13. Rio Dulce, a hidden paradise for sailors

Río Dulce ("Sweet River") is a river in Guatemala, part of a lake and river system that has become a popular cruising sailboat destination.

It starts at the large fresh water lake, Izabal, an entrance guarded by a small Spanish colonial fort, the Castillo de San Felipe, built to stop pirates entering the lake from the Caribbean when this part of Central America was an important shipping staging point.

Just after the river flows from Lake Izabal it is spanned by one of the biggest bridges in Central America. On one side of the bridge is the town of Fronteras, commonly referred to by the name Río Dulce, the local center of commerce for the area.
It then enters a second lake, Golfete, which has an island and a large natural anchorage. A few houses and a couple of small businesses line the shore.
From El Golfete the river meanders for six miles (10 km) in a spectacular gorge. The sides of the gorge rise up to 300 feet (91 m) on either side and are covered with teak, mahogany and palms. Wild flowers bloom throughout the foliage and howler monkeys and toucans can be seen. Waterfalls flow over the lip of the gorge after rainfall.
The river enters the Caribbean sea near the Garifuna town of Livingston.

Great landscapes, jungle wildlife and friendly Maya people make this a memorable stay.
Sailing is superb in 15 to 20 knot Northeast trades, in flat water.
The recently founded Rio Dulce Yacht Club is organizing regattas on Lake Izabal and in the Bay of Amatique, the next one scheduled for August 2010.

We spent a leisurely week on our boat, going downriver to the picturesque Caribbean town of Livingston, enjoying the local Garifuna food, coconut bread and tapado ( like bouillabaise), and freshly caught river bass, see picture!
Sea water had been flooding the river, bringing an unexpected boon of big saltwater shrimp to the local fishermen and delicious meals to us.













The weather was cool, but this little feller found out how to keep warm over the aircon exhaust!

To know more about this little paradise, check out the following website:

http://www.mayaparadise.com/

http://www.eveandersson.com/guatemala/rio-dulce

Ak´tenamit is located on the Rio Dulce and a tributary.
Treat yourself to a wonderful vacation and visit the project.

Please sponsor a student and transform a young life.

Ak ´ Tenamit depends on donations to cover its cost of operation and to keep 500 children fed, housed, healthy and in school and the facilities in good repair.

The target of the Trans America ride is to raise $10.00 for each mile of the ride, which would make a total of around $35,000.00

I you decide to support this ride, you may:

1. Buy miles: Buy one or more miles at $10.00 per mile. There are 3,500 miles to be sold.
2. Sponsor a local event when I am in your area (a ride, a barbecue) for a $200.00 minimum.
3. Become a Student Sponsor at Ak´Tenamit for $30.00 (one month) or $360.00 per year
4. Become a Health Care Partner for $10.00 or $120.00 per year.

All funds should end up in the GUATEMALA TOMORROW FUND in the United States.

If you would like to sponsor a child, become a Health Care partner or simply want to buy one of the 3500 miles of the ride , just go to http://guatfund.org/

tick the box ¨Trans America ride¨and authorize a charge to your credit card.

For more information on ways to donate , see Chapter 5 of this Blog.


LIFE IS GREAT, ENJOY THE RIDE
Jean Vayssier, The Riding Dutchman