TRAVELS OF ANN

Adventures around the World and at Home

Author Archives: annhardee


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The Blue Water Gang

These sisters have an art gallery in Santa Fe.

In scuba diving I am frequently the oldest. I have to prove all over again that I know all the safety techniques. Now, I am right in the middle of the age group. The youngest in the Blue Water gang is 30s and the oldest in their 80s.
This couple, are both nurses. It was a second career for both and went to nursing school at the same time. He worked in Cardiac ICU and her as a BMT, bone marrow transplant nurse. The loved nursing.
Seeing the whale sharks was on their bucket list, so I got to tell them my story of snorkeling with the whale sharks.

Is seems that many times when I’ve been in a group, there is often 1 or 2 disagreeable people that you encounter. Not this group. It’s been such a pleasure spending time with like minded people. Ones that love the ocean, care about the preservation of the environment.

Medical services are well represented in the group. we have several dentists, and even more nurses.


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Back to Land

Returned to the Fort George Hotel in Belize City

The last night we spend on board, the ships were docked at the hotel, the Fort George Radisson Hotel. We left the boat at 8am the next morning. Im planning on staying in Belize a couple of days.


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A Couple of Extra Days in Belize

Returning back to the mainland after a weeks cruise. I decided to stay a couple of days in Belize City at the Fort George Radisson Hotel. I had friends that were in Placencia and driving to Belize City. We were planning to meet for lunch. However, they didn’t make it. So I had a couple of days for relaxation before I returned home. I worked on this blog, went for a massage and spent time on my balcony. Birds sang all the time, it was a pleasure to listen.
View from my balcony.
I found this charming restaurant nearby.

Got packed and ready to return home.


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Goodbye, Casa Velero

My little place of Zen
As we were preparing to leave, one of the managers, Debra, cooked breakfast for us to eat on the patio.

I saw Edwin, the top manager before I left. Is said, “.I love this place”. He replied, ” Because this is your home!”

See you, Casa Velero, next year.


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Last Day in Paradise

When I arrived 5 weeks ago, I had so much time. It’s flown by. every week while here I had friends and family come. We did many of the same, but really fun, activities. First my son, Chris and girlfriend Meghan, then came my old college roommate, Frances and sister, Linda. finally my daughter, Kasey/Kandi and her friend and band mate, CJ.

For our last day, we went to the Siete Boca Cenote, and underground river and cave, in the middle of the jungle.

Then I planned to go snorkeling at 3 pm. Unfortunately, it was super windy and they closed the pier and underwater park.

It’s intimidating when you enter the cave. From the outside, it looks like a dark hole.
Thats me, my 3rd cliff jump!
Kandi’s jump!


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Snorkel Day with Kandi and CJ

Could’t wait to go snorkeling with them. I wanted them to have a great experience. It was CJs first time and for Kandi, it had been years. I watched the weather and wind daily waiting for the optimal perfect day. Hired my usual Capitan Joaquin, to have him guy, Juan to take just us three out. Before we left Juan said I’ll take you to a special place!

We got to the spot, all jumped in the water. It was really deep, which sometimes freaks out newbies first time snorkel. It looks like we were on path to disaster of them not liking it. I had Juan take us to a different place, shallower.

They look like they were going to an execution instead of going to have fun. K, started feeling sea sick. when I told her the cure for it is to get into the water, her look was doubting.
Juan took is to another place to snorkel. As soon as we jumped off the boat, there were huge spadefish below us. I knew we were off to a good start. There were so many fish! We saw a huge lobster crawling along the ocean floor, we stalked it, watching, until it went into a hole in the reef. We saw stingrays, barracudas, and tons of fish. Unfortunately, I was so worried about them having a good experience , that I left my camera on the boat. So I don’t have picture to share.


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Arrival of Kandi and CJ

I was so excited for their arrival. Lots happened just before we left San Antonio. In the time of Covid, I wanted everyone to get their vaccine. Two weeks before we were to leave on March 31, 2021, K had emergency gall bladder surgery. Two days before she was to leave for Puerto Morelos, her beloved cat, Twilight, died. It was more difficult for her than going through surgery. With a heavy heart, she did board the plane. I was so happy to see her and CJ.

Their first night we went to sidewalk cafe.

The next morning went to my favorite breakfast place El Nicho
Eggs Benedict
Kandi didn’t like her’s too much. She ordered her favorite breakfast from San Antonio, but this version was completely different.