Winjama: back in force

Well, now that we're back - again, let's get started, ok?

There's just a bunch of photos to share, so, I've organized them (for the most part) by activity, not necessarily chronologically. I'm going to just add a real brief sentence or two for each activity to begin with, then I'll come back later and add more detail till I think it's done.

When Owen and Sandy, from Olympia, Washington, came to visit, one of the things we wanted to do, since Dianna and I had never been to it, was to visit the Lamanai Mayan ruins. Our journey actually started when we took the bus from Corozal to Orange Walk (no pictures yet of that bit). That was fun. We definitely plan to use the bus for future trips around the country.

Once we got to Orange Walk, we had to find Jungle River Tours (no Web site). We did and the tour got underway shortly thereafter. There were about 16 of us in the tour group. Be sure to call their office to schedule a tour when the cruise ships won't be sending people to Lamanai.

Jungle River Tours On The Square

Mr. Novello Giving the Intro

Edwardo Bringing Our Tour Boat In

Along the way, we passed a semi-exclusive resort just outside of Orange Walk, with their own zoo (poor monkeys). and we passed the sugar cane crushing plant (one of two in the country). Major source of sugar and unfortunately, pollution as well.

Resort and Restaurant

Billboard Touting New River Rejuvenation

Sugar Cane Mill

To move the sugar, they use barges down the New River. At this same location, the rather odd looking building is the distillery for rum is produced.

New River Sugar Barges

Distillery

From the river tour, we got a back-door glimpse of Franz's house (the Mennonite who built our house). Of course, we also had some engine troubles. Edwardo, our excellent boat cox'n, and tour guide speedily took matters in hand. Using a paper clip conveniently latched to the side of the binnacle, he fixed whatever the problem was and we were once again on our way.

Sandy and Owen were raptly paying attention to Edwardo's knowledgeable discourse on local flora and fauna during our hour or so tour up the New River to Lamanai.

Franz's Farm

Edwardo Fixing Things

Owen and Sandy Almost Taking Notes

Another View of the Distillery

Snake Cactus in a Tree

Young Croc Sunning

Honest-to-God Dugout Canoe

Bird at Work

Beardo Enjoying the Tour

Dianna Grooving on the Tour

Arriving at Lamanai

Lamanai Museum

The Lamanai tour through Jungle River Tours cost $80 BZ per person - pretty reasonable, considering they include lunch and soft drinks for the day. The Museum costs $10 BZ per person. It also helps fund ongoing preservation and archaeological research.

One of 700+ Sites at Lamanai

Stela 9 Sign

Edwardo Talking About Mayan Housing

Reproduction of one of the Carvings

Climbing One of the Ruins

Reaching the Top

Rules of the Park

Original Stone Monolith

On Top of the World

Still On Top

Mask Temple Sign

Mask of the Mask Temple

Owen actually made it to the top of every site we visited. The tallest ruin was a bit more than 70 feet high.

Owen Making the Downward Trek

Excavation Edge

Stone Mask Plaster Worn Away

Beautiful View Through the Trees

Major Effort Required

Happy Couple

Well Maintained Grounds

Not An Easy Climb

Lots of Opportunities

At the end of our tour of Lamanai, we got to see the Howler Monkeys. Big apes and with a roar more like a lion than a monkey, they were very impressive. Waiting for the boat to depart Lamanai, I shot this boat. Perhaps a failed tour? When we arrived back in Orange Walk, we were surprised and delayed by a massive political rally for the United Democratic Party (UDP). Surrounded by revelers shouting "UDP - All the Way", it was an exciting end to the day. UDP eventually won the election (the other shouted slogan - "PUP - L o s e"). Of course we still had to take the bus back to Corozal. Once there, we stopped at Tony's Inn for supper and then an enjoyable walk home.

Howler Monkeys in the Trees

Failed Tour Boat?

UDP - All The Way

So, after the Lamanai tour, we spent a couple of days at the ol' homestead. We had only been moved in for two days when Owen and Sandy arrived. They were really gracious about putting up with our mess of boxes and junk. Nothing, literally nothing, was organized. We didn't even have kitchen counters. We washed dishes in the bathroom sink!

Elsie came over to visit

Some of the Move-in Debris

We did get our reverse osmosis water filter to work, so good drinking water all day every day.

Did you know? We also got a new family member. She showed up on Tuesday (Owen and Sandy showed up on Monday). She's actually become a pretty good watch dog in short order too.

Our Reverse Osmosis System

Dave Walking Cindy

Around that time, our front gate showed up. It's simply beautiful. Young Isaiel has done a great job with it. We're almost ready to hook up the motor (not detectable here, however).

The Gate

Isaiel (right) and Helper Showing the Gate

Another View

Along with the gate came our burglar bar screen doors, again by Isaiel. Here's Isaiel (white hat) installing them and his helper touching up the paint.

Installing Burglar Bar Screen Doors

Working on the Screen Doors

The Girls Gettin in the Groove

Our New Futon

The Dining Room

Looking Toward the Living Room

Dianna Looking For Something

Dining Room Cleaned Up

Like I said, the bathroom was central to this visit of Owen and Sandy. We had gotten the counter a few days earlier, and I had installed our fancy kitty terlet - a Cat Genie. I wouldn't spend that much on a toilet for ourselves. What's with that?!

The Bathroom

Kitty Central

Sandy wanted to get some stamps and post cards, so on one of our shopping forays, she got cards at the A&R Store, and stamps at the Corozal Post Office.

A Successful Purchase

Enjoying San Pedro

San Pedro Kitty

We took Sandy and Owen to San Pedro for the last couple of days of their vacation - so they wouldn't have to fly back to Corozal only to have to fly back again to get to Belize International. Besides, we wanted to show them San Pedro. It's a nice place to visit.

Dianna and Sandy Working Hard in San Pedro

Sandy Admiring A Flower

Owen Also Working Hard in San Pedro

Much big ups and respect to Owen for all his hard work helping get our plumbing under control and functioning. Hard work and the rewards? Well be made him and Sandy watch sunrises like this one day after day.

Owen Enjoying a Laugh

Taping the Plumbing

One Sunrise After Another

Even with all the work, we did find time to relax and enjoy ourselves.

Owen Relaxing

Dianna Too

Dining At Cerros Beach Resort

Owen and Sandy at Al's Cafe

Again at Cerros

Monique On Our Deck

4 Girls In The Yard

Owen in San Pedro

Franz's Golf Cart San Pedro

Sandy Enjoying San Pedro

Dianna Admiring An Arrangement

At San Pedro Enjoying Life

With Elsie On Our Deck

Wild and Crazy Folks

Cindy Our New Girl

Cindy Eating Chow

Cody and Monique

Owen and Sandy Departing San Pedro

After Owen and Sandy left (naturally) we got our kitchen cabinets. Here there being installed. We still don't have the tile counter tops done.

Genuine Custom Mahogany Cabinets

More Genuine Mahogany Cabinets

Drawers and Doors Awaiting Installation

Jose Installing Cabinets

Setting Up Sink Drains

This is what has allowed us to begin to update the blog once again. Hughesnet! Actually, it was the Computer Ranch in Spanish Lookout. Spanish Lookout is a Mennonite community. The company is run by Mennonites. Seemingly unusual, but excellent service. Two days for installation after my initial phone call. Third world, hmpph!