Whew! Made it this Time!

 September 1, 2023

The four of us were like a well-oiled machine!  No one was in anyone's way and we all got to where we needed to be on time!  We had pre-ordered breakfast last night and mostly people got what they wanted.  I guess they didn't have tea because my te con leche was actually cafe con leche and Ginger got nothing!  But the food was good and we were on our way right on time.  We had a few minutes to notice how lovely the place is, with gorgeous plants everywhere. Interestingly there wasn't a word about the demonstration last night on the morning news. I guess that shows how corrupt the present president is and how much control he has over the media!

Such a lovely place, even though it wasn't a planned stop!

So I'd remember the little town where we landed!

We start off again, figuring. that if the road were still blocked, there would be parked trucks in front of our hotel.  We cheer when we pass the site of the burning tires from last night and are flying down the road when we're stopped again! this time we can see the problem just a few cars ahead. A police car is in a ditch and the are trying to extricate it.  Finally a flatbed tow truck arrives and maneuvers it onto the bed and we're off again!  We arrive at the location where we are to meet the boat that will take us to our Boatique Hotel and presently the first boat appears.  He takes all the luggage and Ginger, Ginny and me to the island and it is perfect.  Ginger does the paper work and Ginny and I get welcome drinks of hibiscus tea.  So refreshing!  

Who'd believe it!

Yay!

Hmmm, they say it's the right place!

Switch and Suga

Almond tree

We love Gregorio!  He has the most beautiful smile!

Karen, Mark, Jan, and Suga

Three of us ride in the first boat with the luggage.

We finally made it!

Never was a welcome drink more welcome!

The rest of our crew arrives quickly and we move all the luggage into one room until it's time to check in.  In the meantime we all take a boat ride on Lake Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala.  We see anhingas and great while herons and cormorants and ride down the canyon of the Rio Dulce.  We come to the town of Livingstone and disembark tto have lunch at Buga Mama.  I have a watermelon smoothie and a fillet of fish.  Yum!  And there's a sweet little cat who decides she loves my bag and me for while.  She also falls for Suga and we both are suckers and give her some seafood.

The resort is owned by a Canadian couple who employ only indigenous people and are very active
in the eco community here.  Wish we could have spent both nights!

Hail! Hail! The gang's all here!

Later the captain had Mark switch sides!

Lots of cormorants!

This is actual Mayan architecture, not some tourist trap thing.

Many mangroves

Beginning of the canyon wall for the Rio Dulce

We decide he is the canon's guardian!

Don't you say a word!  I'm in feline withdrawal!!

So I remember I want this next time!

Delish Fish

Please, Sir, may I have some more?

When everyone's done we take a short walk into Livingstone, then return to the boat.  Our rooms should be ready by now and we al want a little break before drinks at six.  Showers are definitely a priority!

We reconvene and choose beverages and later adjourn to the table for a traditional Guatemalan dinner.  Very good!  And it's time for me to retire!

Juan says this is a hanging mushroom!

Chickie chickies everywhere

We stopped for fuel for the boat.  Everyone had to be wearing their life vest because the Coast Guard is also located here and we didn't want our captain to get in trouble!

They also work as sun shades!

It's so clever the way they take off the cap then wrap the napkin so as to protect the lip!

This traditional meal was superb!