San Pedro, Caracol, Placencia and Family!

Hello,

sorry it had been a while since I have written, even so, I will keep this short. Most of you will hear and see of these extravagent events from my parents so I will provide you with a summary.

2 Fridays ago, Dad arrived here in Belize! I went to meet him for a weekend on Amberguis Caye, but I caught up with him in Belize City, even though he did not know. We both took water taxis at the same time, but he was on the one opposite me and so I waved to him, but he did not see me. He didnt know I had chosen the cheaper boat accross, so there was no harm.

On the Island, we stayed at a beautiful hotel right on the water. Our weekend was scheduled for much diving, but in between we got to relax with rum and coke and some Belikins. Saturday, we went diving with a company just by our front porch. It was dad's first time diving in a while so he was kind of nervous, but everything turned out allright. We even got to pet a Nurse Shark!

The rest of the afternoon was lazying about and swimming, but that evening we went to a fancy restaurent up on the north part of the island. we got picked up and dropped off by a boat from the resort even. Dad had Stone Crab and I had some Red Snapper. Both were amazing. It was a good meal to prepare us for our dive the next morning.

Sunday, we went to the Blue Hole. This was a 2 hour boat ride away (and very choppy) but once we got there it was calm. After we got in the water, we dove down to 140 feet! Down there it was black but there was a slight incline on the wall and there were stalagtites hanging from the ceiling.

We had two other dives that day and a lunch on Half Moon Caye, where we got to see redfooted boobys. They were the reason why conservation began in Belize.

That night we had dinner with one of Dad's work friends and his family. His daughter had just spent a year in guatemala and was very talkative about her aboad experience. It was great comparing notes and hearing about places that I may end up traveling to.

Monday, Dad and I left San Pedro (the town on Amburguis Caye) to pick up mom and Gill from the airport! The first water taxi was full so we took a later one and didnt get to pick them up on time, however it all worked out. It was great having them here! I really felt I could show off my world to them.

Tuesday night was had a group dinner and my dad entertained a bunch of my friends. It was great that they had the chance to meet my family. They were very impressed by them all and said that now they know why I am so nice. :)

Wednsday (last week still) we went to Caracol: a big Maya Ruin. We went with a guide in the car we had rented. Gill and Jess were crammed in the back, but I got to sit there one the way back. The Ruins were enormous. One temple was 135 feet tall and tons of stairs! On the way back we stopped at a cave where we got to explore a bit. It wasnt too long, but the ceiling was high! After that, we stopped at a river where we went swimming. This was one of the most enjoyable things I have experienced in Belize. There were slides, pools and strong waterfalls. It was great!

Thursday, we all left for Placencia. There, we stayed in a gorgeous resort with a pool to the left of our condo and the ocean right out in fornt! It was a fantastic place to go and relax. Friday we didnt do much, but Saturday Dad and I went Whale Shark diving, Gill went to take a beginer's course in diving and Jess and Mom went to a place called Monkey Creek. I cant tell you much about the last two but on Dad and my dive, we got to see a 30 foot whale shark who swam with us! It was fantastic.

That night, we went to a cook out on the beach at the resort up from us. Its food was delicious!

Sunday we went snorkeling at Laughing Bird Caye and in the afternoon, back at our resort, got to go on a treasure hunt, which we won! The prize was a free meal from the restaurent.

Monday, we drove back and Jess and I got dropped off in Belmopan. It was sad to say goodbye to my parents, but I had had a great weekend.

Now I am in a sullen mood. I am without my family and having to do applications for summer work while doing essays for class due next monday. On top of that, Jess's camera was lost on the Ruta Maya and I am at fault because it was in my backpack the whole time. I feel doubly bad because of that.

Still I am enjoying Belize. I am starting to make plans with Jess and others for possible travel after schools out on my way to Nicaragua to meet up with an old friend there.

Hopefully all these things will work themselves out.

I wish my best to all my listeners out there and hope you all had a great easter/purim

This is Colin signing off for now.