Un-Belize-able
After our day at Roatan Bay, I was completely relaxed and ready for Day 2’s excursion – ziplining and cave-tubing in Belize. This part of the trip was the most energy I exerted the entire cruise.
We docked in Belize City and I must admit, it wasn’t as nice as Roatan Bay. The city was extremely rundown and we were being peddled everything from hair braids to drugs. Like real, hardcore drugs. No thanks.
As soon as we set foot on land, we boarded a bus and drove about 1 1/2 hours to the middle of nowhere. It was amazing – we were literally in a jungle. Sure, there were touristy things here and there, but as our guide said, if you go past a certain “line” – the jungle becomes very real. Let’s just say I had my eye on that “line” the entire time!
First was the cave-tubing. Unlike the other groups ahead of us that stayed tied together of and pushed through by their guide, our tour guide allowed us to float freely along the waters to explore the caves and go at our own pace. These caves were unlike anything I have ever seen – it makes you feel really small and like you’re in an underground water world.
Next was the ziplining. It took me a few tries to get a hang of the brakes – which was your hand in a leather glove – but by the 2nd platform, I caught on and felt like a bird in a beautiful jungle canopy.
{The coast of Belize City}
{Prepared to tube – can you guess which feet are mine?}
{The jungle of Belize – the safe part}
{Another world}
{I may look like a badass, but that’s because you can’t see the actual fear in my eyes}
{The buffet – hamburgers, spicy chicken, tostadas, bread pudding and local Belikin beer – are hamburgers and bread pudding Belizean?}
{Farewell Belize}
{These pictures were taken by me. If you’d like to use any of these wonderful images, please link back to my site for credit. I appreciate it!}
Look for Less: Hobo Bag
I’ve always had a fondness for Hobo Bags. I don’t necessarily love the name …
– so let’s call it a satchel. And Alan here wears it well.
The great thing about Hobos Satchels is that they are so stylish, yet extremely functional – and it’s usually very hard to find that combination in a bag.
I saw these images of Rachel Bilson a few months ago, and I’ve been scouring the web for her bag ever since to find something similar in my budget. Because, my name may be Rachel but I’m no Rachel Bilson. (she also has better legs than me, but I digress…)
Here’s the bag she is carrying – the Chloe Python “Marcie” hobo, $3,000 (used on eBay!) – I had a hard time locating this actual bag online other than on eBay. It may be from a few seasons ago, but that’s what is so great about Hobos Satchels – they never go out of style!
As luck would have it, I found this almost identical and more affordable version. Not that I needed any convincing, but it’s actually the “Rachel” bag – I’m pretty sure we’re bag mates. The Strawberry color gives it a Springtime feel, and you can’t beat $58!
What do you think of Hobo bags?
Heavenly Honduras
I’m back for real now. The electricity is working in thee ol household – so you can now expect your regular posts. Sorry for the longer-than-planned hiatus. I hope you missed me as much as I’ve missed you!
As promised, I’m going to post the best of the best pictures of our glorious vacation. I didn’t tell you guys, but there was a super surprise involved in this – a grand scheme that actually panned out. Who would’ve thunk it. I originally booked this cruise back in November for ManFriend’s birthday in December, and got our friends and family booked by April – all unbeknownst to ManFriend. Sure, he knew we were going on the cruise, but he didn’t know his 10 best friends were also joining us.
Surprisingly, the surprise unfolded exactly as I envisioned it. There were a few slip-ups here and there (heck, for 5 months of ensuring 10 people don’t say ANYTHING, it’s going to get a little tough), but ManFriend had NO clue. I must admit it was the ultimate surprise. His face was unforgettable – and it was as amazing as I thought it would be.
Our first stop was in Roatan Bay, Honduras. We booked an excursion to Maya Key – a private island right of the coast of Roatan – with crystal-clear blue water, white sands and delicious food. I must admit, I was a teensy bit hungover from the cruise pub crawl (whoot whoot) the day before, but lazing around on the beach was exactly what the doctor ordered.
{The coast of Roatan Bay}
{Peeking through to the cruise}
{There was an animal rescue on Maya Key}
{The perfect buffet – fried sea bass, fall-off-the-bone spicy chicken, red beans and coconut rice, fried plantains, fresh salad and delicious local Salva Vida beer}
{Trees and umbrellas provided the perfect amount shade}
{Heavenly}
{These pictures were taken by me. If you’d like to use any of these wonderful images, please link back to my site for credit. I appreciate it!}
Back From Vacay … Sorta
Hello to my fellow salted chocoholics! How did the real world treat you while I was off in wonderful, carefree, beautiful beaches world?
Sorry for not posting sooner like I had originally planned. Apparently my Internet (and nearly all of the electrical outlets in the house) took a vacation as well and they are currently not working. Talk about a welcome home party! Needless to say, I’m waiting for an Electrician, a new Internet Router and another cocktail. Not necessarily in that exact order, either.
Unfortunately, I can’t show off my pictures just yet (or any pics for that matter), but I hope to get that to you soon though! I’m currently posting from places unknown so my capabilities are very limited.
As soon as I’m able, I will post pictures, and maybe something a little extra – a surprise, if you will. Till then, have patience my friends! The cocktail Electrician is on the way!
Happy Weekend (x2) + Week
So this is it, guys. My final post before I head off into the great blue ocean. It’s where the beer flows like wine, and the women men extinctively flock the salmon of Capastrano. (anyone know this quote? – a slight ripoff of Dumb & Dumber – best movie. ever.)
We set sail this weekend and I can’t even contain my excitement. I haven’t been on a cruise since I was 18. And that wasn’t even a real cruise. It was a 3-day schlep to the Bahamas on a tiny boat I can’t even remember. But this. This will be the cruise of all cruises. Plus, it’s ManFriend’s first – so we’re sure to have a blast.
Obviously I won’t be blogging… unless you wanna spot me the few hundred dollars in roaming and internet charges… so I’ll be back to reality the following Monday. Not this coming Monday, the following.
I’ll try to take as many pictures as I can – but I caution you, they will be edited – but only to an extent. And not all will be shown. Sometimes, what happens on vacation, stays on vacation.
Have a great weekend (x2) + week, everyone in the real world! (sorry to rub it in)
(costa maya, mexico via ***)
salted chocolate | life with a dash of flavor 