Goff's Caye and Belize City, Belize

Content from Tuesday July 27th, 2010:

We wound up today anchored off of the coast of Belize. We had planned going to Goff's Caye a little spit of sand located on a beautiful coral reef.

After a 45 minute boat ride, we wound up at the island.

After a safety briefing we heading out to do what we came to do... snorkel!

As you can see, there was plenty of coral and fish to see under the water, and with the Canon Powershot D10 underwater settings, it captured the underwater world remarkably well.

After playing in water for awhile I decided to explore this cool little island and snap some pics. My nephew found a barracuda head and I saw a Fritos bag so we decided to compose a little scene. Don't worry we threw away the trash in the proper place when we were done.

We left Goff's Caye and took a different route back. It was neat watching the ship looming larger every minute until we got back onboard. After a quick lunch, we decided to take the tender to Belize City and check out the scenery.

There was not a whole bunch of stuff to take pictures of in the hour we had before the last tender left but this bar was really colorful.

There is a river that flows into the sea here and makes the water muddy. The Dream was located quite a ways off shore.

As we headed back out into the gulf there was some pretty large storm clouds in the distance. Being you can see for a long way since you are a sea level, you could watch some beautiful cloud formations. I could have spent the whole trip watching the weather, which I did spend a fair amount of time doing.

Again the sun sets on another wonderful day!

Mark

Isla Roatan and Bay Island Airways

Content from Wednesday July 28th, 2010:

Today we wound up at Coxen Hole, Roatan.

Since this was my Daughter's first cruise and was going to be her first airplane ride, why not make it a seaplane ride? We had heard great things about Bay Island Airways located at the Fantasy Island Resort on Roatan and they are true. This is the best way to see Roatan and the views, water and scenery are breathtaking!

I love the little white church right on the shore, the old shipwreck on the reef, and the North end of the island!

These shops are what you see when you exit the ship at Coxen Hole, the real Roatan lies beyond this area. It is a beautiful place and this shot turned out really well in my opinion!

As it does every day the sun sets, and another unique day comes to a close only to begin again with new opportunities.

Mark

Kohunlich, Mexico and the Temple of the Masks

From July 29th, 2010 Kohunlich, Mexico:

Today we arrived at the Port of Costa Maya, early! My Nephew, Daughter and I were the first 3 passengers off of the boat. It made for some beautiful shots of the Carnival Dream in the dawn.

After about a two hour bus ride, we arrived at the Mayan ruins at Kohunlich, Mexico. I have always admired the Mayan's structures and I really wanted to see the "Temple of the Masks"

 

Since we only had one and a half hours at this site, and we wanted to take in all the structures, we parted ways with the tour guide and large tour group. I purchased a map of the site and we took off to see Kohunlich without the distractions and slow movement of a large group. This also allowed me to take pictures of the structures without people in them unless I specifically wanted them there. Just be sure to keep an eye on the clock, know where you are at, and how to get back to the bus when it's time to go.

Not the most spectacular Mayan ruins in height that I have seen, but one of the most interesting and artistic I have seen.

 

Sometimes the great views are not on the map!

After a two hour ride back, it was time to get back on the Dream and hit the Lido deck for the Mongolian Wok for some much needed chow!

It seems mini me has developed a taste for lemonade!

And so ends another day...

Mark