A GORGEOUS Day Sailing on the Rum Punch 2

Yesterday could not have been more perfect for sailing.  Blue cloudless skies, warm and breezy, we set sail at about noon yesterday on the Rum Punch 2, a refurbished traditional Belizean sail boat.While waiting to board, I ran into this gentleman.  Belizean Melody’s newly relocated art gallery has certainly found a catchy new way to advertise.

The Rum Punch motored up to the dock to pick us up.

We started sailing north for a bit of snorkeling at Mexico Rocks.  Not a bad view from the front of the boat.

The view as we pulled up.  The dark round spots are the coral heads.

Ellis, the first mate for the day, took the snorkelers in the water.  This is Ellis.
Here is our captain and the owner of the boat since 1978, George Eiley.  George is a long time San Pedro resident and has great stories about the very beginning of the tourist industry on the island.  $10USD sailing trips to Caye Caulker, $1.25bzd Belikins, fishing at Hol Chan way before it was a reserve, helping to build the original Tacklebox Bar in the 70s and bartending there.  I love to here about the town when it really was a tiny fishing village.
And Roger and the captain.
A fishing boat paused to show us the big marlin that they caught.  You can see one of the guys trying to lift the giant tail.
We sailed in to the Palapa Bar on the way home.   George is glad to stop where ever you want.
For a bucket of beers.  The bar had a huge crowd.
Here’s the whole crew.
Time to get back on board and head home.  Sigh…
We are already planning a trip down to Placencia next year.
I know I gush about all sailing trips…I love it.  BUT this boat and this captain are AMAZING.  1.  He makes great rum punch (extra grapefruit just like I like it) 2. You can take the boat where ever and whenever you want  3.  George knows this island inside and out.  4.  This boat is fast, close to the water (you are almost tipping into it when the wind really picks up)…such a fun sail.  5.  It’s just you and your friends…it’s your own boat!

You can find the Rum Punch Two parked off the dock just north of Cholo’s.

You definitely want to make a point of doing this sail.  If the pictures don’t prove it then take my word for it.  It’s fantastic.  I wish I was going again today.

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