We want to live and work in Paradise. So we are doing it. This Blog is the continuing story of Mike and Cindy as we try to live the dream. We hope you enjoy our stories and look forward to hearing from you.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Map for Adventure


Rum Runners Run
1st Annual
Calling all Buccaneer Bastards and Bow Bitches
The Gang - Looks like we have 3 boats -
Bill Fish, AT LAST, LiL TiP SEA
and 12 to 15 people going on the trip so I would say it’s probably full.
Logistics -
Roatan is straight East of Ranguana and Ranguana is straight East of Placencia so it makes sense to enter the outer banks of Belize at Ranguana Pass. Utila would be out of the way on the way over but if we stay at Hunters Cay on the way back we would go right by Utila on the way to Roatan so stopping for a night would work on the way back to Roatan.
Leaving - I think we should have a window so we can utilize the best possible weather for the crossing. If everyone has the weekend off we could head over between Saturday May 22nd to Monday May 24th. If we get there early will just have more time for fishing, diving and island exploring. Sounds like they will have room for us. If we go over on Saturday or Monday we can try to check in on that day. If on Sunday then will check in on Monday. The crossing to the outer banks is 99 miles and aprox 3.5 hrs then another 1 hour to Placencia.
Option - For those who don’t want to make the big blue crossing or need to shorten up the trip they can fly into Belize City and take a plane down to Placencia from there. They have daily flights from the States.
Belize -
We will be staying here May 24th - 27th for sure and maybe 22nd or 23rd if we go early. We will be staying at the Paradise Resort in Placencia -
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-Resort/206785867247
They will be in charge of our Whale Shark excursions, fishing, diving and guides as we so desire. They have great dive gear at their on site dive center and even have fishing gear. After reading about someone who was threatened with a $500 fine for not raising their Yellow quarantine flag I think we should try to do the check in correctly. Wow this could be a new trend ------ not!
Paradise will be taking us out to the Whale Sharks on their boat. Gladden Spit is where they will take us and it is about 25 to 30 miles away from our hotel. We could also take our boats and leave them with security on an island close by. Then when were done we can head off to fish or dive or picnic on an deserted island. And if anyone wants to get back to the resort they can take the Paradise boat.
Guatemala -
We will be staying May 28th, 29th, 30th at the Catamaran Hotel.-
http://catamaranisland.com/
Will be exploring and staying right on the infamous Rio Dulce River, one of the top rivers in the world for cruising. This is where the original Tarzan movie was filmed and has a 6 mile stretch where 300 to 500 ft banks tower over the river
Home Bound -
This part is not in stone yet and we have options. When we leave Guatemala will be heading back into the Belize outer banks. We might be able to stay at Hunters Cay, I think they could hold our hole group. Seal Cay said they have room for about 10 of us and they are about 8 miles away. We only need to buy a park permit at Hunters Cay for all of the outer banks so we don’t need to check in with customs. We can also have my friend Alfred meet us there and he can haul any people back to Placencia if we have anyone wanting to fly from there.
Whale Shark Excursions -
We have permits for our encounter on May 26th and 27th.
Sounds like you can still dive with the whale sharks at Gladden Spit. This is one of the last places on earth that I know of where you can still dive with them. Not saying it’s the best option but at least an option. Usually its snorkel only.
Schedule -
May 22nd to 24th - Leave for Belize
?? To 25th - Snorkel/Diving, fishing, Exploring, Bar hop on golf carts.
26th and 27th - Whale Shark excursion.
28th To Guatemala
29th Marina/Bar hop.
30th Cave and Hot Springs.
31st To Belize outer banks Hunters Cay/Seal Cay or go into Placencia.
1st To Utila.
2nd To Roatan.