The trip to Tobacco Caye was especially rough when we passed openings in the reef, where the waves from the open Caribbean slopped into the wind-driven storm waves from the northwest. It probably took three times as long to get to Tobacco Caye as it had yesterday. We loaded a young couple at the Caye and then headed almost due west, straight towards the mainland. The result was probably less rough than running straight to Dangriga, but it was still extremely turbulent. Once we reached the lee of the mainland, the ride up the coast from Hopkins to Dangriga was comparatively calm.

My tailbone is bruised and my previously cracked ribs are sore again. I was very worried about Nancy's herniated vertebrae, but she was able to adjust to the motion and ease the hammering. But as a result her leg back muscles are sore. If you travel to Southwater Caye, keep in mind the ride back can be difficult. All of our gear, including my camera, made it through fine.

Once at Pelican Bay Resort, we got a chance to dry ourselves off in a borrowed room and then walked over the airstrip and boarded a Cessna 185 and, in calm, blue skies had an uneventful, scenic ride from Dangriga to Gallon Jug. The flight was about 45 minutes, and most of it was over undisturbed or regrown jungle. The flight path took us over the northern end of the Maya Mountains and some pretty stunning limestone ridges and escarpments. Most of the flight was at 2,900 feet, so the viewing was pretty good.

After Belize International, the strip at Gallon Jug is the nicest we have seen in Belize. Gallon Jug itself seems to be a model farm/ranch. Everything is clean, groomed, well cared for and ecologically prudent. But after a brief ride around the edge of the farm, we drove up through perhaps 4-5 miles of jungle to Chan Chich Lodge. The Lodge is even nicer than reports make it. Perched on the lower plaza of a Mayan ruin, it is clean, immaculately groomed and filled with birds. Nancy took a nap on arrival while I wandered around a bit, awaiting the arrival of the rest of our group. Immediately east of the lodge grounds is the Upper Plaza of the ruins.

I found our friends Jeff Blunt, Dave Haenni, Ron and Mary Teel and their daughter, Wendy, on my return from my walk. They had an uneventful flight from Belize International. We did some late afternoon birding along the River Trail to the confluence of Rio Bravo - a damp slough now - and Chan Chich Creek. Good birding, including two excellent views of Gray-necked Woodrails. Unhappily, the light was to low for photos.

After a very nice supper we did a night birding tour. Only a Barn Owl and a few Common Paroques for nightbirds, but we did find and have excellent views of a roosting Ornate Hawk Eagle. Nancy rallied enough for the night bird tour, but was only at half speed.

Nancy looking forward to flight	Belize Jungle, 2,900 feet; a thousand shades of green	Gallon Jug airstrip
Simple grass shacks, Chan Chich	Fancy bath inside grass shack	Olive-backed Euphonia