Family Vacation in San Pedro, Belize

Mid March found us in the town of San Pedro located on Ambergris Caye, the largest and most northern of Belize's islands. We were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Sarah, Brydie and our granddaughter Lyla, who were joining us for a family vacation.

This picture was taken early in the morning before the locals, tourists, golf carts, taxis and bicycles jockeyed for position along the three main streets running parallel to the beach.

Along the beach there were a dozen or more piers, where vendors arranged diving and snorkeling trips, as well as water taxis to nearby islands and the main land.

Here at last! What could be nicer than breakfast on the pier?


Lyla couldn't wait to change into her swim suit to experience the ocean for the first time.

Properly attired, and accessorized, Sarah, Lyla and Brydie head off to "our spot" along the beach.

What more could a girl want than to splash around in the ocean?

Hudut, yum Ben's favorite!

Glad we spotted this sign. We were on the lookout for these little guys from then on.

Sarah, Brydie and Ben are all smiles as they set off for an afternoon of snorkeling.

Belize is well known for diving and snorkeling.

The three snorkeled at Hol Chen, a five square mile underwater park...

home to a large variety of fish, in particular...

magnificent stingrays.

Each afternoon fisherman gutted their catch and the pelicans lined up for tidbits.

All good things must end. The girls returned to Denver and we left at the same time to meet up with friends on Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

Ben & Lindy

Placencia, Belize

Farewell to Panama and hello to Belize. Formerly British Honduras, Belize gained independence in 1981, but remains a member of the British Commonwealth. Odd seeing a young Queen Elizabeth on Belizean currency.

To the north of Belize is Mexico, to the west and south Guatemala, and to the east, the blue, blue Caribbean.

From Belize City we hopped a puddle jumper for 40 minutes and flew tree top level to the small, sleepy fishing village of Placencia, located in the south of Belize.

Baggage was off-loaded in no time.

This picture postcard scene was however, quite deceptive. "Nice from far, but far from nice" - e-mail us for specifics.

No argument there!

The easy life indeed. Reading, relaxing and...

a dip in the ocean. What more could a man ask for?

Each morning we joined the ladies for yoga in this delightful meditation center.

The beach stretched for miles. Running parallel to the beach was the acclaimed longest and narrowest boardwalk in Central America....

with a hodge podge of wooden homes on either side. Many of the houses looked as if a puff of wind could knock them flat.

Placencia was home to a number of Rastafarians, who had their own store selling "Rasta Gears"

One-room school house right on the beach.

What could be nicer - a hammock, a sea breeze and a good book?

Next stop, the Belizean island of Ambergris Caye, where Sarah, Brydie and Lyla will be joining us for a week.

Ben & Lindy