While at the International airport in Belize - we had our first Belikans at Jets. What a great guy he is - we read that he has been running the little bar for more than 20 years - he came out into the terminal waiting area to ask us if we wanted another - to which we replied -"but of course!"
Mayan Island flight took us over the beautiful waters to Ambergris Caye. We walked across the runway to our hotel the SunBreeze.
Started our days with Johnnycakes and coffee from Celi's Deli or Rubies or full breakfast at Ramon's.
Enjoyed our morning dives with Donovan, Oscar, Manuel and François of Aqua Divers. Did it all: Blue Hole, Lighthouse Atoll, Half Moon Caye Wall, many local dives at the reef. So beautiful looking at the Milky Way on our return from the night dive at Shark Ray Alley.
Afternoons were hot so after chicken burritos and margaritas or Belikans at BCs we would settle in for reading by the pool and siestas. Shopping and exploring San Pedro took up late afternoon, with a few stops at the Internet Café (Best coffee on the island here, too) to see if our house were still standing in Florida - they were but without power so we would smugly congratulate ourselves on how smart we were to be in Belize.
Dinner the first night was at Bluewater Grill and all our fish dishes were delicious. Sadly, the restaurant was closed for the rest of our stay for vacation and renovations so we only got to enjoy one meal there. Cocina Caramba on Pescador Drive was so good we all wished we had discovered it before our last night on the island. The Mexican & Caribbean flavors added to seafood special, barbecue shrimp, giant crab, stoned crab claws and grouper were awesome.
From reading on the message board - I knew we had to go to BCs for the Sunday barbeque. I wasn't prepared for how wonderful the seafood combo was going to be - wish I had the recipe for the sauce they use! The barbequed ribs, chicken and sausage were a treat, too. And of course washed down with…Belikan, white wine and margaritas. Luckily we got there early enough to partake - other people we talked to got there too late to eat.
Other good food was found at Caliente - Flautas and Ginger Rum Shrimp and Celi's Restaurant on the Beach - nice atmosphere - sandy floors because it is literally on the beach!
On a day off from diving we rented a golf cart to tour the areas we hadn't walked to yet. As we crossed the river on the hand-pulled ferry we noticed dark clouds approaching fast. We made it a few miles up the road before taking refuge in a 3-story condo under construction. We stood outside away from the wind and rain until the 30-minute squall subsided. Back on our cart we dodged as many big puddles as possible but loved the adventure. Colorful birds and lizards crossed our path as we went north to Captain Morgans' for a drink and a bite to eat.
Our favorite shopping was done at Graniel's Cabinet Store. We each took home some nice wood products - bowls and boxes that we could carry on board.
One couple we met bought a beautiful wood carved walking stick made by a guy selling them on the beach near the hotel.
"The Lady Sharon" was not going out the week we were on AC but we booked another catamaran through Searious(?) and got our rum punch at sunset sailboat cruise. Although the two other couples were skeptical that a sunset cruise was going to be worth their time - we all had a fun few hours and the crew negotiated to prepare a barbeque on the beach for us the next night. We enjoyed fresh lobster, fish, etc and there were plenty of leftovers for their friends.
I don't know if it is because we were there during low season or not, but we had friendly and good service everywhere we went on the island. People everywhere we went were nice - the locals were always smiling!
Many thanks to Capt Jeff for the instructions to avoid the longest lines at customs in Miami. We went right - FAR right - and were the first in line and zipped through in no time. Our trip to AC was UnBelizeable! 
AmbergrisCaye.com 
