19 March 2016, Iguana Dance Dock, Placencia 16:31.284N 88:22.28W
Five Islands
John & Sue
Mon 4 Apr 2016 15:16
Yet another calm day greeted us for our journey from Moho Cay to Placencia. A vast difference compared to the last time we did this last year (squalls and water spouts). We followed ‘Iguana Dance’ from the anchorage at Moho Cay and wove our way through the small cays (inner passage) exiting at Wilson’s Cay. Yet another motoring day with the occasional wave or tsunami being made by the multimillion dollar motor boats coming out of Guatemala and heading north to Belize or Mexico for the Easter break. We arrived in Placencia 5.5hrs after raising the anchor and docked behind Eli & Marla at their private dock on a small canal. It looked a little like the marina district with 4 cats in a row (Jeff the neighbour has 2 on his dock as well). A front came through a couple of nights after we arrived. The dock is so protected we didn’t feel any of the wind associated with it. Five Islands parked behind Iguana Dance at the ‘Iguana Dock Marina’.  And what would the ‘Iguana Dock’ be without an Iguana or 2. Chispa the dog will spend hours sitting on the dock watching these lizards. Before Marla and Eli rescued her (from an island on the other side of the Caribbean) they believe this is probably what she survived on.  Chispa enjoying the shade in the ‘Living Room’ (beautifully shaded area under a mango tree). There are always those pesky iguanas to watch. Our social life has gained momentum again with sundowners, restaurant meals and dinners with friends and neighbours.  Fish & chips at De Tach (Lt to Rt - John, Sue, Laurie, Marla, Rod & Eli)  Up the ‘tower’ at the neighbours, which overlooks the Placencia lagoon (Lt to Rt - John, Laurie, Jim, Marla, Eli, Rod & Cindy) We checked into Belize on Monday 21st March in Big Creek. Marla & Eli have the use of a car owned by a fellow cruiser who leaves it parked on their block, so we drove around rather than taking the ‘Hokey Pokey’ water taxi. We arrived in time to do Immigration (cost BZ$90), Port Captain was closed (just before 12MD). Customs next (no charge) then we drove around the town of Independence for 45mins waiting for BAHA to open after lunch (cost BZ$20). We then drove back to Placencia and finished our checkin with the Port Captain at the main town jetty (BZ$100 for the first 48hrs then BZ$5/day - we paid for 2 weeks = BZ$160). Grand total for Belize checkin = BZ$270 0r US$135. We spent several days at the’Iguana Dock’, washing clothes (the worlds smallest washing machine is still working just fine), re-assembling the water maker, inserting a hose attachment into the centre rear bimini water catcher gutter (hopefully it will be easier to get at when it rains) and other maintenance. We spent some time with Marla & Eli discussing strategy for our trip north. They had a number of things they needed to organise so we decided we would head out to the islands for a few days. |