After returning from the first dive of the morning, had hot breakfast, eggs, Johnny cakes ( flat biscuits), refried beans.Had the first educational session on the health of the reef, how they have standardized the reef monitoring around the world, how this organization, Reef Conservation International (Reef CI) works with scientists in the US, Reef CI is the ears and eyes on the reef for the scientists. Reminds me of a Chautauqua for scuba divers ( Chautauqua is famous for learning vacations).

Prepared for another dive, returned and had lunch. There was a short rest time, another dive briefing and then the afternoon dive. Afterward, we had a lecture about the lion fish. The story goes, that an aquarium in Florida went out of business or had damage from a hurricane, and let a population of lion fish(LF) into the Atlantic ocean. The LF migrated down to the Caribbean Sea. In the Caribbean they had no natural predators, they are voracious eaters and gobble up baby reef fish. They are beautiful fish, striped with large wings, but at the end there are stinging spines. There are several interventions Reef Ci is going, they got permission to spear the LF eventhough the reef is protected. They are teaching the locals to eat them and sponsored a festive to give samples, ( we ate lots, they are tasty white fish), told us to ask for them in the restaurants, are teaching grouper fish and moray eels to eat them. They are everywhere.

Up at 6:30, for 7 am dive briefing. Had coffee and fruit before the first dive.Loaded gear ( the Brits call “kit”) into boat, headed out to sea. After a 20 min. boat ride, got another briefing on the dive site, and got the signal to put on dive gear. Fins, mask on head or neck, BC with tank and buckle all the straps, big tanks, 90s (not like those little baby tanks they use in Japan), check regulator, depth gauges and check air supply, 3000 psi. Manuvered cautiously to the side of the boat. Mask secured over eyes and nose. Waiting for the captain to call “go”, reminds me of the thing I like least about the dive process, those few minutes that you are all geared up, ready to enter the water, the gear is so cumbersome. We are to make a backward roll off the side of the boat, not my favorite water entry, a little disorienting when you first hit the water. So hands over mask, so it won’t come off when you enter the water. My turn, “GO”. backward I tumble into the water. Refreshing cool water, begin to let our air from my BC and begin the decent into another world.  The reef is in pretty good shape, lovely iridescent sea life is abundant. That lovely feeling of weightlessness as you float over hills of coral, that’s the part I love.

Was I glad to see land after that boat ride.  The island, Tom Owen Caye, was smaller that I imagined.  There were many building made of coral. The main building, 2 stories, contained the public rooms, lounge, dining room, and guest rooms.   Throughout the grounds, round, stone/coral cabanas dotted the grounds. I wanted to stayin one, but they did not have private baths, always a plus. I got a private room in the main building in the back side, facing the ocean, with 2 queen beds and a private bath. Don’t think I ever closed my door once.
Lunch was waiting for us, Nachos. There was introduction to all the staff, there was much more staff than volunteers/guests.  We had time to settle in our rooms, after a short tour.

Had a dive briefing. There is a shore dive planned to check out our gear, check buoyancy.  Divers were assigned a buddy if they  were solo. I was assigned this cute, young British guy, who was also a divemaster. I just knew he had to prefer on of the young cute girls, but got me. He was very sweet and helpful, but most of all he “got” my wicked sense of humor.  I had trouble with mask leak, and realized that I had packed Kasey’s mask. I did have a back up, that was fine. Had a little problem with buoyancy, first a little light on weights, the divemaster put an extra 4 lb. wt. into my BC pocket. Then I was a little over weighted, put some air in BC to compensate, but put too much. My ears equalized without much effort and all other gear worked fine. One of the divemaster’s, Steven, I was to later learn, helped me. We became friends.  After our dive, we had dinner, and conversation until one by one or couple by couple retired for the night.

The day we were supposed to leave for the island, it was still raining from the night before, so hard it woke me up. A boat met our group at the dock for an hour and half trip ( the three hour tour?). We boarded the boat to rain and rough seas. The boat took off at full speed, up the swells and down SLAM. It rained so hard, we had to stop and adjust our coverings. The boat rocked and pitched, what I imagined that a bucking bronco might feel like. I let out a couple of “Ya Hooo”s to lighten the somber moment. The trip took almost 2 hours. It is not for the faint of heart or the weak of bladder.

This is my first non business, or family visit as a solo traveler.    My biggest concern upon leaving was not so much safety and security, but the bag of electronics not fully mastered by me.   It is somber traveling alone, no one to explore with, laugh and giggle over those expected moments.  I do miss that  wink and squeeze of the knee, by my late husband Randy, to signify that “we were on our way”. But this is balanced by the freedom to do whatever you want to, whenever you want to. I would’t had the luxury of a nap upon arrival. Randy would explore every aspect of the place before dinner. To me one of the great luxuries of travel is finding a comfortable senic place, lovely music, and a good page turner of a book. Randy would say…”you can read at home”.  When traveling solo, you do meet people easily. Last night, went to dinner in town, stated talking to two ex pats as I was taking pictures. Soon we were eating dinner together, talking about life in Belize and current events and the recent election in the states. Considering the pros and cons of solo travel, the jury is still out.

Arrived mid afternoon, into Hickatee Cottages.   A lush steamy jungle setting, beautiful grounds with lovely cottages sprinkled throughout.  My first thought was to peel off my clothes, since I will still dressed for the 30 degree weather of San Antonio.  It is owned by a English couple, I was corrected from calling them British.

I lay down on the comfortable bed, listening to the jungle sounds, punctuated by occasional call of a nearby colony of howler monkeys. Ahh, resting my travel weary bones and listening to the soft patter of the steady rain. Later went into town for dinner. A layed back place on the water, ate fresh caught fish to reaggae tunes of Bob Marley. Wound up eating with a couple of ex-pats, surfers from southern California now farmers in Belize.

Retired early to the sounds of the jungle and more soft raindrops.

Got up at 4:30 am after not sleeping much, afraid I would oversleep and miss my 7 am flight. It was the dreaded hurry up and wait through the airport. Arrived safely into 85 degree weather in Belize City.

Caught a 12 seater prop plane to the south coastal part of Belize. The sleepy village of Punta Gorda, where the jungle meets the ocean. We flew for 45 min over rainy jungles, muddy waterways trailing off into the mist. Upon arrival was met by the representative of Hickatee Cottages, a jungle lodge.

This is my main destination. Tom Owen Caye’ off the coast of Punta Gorda in southern Belize. This is where Reef Conservation International is located.