We all gathered for breakfast at about 0715, our last meal together before we board the boat, at 0830, for the trip back to Placencia,
Final photo of Pat as she goes bananas
were all hoping to remain dry but everyone has a plan for a change of clothing, etc. (Note: Great ride to Placencia and all remained dry)
We arrived at the dock and unloaded, and Bill Allen disappeared? He was shut out of Nutella Gelato the other day so get went to Tuttifrutti to see if he could get some before he left.
Bill Allen’s dreams come true, Nuttella in stock.
We all loaded into two vans for the short trip to Placencia Airport. We board the plan and we were off for Belize City.
We arrived Belize City 35-minutes later and we headed for the main terminal to check in to our flights. Ours was the only flight available for checkin, so everyone when to the bar, I know — Shocking!
The group at Belize City, Mark and Pris are behind the camera.
When we checked in there was another 80 baptist kids retuning from their mission so Pat and I oped to upgrade to First Class.
We then passed through immigration and security, and got a beer! We boarded the flight at about 12:15, enjoyed the First Class amenities of free drinks, a pretty good lunch, comfortable seats and the flight to Charlotte, then back to reality of coach for the last leg of 1-hour flight to Richmond, of course our bags were still tagged Priorit so they first off the plane and we were on the Park-and-Go shuttle and first off and home by 2200.
Today is our last full day on the island and we woke, about 0700 to a storm moving in, very windy, with a little rain but booming thunder in the distance – Island Life!
This is our usual morning view:
A typical Belize morning sunrise.
Breakfast at about 0800 of Eggs Benedict for me and Pat had Chilaquiles; a layered egg and tortilla and cheese dish. It continues to rain, but that’s fine we going to get together at about 1130 for movies at the Lionfish Grill on the covered deck. Then we will have lunch and maybe another movie if the rain continues.
We were unable to do the movies because it was too light, so we will eery during dinner. Pat and I have pretty much packed up so we will be ready to go tomorrow. I believe we are scheduled to depart Hatchet at 0830, but everything is island time so who knows. We are hoping for a dry ride back to Placencia, but will pack a change of clothes on the top of the suitcase.
I bought a Hatchet Caye Tee shirt to add to my formal wardrobe.
Last Day Group Photo
Shannon, Brian, Ashley and Zac left this morning. Zac & Ashley, the couple we met from Houston are headed back home and Shannon and Brian are leaving early morning from Belize City for California (home).
We woke to rain, which is a good thing because the cisterns on the island have been low and they been running the desalinators. we sat on our cabana deck and then opted for an early breakfast of fruit and yogurt and french toast.
We explored the island a bit and then back to our deck to work on the blog and Pat is doing some reading. Its been raining on and off most of the morning, the sky now looks clear and we may head to the pool (1143).
Pat and I have opted for a private dinner on the beach if the weather holds.
Our private dinner
I set up a majuba account for everyone to park their photos of the trip so we can share them among the group.
Dinner by Candle light
Update: Our private dinner on the beached when as scheduled and it was nice to have a romantic evening on a tropical island, so we can cross that off our bucket list.
Breakfast this morning was Egg Benedict for Mike and Chocolate Chip Pancakes for Pat. We laid around the pool and relaxed after
Lunch – Lion Fish and chips
yesterdays snorkeling trip to the reef.
Lunch – Quesadillas
Lunch entries:
Lunch – Reef Burger of red snapper
Dinner was an appetizer of raw amberjack , grouper 2 ways, and barracuda 2 ways, courtesy of Mark, Dave and Bill who went fishing. Unfortunately everyone was in such hurry to try the fish, no photos were
Lunch – Shrimp Nachos
taken. This was followed by Hatchet Caye surf and turf of Lobster and ribeye with garlic mash potatoes. Every thing was delicious.
Breakfast this morning at about 7:30 because were departing for Glovers Reef Atoll for a day of diving (others)and snorkeling (Pat & Mike). We do not have a lot of photos because we only took the GoPro Hero 3+.
After returning Pris decided I should wear my hair this way.
The Guy Fieri look
The water proof pouch that I bought from REI for my iPhone leaked on the first days test so it will be going back.
Monday was pretty much a day of doing nothing, we spent some time out on the float in the lagoon, sat by the pool and explored a little more about the people we were on the trip with.
Pat did get up on the paddle board for a tour of the lagoon as well. Everyday when we came back to the cabana and in the morning Pat would watch for this little sand shark that got lost inside the reef around the island.
We departed Richmond at 0655 and arrived Belize InternationalAirport at about 1130 central time, via Charlotte (CLT). We passed through immigration and then we found our way to the baggage claim and then to the Duty Free shop for another couple bottles of vodka for the crew. Next we claimed our luggage and cleared customs.
We made our way to the Maya Island Air
Maya Island Air
and check our bags and headed for the gate area to await our flight to Placencia where we would be picked up by the Hatchet Caye staff and transported to their land based office to boad the boat for the Caye. The plane, a Cessna 208 Caravan, was a small one the held 11 passengers and one passenger sat adjacent to the pilot, there were only 6 of on board. We were in the first row behind the pilot, and although we were unable to see over the cockpit dash we dis get a couple of videos of the landings. We stopped at Dangriga on the way to our final destination, flight time about 30 minutes.
We arrived Placencia at about 1305 and the crew collected our baggage, however we had to make a stop at Tropical Airlines, next door to pick up 3 people coming down from Ambergris Caye for a few days of Scuba diving, Lucy, Lily and Dennis, they are from Massachusetts but own a property on the Ambergris but rent it out and had to depart their house for an incoming rental.
We hooked up with Bill, Debbie, Cherie and Dave in Placencia, they had arrived a couple of days early and were explore the area, we heard about their trip up the Monkey River which sounded adventurous and then we all when over to Tutti-frutti for Gelato. The boat ride to the day was pretty rough, the wind was enough to cause white caps in the Caribbean Sea, about 10-12 knots I guess, we arrived wet but refreshed, after all it a a part of paradise.
Hatchet Caye is a private island on the edge of the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. Seventeen miles east of Placencia Village, Belize, this tranquil jewel is on the protected side of the Meso-American reef; the second longest in the world.
We checked it to our hutch and the staff delivered our luggage. After a brief unpacking and putting on bathing suits we hooked up with everyone at about 1400 at the pool had our first Pink Panty of the trip, and not our last, We met everyone at cabana 9 for drinks about 1900 and then we all had had dinner together
Conch Fritter, actually lobaser because conch is out of season, bummer! This were much better!
Hatchet Caye Lobster with burblanc sauce, island style, very light.Oreo cheesecake, all desserts were homemade by Dasha the Island Manager
Tomorrow is July 20, 2014 and were off to Belize for a summer island adventure. Were going to be joined by Martin & Paula, Mark & Pris, Debbie & Bill, Dave & Sheri, and finally making the trip from California Shannon & Brian.
Tortola, BVI, Soper’s Hole, The Pusser’s Landing at Soper’s Hole, West End. Located directly across from the Custom’s Dock, an ideal stop for yachts to clear in. Moorings are affordable, as is food, ice and water. This is home to Pusser’s Bar and Restaurant—with some of Tortola’s best food—and a fully stocked Pusser’s Co. Store. Serving lunch and dinner with dishes including everything from lobster to steaks, as well as snacks and pizza.
Norman Island, One of the more popular anchorages in the British Virgin Islands is The Bight at Norman Island. The Willy T floating bar and restaurant can likely take credit for at least some of the popularity of this truly excellent anchorage.
Willy T’s Censored to protect the Guilty – Jump from the top deck for free T-Shirt
The Indians,
Peter Island,
Cooper Island,
Dog Island,
Virgin Gorda,
Bitterend Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda
Anegada, Measuring 11 miles by three, its highest point is just 28 feet above sea level.
Jost Van Dyke, Club Paradise is famous for its conch stew and barbecued ribs, while the Caribbean’s most famous cocktail, “The Painkiller,” was invented at The Soggy Dollar Bar.
Soggy Dollar Bar – Jost Van Dyke
St. John, Coral Bay,
ANCHORAGES The beautiful, clear waters of the British Virgin Islands offer countless anchorages. Sailors should use caution when anchoring to prevent damage to fragile coral reefs. Where mooring buoys are not provided, sailors should anchor in sandy areas and be sure to never sail at night. Nightfall arrives quickly, and even the most experienced sailors in the BVI do not sail past dusk. Although we have listed several accepted anchorages throughout the islands, it is recommended that current navigational charts be used when cruising and anchoring in the BVI waters. U.S. National Ocean Service (NOAA), U.S. Defense Mapping Agency, British Admiralty and Imray produce charts for the area. Electronic charts are available from C-Map, BSB/NOAA, Garmin G-Map, Laser Plot, Maptech, Navionics and Northstar.. Deadman’s Bay, Peter Island Island: Peter Island Eastern tip; long beach at the yacht club; prone to swell particularly in winter. Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke Island: Tortola Well protected harbour bordered by white sand beach and restaurant. Little Harbour, Jost Van Dyke Island: Jost Van Dyke – Little Harbour Calm, quiet lagoon, three restaurants on shore. Machioneel Bay, Cooper’s Island Island: Cooper Island Northwest shore; dock for dinghies, beach and restaurant. Marina Cay Island: Marina Cay North of Trellis Bay, enter from the north to skirt coral. Moorings, small beach, Pusser’s Restaurant and Stores, and the Rob White happy hour bar on the top of the eight acre island. North Sound, Virgin Gorda Island: Virgin Gorda – North Sound Eastern tip of the island, surrounded by several islands, a variety of overnight anchorages; northern Caquhoun Reef for drafts greater than five feet; Anguilla Point entrance for shallow drafts in calm weather only; restaurants. Pelican Islands & The Indians Island: Pelican Island Close to The Bight, good snorkelling and scuba diving. Road Harbour, Tortola Island: Tortola – Road Town Area The BVI’s largest harbour bordered by Road Town; immigration and custom facilities; shops, restaurants, grocery store, and marina close by. Salt Island Island: Salt Island Location of the Wreck of the Rhone II, accessible by moorings at Lee Bay. Both Lee Bay and Salt Pond Bay have rough anchorages – recommended for day use only. Sandy Cay, Jost Van Dyke Island: Jost Van Dyke Long white sandy beach; prone to swells. Soper’s Hole, West End Tortola Island: Tortola – West End / Soper’s Hole One of the main ports of entry, deep and sheltered. Restaurant, ferries, marinas, and immigration and custom clearance. The Baths, Virgin Gorda Island: Virgin Gorda Southwestern shore; small grottoes and pools, excellent snorkelling; overnight swells are common. The Bight, Norman Island Island: Norman Island Uninhabited, hiking to the top of the island; caves reachable by dinghy. The Dogs Island: Virgin Gorda – North Sound Between North Sound, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke; look to anchor on calm days west of George Dog or on south side of Great Dog. Trellis Bay, Beef Island Island: Tortola – Beef Island Sheltered anchorage across from Marina Cay bordered by semicircular beach; restaurants, water sports, arts and crafts, and cyber café on premises. A short walk to the airport. Great Full Moon Party too. White Bay, Jost Van Dyke Island: Jost Van Dyke – White Bay A channel through the reef provides access; subject to swells in the winter; white sand beach and restaurant. – See more at: http://www.bvitourism.com/moorings-anchorages#sthash.yp2FEvYE.dpuf
We all loaded into two vans for the short trip to Placencia Airport. We board the plan and we were off for Belize City.
