Belizean Coast Expedition

The Rubins, Grady and our older children headed down the coast of Belize to go play at the beach in Placencia. Such a lovely day! The trip was made a bit more difficult with the failing of the A/C in our rented van.. but they made the best of it and found many creative ways of trying to get air funneled into the back of the back of the 15 passenger van in 99 degree weather.. it woulda made things a little easier if the drivers window would roll down or if the side windows opened.. but they made do and didn't let it stop them have a wonderful trip!

Mr and Mrs R try making a wind tunnel with a towel.. pointing it toward the back of the van

Whew! Will we ever get there?

 

They made a brief stop along the Hummingbird Highway to check out the pretty blue hole

 

                                              

And then final arrive in Placencia!

 

Grady finds a shady spot to read

 

 

The docks and beach were much improved since our last visit in early 2012

 

Those blues are unreal!

 

The Rubins head down to the beach..

 

While Rye heads to a fishing spot with T. in tow!

 

I love these snack shacks. Such bright Caribbean colors!

 

The R. family had a wonderful time enjoying the bathwater warm waters of Placencia

Grant gets a small pinch from this t i n y crab

These men were selling fish on the dock. Ashley was amazed by the variety and size of the fish. There were barracuda, snapper and tuna. Mmmm...

 

After a few hours of fun, everyone decided it was time to head back..

 

Ashley enjoys a cold Fanta to help fight off the hot van

All tuckered out!

Even though they were closed, our friends along the Hummingbird Hwy who own an ice cream shop let them stop and purchase some of their delicious ice cream to help cool off. The consensus was, it was worth the hot trip to enjoy God's lovely creation at The Belizean Coast!

 

The Great Goat Rescue!

While sitting at lunch one day, we heard one of Ashley's baby goats bleating frantically.. both of our families rushed outside to see what had happened.. but couldn't find the poor thing. Blahhh! Bhaaaa! Blahhhh.. Bhaaaa!!! Where was the poor thing? Then mama started getting frantic too; bleating, jumping and pulling her heavy tire along behind her, trying to find her baby. Mandy followed the crying and finally figured out that the goat had fallen into an old abandoned outhouse in our front yard. The cement holding tank had been partially filled in with dirt thankfully! :-)

Aha! There he is!

Peek-A-Boo!

even the neighbor girls and dog came over to see what all the commotion was about!

Ryan and Grant grab the old wooden ladder from the barn

Dad wedges it into the opening of the holding tank

Grant to the rescue!

Another day in this adventurous Belizean life of ours! :-) Never a dull moment!

Belize Botanical Gardens

One of our favorite places in all Belize is the Botanical Gardens. Located on the grounds of DePlooys Jungle Lodge, the Gardens is known throughout the world as one of the best. One of their highlights is the Orchid House which hold hundreds of varieties. The Gardens boasts of both native plants as well as imported from all around the world. Some of us decided to hike the Savannah area to the fire lookout while a few others meandered around the palm garden and picnic area. It was a lovely, peaceful afternoon.

 

Everyone enjoyed the Mayan House. Everything in it was made authentically in the Mayan style and out of natural materials. We were almost scared off by a hairy 4" diameter spider.. but we braved it out long enough to take a good look at all of the items in the house! :-)

Gracie and Amanda say hello to some horses. They were old acquaintances as they were the very same ones that Ryan, Ashley and Amanda took on a trail ride back in 2012 during Nana's trip to BZ

We thoroughly enjoyed talking with Willy, one of the gardeners at BBG. He has worked there for 12 years and had many stories to tell us! :-)

Mrs. R with her 2 youngest in the Orchid House