Visited a Private Island in Belize

We decided to check out Ranguana Caye while we are in Belize.  We heard it was a private island that cruisers could visit for a fee.  The Caye has a restaurant/bar and great snorkeling. 

It's just a day sail from Placencia, Belize

Our trip turned out to be a pretty decent motor sail.  We found the anchorage without hitting any reef or running aground!

When we arrived one local fishing boat was anchored and two others soon came in.

The next day we went ashore.

We found it to be a cute resort with the perfect combination of seclusion and amenities.

A really nice beach and great snorkeling right off the boat

This will be a Caye we return to for sure

Inland Guatemala Travel

Since we canceled our trip to England we decided to check out places we hear about from our fellow cruisers. Two places that stood out for me was Antigua and Lake Atitlan. 

Luckily, we found a shuttle service that we can take Schooner on without paying a fortune. They are the smaller buses but we don't mind.

So we set off on our trip.  We lucked out on space on the bus, there were only 6 of us passengers.  We all stretched out like cats. (That was Steve's description)

Not long into the trip our driver started stopping at auto part stores.  We didn't know exactly what he was looking for, a part or a person.  Finally, things started to make sense. He pulled off the road and assisted a fellow bus driver.  

Then we were told we needed to gather our stuff and move over to the bus that was needing the repairs.  LOL this was a bit concerning.

That bus driver set off and not long stopped to get water for the bus.  Lol

After a very rapid drive to Antigua, we arrived around 8:30 pm.  We left the Rio at 1 pm.  We believe the new driver was either trying to make up time or not let the bus over heat.. we were thrown around like rag dolls.

Once, safely off the bus and in downtown Antigua with perfect weather we called the trip a success.

Now, I have a ton of pictures so I will break this story into at least a few posts.  Because, this blog is mostly for my own records and it is very time consuming. 

We enjoyed the temperature and food most in Antigua.  I have decided to come each summer while we hide from the hurricanes.

Here are a few pictures .. I promise to post more and tell you more about the trip.

We are off the grid

We now make our own water! Yeah! We make our own power and water so basically self sufficient. How awesome is that?

Steve and Schooner Sailing

Friends boat SV Syrinx

My Herbs

Steve has frankensteined a RO watermaker from using one of these survivor 35 desalinator and a motor. It draws very little power and makes about 1.5 gallons an hour. So not a lot but enough. Tastes so good. There seems to be many cruisers using this same system.

At The Reserve Marina

We have enjoyed our time here in Belize.  We don't enjoy the cost but enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  We have stuck around Placencia and Sapodilla Lagoon. There is a new marina, well one that has been in developed for years in Sapodilla Lagoon. They have finally opened the bar and store so it makes it a great protected area for cruisers. Oh they also have self serve machines to wash laundry. They have been very welcoming to all of us cruisers.

At Anchor in Placencia

We are heading to Isla Mujeres. Which is one of our favorite locations. Our daughter, Samantha, and her boyfriend are flying in for a visit mid April. We are looking forward to the visit and to finally share our world to one of our kids. Neither of them have ever experienced what our current lifestyle is like. So this will be exciting.  

St Paddy's day parade

They have visited us when living on the boat in a marina before leaving the states. But never have they experienced what life on the hook is like. I have to admit, I am also nervous.  Not sure why I am nervous they already think I am crazy.. hahah

Well I guess that is enough for now. Of course, once again I will have to push my grandson's pictures on you.  Oh and remind everyone that I am freelancing as a remote bookkeeper and virtual assistant, in case anyone is in need of some assistance. You can contact me directly or here.

Remember to be good to yourself and to OTHERS