Ok, so they say that the pills you take to avoid getting malaria give you really vivid dreams. I can attest to that - last night I had some very vivid dreams and I was pretty exhausted when i woke up. I don' t know how Susan does it...

Anyway, we had another fabulous breakfast cooked by Ellen. Today we had our usual huge platter of fresh fruit to start and then chicken (for Roger) and veggie (for me) quesadillas. Roger was so taken with these he actually proclaimed that this was his best breakfast so far and one of his favorite meals overall. When he told Ellen she could cook in any restaurant, she seemed pretty pleased. We have truly enjoyed meeting Ellen and Omar and it is really one of the highlights of our trip. We actually hugged them when we left. I'm not sure if I've ever done that before with another hotel/inn owner.

On our way to the airport, we passed the prison for the 3rd or 4th time (it was on the way to the Baboon Sanctuary). Roger was taking pictures out the window and there were a bunch of guys in a field all wearing orange - clearly inmates. One of the guys lifted his leg to show Roger the chains attached. Although he didn't get a picture, it was one of those moments you don't forget. Oh yea, we have the ability to leave...

We found the Belize International Airport easily and the guy from Cayo Auto Rentals actually was standing at the entrance to greet us. I had been a little concerned about how the whole car transfer thing was going to go but it was pretty slick. Inside, we checked in, went through security and then waited in the tiny airport for our flight. When it was time for our flight, they unlocked the door and led us out on the tarmac.    The plane was REALLY small - a bench seat for 2 people on the right and a single seat on the left. It had a propeller was on the nose of the plane and it held 13 passengers including one in the front seat next to the pilot who was wearing a baseball cap and hoodie sweatshirt - the pilot, not the passenger. I'm not kidding. The seatbelts actually buckled over your lap like a regualr airplane belt but then there was also a shoulder strap that hooked into the belt. It doesn't bode well for a smooth flight when you all have to be strapped in.

We stopped in Dangriga first and let a few passengers off but the majority of us were going to Placencia. The flight was fine but we moved around A LOT in the air and especially when taking off and landing. There were some roller coaster moments for sure but we made it! On the ground, we discovered that another couple (who actually aren't a couple - they're brother and sister) were also going to Hatchet Caye. We made it to the mainland office and were told that the next group wouldn't be long so we could just wait. I had been thinking about that iced coffee for days but it looked like we wouldn't have time. Peter and Katie wanted to check it out too so the manager person said she'd keep the other crew busy while we walked over to get the coffee. It was DELICIOUS! We got back just in time becuase the other group arrived minutes later. There were 12 of them including 2 little kids.

Marlin, the boat captain, warned us that the water would be rough but I don't think any of us expected it to be quite so bad. Within a few minutes, my back was soaked from water splashing up over the side. I went into the enclosed area but Roger stayed out to get drenched. A few of the group of 12 were having a tough time with the rough ride but the kids just fell asleep.

The ride took about an hour and we arrived at the island. What a beautiful place! Rasta met us at the dock and brought us around the island to let everyone know where they would be staying. Roger and I were last becase we're not in a regular cabana, we knew we were in a "partial ocean view" room. We're in the same building as the manager's office but on the 2nd floor. Although we're not in a cabana our place is huge! We havd a dining room table that seats 8 people and our huge porch has the same size table on it. It's got a full kitchen (wish we knew that, we'd have brought drinks with us) so clearly this isn't the usual room.

The weather was pretty grey and windy so definitely not a snorkeling day but we heard that tomorrow will be nicer. We checked out the island and hung out for a bit before going down for dinner. The food was excellent, which is good news since we'll be eating there for the next 4 days. We met a couple who had been here for 6 days and they had a few tips for us about where to snorkel, what to see, etc. After dinner, we walked out on one of the peirs and saw a spotted ray! They put a light under each dock and the fish are attracted to it. It is a little freaky to see a ray gliding through the water, especially when you see the unbelievably long tail. Apparently people actually snorkel at night with these things. There's no way you'd get me to do that. I'm already a bit concerned about snorkeling during the day knowing the rays are out there. We went to a different dock and saw at least 5 more. Crazy! Hopefully the weather cooperates for the next few days so we can really enjoy the island.