my fries. Yep, not a nice, guess I will not be eating there again.
At Los Amandes we had wonderful fish and chips on the traditional Friday lunchtime. And at a German restaurant Pirisheros, we enjoyed a wonderful German dish for dinner.
“Friends of the Rio Dulce”
John help to make desks and chairs for our Catamaran charity, “Friends of the Rio Dulce”, here is the link:
The main doers and shakers are Steve, our dock master, Tuddy and Muriel a couple off of another cruising sailboat.
Those 3 started the charity in response to the dreadful damage caused by the flooding from the Hurricanes. They have appealed for funding and received some, but can always do with more help.
The main “jobs” that they have performed, made, funded, built or backed have been a bridge that was rebuilt, several clean ups of badly damaged schools and the rebuilding of students and teachers desks and chairs. John has helped to cut, sand and varnish the wooden chair and desk parts.
Walking and enjoying the wonderful surroundings
We have had few walks on the pipeline trail, which is always lovely, but as it has been quite hot some days and very wet other days.
I have walked around Catamaran Island doing different circuits. While on my walks I “nature watch”, looking for birds, insects, spiders really just anything to photograph.
And of course Chico sometimes follows me on my walks around Catamaran. He just loves the place, he’s such a cat that enjoys the good life!
We would also wander around Fronteras exploring the back streets.
The place has such character! Just to walk along the Main Street is an adventure. Sidewalks? What are those? You squeeze between the trucks and the venders just hoping it isn’t a cattle truck next to you. Its sort of a dare one makes with oneself, can I fit between that space? Can I get by before that semi?
Those odds and ends:
The cover on the bow of Aeeshah that I made when we were in Casa Tabano has proved to be a god send. It works remarkably well at keeping the blazing sun off the decks and the torrential rain from going in open hatches.
Of course we have been emptying our bodgaga of all our bits and pieces. We had thought we were headed out for Panama, so we had taken our bikes in to be serviced at the local repair bike shop. They did an amazing job on both bikes. John’s especially looks brand new.
Now we are all loaded stocked and ready to leave for Belize for a month and then Roatan for 2 – 3 months.
