December 18th, 2010 - Xmas Lights Puerto Morelos, MX

Puerto Morelos does up the central square for Xmas. Each time we come to town there is something added.


We dine out at "El Faro" (The Lighthouse) restaurant, with the lighthouse in the background. The food was very good the service so-so and the cost average. All things considered we would go back.

December 18th, 2010 - Tulum Mayan Ruins

Tulum is the third Mayan ruin we have visited (see previous posts in the spring of 2010). Of the 400 identified sites in Mexico (approx. 150 have been excavated), this is the only port. The population was small, but it was a key to the coastal trading that extended from the Gulf of Mexico to Honduras.



The ruins are guarded by dozens of Iguana. We learned that the males are the ones with the ridge on their backs.


The main temple and the home of the Priest/King. The homes are not in as good shape as they used timber in their construction. The temples are all limestone.




The temple of fertility.


The temple of the wind. It had a hole that became a whistle when the wind comes at a certain strength, from a certain direction, that gives warning of a hurricane.


The temple of water. It is located above a "Cenote" (underground river).


Son James and fiancee Maria behind the main temple.


Sandra wets her feet in the Tulum Harbor.

December 17th, 2010 - Snorkeling the Pueto Morelos Reef

We decided to hire a guide and are glad we did. For $20 US, plus the $2.50 US park fee each we got; the guide, transportation out to the reef and dives on two sites over a two hour period. I took 1,200 pictures, which I edited down to 77, with these 19 being the most interesting:









Me and son James and his fiancee Maria in and out of the water. Some of the more photogenic beasts in the water.


Brain and Fan Corral.


Peak-a-boo. Where's Waldo?


Corral, with extreme editing.

December 1st to 10th, 2010 - Rio Dulce, Guatemala to Puerto Morelas, Mx

This was an uncomfortable up wind passage, where we averaged less then 3 kts over the ground, pounding into seas most of the way. The exception was the last day where we were going downwind at 7 kts with only the stay sail up, helped by 2 to 3 kts of current. We normally average 5 kts.

I was sea sick, feeding the fishes, even having taken my medication. Sandra was not feeling well but did not loose her "cookies".


Sunset off Tres Puntas, as we leave Guatemala for Mexico. Is this the rare "blue flash" at sunset or me playing with my new photo editing program?

There are pirates now operating in the bays in Honduras, east of Tres Puntas. A French boat was robbed by a group of armed men the week before we left. During our passage a Canadian was murdered. Hopefully the Honduran authorities will act as the bays were these events took place are reported to be beautiful.


Beast on board. We wait out a cold front in Tobbaco Reach, Belize and are joined by this Dragon Fly.


Beauty on the bow. We wait out another blow in Bahia de la Ascencion, Mx.


We arrive safely at El Cid Marina in Peurto Morelas, Mx and decorate for the Xmas season.

We wish you all fair winds and calm seas this holiday season.

November 5th to 30th - Guatemamla City & Rio Dulce

We arrive in Guatemala City and stay at Las Torres Apartment Hotel. Basic but clean rooms in Zone 10, the newer and better part of town, near the airport. In the early morning it was 70 F, but a big fire was going in the common room as this was cold for the locals. We were in shorts and shirt, the locals wore jackets.


Back at Mario's Marina I usually got up early for coffee. Sandra never got to see the dawn mist rising off the lake and the local heading for work with his "pilot" on the bow. There are few roads so the river acts as the main street for the "Marina District".


Sandra takes a quick trip to the Bano between downpours. The boat in the picture is SV "Niki Wiki" out of San Diego. We met them in Hualtouco, Mx (on the Pacific side) in November 2008. It was good to get a chance to get to know them better.




American Thanksgiving at Mario's Marina. The marina supplied the turkey and the cruisers the rest of the food. Jim the owner kidding around. Sandra watching American Football. Happy cruisers, full of food and booze.





We visit Castillo San Filipe, built to protect the silver exported from the area via the river from"pirates" (British Privateers). I take aim at one of the personal water craft buzzing around, but unfortunately the cannon was not loaded.



We anchor at Texan Bay for two nights on our way down the Rio Dulce. Very sheltered and calm, but reported to be hot and buggy during the summer.