Tortugal is between the El Golfete the entrance to Lago Izabel (western lake about 35 miles long). There are many beautiful places to anchor along the lakes, although we've heard much caution about dinghy motors being stolen in the middle of the night. The locals get around in their cuyucas (dugout canoes), some of which have motors, most use paddles.
Our friends Cindy and John from Tashmoo are here and showed us around - the market in the town of Fronteres, to Monkey Bay to look for the howlers, over to Marios for lunch .... there's a lot going on here in the River.
The rain cleared and now it's just really hot - really, really hot. The wind comes up in the early afternoon, making the day bearable.
We took a tour with other cruisers to Agua Caliente, a 25' waterfall of hot spring water that spills into a deep pool formed by a cool mountain stream - so beautiful! You have your choice of hot or cold water. Behind the waterfalls is like being in a sauna. We hiked up the mountain to the cave, where Bob swam in the cool water through 500 yards of darkness. The cave runs for 8km and can be transited all the way, by swimming and hiking.
If you look closely above, you can see Bob swimming into the darkness. To get the waterfalls and caves, you travel by tractor through a working farm.
Maggie and Rosie are up early to listen to the birds singing, watch the sun rise and enjoy the cool 80 degree temperature (it's all relative!) before the heat of the day.
We spend most days in our air conditioned boat using the marina's wireless connection. Maggie is happy to have the tools handy to do her job, but is losing her tan. Bob is thrilled he doesn't have to search for internet anymore. We dinghy to visit with friends at other marinas, getting cool while we motor along.
Rosita has found her way off the boat, and twice had us in fear of her being lost. Despite Maggie's efforts to keep her onboard by putting a gasoline can at the end of the plank, we discovered her walking down the dock one night, as Hefe, the marina owner's dog, watched with great interest. He needs his rest, too!
Maggie and Katrina went with other cruisers to Casa Guatemala, a school/orphanage on the Golfete. About 150 kids travel from nearby villages to attend school and about 100 live there. Volunteers come from around the world to teach; Maggie met one young man who rode his bike all the way from Boston.
Rodney and Katrina stopped by one day to see if we'd like to tour Castillo San Filipe, an old Spanish fort built in 1652 to protect against pirates in search of gold. We can see it from our marina.
Bob has arranged for boat work - the sails are being repaired, a new dodger and bimini are being made, and the salon table is being refinished.
We are planning a trip inland with Rodney and Katrina (Angelina) and will have lots more to share, so stay tuned.
See the next page for more pictures - this is such a beautiful place!