Last Couple of Days in Placencia

I took another taxi into Placenia today, even though they told me that most places would not be opened due to being Good Friday. They were correct.  Hardly anyone was in town and most doors were closed. 

I walked along the beach but there were no chairs or hammocks out, as there were yesterday.  I did see one dog on the beach and Carol, I thought it was Suzy.  Then I realized she was not, when she did not come to great me  :)

I looked for a place to eat and the only place that I saw opened was a Thai restaurant.  There is a large Oriental population in Placencia. They own a large supermarket, several restaurants, hotels and spas.

Farther up the road, I saw a small house that people were entering and leaving with boxes of food. I asked if I could eat inside and they welcomed me. The menu was written on an old black chalkboard.  I requested conch soup.  Oh my................it is definitely the best meal I have eaten.  It was thick as a stew, with conch, carrots, potatoes, okra and onion. It came with a side of rice and a fried plantain.  Yes, it was the best meal in Placencia!

When I returned to the hotel, I went to the beach and my chairs were waiting for me. It was  cloudy but a good afternoon to read.  I am currently reading A Lineage of Grace.  I have enjoyed it a lot and have finished the sections on Tamar and Rahab.

I often think of my last trip here and how things have changed.  When I was here before, there were no laptops or tablets.  Most of the people that I traveled with enjoyed reading, so we would make a list of books that we would all take.  That way, we would be organized to swap books and not take unnecessary duplicates. We were all heavy readers, so in three weeks we could finish a lot of books!  I mean, a LOT of books!  Now, we have things so much easier.

So these were my views. Even beautiful when cloudy. There is no one around.  I have the beach to myself.

Very peaceful.

These flowers are beautiful and they are in front of the hotel.  Cheryl is a wonderful host and available when you have questions or need to call for a taxi

The name is High Tide Guest House and it is small. I think she has five small cabins.  They are cute and very clean.

As you can see, I am in the middle of nothing and love it.  It is very quiet and tropical. My purpose in escaping Chichi was to find quiet and solitude and I have accomplished it. I have not heard one firecracker or any bombas........no cows making noise, no howling dogs, no roosters singing at 0400, no birds jumping on and sliding down my roof and no blowing bands!

Placencia is full of color and signs.  All of the houses are colorful and bright.

A good reminder for us.

There is a lot of building taking place.The foundation is only tree stumps and then built with plywood. The houses do not have many windows and they are built built very, very close together.

When it came time for lunch, I tried a place that I had read about. There were raving reviews about a place that had grilled lobster and cheese sandwiches. I have been craving lobster but just can not see paying the prices that restaurants want in the states. They said this place was reasonably priced.  When I found it, I was told that they did not have any since it was not lobster season.........I guess that means that I will have to return when I find out when lobster season is.

So, I went next door and had conch ceviche. It was OK but it was better from the other restaurant.

After I finished, I saw some chairs that were calling my name.  I had heard that today would get crowded so I want to take advantage while I could.

There were some sailboats out for the day. Janice and Barbara, I got so excited since I thought it was a "fanny-washer."

As it got closer, I could see that it was a catamaran but I think we could have handled it!

It was almost time to head in for the evening.........but a purple hammock was calling my name.

A very relaxing view.

That was my last photo of the trip and it was a very good time.  I just need to return before another 20 years passes and research when lobster season is.