On a Ragga trip

A tough 3 days, and actually a somewhat surreal one. Did I really just spend 2 nights camping on the most beautiful desert islands, with a group of ace people and being served endless rum cocktails by the charming crew. I know I did as have various cuts, bruises, photos and funny memories to remind me.

So day 1 - we leave lovely caye caulker - and climb aboard the 58 ft Ragga Queen sailing boat for 3 days sailing down the reef to Placencia. The sun's out to greet us and calm sailing awaits. A pretty blissful day stopping for snorkelling , we reach our island paradise Rendezvous Caye around 4 pm. Dane takes us on a snorkelling trip around the island - we get back to erected tents, prawn ceviche and rum o'clock.

Sunset comes, more rum flows and we look up in wander at the unbelievable stars who had come to put on the evenings entertainment. Oh and then the moon rose on the horizon. Happy face.

This would have been a good point to Call it a night like Philippa. Alas I continue drinking endless bottles of rum with the crew ( hey I'm backpacking and it was free) along side new friends Aussie Rachel and English Helen. Don't ever let me go on an all inclusive holiday I really don't think it would suit me...........

Day 2 cooked breakfast on our island paradise - and off we go again. The next snorkelling spot and the girls are first in - simply stunning - schools of around 40 angel fish, some beautiful parrot fish. Generally amazing visibility and with joy I realise I've found some dive buddies while in Honduras.

The boys in true hunter gatherer style went spear fishing. Only the barracuda they speared not only escaped it escaped with the spear. Nice one Shane.

We arrive on Tobacco Caye and head off snorkelling again hoping to see a Manatee. Fruitless but did see a moray eel, lion fish and a school of cuttlefish. Not too shabby.

Tents up - it's time for coconut rum and pineapple juice, more of that prawn ceviche while we watch the local lads do some acrobatic diving off the pier.

The evening gets hazy, lobster is eaten. Klas shows off his enthusiasm for dancing. I show off my enthusiasm for more coconut rum. The locals show off their enthusiasm for garifuna drumming. A good night. More drunken falling into tents.

Day 3 - sadly we had a shocker of a night weather wise - the other girls wake up to 2 inches of water in their tent. The weather doesn't really improve. Klas is on hand with sea sickness pills. People aren't so keen on snorkelling today. On the positive the sails are out full force, and we get to see our captain kimani in action. In his words - 'now you get to see my baby move, before she was like a duck bobbing up in the ocean'

We arrive into Placencia and say our goodbye's.

Oh and as for the cheeky glint in the crew's eyes....one for the pub girls - mum's reading.

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