2-27-2015 Returned from PG

Last morning in PG.

Breakfast at The Snack Shack - Cara and Patrick both had fruit plates, and Cara had a Tamarind Slush (yum).

Eric had a waffle with eggs.

After stopping at Immigration to get our monthly passport stamps we walked down to the
Cotton Tree Chocolate factory.  Tina had given Cara money to get some of their Spicy Mayan
Cocoa powder.

We got a brief tour on how chocolate is made, and takes much longer than we expected.  It spins in this thing alone for 3 days.

The Cotton Tree Chocolate shop.

Calm Caribbean Sea at PG.

We had fun in PG and hope to return.

Farewell Punta Gorda!

2-26-2015 More Exploring PG

We wanted to work somewhere with WiFi, and Eric needed coffee, so we headed back to Gomier's Restaurant in the morning.

Eric got the coffee he needed - served in a French press and everything - how fancy!
Cara got a delicious fresh papaya smoothie.

Cara heard something making a ruckus in the bushes nearby. and she found it was cute little this Jesus Christ lizard.

When Cara's laptop battery started running low she moved to a spot where she could plug in, and this was her lovely view.

After finishing work we dropped off our computers then headed into town for lunch at Driftwood Cafe, which said it had
vegetarian food, and is ranked #5 on TripAdvisor.

There are a couple of tables outside on the porch and a few tables inside.

You can also buy crafts or find out about their Maroon Creole Drumming School inside.

Driftwood Cafe is also an art gallery.

Cara had a delicious burrito with pumpkin, callaloo (similar to kale), sweet peppers, tomatoes and onions.

Eric had the buffalo chicken burrito.

We walked around town more after lunch.  Here is a daytime view of the stalls where the fishermen sell their fish.

We saw lots of people out swimming on this sunny, hot day (about 96 degrees - real feel 105 degrees).

There are several little parks and tons of great views along Front Street.

We found Asha's Culture Kitchen!  We had looked for it the other evening, but we couldn't find it because their dot on the
Google map is wrong.

Asha's has a nice, relaxed vibe (as does all of PG) and gorgeous views.

We sat in the shade and Eric enjoyed a cold Belizean Coke (with real sugar) - see the bottle even says Coca Cola Belize.
Cara liked her fresh watermelon juice.  Later that night we picked up Patrick and took him to Asha's for dinner.  (Asha's is
ranked #2 on TripAdvisor.)

Another pretty view of the Caribbean Sea.

These pedestrian ramps are in front of every school, and you have to slow down to a crawl over these or you will kill your car.

Daytime shots of the same vistas as my previous night shots.

Daytime view of the pier.

Looking back from the end of the pier.

That night at Asha's Culture Kitchen Eric had Garlic Lionfish (very good) with fried plantains and mixed vegetables.

Patrick had Garlic Lionfish with garlic mashed potatoes and salad.

Cara had Curry Vegetables with garlic mashed potatoes and salad.

2-25-2015 Exploring PG

We had breakfast (ham and eggs, beans and fry jacks) with Patrick at a little local place called Martina's Kitchen. For three breakfasts and two Cokes it was only about $8 American, and it was good.  We went home and worked some, then headed into town again.

We had lunch at a cute little place called The Snack Shack.  This place is ranked #3 on TripAdvisor.

Choose from unique tortilla flavors, and build your own burrito - very nice!

They looked the same on the outside, but Eric had a yellow ginger/curry tortilla with chicken, grilled veggies and grilled
onions.  Cara thinks she had the same tortilla (even though she ordered the coconut flavor) with grilled veggies, beans and
cheese.  The burritos were very good.  Cara also had a Soursop Slush, which was delightful.

One of the many little grocery stores you find on about every other block.

Late that afternoon we drove to the home of Victor, the Mayan security guard for the houses near our friends' in Hopkins.  He lives about 20 minutes away in a small Mayan village, and we got to meet his whole family.

2-24-2015 Headed to PG

Punta Gorda is known locally as "PG", and it is the southernmost town on the Southern Highway, in the Toledo District of
Belize. Lea's brother Patrick lives there and he kindly invited us to visit and stay at his place, so we took him up on the offer.

This is downtown PG. Right behind the clock tower is a part that houses a playground and the market.
(The clocks in the tower do not work, and the base of the tower is a snack shop.)

We met up with Patrick (on the right, in the white T-shirt) at Bar Olmec and met some of his friends, including Sidney
(pictured here with the yellow bandana).  Patrick's scooter had broken down near here, and Sidney had come with his truck
to help get it to the repair shop.

We settled in at Patrick's place, which was right across the street from the sea.  The large screened-in patio had a good view
and a nice breeze.

This is the sign greeting you as you enter PG.  We walked all around town, but the restaurant we ate at later was right by this.

This goose in somebody's yard kept honking at Eric and following him along the fence line.

Along Front Street near the pier are dozens and dozens of stalls where fishermen sell their fresh catch in the mornings.

The coastline is very rocky - no sandy beaches here.

Looking the other direction at the pier.

We ate dinner at Gomier's Restaurant and Soy Center, which had been recommended to us, and which is rated #1 on
TripAdvisor.  These are veggie fritters, which were good, but could have used a sauce of some sort.

Cara's Okara (Veggie) Burger on homemade rye bread. I was surprised to find ketchup on my burger because it wasn't in the
description, and I normally hate ketchup, but I think they made their own because it was not at all bad.  I later learned that
okara is soy pulp.

Eric's curried snapper dish.