Beach Bum

Now to update on everything over the past month. We spent longer than we should have done on Caye Caulker, although we saw Manatees and did an amazing snorkeling trip which ended with me almost blind drunk from the free rum punch they serve on the way back. We then moved over to San Pedro, its larger, sister island. We had a room with cable TV, our own bathroom, fridge, and the most impressive of all, hot water! Rosie and I initially headed over on our own and saw the TV, a sight our eyes had not clapped on in 2 months. We went straight out and bought a bottle of wine and settled down for a night of watching television. It was glorious. We ended up watching a lot of television while we were on San Pedro, and my eyes just are not used to it. They started to ache and I got a headache. Perhaps watching TV is not a healthy thing for children, I´m sure damage must be done to the eyes. Don´t get me wrong, I haven´t gone over to the other side, but when I get back in an environment where television is everywhere, I will make sure to curb my viewing.
Swedish friends of ours, Eric and Ida, wanted to join up with us again to do an island hopping sailing tour with our travel buddy Pricsilla. We met up and went on to a little camping spot called Barton Creek Outpost, a beautiful setting in the middle of nowhere. We canoed over to a cave and got ourselves a discount tour as the boss was away.The guy took us in and we got the rare treat of being able to hike above the water in the cave, something we were told they stopped doing years ago. It was lots of fun and then got to swim in the river that runs through the cave. As we left, we came across some Menonite teenagers sneaking their way in on a boat. There are a surprising number of Menonites who keep themselves to themselves, but are always happy to give you a wave as you drive past.
Rosie and I then moved on and took the opportunity to spend some time together travelling through southern Belize. We hopped on a little fishing boat from the Garifuna town of Dangriga and made our way over to Tobacco Caye, an island that takes 2 minutes to walk around. It is an island directly on the reef with amazing snorkelling from the moment you put your head under. But the best sight was seen in the boat on the way - my first live dolphin viewing. Just incredible. We stayed on the Caye for one night, a night enjoyed with some great Americans with a brilliant sense of humour (no, I´m not joking) and trdiational Garifuna drumming.
We then made our way to Hopkins on what felt like the party bus of Belize. Everyone was in grand spirits shouting and laughing with beers in hand. We ended up staying at a place called the Funky Dodo upon someone´s recommendation, and we were not disappointed. It is run by an English guy from Brighton who has a keen eye for a party. We ended up being invited to a party for the opening of a bar on a wharf. It was a brilliant night which ended in the morning with Rosie holding my hair and stroking my back as I emptied my stomach into a pan by the side of the bed. Classy, no, but a price worth paying, yes! Hopkins is a fishing village with a lovely, friendly vibe. A very laid back place and one of the cheapest places we found in Belize. I only wish we could have spent more time there.
We then moved on to find our friends off the sailing boat in Placencia and move on to the Rio Dulce in Guatemala as we had heard amazing things. We stayed in Livingston in an alcoholic hostel where they practically bully you into drinking. This is by no means a complaint. But I got a call while I was staying there - Dave, my boyfriend, had lost his job back in England and was coming out for the rest of the trip, but I got the day he was coming mixed up and he arrived a day earlier than I anticipated. As I practically fell over myself to get to him, I went up the Rio Dulce, not really paying much attention to the surroundings (a bit of a disappointment anyway) and awaited his arrival. When he arrived I couldn´t stop shaking for ages, funny what happiness can do.
We then made our way over to Honduras and the Bay Islands so people could do the insanely cheap PADI courses which are supplied there. I decided not to do the course, a very tough decision made harder by all my travelling buddies bar Dave doing it. But we got an amazing deal - we got free accomodation in a lovely cottage with kitchen, dining area and living room. It was nice to have a sort of base. But that is where we left Rosie and the rest, they may join later, but the pull of Utila is strong, and lots of people end up staying for a while.
I have now had a call to go to the beach, we are now in El Salvador, but the next leg of our journey was amusingly intense and requires more time than I have to give at the moment. I can see you holding on to your seats, but it´s ok, I´ll be back.