A Winter Getaway to Belize

One of my favorite winter getaways is Belize. In particular I fell in love with Ambergris Caye - there was nothing I didn't like. 

 It is an eco-friendly bird and wildlife watcher's paradise and with the second largest coral barrier reef in the world is a great place to engage in one of my favorite activities - snorkeling. 

Numerous species of coral including this brain coral and of course colorful tropical fish. 

Brain Coral Coffee Mug by VickiSims
Create a unique personalize coffee mug from zazzle.com

We earned bragging rights snorkeling with sharks and rays Hol Chan Marine Preserve. 

The island is a few miles offshore from the mainland of Belize has a very relaxed retro feeling. No big chain hotels and no building taller than 3 stories.  Even in the town of San Pedro the main methods of transportation and the mostly sand streets are walking, boats, bikes and golf carts.  To get there you either board a water taxi or a small plane.   We arrived by plane on Tropic Air - the smallest plane I'd ever flown on.  

A Visit to the Seattle Aquarium

The old warehouse building on pier 59 on the Seattle waterfront may look rather plain, but step inside and discover the colorful, amazing undersea world of the Seattle Aquarium.  I hadn't visited for several years and this visit was prompted by my desire to see the new baby sea otter before she was all grown up.  Who doesn't love the adorable sea otters?

 I loved watching the sea otters, but I had forgotten how interesting and fun it is to explore the entire aquarium.   The Seattle Aquarium features the marine life of Puget Sound like the Giant Pacific Octopus, jellyfish, tide pool creatures, shore birds and fish, but also has a beautiful coral reef section.

For more details and photos from my visit to the Seattle Aquarium, check out my page on Squidoo called Discover the Seattle Aquarium.

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