Belize for Nature Lovers

Belize is mostly known as a diver’s paradise with the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world.  Ambergris Caye off the North Coast is the best area for diving. The highlight is the famed Blue Hole as wells as 3 coral atolls.  Even snorkelers have a awesome experience swimming amont the rays and nurse sharks. Manatees and tarpons are also seen.   But there is more to Belize than diving.

Any nature lovers who are interested in the unspoiled will enjoy hiking, quiet solitude, history lovers and adventure seekers.  Sport fishing for tarpon and bonefish are always a draw.  There are some partially excavated Maya sites throughout the country. 

San Pedro is the main town with sand streets, art galleries and a few beach bars.  The Western boarder has a tropical rainforest teeming with birds, wildlife, exotic plants, jaguars roaming the night forest. 

Flying into Belize City is convenient from Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark and Charlotte.  There are some extra taxes and service fees and you should check the websites to make sure how much those are.  The temperature is from 70 to 95 degrees during the year.  Rainy season is July to August.  Accommodation are few but cover the gamet from basic diving properties to a few resorts.  For an unspoiled vacation, try Belize.

I Can Do It Myself!!! Thanks, anyway.

No matter what I say, some people just want to “do it themselves”. I think that is where the lumber yards and hardware store came up with the “Do it yourself” slogan. It is almost like a 2 year old wanting to dress themselves!! Just in our nature to be independent.
If that is you and you like to book your own travel, well go right ahead. But know this, if you are on your own, it can can expensive and uncomfortable.

Here is a new site to book on. Go to ppl.blastoffnetwork.com/sharoncemerson53.
Sign up, it is FREE, really FREE. Book your travel there and get a commission as well as deeper discounts than you get on the 1,000# Gorillas. Check it out. Then give your login in, which is like mine except for your name and number, to everyone you know and have them do the same. The more people you sign up, the more commissions you make, the more you can travel!!!
A win win for everyone.

Check it out.

AN UNPLANNED TRIP

In the fall of 1940, Morrison-Knudsen Company, out of Boise, Idaho, began hiring men to go to Wake Island to build an airstrip for Pan American Airlines. The first crew went over in Jan, 1941.   This was to be a 9 month job and they were to make $2000, a huge sum for a short time.  men were hired from California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.   My father was in his early 30’s and signed up to go leaving me at 2 1/2 years and my pregnant Mom.  There were a total of 1498 men working on Wake.

Then Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed and the war was on.  For    weeks the civilians held off the Japanese army on Wake.  There was no one to rescue them.  An amazing story of bravery and fighting on a forsaken island.  A couple of books are The Story of Wake Island by Frank (Curly) Mace and Traveling Life’s Twisting Trails by John Burton.

Finally, the Wake Islanders could not hold them off any longer and the Japanese army came ashore.  After staying on the Island for  several   weeks, 800 were taken off on Jan 12, 1942 and sent to China.  My father was in an group of 250 who went directly to Japan in Sept, 1942.   The 98 that were left on the island were shot in 1943.

Here is the time line as given to me by Gary Rogde.

• January 11, 1942  350 men picked to stay on Wake
• Jan 12 Nita Maru sailed with to Shanghai
• Feb. 24  US. ships shelled the island.  Drew Foss’s Dad (Henry) was skipper on one of the cruisers.  (From the Foss Tug family)
• Feb 25  Two aviators floated ashore on a raft from where they had drifted 50 miles out – Foreman & Winchester
• March 4  The aviators left by boat for Yokahoma
• March 10  Scotty Kay & Fred Stevens came in from hiding in the bush for 77 days
• May 11  Babe Hofmeister beheaded as 22 men were made to watch
• May 22  Elmer Makie & Donald Sullivan left in a boat, were caught and executed
• June 4  Japanese Navy went by headed for Midway
• July 15  William (Bill) Miles – Carpenter died of heart trouble
• Sept 30  Packed to leave Wake – 265 men in a coal burning tanker Tachibana Maru.  We left 98 men on the island who were executed Oct 7, 1943
• Oct 9  Arrived Ita Ewa Yokahoma By then by train to Kyushu – Sasebo Camp and to the cement sheds where we built a dam.  This was slave labor by United States civilian Prisoners of War.

Camp 18 in Japan was the worst prison camp of the war.  My father for 4 1/2 years of slave labor building a dam by hand carrying buckets of rocks.  The starvation was worse than the severe beatings.  Add to this the fleas, lice, worms, dysentary and other sickness and diseases.  This camp had the most deaths of any camp – 70.   My father was an ordained minister, so it became his duty to do the burying of each man.  For every man in the camp, there is a different story. 

 I was 7 when my father came home and didn’t pay any attention to what he was saying.  Now I want to know.  There are 2 men still living who were with my father through the whole experience.  After talking to Gary Rogde, my father’s friend, we decided to go to the annual convention of the Workers of Wake.  Both Gary and LeRoy Myers were there and I got to tape interviews.  Now I have had my questions answered.

Brown Bag Trip #3 2009

The miles are adding up on the Brown Bag.  This last trip was the longest of all.   Especially the jaunt from the parking garage to the room.  “Someone” stated that a suitcase with wheels would have been a better choice!!  I suppose so.  And maybe next time

Our destination this trip was to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Leaving Seattle and crossing the Cascade Mountains, we take I90 a straight shot East.  Takes about 4 1/2 hours plus a stop or two.   You can fly into Spokane, WA and drive about 40 minutes.  Crossing the flat farm lands of Eastern Washington we notice the local farmers were kind enough to put signs on the fences telling what the crop is.  Traveling with an “old farm boy” , this information gives him lots to talk about.  

Leaving Spokane we begin to climb and see evergreens along the way.  Then into Coeur d”Alene with the beautiful lake and rolling green hills that come down to the water.  The city has about 35,000 population and a small town feel. 

We are staying at The Coeur d’Alene golf resort and spa.  Right on the water with many water activities such as wind surfing, water skiing, jet skiing, etc.  They have boats for dinner cruises and shuttle boats to the golf course.  This course has a tee in the lake.  Fishing in the lake lands some Kokanee, land-locked salmon, that are wonderful smoked.

The hotel is very upscale and beautifully furnished.  The bath is large with open shower and tub.  Two vanities with 2 sinks make for a quick morning.  The bed faces the spacious windows with a view to the mountains and water.  No need to get up to open and close the drapes.  An electronic gadget at the bedside takes care of that.  The sunken living area has a lounge sofa, fire place and flat screen TV.  A small balcony gives fresh air and warm breezes.  Our room looked over the marina, the lake and mountains.  

A drive outside of town takes you into some lovely small towns and communities.  There are several other lakes in the area.  It is lovely in the summer, but the winter has lots of activities as well.  Skiing is close by and the ice sculpturing is famous.

This is a romatic destination.  There were several weddings and receptions going on while we were there.  It is also “family friendly”.  Even though it was summer vacation, the rooms were totally quiet.  The front desk staff were amazing.  Our reservation has been done wrong and quickly it was corrected without any fuss at all.

Call me to get you a great room in a beautiful resort.

BRITISH DEFINED BARBADOS

This island has the advantage of the West Coast on the Atlantic Ocean with the rough water and prime surfing.  On the East Coast are the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Located in the most eastern line of the Lesser Antilles, it has some beautiful sandy beaches. 

With the 3 1/2 centuries of British rule, you can still experience some of the plantation life that was the island.  Many grand houses with collections of antiques, carriages and farm implements are worth a stop.    There are 3 golf courses including one designed my Robert Tent Jones. 

Bridgetown is the capital city and cruise ship port.  Many large department stores offering great discounts.  The Caribbean influence is found in many fairs and celebrations with music and food. 

Accommodation are abundant.  From apartments for those wanting to stay a while, to brand named hotels and many resorts are scattered around the island.   Many outstanding restaurants serving international and local specialties.  Many require a jacket in the evening, so go prepared.    Don’t forget the Sunday buffet at the Atlantis Hotel, an island institution. 

Rental cars are available and driving is on eht left side of the road.  The climate year round is 75-85 degrees and constant trade winds keep the island a paradise. 

Barbados is not for the frugal with a 15 mile Millionaires’ Playground known as Platinum Coast.  Even if you stay in a more reasonably priced part of Barbados, take a drive to see the elaborate gardens.

BROWN BAG TRIP #2 Summer 2009

As you can see, our brown bag is getting some use.  It has seen many miles in the last few weeks.  It would have stories to tell, could it talk.  So, where did it go this past week?

Our 19 year old granddaughter, Katie, came to visit and her favorite place is the ocean.  So, we packed our bag and her back pack, with Grandpa’s wallet and off we went to the coast of Washington State to a seaside town of Ocean Shores. 

Many long years ago this was a forsaken stretch of sand dunes owned by a corporation that Pat Boone was involved in.  But it never took off and soon that corporation was gone.  Now it is a serious town of about 5000 residents (some are only parttime) with many wonderful mid size hotels and condos for rent.  New houses are popping up all over.   Katie would like to live here, but we have to be ON the beach.  The main part of OS has public beach access and a beautiful sandy beach.  Many of the properties have dunes between them and the water/beach.  These are not S. California beaches.  Some people were in the water, but it is COLD!!!

The activities are many – kite flying is king, mopeds on the beach, horseback riding on the beach, go carting, miniture golfing as well as a nice golf course.  There are a number of good places to eat and a small strip mall with a store that Katie loved.    A new Ice Creamery that makes it’s own ice cream with all kinds of additions caught Grandpa and Katie’s eyes.  So a couple of stops there.  Grandpa says the coffee ice cream is the best of anywhere.

We stayed at the Shilo Inn right next to the road to the sandy beach.  You can walk the long block to the water.  Also, walkable to the shopping strip.  There is one casino just before the main town, but none of the rest of the town has casinos.  A very family friendly place.

Much to our surprise, it was Sun and Surf weekend with over 2000 bikers in town.  So the town was bursting with activites.  The whole main part was roped off for bike parking.  What an awesome collection of beautiful bikes.  I am sure all put together we could pay off the national debt. 

Summer is a good time to visit any Washington State beaches.  But our favorite time is Novermber.  Then we get some fierce storms.  Park yourself in front of a fire place, have some good music and a book and watch the waves crash.  We have been there with snow coming sideways from the water.  It is spectacular.

Brown Bag Travels

Two years ago my husband, Ken, and I decided to take some weekends and travel around the Pacific Northwest. We live in a beautiful area of water, mountains and long flat farmland. It was so much fun poking into small towns, off the beaten path adventures.
This summer and fall, we are off again to go places we have never gone before.

How to pack for this adventure? First of all you need a grocery bag or garbage bag or whatever kind of bag is handy. No need to buy a special bag. Into this bag goes binoculars, camera, change of clothes (some can hang in the back right out of the closet), toiletries and water. Then a map and some soothing music and you are off.

Ken is the driver, I am the guide/napper. I think my parents must have taken me for rides to put me to sleep as an infant. The wheels turn and my head drops!!!

This trip we knew our destination, but the routing had a couple of options. We were headed for Long Beach, Washington. Yep, we have one, too.
The day is absolutely beautiful. Heading down Interstate 5 South, Mount Rainier is in her glory. We also can see the Cascade Mountain range with snow on the top. We pass the state capital at Olympia. Traffic is easy. Lots of small town along the way and tempting turnoffs – another time. At Chehalis we turn West toward the Pacific Ocean. A beautiful winding road with everygreens on both sides. I think I am missing things as I doze. But Ken is watching for animals (our favorite thing besides looking for Indian Paint Brush). We go through Wilapa, world famous for oysters. This is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean and we follow the coast to Ilwaco, the south tip of the Long Beach peninsula.

Ilwaco is famous for it’s commercial and recreational fishing fleet. It is too early for salmon, but we see that tuna fishing is good right now. My husband feels that tug on his line, but we don’t have time on this trip.

It is getting into the afternoon and we need to find a place for the night. As we poke along, so soon find out this area is not like the other Washington coastal town that have many places to stay on the water. After checking one and finding no vacancy, we went on north to the Breakers. It is not ON the water as there are grass-covered dunes that go out a long way. But we take what is available and are comfortable for the night.

Long Beach is a typical seaside town with little eateries, touristy stores, kite shops, etc. Always ice cream and elephant ears!!! The Washington coast is always windy so kite flying is big. There are many places to drive out onto the packed sand, but watch the signs and watch how soft the sand is. We park and just watch the water and nap. It is so restful.

Since this was my birthday weekend, we were told Jamilla’s was the best restaurant around. They were right. Small place, but everything was local and made from scratch. A very lovely dinner without dressing up. Come as you are.

The next day we drove north on the rest of the peninsula and realized oysters are king. The drive is heavy foliage on both sides so you can’t see the water on either side. But there are many public turnoffs to drive to the beach.

We head home a different way, again with a gentle windy road along the Columbia River. We hit Kelso on I5 and head north. We won’t talk about the horrors of driving the Interstate on Sunday evening. But the 2 days were lovely.

                                    

THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS

Islands of the Bahamas

No one knows exactly how many islands there are in this group, but some guess around 700.  They cover over 100,000 square miles.  There are 3 main islands with Nassau on New Providence Island as the main gateway to all the Out Islands. 

Nassau’s main street is at the ship dock on Bay Street.  Filled with wonderful shopping and eateries.  Paradise Island lies across two bridges from the city.  This is the home of the famous Atlantis Resort.   The bridge across the top of the resort is one very large suite renting at over $25,000 and only accommodating 2 people.  It is booked for over 2 years out.  If you want in, you need to call me quickly!!!  This resort has the most magnificient walk-through aquariums and marine-life exhibits.    Next door to the Atlantis is the Cloister which resembles France’s Versailles Gardens.  Stroll through at your leisure.

Freeport is becoming the next hot destination.  Many new resorts, some all inclusives and new golf courses are here.  Undersea reefs are a diver’s dream.  The Lucayan National Park is a 100 acre preserve with amazing birds and the famous blue holes that bubble from from unknown depths.

Andros is the largest of the Islands with vast nearly empty spaces.  Freshwater creeks, dozens of lakes, swamps and miles of beaches beacon visitors.  One beach is 18 miles long with no buildings.  Find your little private space.   Fishing for bonefish is the biggest tourist draw.  Red Bays is legendary for it’s straw work and a batik factory is worth a visit.

Cat Island’s crescents of deserted beaches is a small bit of paradise.  The highest point is Mount Alvernia at 206 feet  with its crumbling stone sancturary.

Boaters and water lovers heat for the islands of  Abacos and Exuma.  Many restaurants have docks for tying up and exploring.

Eel-shaped Eleuthera is 100 miles long and a few yards wide at some points and has wonderful pink sand beaches.

Harbour Island the snorkeling and fishing are tops but it is the friendly islanders who are the draw.    Visit the 3 mile long pink sand beach.

Bimini is filled with Hemingway memorabilia.

Long Island is has miles of golden beaches and long stretches between resorts.  You might go for days without seeing another tourist.

Most major carriers have connections to Nassau where you can get connections by air or ferries to the outer islands.  Also there are cruise lines from Florida that operate service from Ft. Lauderdale.

MY LAST TRIP

I have been privileged to see some amazing sites in my travels.  But this destination is beyond anything I have ever seen. 

I don’t need luggage.  I will get a new wardrobe when I get there.

No security lines.

No crowded waiting rooms.

No bathrooms with holes in the floor and little ladies in white doily hats collection coins for tissues.

No long lines at attractions. 

No danger of illness or terrorism

No need to buy insurance.

No need for facilities for handicapped or disabled, there will not be any there.

The food is included and a special banquet will be prepared just for us.

The accommodations are mansions.  The castles and palaces around the world will pale in comparison.

The sun never sets and there is no night.

The street is gold and there is a river running clear and clean.

No sorrow there and all tears will be wiped away.

No aches and pains.

No bills or taxes to pay.

No more cranky clients

The length of the trip is forever.

Getting there will be in the blink of an eye.

The guide book is the Bible

The tour guide is Jesus, until He lets me take over.

The price was paid when he died on the cross for my sins and I accepted His forgiveness – Had to go both ways.

Rev. 21, 22 tells all about this city.

“Come and go with me to my fathers house”

Aruba-A Dry Spot in the Caribbean

Located just 20 miles north of Venezuela and out of the hurricane zone, Aruba is an amazing tropical paradise.  Casinos abound staying open from 10 PM to sunup.  The cruise ships dock  close to L.G. Smith Boulevard which is home to all levels of duty free shopping.  Discos, nightclubs and restaurants of every ethnic variety are abundant.

The strange rock formations, abundance of cacti, and little goats cover the island.  Take a jeep and go for an adventure.  Rock climbing outfitters have regualr trips for those wanting to try the craggy cliffs on the east coast.  Some great scuba diving with good visability year round.  A long coral reef on the southwest and 2 wrecks lie offshore.

Most of the big resort chains are here with all the bells and whistles.  Beautiful sandy beaches, pampering spas, and a high penetration of wi-fi enable you to stay in touch.  The stretch of beaches known as Palm Beach & Eagle Beach have the highest concentration of resorts on the island.  Some great properties for the whole family with children and teen activities. 

The island has constant winds which make it one of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations in the world.  Each June the 10 day Hi-Winds Amateur World Challenge windsurging tournament is held. 

The temperature averages 82 degrees year round.  Minimal rain fall occurs in November and December.  The population is about 95,000.  The Dutch settled the island in about 1800 and a few of the original colonial houses still stand.

Many major airlines land at the capitol of Oranjestad.  Connections times are good.  One word of caution, don’t plan to see anything if you come on Christmas.  The island is shut down except for a few taxi drivers.  We were driven all over the island on a flat tire because there was no place open to fix it.   A passport and return ticket are required to arrive.

Call me to help you see this little piece of Holland in the Caribbean.