Belize - Day 8

Well, no dive again today. We went by the shop last night to see if we were on, and they had a snorkel tour listed for today, so we were not surprised to arrive there this morning and hear that the dive was off. In fact, we didn't even take our dive gear with us when we went to check in, suspecting we weren't going out. Oh well, after our long day yesterday, and with a full day booked tomorrow, we're happy to have a day to relax! Also, we were woken up in the night by a squall moving quickly through. We had all the windows open and our towels outside on the line, so we had to jump up and batten down the hatches! After that bit of exercise, we were both awake for a little while and the bird were singing loudly at 5:45.

We came back home for a few minutes to grab a shirt for Andrew and some cash, and went off in search of Sunday breakfast - one of my favorite things to do anywhere in the world! Earlier in the week I saw a restaurant advertising banana pancakes, but that restaurant was closed this morning (Catholic country + Sunday + lent = not a lot open this morning). As Andrew said "Let's ride around an look for other places. What else have we got to do today?" And the hunt was on. We stopped at several places so that I could look at the menu - lots of fry jacks, eggs, and even waffles, but no banana pancakes. Finally, at the Happy Lobster - success! We grabbed a table outside and placed our order: banana pancakes for me, eggs and fry jacks for Andrew. Fresh pineapple juice for both of us!

Fry jacks - Andrew loves these!

Fresh pineapple juice! You could also have orange, papaya, watermelon or cantaloupe. No picture of the banana pancakes - they just look like regular old pancakes, but they have mashed bananas mixed in and taste delicious!

After breakfast we rode back home and did a little housework. Things start out organized, but after a week in one place you start to "sprawl" a little. We gathered things up and put them away, shook out the rugs, and swept the floors. It was particularly hot today, so we turned on the A/C for a while to cool things off. I watched an episode of Downton Abbey on the laptop, and Andrew & Freaky had a nap.


Speaking of Freaky, now that she's pretty much moved in with us I wish she would make herself useful and catch some of the geckos that are running around inside the house. There was a big fat one in the bathroom this morning and a little one running across the kitchen wall last night. I would post a picture but they move too darn quick!

When Andrew woke up around 12:30, we got our suits on and headed off to The Split for an hour or so. I didn't take any new photos, but just scan back a few blog...it looks just the same! Today being Sunday, many local families were there also. I enjoy listening to the Creole English that most people speak here, even though I can't understand most of what they say.

After the beach, we stopped at Pizza Caulker to pick up a pizza for Andrew. He went on a night snorkel trip from 5-8 pm tonight, so needed to eat before he left. While we were waiting for the pie to cook we chatted a bit with the owner. A Canadian from Toronto who sold everything there 3 years ago to move to the Caye and open this little shack. Sounds like a good plan!

Most of the restaurants look pretty much like this with most of the seating outdoors and very rustic construction. Note the ample parking lot in front!

Back at home I showered and Andrew packed up his gear for his snorkel trip. Then we rode to the dive shop together. Those of you who know Andrew know that he has about the worst sense of direction of anyone I have ever met. This island is approximately 4 square miles, and we have been over the central 3 square miles of it at least 100 times over. However, he still doesn't know for sure which way to turn at the end of our driveway. Sadly, we have never ever turned right out of our driveway. Not once. Once I dropped Andrew off I swung by to see my new friend Anna, the keeper of the pupusa! I picked some to go, along with a fresh bottle of horlata, so that Andrew can have a snack when he gets back. If he makes it back. He thinks he can find his way back from the dive shop on his own and, as I type this at 8:30 pm, no sign of him yet! Keep your fingers crossed we don't have to send out a search party! :)

Tomorrow we're off to the Actun Tunichil Muknal or ATM Caves, which is a cave famous for containing Mayan ruins and skeletal remains from sacrifices. It's about a 90-minute drive from Belize City, so will be a long day. This time we're taking the waterproof camera, so will post some pictures when we're back!

P.S. I just now hear Andrew locking up his bike downstairs - I won't tell him I doubted his ability to find his way home, if you don't!