Arrived Home in Corozal

we've got our adventure going again. We got into Belize about 10 PM last night, so we're home. What a day!

First, Don was kind enough to roust out of bed at 2:30 AM to drive us to Seatac. Our flight boarded 15 minutes later, so we didn't have a chance to score any breakfast.

We flew from there to Los Angeles, where, contrary to what we had been told, we had to deplane, and about 45 minutes later re-boarded the same plane. That was enough time to scarf some croissant breakfasts from Burger King at the airport. Oh, yum.

From LA we flew to Cancun, cleared Mexican Customs and Immigration, found our transport to Belize, and about 5 hours later, cleared Mexican immigration out at the Chetumal border, crossed to the Belize side, and cleared Belize Customs and Immigration. From there, on to Corozal (New World Market was closed, so no purchasing kitty litter last night!).

It was interesting doing all that with two cats, who, by the way, were a couple of regular troopers. They were not happy and let everyone within earshot know. But they did fine, and with no tranquillizers either.

We got into our house at about 11 PM, finally crashing at about midnight. But, before that, I took the plastic tub that Dianna had saved, went out to the driveway, and scooped in some crushed limestone. Kitties were most appreciative, although I probably lost points for not having it ready by the time they arrived.

Right now, the Crested Guans are starting their morning chorus. We're home!

Ok, Here's the Plan

I've got a 14' U-Haul van reserved to pick up on May 29th. We'll get it packed up that day with Owen's help too. He's also going to help me drive down to Los Angeles. We'll head out the morning of the 30th, planning to arrive Friday, June 1st in LA. We're staying overnight there at a Ramada Inn, then in the morning heading over to Roy and Son's container yard and dropping off the household goods. After that, we drop off the U-Haul close to LAX, take a cab to the airport, jump on the 11:30AM, Alaska Airlines to Seatac and arrive back up here at about 2:30PM.

On Sunday, the 3rd, Owen and Sandy are holding a "surprise" going-away open-house sort of thing for us (Oops, maybe we weren't supposed to know) at their house from roughly noon to four. Should be fun.

We visited a travel agent this morning (Global Express Travel in Lacey) and made our final travel reservations, leaving here the morning of June 10, flying Alaska Airlines direct to Cancun. Then, a 4- or 5-hour cab ride ($400US) to Corozal with Menzies Travel Services (they're based in Corozal). Menzies will deliver us right to the door of our house in Corozal.

We wanted to make sure the cats weren't too stressed out so they'll have air conditioning all the way from Cancun. Our only hassle should be at the border into Belize. If our paperwork for the cats from Belize Agricultural and Health Authority (BAHA) gets faxed to us in time, crossing the border should be just as easy.

I had like around 80,000 miles with Alaska and we cashed in 60,000. The net result was that the flight for both of us cost about $65.00! So, really, the cab ride will be a wash in the end. Can you imagine flying from Seatac to Cancun for $65?!?!? Heck, taking the Aeroporter shuttle from Olympia to Seatac Airport costs $45, and that's a van!