Saturday, January 27, 2007

Hole in the Wall - Jonesville Bight - Roatan - Bay Islands - Honduras - Central America !!!


It is a wonderful thing to reach a strange new land and yet not be a stranger. The people here are so very friendly. We were greeted at the mouth of the inlet by our friends Sonny & Kay, S/v Valentina and Bob & Peggy S/v Adagio who made anchoring fun as we jostled for ‘position’ closest to the internet WiFi antenna at “Lucky” Larry Wood's home and WoodSide Marina on the point, offering WiFi and laundry.

Our friends, Don & Yvonne, have made our stay here very comfortable and convenient. It seems they know everyone and everyone seems to know them. They purchased land here in the mid ‘90’s from one of the original island families and they have been accepted graciously into their new neighbourhood. It is a real treat watching their dream come to life as Don’s designed Beach Home takes shape. Our first day visiting their new building site, we we had just climbed up the constuction ladder and were standing on the second floor admiring the the amazing vista from east to west, every sunrise and sunset....mmmmm..., when to our surprise, who should climb up the construction ladder to join us, but ‘Doc’…who is not one for being left behind, but sure enough he did climb it all by himself. Now, going back down was a little different story, but after some pulling, pushin and prodding, he made it.

Kaija arranged a surprise birthday party for Gary and it was a great afternoon of fun. Somehow she managed to bake a cake without Gary knowing!!!! Seems incredulous…but she did it, then while Gary and Doc were taking their afternoon shoreparty, the dingies started arriving en masse and our friends Aaron and Lyla, S/v Blow Me Away, came sailing into the bay making the guest list even better. I did have to admit, that Larry did spill the beans when Gary stopped by and Larry asked, “Where are you going, I thought you were having a party for Kaija at 2 O’clock?”. Larry is a fellow Canadian and easily confused :o), but he was smart enough to purchase land here and build a lovely home and dock which he shares with fellow boaters. (party pictures )

Last Friday, Don and Yvonne hosted a wonderful beach party at the setting of their new home. The local children swam in the bay and we enjoyed a potluck BBQ with local fare like deep fried breadfruit…you have got to try this stuff…salted and sprinkled with lime…. I think I could eat an entire tree! (Did I say that?) It was all great fun getting to know and share with other boaters and locals alike.

We are in the process of waiting…(remember I said process) for a few items to arrive (mail sent in August 2006) to reach us. We missed it in Guatemala when it arrived after we departed in November. We have been trying to get it since. For those of you who really NEED convenience in your life to function…I am telling you now. DO NOT TRY THIS!!! O’K…now you can say you were told! This lifestyle is really one of Mind Over Matter…. and, if You Don’t Mind…. It Don’t Matter!!!!…. Take for example, .hot water on demand….taking out the trash…going for a walk…TV…convenience store…ice…checking your email…finding a cash machine that takes your card….(traveler’s cheques do not work!!!!!)…oh and did I mention…getting anything delivered to you. FORGET ABOUT IT!!!

Ok…so you get the picture….just remember….Mind Over Matter.!!!….which I think at it’s essence you are either completely numb to any thoughts or feelings, or you’ve finally reached Nirvana, take your pick!

New Years 2007!!!


New Years 2007



We brought in New Year’s 2007 with another fun get-together aboard KaijaSong and celebrated not only New Year’s Eve, but also, Kaija’s Birthday (Jan 1). Judy and Greg, S/v Lone Star Love, hosted a wonderful Birthday brunch with homemade Biscuits and Gravy, Texas style and had a day not soon forgot as birthday brunches go. (pictures from New Years)

We spent almost 5 weeks out on the Belizean Atolls. We highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking to ‘get away from it all’ and just enjoy peace and quiet. The snorkeling and diving some of the most incredible to be found anywhere on the planet. Among the dozen other boats in the anchorage, you might see one of the more unusual examples of "floatsmanship" , in the very unique 4-story catamaran. It is one of the local dive boat/hotel vessels that are seen daily in these waters. (picture of snorkeling and boat)

In the words of our friend, the immortal Capt Don, “Outstanding”

This was our longest visit at anchor since our cruising life began, and reluctantly we decided to leave, but with new horizons ahead, and friends awaiting, off we set for an overnight sail to the Bay Islands of Honduras. We arrived next morning at Jonesville Bight, Roatan, and as we sailed by the bay, our friends Don & Yvonne hailed us on the radio, S/v Usquebach, who are building a home on the beach we just sailed by.

Fresh Fish is soooooooooo Goooooood!


Our days on the reef were filled with lots of swimming and fishing by spear, commonly referred to as hunter/gatherer exercise. Well, Gary had to learn sometime, it is year three after all, but with great enthusiasm and more than enough floatation, in he jumped and lo and behold, he hit something!!…and he even learned the art of filleting the catch…can it get any better? …all Kaija has to do is put a little fire to it and Voila…. ‘Catch of the day’ par excellence!…and I must admit…Kaija’s cooking can make anything taste good, but it isn’t as hard when it is fresh caught and just melts in your mouth…Grouper, Hogfish, Snapper, Trigger, Conch, Lobster…shall I continue ?

…we even discovered a place where you can catch Saltwater Catfish and after announcing the fine meal of it we had on the ‘cruiser’s morning net’ there have been many who have traveled out of there way to make the catch.

Trolling is another matter…and Gary is still working on his ‘junior trolling fishing badge’, altho he can claim victory over a very nice 30” Cobia (looks like a small shark) which is a firm white fish of the finest taste. (Note*…apparently Cobia like Catfish as well, he was lured with a pink squid with a catfish tail attached)

Christmas Dinner 2006 aboard KaijaSong


Christmas Dinner aboard KaijaSong with Greg & Judy S/v Lone Star Love, Doug and Remeri S/v Kristiana, Torrey & Barb S/v Litbe. (picture of Christmas dinner and all)

Christmas on board KaijaSong was as good as it gets without snow. We awoke to the gentle rocking of the blue green shades of gin clear water under picture perfect skies at Lighthouse Reef, the largest of the three Belizean Atolls.

It’s amazing how Santa can find you even in the most remote places and we enjoyed a fun day capped off with a Christmas dinner organized by Barb of Litbe and pot luck , aboard our home along with Greg and Judy, S/v Lone Star Love, Doug and Rayene of Kristiana and Rose Marie and Gerard of S/v Plenitude. Needless to say it was some good eating.