The things you have to deal with when you come home from a holiday. Your tan fades, your skin starts to dry out, you are freezing and then lo and behold a snowstorm. 

Good Morning from Grand Bay-Westfield, NB. I left Placencia at 10:00 am on Friday morning and I arrived home at 3:45 am Saturday, after a two hour delay in Toronto.  I will be updating the site in the next short while with more pictures and my thoughts on leaving this beautiful place Placencia, Belize. To all my friends that I have met and those I leave behind, I miss you already. It is -13 this morning, sunny and to my surprise, no snow.

It was beach weather yesterday, sunny and hot, so I spent a few hours there and then off to "Karaoke" and no, I did not sing. I was being a good girl. Not to keep you in suspense any longer, here are the Zip Line Pics. The line is on the right and into the jungle we will go. The Zip Line is located at "Momma Nutes" in the Bocawina National Park.

Getting caught on the other end.

Megan, Shannon, Tommy, Jeff, Al, Deb, Eugene, Lynn and Me.

Beautiful Mountains.

There were eight zip lines and two repels from these platforms. You just sort of get dropped down, Weeeeeeeee!

The guides pointed out various natural plants (medicinal) and their uses. This plant is where the dye for the American Dollar comes from. 

After that wonderful experience we went to a beautiful waterfalls, quite a drive in from the road and then a walk, but very nice indeed.

Hello, yes I am alive and still kicking. Due to the fact that I did not do much of anything for two weeks, unless it was lifting my arm to have a drink of beer, I decided to do some things this week. On Monday I booked a tour to Monkey River, but due to the weather (rain) it was postponed. On my way back some friends invited me to go Zip Lining. Now number one, I am extremely afraid of heights, and number two I said why not? You know the saying "When in Belize or is that Rome, do as they do, or something like that. So, here goes, I'm soon to be 59 and scared to death of heights and asked to go Zip Lining in the jungle and I said "Hell Yes". A Zip Lining Virgin, I am no more.

The morning started with champagne and orange juice, I believe they call it Mamossa. Then the drive to the Park (there is an entry fee) and then to have lunch and beers before the zipping.

As I said there were beers, maybe that is why my height fear went away?

And we're off up the hill and steep climb up to where we will start, after all the zip lines are way up there.

This was my main man "Ronald", zip guide, and there are two, one to send you off and one to sort of catch you on the other side. He gave me a kiss on the first run, as I told him if I am going to die before I get to the other side, I want one last kiss. And being the nice guy that he was, he gave me a kiss on the cheek. 

Getting all geared up, adrenaline starting to rush. Actually this part was quite fun.

OK I'm ready to go, only a chicken would leave now, and "Mamma didn't raise no quitter".

I'm taking a short break, cashews and a beer, then I will post the zip pics.

Lunch on the sidewalk, "Pirate's Grill". Chicken taco's with rice, beans and salsa, $12 BZE. Belize it or not, I have not had a bad meal yet. Some were better than others, but all good.

This is Carl, the Owner.

The food here is very, very tasty and I know I am repeating myself, but I just can't help it. So healthy, no preservatives.

And of course my little sweet tooth has found her fix. These warm, cinnamon donuts are sold by two little kids that visit the bar after school and sell them for their grandmother. And believe you me they are as good as they look. $1 BZE a piece and of course I bought two.

This picture is painted on the wall of the "Purple Space Monkey", I have a new appreciation for Bob Marley"

Yolie's bar on the beach, Sunday lunch BBQ. I had the biggest pork chop ever, and yes it was in my tummy before I took a picture. You will just have to take my word that it was very good, served with potato salad and rice and beans. The bar sits out on the water and the view was exceptional.

Entertainment provided by the Garifuna in costume. The little kids are amazing.

I am missing my dogs and this little girl has filled the void. She belongs to the owner of where I am staying and she will lay on my lap for hours. A real sweetheart.

Another great meal at the Pickled Parrot. Daily specials are $10.00 BZE or $5.00 CDN. Why would one want to eat in? Coconut crusted shrimp and rice.

Served with Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce. In fact everything here is served with a bottle of hot sauce. I'm bringing some home with me.

Need I say anything more? My favorite bar tender (Kareem)  in Placencia. 

Saturday night entertainment at the "Pickled Parrot".

And if you feel the urge, you sing, or something like that. The words of the song were "I've come to Belize to find my second ex-wife". He was a real hoot.

Last night I went with some friends staying at the same place to the Tipsy Tuna to hear Garifuna  Drumming. Very nice that they are passing this culture down to the kids and keeping it alive. The pictures were taken at night, so sorry they are not the best, but the drumming was. 

The young men ask the ladies for a dance, it is "Punta" and you have to shake your ass. I think you should google it so you can see what it looks like. 

Look at that beautiful face, they young man, I mean.

And it seems no matter where I go, I attract these guys. He laid underneath my seat.

On my way back I stopped at my local for a nightcap.

These guys were getting a little frisky. Boy dog meets girl dog. So now I am up to date on the blog. I guess I should get off my ass and do some touring around, but it is sooooo hard. I am very content just to be here.

OK, it has been perfect here except for the sand flies and mosquitoes. I am having a reaction to both and my legs are ugly.They say they like "white gringos" and boy oh boy do they like me. It must be my sweet meat. Extremely itchy and I have tried every remedy that has been suggested by everyone here. This was when I first got bit. They look pretty good here.

This is what I got from the pharmacy, Dermasol (cortisone) cream and 6 Benadryl. The cream was $12.50 BZE or $6.25 Canadian. The Benadryl were 25 cents a piece.

Did it work? NOT. Still itchy and now they are oozing a clear liquid. It is a good thing I am not vain. This is how they look today. YEW.

Pretty Legs, I have not. I think I will be bringing these suckers home with me.

My God, I have only seen a handful of people on this beautiful beach all the time I have been here. You basically have it all to yourself. However, it has sand flies and they have eaten me alive. Those pics I will post next.

All kinds of birds, lots of them.

And lots of boats.

The Shack Restaurant on the Beach. 

Another delicious meal, chicken and vegetable curry.