Back on the Rio Dulce

Photo Album: Back on the Rio Dulce ——>>. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6pDPYSTtPGLTfHn96

Once we had been back in Catamaran Marina for about a day it was as if we had never left….life was back to normal. Chico went out around 5:30am to prowl, John went to the breakfast bar for coffee, we listened to the net, we ordered bread from Irene, and we continued with boat chores each day……

We had all of the boat prep to work through, decks cleared – jugs, dive tanks, lines, etc and everything stored in the bodega. Water maker and generator serviced, our second dinghy engine sent in to be serviced, main engine oil change and cleaned, bilges cleaned, on and on….

The hardest by far was the dropping of the main and the jib, flaking them and getting them into the bodega. In fact the jib was a right pain as we had it down on the deck, flaked and folded, tied in a nice bundle, but when moving it to the dock the jib decided to go for a swim. We then had to get it out of the river, into the dinghy, over to a dock, into a wheel barrow and up to the tennis court to spread it and dry it out. By then it was near enough midday, super hot and unpleasant to work.

An evening at Casa Perico

There were new folks in the marina and there were folks leaving so an evening at Casa Perico was organised. This is a very nice German restaurant situated near Catamaran Marina down a tributary. It is very pretty and tucked right out of the way.

There were 17 of us, so the staff were hard pressed to keep track of the orders being out of practice due to covid. I was disappointed as my order was forgotten and then when it came it was pretty 2nd rate. Anyway we enjoyed the company after just returning

Incredible rains, mega thunder and lightening!

The weather has been mostly rainy. In fact over 5 of the days we had 17 inches of rain fall. When it rains it pours down, plus add the thunder and the lightening sometimes with wind and sometimes without. Most folks like the rainy season although it is humid, it’s not quite as hot as the sunny blue sky days.

Walks….

Walking our pipeline trail has not really been an option with all the rainfall, but I have been making daily rounds, and arounds, of Catamaran Island and the grounds across the bridge.

The grounds are full of flowers, orchids, air-plants, bromeliads, tall trees of numerous types and of course birds, lizards, insects and so much more.

Every outing I spy another photo, something always catches my eye. We just love it here at Catamaran Marina.

Chico

Chico roams the grounds daily. He wakes me at dawn to let him out, yes everyday, then he is in and out all day. So far he has only returned with 2 birds, both unhurt, just brought back for our inspection.

Wonderful fruits, and foods abound

When in the Rio we are especially lucky to be able to get the freshest fruits and vegetables in Fronteras. This year the produce is amazing and so abundant. We both enjoy trying different fruits, exotic ones that never make it to any supermarket.

Another treat is a young lady’s sourdough breads, buns, bagels and delicious fruity Kefir drink which she makes fresh weekly, we order and she delivers to Aeeshah. She started this enterprise during the dark days of covid last year and now she has quite a business going.

We also love to order fresh cheeses from another young woman who has started an exotic cheese trade. On a Friday we can purchase a mixed cheese platter which is fantastically savoury and varied.

Meeting friends

Keeping up with our friends from Belize means we go to Los Amandes restaurant for lunch on Fridays

We have a catch up session and exchange news, info and enjoy each other company for a few hours. Then on Sunday’s a group of us play Mexican Train dominos here at Catamaran in the breakfast bar by the waterside.

A visit to Casa Agua Azul and El Estor

Our Dockmaster Steve, plus marina neighbours Muriel and Tuddy never left the Rio this season. They stayed and continued their work for their charity “Friends of Rio Dulce” which is also sponsored by Seven Seas Cruising. They have accomplished many amazing feats, helping rebuild a bridge to a village, refurbishing many schools that were flooded, supplying wheel chairs for local children, helping to fund much needed operations for needy locals and just so much more. They invited John and I to go to an orphanage for children that have been abused and so removed from those homes.

It was a Saturday and we set off in Steves car heading out on the road to El Estor. I do not think saying the roads are rough with potholes is the apt description of the 1st portion of the road. This road had rainwater-craters, with thick mud, and debris. It is a portion of road that has been neglected and with the heavy mining trucks using it ….. We finally were on the better paved roadway and soon arrived at the orphanage. It is run by Blue Water Surrender and is called Casa Agua Azul found on the shores of Lake Izabal.

The house is a lovely bright yellow and set in very attractive grounds surrounded by a fence.

The children greeted us with hugs and then we were shown around by one of the caregivers. We spent a short while chatting with the children and enjoying their company before we headed out.

Steve drove us to El Estor where we enjoyed a very nice lunch in one of the lakeside restaurants. Just after lunch a young lady with a toddler on her shoulders came in and asked if we wanted to buy a rose that she had made. I thought they were very creative, made from a palmetto leaf and woven together.

El Estor is much larger and better laid out than Fronteras. It is also much quieter, mind you we only saw a small section.

The drive back was again an adventure. The scenery as always is wonderful, the fields, trees and road sides are so green from all the rains. And the rivers just overflowing!