To be honest, on land, the Cayman Islands aren’t our kind of place. Everything is insanely expensive, especially for those of us that have grown so accustomed to Central America’s prices. Hamburger and fries, $18. Case of beer, $60. Three mile taxi ride (no Ubers), $20. The grocery store is … Read More
Cayman Crossing
I was up early and waiting outside the Immigration office on Boxing Day. We would have preferred to leave around two in the morning so we could arrive in the Caymans before nightfall of the second day, but we needed our clearance papers from Honduras before we could go. Fortunately … Read More
Island Christmas
Like parents everywhere, we were up early on Christmas morning. Pitch black outside. Kids get stockings to open while the coffee brews, and once the first cups are poured the main event can begin. The kids got everything on their three-wish lists from Santa, and an extra or two from … Read More
Christmas Eve
I’m sorry, but we just think having a monkey climbing around on our boat is the coolest thing. How many places in the world could you experience this? Still in the grips of steady rains, we discovered a leak in a cabinet. The house was torn apart and of course … Read More
Christmas Prep
The annual tradition of writing out Christmas lists to mail off to Santa continues. The kids, thanks to a Berenstain Bears book we read them when they were little, have always believed that they shouldn’t ask him for more than three things. Anything more and they would come across as … Read More
Monkeying Around
With a bit of rough weather on the way we decided to move around the island and stop in at the marina we visited last season to see friends and sit out the rain. There is only one fuel dock here in Roatan, so before moving to bays further on … Read More
First Dive
Birthday fun and family visit were both over with, and it was time to get back to normal life again. We’d been promising the kids they could try out scuba diving this year, and with a dive shop always within spitting distance on Roatan, this was as good a place … Read More
Double-Digit Birthday
Ouest turns ten. Well, she turns ten in three days, but we’re not ones to quibble over dates. We once celebrated Lowe’s birthday a month early just because we really wanted to give him his new bike. Weather is our usual “what day should the birthday be this year” consideration, … Read More
Honduras Family Visit
Roatan is one of those places that is slowly growing on us as we find our favorite spots. Takes a little while to find the best food, best place for a beach afternoon, best snorkeling coral, and all the little things for everyday life like laundry and groceries. The views … Read More
Sea and Sand in Utila
Everyone is happy when the floating mat can be thrown out in the water. I was really hesitant to buy this thing a couple years ago, but it’s turned out to be worth hauling around with us. He didn’t really chase Lowe up that tree. Hanging out on the beach … Read More
Back in the Salt
Back at the dock at Tijax Marina after just a few days out I set to work on getting our “shakedown” cruise failures squared away, while the rest of the family took in some more time with friends. A big group headed off for a day of ziplining. I e-mailed … Read More