San Pedro:<br><br>The Carribean the way we remember it and the way it ought to be. Nice people, laid back atmosphere, dirt streets, little restaurants, and small hotels. No Hyatts or Four Seasons (not that there's anything wrong with that).<br>We provisioned ourselves. Give yourself time to go to a variety of stores. We did not buy meat. Not because we're vegans, in fact, we're "meat-a-terians". We were just determined to eat fresh fish...and did! Both bought and especially, caught!<br>The Sunbreeze was just right. Close to TMM and convenient to shopping. Good little pool, bar, and restaurant. The TMM staff will get your luggage and put it on the boat for you. Call several weeks ahead and have water delivered. (HINT: We averaged one half gallon per person per day.)<br><br>We left on a Sunday. We were lucky enough to take along barbecue from BC's Beach Bar (Sunday only for the barbecue). Delicious!! Our captain was David, their fifth and youngest captain. We can't say enough nice things about him. Excellent sailor, great people person, terrific cook, and on top of everything else, fantastic with kids. (He has 2 little ones at home.)<br><br>A word about TMM. We were just thrilled with them. From Tim and Barney, to David and Anna and Michel, they couldn't have been nicer or more accomodating. I've had a lot of experience with The Moorings. Where The Moorings is a well oiled machine, TMM is more of a personalized "can-do" affair.<br><br>We sailed to Shark/Ray alley. What an experience. Not to be missed. You swim with the Rays!! Caye Caulker was a unique blend of the Carribean of yesteryear and the sixties. After SP, it's really the only place where there are lots of restaurants.<br>Nice for an evening meal off the boat.<br><br>By the way, the cat had air conditioning which we ran at night when we went to sleep. It'll cost you about $10 in deasel per evening. It's hot in Belize in July and we had no protests. That was my first experience with AC on a charter boat. I don't know if I can go back!<br><br>We sailed to Goff's Caye, then to Turniffe and stayed the night there. Quiet, remote, and altogether lovely. We then sailed back to Rendezvous Caye (spend a half day) and then to Tobacco Caye (same). You'll think you're in the middle of a travel ad. (You know how the place is never like the picture, well this is, maybe nicer!)<br><br>On Tobacco Caye , David realized we had lost a prop. Even though it probably wouldn't have been a problem we all agreed the absolute safest course was to go to the mainland for a new one. So we headed to Plascencia and spent the day getting it taken care of. Since we had to come off the reef and couldn't get back till the next day, TMM credited us with a day out. As I said, they were just great. Note: TMM has in some cases a number of older boats. I believe our boat was finishing its fifth year out. So while you may pay a little less, you do take your chances with things such as this. Likewise, the company takes its chances, too.<br><br>Next installment: High Noon in Plascencia<br>
