I helped fix lunch (macaroni and vegetables) and had breakfast of eggs and pineapple. After breakfast, we had another discussion about Tropical Storm Chantal. This morning’s report shows she is moving steadily west and Belize is in her path. Caryn thinks Mr. Sidney can have us put up at Howler Monkey Lodge in the country’s interior if things continue to look bad.

Louise is getting frightened and called home for advice from her father. Katie is also concerned but mostly about getting home on time for school. I’m not worried yet. The storm is still a long ways away and can do a lot of things before getting here. Besides, I feel confident that Caryn and Mr. Sydney will take care of us.

With all the excitement about the tropical storm, we got a very late start on the boat and didn’t depart until 10:00 a.m. Today will be Louise’s last day with us. After consulting with her parents, she decided to leave for England tomorrow. Katie may leave tomorrow as well; definitely by Monday. So, Chantal claims her first victims.

Caryn asked the rest of us if we’d like Earthwatch to call our families and let them know we are ok, are aware of the storm, and have a plan of action. We all agree that if they could do this tactfully, it’d be a good idea.

(I found out later that the Earthwatch staff did a terrific job of notifying our families. When the staff in Boston called my wife, they spent a good half hour on the phone with her explaining everything that was going on, what our plans were, and that we were in contact at all times. While my wife was still a bit concerned about the approaching storm, Earthwatch made her feel comfortable that we were being taken care of and would be as safe as possible under the circumstances. )

We started the day snorkeling at Goff’s Caye where we saw an eagle ray, some squid, and the usual coral and fish. Goff’s Caye is a Belizean National Park and a picture perfect little island. Tour guides bring loads of tourists on fast boats out here to snorkel and sun themselves on the white sandy beaches.

Watching the tourists, I realize how apart from them we are. While they are quickly turning red under the strong Central American sun, we’re covered up with t-shirts and hats walking along the shore. While snorkeling, we are constantly aware of our proximity to the reef and the damage an accidental brush can have on this fragile life, while the tourists blissfully step their way onto the coral heads to get from one "good spot" to another. The island itself is ready made for a postcard picture. However, up close, the beauty of the island is spoiled by tourists who are all too happy to leave their trash, etc., laying wherever it may fall.

After our visit to the island, we had macaroni and vegetables for lunch and head back into the bogues to do more work. We did a survey/scan in Bogue D and Yamaha’s Cove. Nothing much happening in there and we didn’t see a single manatee. We called it a day around 4:30 and head for the dock.

Dinner tonight was fried corn tortillas with beans, tomatoes, etc. Of course, we had our favorite—fried plantains—and listened to the weather forecast. Tropical Storm Chantal hasn’t weakened—she’s still at 60 mph sustained—but she’s begun to move a bit north. Belize went into Hurricane Alert Phase 1, which is a prepatory warning. They’ve stopped water taxis and other boats from bringing tourists to the outer cayes and are telling citizens to begin preparing just in case.

Caryn went over to the resort to get an update after dinner. The current plan is to check the weather in the morning at 5:00 a.m. If it still looks like Chantal is heading our way, we’ll be evacuated to Howler Monkey Lodge up in the hills outside of Belize City. My guess is that there is a 50-50 chance we’ll be there tomorrow night.

Tonight, Clifton and I played chess again. He is a very good player. But this time, I beat him after 1 ˝ hours of play. We had only traded 4 or 5 pieces on each side at that point. I think this is the longest game I’ve played in my life for as few pieces. It was constant strategy and putting each other’s pieces in jeopardy.

We went to bed by 10:00 to get some rest. Tomorrow could be a full day.