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Placencia
After Ethan left we decided to get what we needed, by way of fuel, propane, foods etc and head further north in Belize.
We scurried off to renew our permission to be in Belize at the Customs, Immigration and Port Authority offices in Big Creek. Taking the the Hokey Pokey, then a taxi, it’s a right pain….(In Belize you have to check in with these folks every month)
Two days of stocking up and we were all set….…Meanwhile:
Our water maker had a problem — needed a new impeller. We now rely on the water maker, so John ordered one to be flown in, supposedly quickly. Then the weather forecast was grim….…Two large northers were forecast to arrive one after the other.
Added to the fact that Aeeshah was in need of a good cleaning, the dinghy needed a repair job and I had a ton of laundry to do. So…
We decided to go to the Reserve, into the marina for what we needed to do: to use the laundry, to wait for the ordered parts and to enjoy riding our bikes — for the 1st time in nearly 5 years.
3 days after Ethan left on the 3rd we arrived at the Reserve Marina to stay for 2 weeks.
This is a very unusual area and place.
The whole area is under litigation due to a massive ponzy scheme that of course collapsed. https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/x040009/ecological-fox-llc?fbclid=IwAR1swBeIUmONEh9P_1EwLswyQ8HZ6CusJJNwhjT6vmnEKXDq2U8rLyF1TQE However the basic set up for the estates/homes remains, plus, meanwhile, there are some very nice residences that were built.
Riding our bikes and exploring
Getting back on our bikes was wonderful! We had had them serviced in the Rio, so they were in marvellous condition. Both of us love to ride and explore off track and at the Reserve there was 14,000 acres of possibility.
We had miles and miles of Sandy tracks and road ways to choose from, plus other tracks that cut through the swampland and trees. Nearly every morning for the 2 weeks we set off for a ride, usually for an hour and a half or longer.
I believe we followed every possible track and roadway, some leading to nowhere others leading to homes built way out in the sticks and still others leading to watery canals.
We saw wild pigs,
groups of coatimundis,
prints left in the mud by a jaguar,
many, many wonderful birds of differing types
all sorts of lovely flowers, plants and more,
plus all kinds of varying scenery, but not many vehicles or people.
Bike riding gives you such a sense of freedom and adventure.
Chico enjoyed a daily walk along the docks and usually running back made for good exercise for him.
Chores, repairs, work:
Laundry was done, John patched and repaired the dinghy, oil changes were done, vacuuming, cupboards tidied, every area reorganised. Each day we worked and played.
We had to pop down to Placencia to pick up our parts from the airport. Taking advantage of this last visit there to indulge in our favourite treats and to purchase a last few supplies.
The biggest excitement at the Reserve Marina was when this antiquated tug arrived to take this huge yacht that had been held/stuck at the marina for 3 years off to Belize City. Some wondered if it was possible to move it, but they had it under tow in no time.
It was time to head out for a grand adventure — a bucket list destination: Lighthouse reef, The Blue Hole and Half Moon Cay.
