The Sweet River
I have been too busy to write for the past few days. Swimming, reading, fishing, sunbathing, itching mosquito bites, kayaking, and eating are just some of the many leisurely activities that have filled the past three days here on the Rio Dulce. This little slice of heaven is the stretch of river between Lake Izabal and the Caribbean; we are staying at El Tortugal, where they ask you what size your boat is when you reserve a room. Rio Dulce is supposedly the safest place for boats in the Caribbean during hurricane season, however the entrance to the river is only 5.5 ft deep in some places and so larger boats have to be tipped onto their sides to make it through (and this only works during the two extra high tides each month). Our hotel consists of an open dining room over the water, docks running off to either side filled with 30-60' sailboats, and raised walking platforms winding through mangrove swamps to the cabins which have tall ceilings with roofs made of thatched banana leaves. The view of the river is spectacular, the water is Caribbean warm, and the afternoon showers help cool things off when it gets too hot.
To give you an idea of our activities: The other day we kayaked over to Castillo San Felipe for a nice walk around the fortress built by the Spanish in ~1600. I have been fly-fishing off the dock for a few hours almost every day and caught some good fish. It wasn't until last night though that the manager told me that there are tarpon in the river and since I'm leaving today, I won't have any time to go after these behemoths of the sport fishing world (a broken fly-fishing rod as a result of hooking a tarpon would have been a badge of pride if I couldn't land one). We walked into the town of Rio Dulce yesterday for lunch and to arrange travel to Flores/Tikal today. The trip took us through acres of teak farmland that is also owned by the Daphne Becker, the owner of El Tortugal. Some of our friends from El Retiro/Semuc Champey have been at the hotel with us and we made some new friends from Minnesota; the other night we all shared in a feast of four different kinds of pizza and much beer and laughter.
It has been an incredibly relaxing few days and we are sad to leave, but looking forward to the "piles of rocks" at Tikal and another few days of relaxing in the north. After looking at a map, we have decided to skip Monterrico on this trip. Instead, I have decided to save my shekels for my next Central America adventure (hopefully with some fellow anglers) to the Sailfish Capital of the World!
To give you an idea of our activities: The other day we kayaked over to Castillo San Felipe for a nice walk around the fortress built by the Spanish in ~1600. I have been fly-fishing off the dock for a few hours almost every day and caught some good fish. It wasn't until last night though that the manager told me that there are tarpon in the river and since I'm leaving today, I won't have any time to go after these behemoths of the sport fishing world (a broken fly-fishing rod as a result of hooking a tarpon would have been a badge of pride if I couldn't land one). We walked into the town of Rio Dulce yesterday for lunch and to arrange travel to Flores/Tikal today. The trip took us through acres of teak farmland that is also owned by the Daphne Becker, the owner of El Tortugal. Some of our friends from El Retiro/Semuc Champey have been at the hotel with us and we made some new friends from Minnesota; the other night we all shared in a feast of four different kinds of pizza and much beer and laughter.
It has been an incredibly relaxing few days and we are sad to leave, but looking forward to the "piles of rocks" at Tikal and another few days of relaxing in the north. After looking at a map, we have decided to skip Monterrico on this trip. Instead, I have decided to save my shekels for my next Central America adventure (hopefully with some fellow anglers) to the Sailfish Capital of the World!
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