Our long-time friends Ed and Kim came down for a tropical Belizean vacation and to see us, we assume, haha. We decided to meet them out on San Pedro with a golf cart and the room ready for them. So we waited for them at Carlo and Ernie’s Runway bar so that we could see their plane when it landed. Just as the plane was about to land we moved over to the side so we could wave to them as they got off their plane. Well, they were not on that flight, it turns out they caught the half-hour earlier flight and were wandering around looking for us. After a text and a short walk, they were sitting at the bar laughing about it and they were having their first taste of Belize.

After dropping off their luggage it was time for a quick tour of the island. A little bit of beach bar hopping, a few photos, a good meal and it was about time to call it a night. After all, they had been traveling since 6:00 am.

The next day we decided it was a beach day, so off to Secret Beach for a day of fun and relaxing in the water. Nothing really beats sitting at a table in the warm Caribbean water and having your favorite cocktails served to you. Okay maybe there is something thing that could make it even better, and that would be having a lobster lunch brought out to your table in the water while the fish are swimming around your feet and you are getting your hair braided at the same time. What a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Caye Caulker is another island that is about a half-hour boat ride from San Pedro. Their motto is “Go Slow” so we thought Ed and Kim needed to check this place out. Not wanting to disrespect their motto, we slowly walked along the beach stopping for some juice and morning tropical mimosas. Then it was on to the split for people watching and a quick bite and a few cold drinks.

After a lazy day on Caye Caulker, it was time to head back towards the ferry for our trip back to San Pedro. Of course, we just couldn’t pass by a guy standing on the beach grilling lobsters without stopping. So lobster kebabs and a sausage on a stick made for a great snack before leaving the island.

The next day it was time to head back to the mainland and up to the jungle so Ed and Kim could check out where we lived. There are so many different things to see and do up where we are that there just isn’t enough time to take it all in. If you have never seen a Mayan Ruin before then this is a must-see and do when visiting Belize. Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are very impressive, very close to us, plus you get to put your car on a hand crank ferry to cross the river. After getting a guide and learning all about the history of the Mayans, Kim got to climb to the top of El Castillo, the highest structure there. Ed didn’t want to climb to the top and I had done it before so we stayed at the bottom and took pictures. Kim and her guide made it to the top and was very proud of herself, as she should be.

Another thing on their list of things to do was to take a class in making chocolate. So it was off to AJAW Chocolate for the history of how cocoa played such an important role in the Mayan empire. It is a very fun and educational class where you get to peel the beans, make a hot chocolate drink, taste some dark chocolate and even grind the beans on a natural stone the way the Mayans did.

On their last day, we decided to go for some pizza at one of our favorite spots, Guava Limb Café. Since this was their first time here they asked Kim if she wanted to make our pizzas, and of course, she jumped right in. The one she chose to make was our pear, bacon, and Gorgonzola cheese pizza… and it was delicious.

A couple of days after Ed and Kim left, our friends Bob and Kim arrived. They rented a car so they did most of their exploring on their own. They went cave tubing on the way up to our place, went to Xunantunich Ruins, made chocolate, hit the big outdoor market, the Raptor Center, Cahal Pech Ruins and even did a pontoon boat tour for the whole day.

They wasted no time squeezing in as much fun as they could while they were here. We did have plans to take them up Mountain Pine to show them Rio On Pools, caves and some waterfalls, but after a couple of real big rains we decided that the road was going to be way too muddy and unsafe.

Kelley, Kim and Bob had a great time on the jungle cruise pontoon boat. I had planned on going along but I had some kind of stomach bug and thought it was best I just stayed home. Lots of waterfalls, swimming, and a great BBQ lunch all surrounded by the beautiful jungle. Since it has been raining quite a bit lately the lake has filled up and there were a lot more waterfalls to explore than when we went a few months ago. They also saw monkeys, iguanas and even a few crocodiles around the lake.

On the way there they saw an emerald toucan on the road. This was the first one that Kelley had ever seen. Unfortunately, something else saw it also and mother nature took over. A hawk swooped down and that was the end of the toucan.

 When they got off the boat there was a big tree that had fallen and was blocking the road. No problem, just hook it up to the truck and tow it out of the way. It all added to a great day of fun and adventure.

As always there was a lot of great fun, food and friends and we believe everyone had a great time, I know we did. We hope to see them back down here again for another visit, after all, there are a whole lot more sites and adventures to be had in Belize.