Weds - Dinner Boat

A couple of times a week Sueno del Mar has a late night boat to town, to allow those that might want to visit San Pedro in the evening for dinner, etc.

One of the owners here had made a connection to a guy he use to work with back in 85 from Bolder Co. It sounded like a long shot, but we decided to try to find the place.

We didn't have a lot of details about the new place, but went in search of it anyway.

We found it, it is about 2.5 miles North of town. They haven't been open very long, but we were willing to try the place.

Sign for the place off the golf cart trail.

Cart side entrance - Bella Vista Resort.

We started with a few tapas (appetizers) This was Baked Artichoke Parmesan dip. It was fabulous. We also had bacon wrapped dates and another one that the name escapes me, but something with ham.

This was the two entrees, one was the pirate sandwich, (excellent) the other was paella, a rice dish. Both were very good. (Don't let my taste for rice influence you on this dish. Some at our table said it was the best they have ever eaten.)

Three small scoops of vanilla ice cream with rum caramelized pineapple and two dollops of creamy carmel. WOW, this was great!

Bruce, one of the owners and the Chef from Spain.

If you get a chance, give this place a try, I think you will be pleased.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm off to dive, then back for the big shindig here. Look for this post to be updated as I get time...

Happy Thanksgiving!

View from my office and more!

I am working of the scuba report, so look for it later on. It's Belize, and no one gets in a hurry around here, i.e the dive boat leaves at 9 am sharp. It didn't even show up until about 915, and then took another 15 minutes or so to get 7 people on board....

I had a request for more pictures, so some random shots, first a few about the food here.

Does Tony eat chicken feet?

Look at these prices!

View from my office...

View of the gym

More later!

Scuba!

Ok, after being on the island for way to long, I finally had an opportunity to go diving the last couple of days.

Those that really know me, know it s true passion of mine. I have been diving since 1976... yea, I'm giving hints about my age, but I was really young when I started.

With life always changing, and the lack of opportunity to do much diving around Kansas, it has been way to long since I have been active in the scuba world.

That has changed. I have only been out of the water a few hours now, and already wondering if I will have an opportunity to dive here in 2009. We can always hope that its works out.

Please send your Charlie Diving fund to....

Over the last 2 days I have made 4 different dives. Two each day both days from the Tranquility Bay dive boat.

They range from a depth of 40 - 120 feet, with a maximum bottom time of 43 minutes.

One could never explain the experience in full detail, especially to a non diver. The colors, the current, the fish, the sea life, its all over powering.

My first dive of the trip was to some of the coral canons, not really coral heads, as these are more like coral ridges and bluffs.

You will have a big stretch of coral, inter mixed with what appear to be sand paved roads in between these ridges and bluffs.

If these bluffs were out of water and you stood on the edge of them and dropped down the bottom of the crevices would be 30-40 feet. And this is in water that is 80 plus feet already.

These crevasses are like super hiways for the marine life., all with little ledges, pockets, etc along both sides.

Because these are "open" i.e. no coral in them, the current flows more intensely between them. I dropped over a ledge and looked below me, only to see a seven foot shark, "sleeping."

I don't believe that they can really sleep, but it is my understanding that they like these places, as they can let the water free flow over the gills and get oxygen while not moving.

The dives have all been really amazing, not a lot of big fish, but lots of coral. I few big grey angels and one queen angel, one of my favorite fish.

We also dropped right about 3 huge lobster. I believe that one of the others on the dive got a picture, I'll try to get a copy and post here.

Saw a couple of big manta rays, one I was right above, and he took off behind me, before I could get turned around, he was outta sight... talk about fast!

I have more dives scheduled for Thanksgiving day, so look for another report.

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Thanks, and I am off to dive!

Look for more of my adventures after I return.

The Reef!

(updated)

Yesterday, I headed out to the barrier reef in a small kayak.

It's a short (long if it is blowing like yesterday) trip from the pier here.

The conditions were not to favorable, but I really wanted to dive. I loaded up all of my gear, and off I went.

Two strokes forward and the waves and wind, pushing me back about a stroke. No way to really measure it, but it is sure it's true, or at least what it felt like.

Not sure how long it took me to get to the reef, as time kinda stands still on this journey. Once I arrived at the inside edge reef, I was just a few feet away from outside of the reef.

Today the waves were wild, here again difficult to measure when you are in a small kayak, but guessing 6-10 feet. Let's just say, I knew I was one wave away from capsizing.

I kinda planned for that, as I had all of my gear lashed and tied in. Still was really hoping it didn't happen.

Where I was I could look out of my tiny little kayak and see the purple sea fans waving in under the waves, as if saying:

come one in....

The waters fine....

Then I did it. to be continued.

If you want me to continue, leave a comment, I'd like to hear from everyone that is reading the blog... otherwise, I'll return to Paradise, and enjoy my days here...

-----

Ok, a few readers out there,,, good! Now back to the kayak. I was at the end of the reef, looking for a place to dive, I could look overboard and see under the water, fish, corals sea fans, etc. All very inviting.

All would be there for me another day. I opted out of this dive because the conditions were not favorable. I started my long journey back, disappointed that I didn't dive, but safe.

Back at the palapa, grabbed a Belikin and watched the waves crashing in at the reef, just about 500 yards away.

The sea tempted me, but I escaped unscathed.

Extended Town Tour

Sat I went to town and went to Pedro's. Since it was going to be a late night, I got a room at the Banana Beach resort.

I stayed at banana beach, in a banana room, with a banana key, slept on a banana bed, saw real banana's growing right outside my room, and felt obligated to eat banana pancakes!

But, for the record, I didn't do any monkey business... (the gift shop)

This is a short recap for Sat / Sunday.

Banana Pancakes!

One of the guys from the resort and his girlfriend.

Pedro's

Iguana anyone?

Banana Beach Resort

No banana shaped pool.. they are slipping!

Right outside my room.

No adult in sight.. walking down the highway

Whats a bar without a bird?

Laurie is clocked in and working.

BBQ Ribs at BCs beach bar... Great stuff!


A few of the boarders....

The famous Laurie caught in the act!

The first annual "Sauce Off" like a BBQ cook off with out the meat!

I'm sure this is on a wanted poster someplace. I got a lot of requests, I hope everyone is happy!

Sunset over town.

A night shot on the back of a moving boat in heavy seas. A couple of guests here.

They are really doing it up big at the Palappa here for Thanksgiving!