3/07/2008

And We're Back!

We returned from Belize last night, not because we particularly wanted to or even had to (our wonderful neighbor was feeding our cat and our amazing friend was taking care of snow removal) -- but alas, our hotel reservation had come to an end, our boarding passes awaited at the air strip in San Pedro, and we were beginning to run out of sunscreen.

Yes, it was a grueling week of lounging by the pool, reading on the beach-front veranda, walking along the beach and dipping our toes in the surf, snorkeling along the barrier reef, taking moonlit water taxi rides to romantic restaurants on the other side of the island, eating the freshest seafood we'd ever tasted, drinking fruity rum drinks, and occasionally checking the Weather Channel and feeling sorry for our stateside friends and family as we basked in the not-too-hot, not-too-humid Caribbean breezes.

We'll post photos soon, but in the meantime, we are happy to provide a few island observations:

  • All Dogs (and Cats) Really Do Go to Heaven: Caye Ambergris is home to many island dogs and cats. Not quite pets, not quite strays, these scrawny but cute animals frequent the resort grounds and bars and restaurants up and down beach, trolling for food and a spot of shade in which to rest.
  • It's a Small World After All: The guest book in our room (a beautifully decorated and fully equipped condo at The Palms) featured notes from people who had stayed there over the years. On page 4 was a message from 2005 written by a couple from our city (Wauwatosa, WI).
  • Seriously, People -- Can't We Escape Wisconsin?: On our last night in Belize, we had dinner at the delectable Wild Mango's restaurant on the beach. While we waited for a table at the bar, we overheard a man a few barstools over telling a couple from France that he was from Oconomowoc, which is about 20 miles away from where we live. Next week his company will begin work on a project at both of the Wauwatosa public high schools, so we may see him again.
  • The Perfect Amount of Chest Hair: Say what?! You read that right. We were perusing the books left behind by other guests in our condo when we came across one called Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottoline. The back jacket explained the plot, of which we will share this excerpt:

    Bennie Rosato is fighting the battle of her life -- against her own twin. The action starts innocently enough, with a stolen wallet, but in no time events escalate and the twin wreaks havoc that can be created only by a dead ringer. Her twin tries to destroy Bennie’s law firm, Rosato & Associates, and then strikes at her very heart -- which just happens to be otherwise engaged by a handsome, hunky stranger with the perfect amount of chest hair.

    We wonder whether this is a recurring plot point or if the publisher let his or her rather imaginative thirteen-year-old daughter write the book blurb. Anyhoo, we discovered this book on our last day so we unfortunately did not have time to read it. If anyone out there knows whether Bennie gets her (perfectly hairy) man, please don't keep us in suspense!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to the land of frozen fish and hidden sunlight. Do warm welcomes seem cold? Very glad that you had a perfect time. Mom

Anonymous said...

We want pictures of your trip!!! Your readers demand them!
(ps, glad to hear that you had a great time!)

TILNEYandRYAN said...

Sorry for the photo delay, folks. We're trying to Photoshop some clouds and ugly sea monsters into the pictures so you don't get too jealous of our trip...