Here is our itinerary. We likely won’t be able to post on any of these exciting activities while we’re gone, but you can follow along with what we are doing each day anyway. Hopefully we can post here and there, but for now, this is what we have.

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P.S. Wish us luck!

Liz is having no luck contacting any of the catamarans in Belize. I’m starting to wonder if these companies close down during the off season. It’s starting to become painfully clear that some of the downsides to going in the off-season will be fairly significant.

If you’ll recall, Liz had originally talked about Unity Tours but quickly decided we should go with Me Too because they offered the same package for a better price. Remember – we’re still trying to think budget. So far, neither outfit has responded to her emails. We’re not crazy about calling, but will resort to that if we must.

We did, however, get some leads on a couple of other boating services. A Good Samaritan offered some guidance in the form of a comment, to which Liz replied. Mary Toy of destinationbelize.com suggested we try some other options. To quote her:

For the catamaran trip Seaduced and Searious are both great and run day snorkel trips, or for a smaller catamaran I would recommend Geraldo / El Gato. They all go to Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley and then on to Caye Caulker for lunch.

She did warn us further that, because this is the slow season, our options are largely hit or miss. So we’ll see what comes up. Neither of these options offer fishing, but they would give us the snorkeling opportunities that I am eager for. If we want to really stretch our budget, she suggested we contact a gentleman, Steve at fishingsanpedro.com who represents most of the fishing craft. But that’ll easily cost $200+ per person.

I don’t know why open water fishing is so expensive. What’s the difference between taking a boat full of fishermen out and a boat full of scuba divers? Diving usually costs $100 for the day. Fishing is exponentially higher. But it doesn’t seem as though the service is anything more substantial. Fishing crew set your bait and help you land the trophy, but dive master’s babysit the entire dive crew for the full time they are submerged – and, they must be certified to do so!

Well, Liz and I will figure out our boating trip. Or we’ll take kayaks out, a little fishing line and some hooks, and we’ll catch our own fish. Check back for a later post on this crazy scheme.

I know this is a redundant topic, but I wanted to expand a bit more on it.

The mosquito problem in Belize. I hate, hate, hate mosquitoes. Ever since I was a child and my family would vacation in the Outer Banks, NC I have had an extreme irritation of mosquitoes. When my family would vacation, we would always rent a house with my mom’s sister’s family and her three kids. With Seven kids, two couples and my grandmother and her friend (6 adults) there wasn’t ample sleeping space in some of the houses. One year, I was deemed the “sun room” or screened in porch as my sleeping headquarters. Again, I dawned my bed as an air mattress all week. I woke up morning after morning covered in more and more mosquito bites than the night before. I had horrible itching for weeks after returning from the Outer banks and developed a deep hatred for the little buggers.

One day, as a teenager and later in life, I was reading through a Cosmopolitan offering tips for summer beauty. One of the tips suggest Vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent. You take the pills and the scent your body emits from the pills wards off mosquitoes. I immediately went out and bought a bottle of Vitamin B1 from GNC. Ever since, I have always had vitamin B1 in my possession. The Vitamin B1 has worked for me and it has prevented huge red itchy bumps from camping trips and late beach nights. You have to start taking the pills a few days before your planned journey, but it does work. I have read recently a few forums of people being worried of taking Vitamin B pills being asthmatic. I can say, having asthma as a child and (fortunately) seem to be growing out of it, I have had no problems combining Vitamin B1 with my asthma. Another plus about the Vitamin B1 is that it enhances your energy and metabolism. Maybe I can contribute some of my slender figure to that? It’s not a diet pill but a natural energy enhancer/mosquito repellent. Again, a win win situation!

I have about 8 pills left in my bottle. This means I’ll be making a trip to CVS Pharmacy (I no longer shop at GNC) to pick up some more of these handy pills to start taking three days before Belize and to share with Courtney.

I want to do some boating while in Belize, if possible. So, of course, I google “sunset cruises, Belize.” I get a wide arrange of websites with plenty to offer. Most of them pretty much the same in activities and price. Although one caught Courtney’s and my eye.

Unity Tours. Unity tours has a catamaran boat which has a few different options for your trip. You can take a half day trip or a full day trip. They also offer sunset cruises and a sunset dinner cruise. The prices range anywhere from $40-$80 and include a complimentary bar – big plus. It’s like an open bar for a whole day for $80?!

Courtney and I discussed taking the day fishing trip- which also costs $80. This day trip departs at 9:00 a.m. and sails around the islands while you load up your rod, sit back and reel in some big ones! There’s one catch that we think makes this trip really fun. The trip includes lunch, however you have to catch it! Which means, you don’t eat unless you bring in the meat. That’s great, really! I love that idea. It’s kinda like “Hey Courtney, you better catch your lunch or you’ll be starving later.” I’m the fisherwoman in this relationship, which I think, means I’ll be catching lunch for both of us!

After you have caught your meal, the crew takes the boat to a remote part of the island and cooks lunch over an open fire. Following lunch, the boat takes you back out to fishing grounds. You continue fishing, then stop for another snorkeling trip, followed by a relaxing, scenic ride around the island.

The ship will sail whether it has full booking or just a lucky couple. I read some of the reviews and was pretty pleased with seeing the fact that they will still come pick you up and run the trip even if it’s just two people. That was Courtney’s first rebuttal “what if it’s just the two of us? Can we rely on them?” Well according to the website, yes.

I have a few questions I emailed to them (check back here for answers). I want to know what time the trip will return and when they need to be paid to reserve spots. Courtney and I are going in the low-season so it is VERY possible that we may be the only two on the boat. Be that the case, I am sure it will be a blast!

I’ve been thinking about what gear we’re going to need to acquire and pack for our trip to Belize. Inside my head it is getting to be a pretty substantial kit. But I don’t know we’ll need it all; especially because I expect we won’t get to do all of the activities I am dreaming about.

On the basics, I’m thinking we’ll need some light rain gear. We’re headed there during the rainy season. I expect we will not be dry for the entire week. A couple of really breathable, waterproof jackets/pullovers will be necessary. I have lots of rain gear: a thick (and not so breathable) rain coat for golf, and a Gore-Tex jacket for skiing, but these items may not be so appropriate for a 85-90° drizzle/downpour. Since I am absolutely firm on going to the Mayan Ruins at Xunantunich or elsewhere, it’s going to be mandatory that we’re equipped for the elements.

Fishing: I think we are good here. We just need sunscreen, hats and a lot of dough. Apparently, it costs an awful lot to do the deep-sea fishing. This is where much of our spending money will have to be allocated. It will definitely be a major decision – to do so or to skip.

Cave tubing and Jungle Fun: See hiking. I think this is the basics for hiking and outdoor exploration. Some water shoes or appropriate sandals will be necessary for the cave tubing and other water fun. I got a cool pair at Costco for cheap that I think will work well. Liz has rubber flip flops, but I don’t really feel like carrying her limping out of the jungle because she turned an ankle. We’ll find something for her. Probably, most importantly, my underwater camera! Lots of pictures. Wow, will we have pictures. This site will be inundated with photos, videos and other fun multi-media fare once we get back.

Hiking: The ruins will require some hiking and walks “off the beaten trail.” So, hiking boots or good shoes are necessary. I’ve got some good Merrel’s but Lizzy will need something. I’m thinking backpacks will be necessary, too. I’m looking into backpacking here in New England and may have some of the basics already. Really, we just need a day pack or two. My Arc’Teryx Silo 18 is a pretty good pack for a day trip. Not too heavy, not too small. It can definitely support water, a light jacket or two and some snacks.

Kayaking: Liz found a hotel on the beach that offers free kayaks! I have tape for my fingers, a pair of shades and swim trunks. I can’t think of anything I’d need to bring. Life vests and spray skirts should be provided by the outfitter.

Scuba diving: I’ve got all of my gear. I’ve taken it to the Caribbean before. I think I am set here. It’s just going to be a massive, heavy bag. I hate hauling it around, but it is under the 45lbs. weight limit, so I’m good.

Snorkeling: Fins and rash guard. I’ve got two masks, snorkels, and a skin (if needed). Lizzy will need fins and a rash guard. Lizzy loves the water. Loves to swim under any conditions (maybe we should post her pond skimming expeditions from this winter), and will absolutely love the snorkeling experience. For those nights we’re sleeping beach front (fingers crossed), I anticipate morning and/or evening snorkeling trips to the surrounding reefs – just to see what is out there. We have to get the minimum equipment for her though, else it’ll be solo expeditions and some shared photographs is all. I think I can provide her a mask and snorkel. But the fins and rash guard will have to be acquired.

So far, my favorite place to shop and look for stuff at a discount is Backcountry.com. They have a couple of discount sites that offer their extraordinary stuff at a 55 – 60% discount.

We’re also checking with friends and coworkers who can offer us suggestions, or freebies to offset costs. Now we just have to figure out how to pack and check this massive luggage!