Costa Maya - Mexico

31st January 2016

Today we arrived in Costa Maya in Mexico with temperatures up into the thirties, so very hot, and after Geoffrey's strenuous day yesterday, we had decided to have a quiet day in port.  The port was a purpose built facility with the usual shops, bars and restaurants, typically Mexican with no American influence, unlike some of the other ports.  We walked along down the approach quay, where we were greeted by local acrobatic artists performing on top of a 60 foot high pole, after which we wandered around the shops before sitting down with some friends and having a beer.

After a beer we wandered down to the beach area where we saw some performing dolphins.  Although very spectacular it was a shame to see the dolphins in captivity so close to the open sea, where I am sure they would prefer to be.  

After a pleasant few hours we returned to the ship to relax and view the surrounding scenery.  A pleasant stopover, but if we return on a future occasion we would consider venturing further afield.

Santo Tomas de Castilla - Guatemala

30th January 2016

Today we arrived early at a container port, a contrast to the purpose made port yesterday in Roatan.  Geoffrey went on an excursion on his own entitled Eco Hike at Hacienda Tijax (Doreen had decided it would be too strenuous for her).

The tour bus drove through the "town" and out into the beautiful countryside towards Lake Izabal, whilst the tour guide gave us a history lesson of Guatemala including its dispute with the UK regarding the ownership of Belize.

On arrival at an upmarket marina on the shores of Lake Izabal we boarded small boats for the twenty minute trip across the lake, stopping by an island fully of exotic birds, herons, egrets, cormorants and pelicans, before arriving at the Hacienda, which was a small hotel complex nestled on the side of the lake.  Here we were greeted by the owner and given soft drinks.

We were split into two groups and started our walk UP through the rainforest via a number of rope bridges and very steeply inclined pathways.  On route our guide explained all about rainforests and how they were formed.  Although reasonably fit Geoffrey found the going tough at times and no way would Doreen have been able to cope, especially with the narrow suspension bridges.  We eventually arrived at the top where an observation tower had been built to give panoramic view over the rainforest, lakes and rubber plantation.

After a brief stop to admire the views and take on liquid refreshments we started our trek back down through the rainforest to the side of the lake (this proved as difficult as climbing up the hill because of the slippery path).  Unfortunately the time of year was not good for seeing wildlife and flowers, but we did spot a web made by a funnel web spider.  We were encouraged to touch the web and I am told!! it felt like a 15 denier nylon stocking.  We eventually arrived back at the Hacienda, which has a group of chalets hidden in the undergrowth, where there was a restaurant and we were treated to a very nice mixed grill lunch.

After relaxing around the pool we again crossed the lake for the hour and a half drive back to the ship including more history lessons from the tour guide.  We arrived at the port just before it was due to sail with a local dance troupe wishing us farewell.  

Doreen, meanwhile had a nice leisurely day on board the ship, only stepping off to go the the large local market inside the port, where you could buy lots of different bead work, pashminas, local flute like pipes, jade jewellery in up to 42 different colours, all very interesting.  If Geoffrey had left me a hundred pounds I could so easily have spent it!!!!!!!

Roatan - Honduras

29th January 2016

At long last we managed to dock at Roatan, having tried on two previous cruises without success one due to bad weather and the second due to an extended stay in Los Angeles, which meant that Roatan was removed from the cruise schedule.  Despite the extremely high winds the Captain managed to reverse through the coral reef to our berth.  We were berthed next to another cruise ship that had failed to negotiate the winds and the reef!!!!!!!!

Our tour today was entitled See and Sea.  Our first stop at a Cameo factory, where artists did intricate carvings on the large Concha shells that are to be found in the surrounding seas, all very beautifully carved.  The large examples cost thousands of pounds to buy and take up to three months to do, so we satisfied ourselves by buying just a small example of their work.  

After a stroll along the beach we boarded a glass bottomed boat for a forty minute cruise over the coral reef.  Unfortunately the photographs do not do justice to the beautiful coral, with its shoals of highly coloured fish swimming around.  This is a sight that we were extremely glad to have experienced.

After our boat trip we went to a quaint village called West End, where we watched the local Garifuna dancers perform the punta, whilst we had light refreshments, before a wander around the village.

On returning to the ship which was berthed at a newly constructed facility, we got on a chair lift for the twenty minute ride to the local beach, which we were pleased to have been visiting on a quiet day.

We eventually returned to the ship and sat on the deck admiring this excellent island, which had so much to offer and we were glad to have been able to do it on the third time of asking.