Belize is fabulous!
The people are very friendly as they are in Central America, despite a hurricane that has caused major damage. God Bless help the the Hondurans.

The piers were gone, but it was still okay. The reef is torn up, but all the great fish are still there. Saw some sharks, barracudas, parrot fish and different kinds of stingrays.
It was amazing how much was repaired as we were there. We saw an entire dive shop go up!

The reef is damaged, as far as the living coral. What a shame. I am told that it is better at the Turneffe Islands.

A mainland trip is definitely a plus. The ruins of Tikal in Guatemala are beyond belief. We did have the Guatemalan military escort us....I guess they like to Hijack tourist buses and vans. It is a very peaceful place, hard to imagine that all these beheadings and blood sacrifices were going on there in 780 AD. Xunatunich Ruins were also fabulous. The river was high, so the ferry could only take people across. It was a mile walk, uphill, which was not a big deal, but try that in super humidity, we were all sweating totally! In Belize, they still allow you to climb the temples (they are not roped off) and at 130 ft the view is awesome! The ferry was a strange thing, the ferry operater churned a wheel to get it across the river. Well, no wonder he had such big arms.

First class was not to be had. Amazingly, it was filled from Belize City to Houston. Its a tourist flight so that was surprising.
Ended up sitting at the back of the plane with a couple drunkards from Arkansas. Yikes. It was not pretty. His poor wife was embarassed by his behavior. Hmmm....lack of social skills.
Pet peeve: drunkards on a plane.

Tropic Air: 15 minute flight from Belize City to Ambergris Caye. Well, the thing they do is board you by weight, so the plane does not get too unbalanced. A small prop plane, seats maybe 15. Apparently, one of the pilots had several beers at someones hotel, and then was off to fly the plane! Well...what can you do. Out of your control! We lived, we are back, and Belize is great! If you are interested in anything more, please let me know by email.
ADIOS
Beth