Belize Is Unbelizable!

Last week, work has been busy, so I didn't have much time to visit blogs. My office is preparing for a board meeting, so we're all at our wits end trying to prepare for this three hour meeting. I am hoping things will get back to normal after this week.

Today, let us to travel to Belize.

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We traveled to Belize in the late spring of 2016. At this time of year, Belize felt stifling hot. It gets worse when you hike into the rainforest. The dense humid air can make your legs feel like a ton. It didn't help that I came down with a sinus infection during this trip. I wanted to see so much of Belize but the sinus infection was egging me to sleep and stay in bed. I pushed on anyway armed with a bag full of tissues, Tylenol, and water.

When we joined a tour to see the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, I gave a big sigh of relief when I saw that we were taking a boat ride to reach the site. The boat ride to Lamanai was rather scenic but more importantly, the breeze felt cooling and refreshing as our boat snaked it's way through New River. 

We saw different species of birds, a baby caiman, a sleeping sloth, and several howling monkeys on the trees, but with my headache and sinus infection progressing, I was contented with closing my eyes, sat facing upstream, relished the refreshing breeze through my hair and the occasional cooling splash of water on my face.

Skies Over Rock of Cashel

Visited the Rock of Cashel in May 2015, and we were blessed with good weather and beautiful views. Also known as the Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock and quite a spectacular archaeological site. 

 

This is my entry for Skywatch Friday.

 

Mr. Mistoffelees

Meet Mr. Mistoffelees! He's not our cat, but he likes to hang out near our house. I see him everyday, and you never know where he'll turn up next. Sometimes, he's on the front lawn, the backyard, by our front steps, at my garden sniffing the spinach or on the wooden fence doing a balancing act.

Yesterday, he was spotted on the front lawn.

Today, he's on our front steps.

A few weeks ago, he was having a neighborly gossip with our cat, Dizzy.

This is my entry for Wordless Wednesday and My Corner of the World.

Boats of Marsaxlokk

Lately, I've been dreaming of the sea, clear blue skies, and the warmth of the Sun. It's been chilly and overcast the past few days. 

I worry about my vegetable garden, as some of my seedlings are beginning to rot because of the low temperatures and lack of sunlight.

Here's hoping for better days ahead.

This is my entry for Skywatch Friday.

My Favorite Photos from the Island of Malta

Are you ready to go on another Malta trip with me? Today, I'm posting my favorite photos from the island of Malta.

Since our hotel is in Valletta, we spent a lot of time exploring the Old City especially the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens. I like the Lower Barrakka better because it has a great view of the Grand Harbour. Unfortunately, photos I took at the Upper Barrakka didn't come out so well. Below are photos I took at the Lower Barrakka Gardens.

Siege Bell War Memorial

Skywatch at Kalaupapa Peninsula

King Kamehameha V banished all those afflicted with Hansen's disease (Leprosy) to this isolated Kalaupapa peninsula in Molokai. This is where Father Damien came, served and lived in the settlement until he also contracted and succumbed to the disease.

 

This is my entry for Skywatch Friday.

Missing the Islands

I am missing the islands today, and I've been feeling low because of work.

I took this photo when I visited the Big Island.

This is my entry for My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesdays.

Colombia: Colorful Cartagena

Today, we'll travel to Colombia!

It was March of 2016 when we traveled to Colombia. The Zika virus was the issue then. Yup, another virus, so we were armed with long sleeves, mosquito face coverings and insect repellents.

We thought spring time would be best in terms of weather, but boy, we were so wrong. Cartagena felt sweltering and hot in the month of March.

Below are some photos I took during our Cartagena adventure:

Convento de la Popa offers a respite from the intense Colombian heat. The cloister of the convent beckons with  lush greenery including a robust bloom of Bougainvilleas. The convent was built on  Mount Popa  and thus offering a great view of Cartagena.

Skywatch at Papakolea Beach

Green Sand Beach or Papakolea Beach or Mahana Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

Malta: Trip to Gozo

After spending Christmas Day in Valletta, Kepi and I were ready for our Gozo adventure. We woke up early that day, ate breakfast at the hotel terrace, then took the bus from Valletta to Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. It was an hour drive to Cirkewwa due to traffic.

Upon reaching the ferry terminal, we purchased our tickets and boarded the ferry to Gozo.  The ferry ride was about 25-30 minutes, and we reached Mgarr Harbor at around 10 am.

Here begins our memorable two days Gozo adventure.

The welcoming beautiful Mgarr Harbor.