SWCA Camping Retreat 2009

What a blast! I'm still recovering! From the minute we got to Leisure Camp Resort it was on. Lins-Vain and I were able to camp right next to Kensley and Tina with Olivia and Brian right next to them. Dustin and Harris were to sites to the east with their kiddos but close enough for us to yell back and forth.
We immediately set up camp and began cooking. The beer was already cold and the spirits were high. We had smores using Dustin's fire since Vain was having technical difficulties. But he prevailed and we made more smores so he wouldn't feel bad that we didn't use his fire.
Dustin and Harris' kiddos sang for us and Kensley being the superstar that she is was their backup. The night was cool and calm.
Next morning, Kensley made killer breakfast tacos of migas with chorizo, cheese, and chili. Then it was off to the river and sit in the water for the entire morning up 'till lunch. Seriously. We were thinking of tubing but it was just to relaxing to just sit in the river and drink cold beers. The day trippers were starting to filter in and Abby-David, Steve-Carole, Jim-Peggy, Ryan, Kevin-Gina all had an opportunity to stop by eat, drink, and mingle. We briefly stopped soaking for lunch and then resumed to the water. Nearing dinner time, Harris and his excellent smoked pork definately made the whole trip. It was finished in minutes. Smore making was the highlight of the rest of the evening and we didn't turn in until 11:30 pm. It sounds early, but remember, this whole day was like a marathon. One more day could've been good...but no more. My bed was calling my name. SWCA Camping Retreat 2009 was a success!!

Un-official Company Retreat 2009!!

So this year our SWCA Austin group decided to come together and have an un-official company retreat. It's unofficial because the company isn't paying for the booze. Oh well. We'll make do. We are all stocked and ready to roll. The beer, the food, the tents, and the grill are all set.
It's a camping spot I've never been to called Leisure Resort or something like that. Most of the peeps we'll be meeting us tomorrow on Saturday, but the true partyers are heading out there tonight. Me included of course. Its 4 o'clock....it's now on!!

Belize 2009 Day 4-Snorkeling

6-11-09 So we got up at the butt crack of dawn...again....Its crazy how a one hour time difference can change your whole day. For the better of course as we were able to have some yummy breaky early in the morning at a leisurely pace, sign up for a half-day of snorkeling, plus relax for a bit. When time came around we headed to the pier to wait for our instructor with a very nice elementary school principal from Colorado who was treating herself to a week vacation.
Our instructor was featured on the Travel Channel...so he said. "Little Alfonse" was in one of the many Samantha Brown shows helping her snorkel along the barrier reef. Whatever, i'll take his word for it. He took us to he National Park Hol-Chan to snorkel along the reef. The day was so bright and beautiful and I couldn't wait to get in the water. It was so clear and blue waiting for me to jump in. Once we did the round of blah, blah, here's how you put on your mask..blah, blah...flippers we were in. Luckily, he didn't make us wear life vests, which I hate. We had a about a group of 12 for the tour and only one person opted for the vest...they took it off later. We didn't see as many fishies, but we did see a cucumber fish/eel thing, lots of tuna, and nurse sharks. I even got to hold one and pet it like a dog. Seriously! I woulda had a picture but I forgot to buy a water camera. Typical. Alfonse then took us to Sting Ray Alley...at least that's what I call it since they were everywhere! I did get to casually graze one with my hand but to be honest I was a lot more wary over the sting rays than the sharks. Thanks to Steve Erwin of course. They were huge. Picture yourself (if you happen to be 5'4'') standing with your arms and legs spread out wide like an "X" and then draw a circle around you. That's how big the sting rays were. Seriously. After a good four hours of snorkeling we were tired, happy, and ready to eat.
We got dropped off by good ol' Alfonse and realized quite late that well...some of us did not use enough sun screen. Well, I did. But the girls...did not. I'll only say that there are areas that are exposed to the sunlight when you are floating face down in the ocean that aren't normally slathered with sun screen. Poor Kelley. And Jens back was so red I was afraid it was gonna burst into flames. I darkie that I am knew this in advance and wore double sun screen and shirt that covered my rear. But she was a champ...we got some aloe and headed out to go find some lunch and shop for more souvenirs in town. We went to the Jade Museum and learned there were some pretty interesting sites on the island. We then headed to Fido's (Feed Doze) which was Miss Nancy's pub. Actually it looked like an awesome beach bar...open with a huge bar, lots of seating, and just on the beach. She recognized us from giving us a ride and sat and chat with us. We grabbed a few beers from Mike the bartender and laughed at Kelley. She was trying to find a good way to sit down comfortably. Ha, ha. She was trying to find a gift for her boyfriend related to fishing. Luckily the GM told us about this local fishing guide that makes his own lures. He told us where it was and we decided to get a taxi since it was on the other end of the island. We hailed a taxi..which is usually a mini-van and a guy stopped and we got in...we then realized he had a passenger. They were both young and they were laughing, and then we had the feeling, "Is this even a taxi?" We told them where to go and they knew what we were talking about...so we were relieved...a bit. The place "GO FISH" had just closed and the lady was leaving. But Belize, being Belize, she reopened the shop for us. Super nice and sweet. All the lures were really cool and then her husband the fishing guide came in and was helping Kelley pick out some homemade-lures. We lucked out really cuz right as we got of the shop, our two "maybe-a-taxi" guys were just outside. They gave us another ride back to the hotel and we paid them. Never did we find out if they were really a taxi. Whatev.
So at this point we were exhausted and Miss Kelley and Jenn in sunburn pain....But troopers they are, we all got dolled up for dinner for our last night in Belize. We ate at a great restaurant and I got some yummy sushi. After dinner, we were gonna go back to Fido's but it was too long of a walk and Kelley was hurtin'. So instead we went to this really cool beach lounge called Playa. It was a bar and sofas in the sand. We had a few drinks and lounged around. It was little sad to know it was our last night...we totally could've done another full week. Bummed as we were we headed back to the hotel walking along the beach as the full moon began to rise from the ocean. Perfect setting for our last night. Once we got back to our hotel we got into our jammies then headed back to the beach and watch the moon for a bit more. But we weren't too sad, though. Cuz we were already making plans for the next trip.

San Pedro, Belize days 3

6-10-09 (Catching up on posts guys) After breakfast the next morning we had to stop at the market. The colors of the fruits and vegetables were to irresistible to pass up. So we scouted it out as the vendors continued to prepare their stalls. I decided to get some mangoes for the road...they smelled delish. Jenn pulled driving duty this time around as we headed to Belize City to make it to the water taxi to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. The drive was just as interesting as we saw kids walking to school along the road and of course the scenery fantastic. We dropped off the rental at the airport and grabbed a taxi from a really friendly local named Leon. He said we had to see his uncle who was a scuba/snorkeling instructor. We made to port, had some ice cream, and jumped on the water taxi. It was hot sitting on the taxi for 1.30 hours...to San Pedro....people didn't care though. Everybody from locals to tourists were smiling anticipating all the fun times on the beach..so were we.
We finally made it to San Pedro took a taxi to the Banana Beach Resort...there was no way we could hoof it with our luggage. The hotel was fantastic! Kitchen, two bedrooms, living area...right in front of the pool. We had to get some food and refreshments...we ate nearby and celebrated our arrival with Pantyrippers (coconut rum and pineapple) and Belikin. We walked along the beach towards the town center where we were initially dropped off. The resorts were fantastic and we already picked out the next place we wanted to stay when we came back...we checked out some shops, bought jewelry, gifts. Some definite chill time was called for so we picked some One Barrel rum, pineapple juice, got into our suits and chilled out by the pool. There were a few kids from Colorado playing around in the pool...I say kids, but they were actually twentysomethings...but they were acting like kids. And they were dissing Texas. We did not like. But we were too chill to make a big deal.
It was time to eat...again. We took a walk after getting ready, this time along the street, hoping we could score a great meal. We did. Pepper Onis Pizza...and the buffalo wings were fantastic! Yes the wings...the pizza was good...but the wings. I'm salivating now just thinking about it. We had good conversation and great times thinking about the last time we were out in Belize. Tiredness quickly set in once we finished the meal and we had a long walk back. Luckily we had a really nice American expatriate living and working in Belize give us a ride in her golf cart. She owns one of the bars in town and very friendly, sweet., and invited us over a complementary drink. Yessss! Tomorrow...snorkeling and a free drink!