Destination Toronto: Professor Picton's House

On April ninth, Julia walked through the melting snow to Professor Picton's house, clutching her printed thesis in one hand and a bottle of Chianti in the other.

Julia stood on the front porch of Katherine's three-story brick home and rang the doorbell.  She wiped her palms on the front of her pea coat, trying to eliminate the clamminess.

Gabriel's Rapture, Ch. 32

~~~~~~~~~

Before I get into the heart of this post, I'd like to apologize for missing last week.  In case you don't follow my ramblings on twitter, I've been ill since Easter weekend.  I wasn't even sure I'd make this week's post, but have finally begun to feel better. 

I should also mention that this particular location requires more imagination, but given the timing of Julia's visit to Professor Picton's home, I thought it was only right for us to tag along.  After all, Picton is not a woman easily ignored.

"Julianne, welcome." Katherine opened the door and ushered her student inside.

If Julia's small studio was a hobbit hole, then Professor Picton's house was the abode of a wood elf. A wood elf with a taste for fine, old furnishings.  Everything was elegant and antique; the walls were paneled in dark wood with expensive carpets blanketing the floors.  The decorating was aristocratic but spare, and everything was extremely ordered and tidy.

After taking Julia's coat, Katherine graciously accepted the Chianti and the thesis, and directed her to a small parlor off the front hall.  Julia promptly sat herself in a leather club chair in front of the hearth and accepted a small glass of sherry.

In my discussions with other readers, Katherine Picton is always held in high esteem.  She is a character we all want to know more about and want to hear more from. And I'm crossing my fingers that she'll make an appearance in Gabriel's Redemption.

Personally, when I first read this scene I was reminded of my grandmother, Marguerite, and her home. 

She was not a professor, but she had the highest of standards in all areas of her life. Her home was small, but impeccable with only the finest furnishings.  She was beautiful. Even in old age, my Grandma Marge possessed both a model's figure and height. Her fashionable wardrobe was always the talk of the town. 

But beyond this, my grandmother was the feistiest woman I have ever encountered.  She was tough and she was opinionated, and you really didn't want to tangle with her because you'd lose. She was also free-spirited, athletic and the best cook in our family. She had a great sense of humor and continued to educate herself on anything she could for as long as she could. She was well-read, well-informed and even kept up with her granddaughter on all the newest trends.  For anyone who knew her, there was no denying she was a force to be reckoned with and I have no doubt she was one of the strongest, most elegant women I will ever know.

So I cannot help but think of her when I read about Katherine Picton. I can guarantee that if she were still here, she would have been one of the first people I would have gifted with this series of books.  She would have read them with enthusiasm and we would have had some very interesting *ahem* discussions as a result.

"Julia examined the large books about English architecture and gardens gracing the low coffee table. The walls were lined with pastoral scenes interspersed with the occasional severe black and white portrait of the ancestral Pictons.  She sipped her sherry slowly, savoring the warmth as it slid down her throat to her stomach.  Before she could finish, Katherine was escorting her to the dining room.

"This is lovely." Julia smiled, in an effort to mask her nervousness.  She was intimidated by the fine bone china, crystal, and silver candlesticks that Katherine had set atop a white damask tablecloth that looked as if it had been ironed.

(Not even the linens would dare to wrinkle without  Professor Picton's permission.)

I expect to be back next week, and pack your suitcases because we'll be leaving Toronto for a quick visit to the U.S.

Until then, take care,
Jenn

Destination Toronto: Lobby

 



 

 

 

"Lobby was an upscale martini bar and lounge on Bloor Street.  Gabriel, in true Dantean fashion, always referred to the club as The Vestibule, because he deluded himself that its inhabitants resembled the virtuous pagans who spent eternity in Dante's vision of Limbo.  In reality, however, Lobby and its patrons had far more in common with the various circles of Hell."

 

Gabriel's Inferno, Ch. 9

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

If there was one place I was absolutely dying to see in Toronto after reading Gabriel's Inferno, I have to admit it was Lobby.

 

It was not to be, however.

 

By the time I visited the city in 2011, Lobby was gone. Although the building is still there and is now operating as a new business, it is still easily recognizable from a distance.  Sadly, it appears that once The Professor found his Beloved and stopped making his regular visits there, the place just couldn't sustain itself without his patronage.

 

*sigh*

 

Even finding pictures online has proven to be a challenge for me this go round, but I did find this one and it made me smile. 

 

Any hope that this was taken with a certain iPhone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm afraid we'll just have to look back fondly on the one or two evenings when we were swept away to Lobby with the Snarky Narrator.

 

 

 

 

"A double shot of Laphroaig twenty-five-year-old, neat, please. And ask the bartender for a small shot glass of spring water, non-sparkling," Gabriel instructed without making eye contact with the waitress.

 

The waitress left, and Rachel began to laugh. "Big brother, only you could make ordering a drink sound pretentious."

 

Julia giggled, if only because she like the sight of Gabriel's irritation at his sister's characterization.

 

"What's Laphroaig?" she asked.

 

"A single malt Scotch whisky."

 

"And the spring water?"

 

"Just a drop or two to open up the taste. I'll let you try it when it arrives." He hazarded a small smile in her direction, and she turned away, looking down at her lovely shoes.

 

He followed her gaze and found himself entranced by her beautiful high heels. Rachel had no idea how fine a purchase they'd been. It was worth every penny just to see Miss Mitchell's lovely legs, arched and lengthened by those exquisite shoes.  He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, hoping the movement would successfully dislodge his advancing arousal from its current trap.

It didn't."

 

 

Oh my.  I need a distraction after that. 

 

How about a fashion show filmed at Lobby?

 

It gives us an idea of what the place was really like back in the day. And I bet if you watch it, you'll spot a few of The Professor's favorite fashion accessories.  (I saw at least three, just sayin.)

 



 



 

 



Hmmm...

 

It looks like Gabriel and Julia have made their way over to the dance floor while we were distracted by fashion.

 

 

"Relax," he whispered, his lips brushing against the skin of her cheek accidentally.

 

He brought their bodies close together, making sure that she could feel his chest against hers. Strong and hard met gentle and soft, as they brushed against one another through their clothing. Gabriel was now on his best behavior.

 

Julia didn't recognize the song he'd requested. The vocalist was singing in Spanish, and the words were unfamiliar, although she recognized the phrase besame mucho and knew that it translated as kiss me a lot. The arrangement itself was slow Latin jazz, and they swayed to it gently, Gabriel moving her across the dance floor like an expert. The fact that he'd chosen such an overtly romantic song made her blush.

 

I kissed you a lot, Gabriel, for one glorious evening. But you don't remember. I wonder if you'd remember me if I kissed you...

 

She felt his pinky graze the top of her barely there panties through her dress, and she wondered if he knew what lay beneath his finger. The thought that perhaps he did made her skin explode in heat.  She hid her eyes by keeping them determinedly fixed on the buttons of his shirt.

 

"It would be better if you looked me in the eye. It will be easier for you to follow my lead."

 

She found him smiling down at her, a wide and genuine smile that she hadn't seen in years. Her heart fluttered, and she beamed back at him, dropping her guard (but not her panties) for only an instant."

 

 

I think this is a good place for us to return to our banquette, listen to the music and let these two have their quiet moment.

 

 

 

 

 

This concludes my month long look at evenings out in Toronto.  I haven't quite decided what my Destination posts will be for April, so next week's post will be a surprise for us all.

 

In the meantime, I hope you have an enjoyable week.

 

Until then, take care,

Jenn

 





Destination Toronto: Harbour Sixty Steakhouse

"Harbour Sixty Steakhouse was a landmark in Toronto, a famous and very expensive restaurant popular with CEOs, politicians, and various other impressive personages. Professor Emerson ate there because their steak was superior to any other he had tried, and he was impatient with mediocrity. So it never occurred to him to take Miss Mitchell anywhere else."

Gabriel's Inferno, Ch. 5

~~~~~~~~~

When I first discovered "Gabriel's Inferno," this scene was the moment I realized just how desirable The Professor was. Up until this point, he hadn't shown us his better side and even though I found him a fascinating character, I wasn't sure if he would ultimately appeal to me (famous last words).

"Miss Mitchell had a lovely voice, it was true, but Miss Mitchell speaking Italian was something celestial.  Her ruby mouth opening and closing, the delicate way she almost sang the words, her tongue peeking out to wet her lips from time to time...Professor Emerson had to remind himself to close his mouth after it had dropped open.

Antonio was so surprised and pleased at her response that he kissed her cheeks not just once but twice and quickly led them to the back of the restaurant where he provided them with his best and most romantic table for two."

"He looked across the small and intimate table and saw that she actively avoided his eyes. She was studying the menu as if it were an exam, worrying her lovely lower lip between her teeth.

"You are invited, Miss Mitchell."

Her eyes darted to his with a questioning look.

"You are my guest.  Order whatever you like, but please order some meat." He felt the need to add that qualification since the express purpose of their dinner was to provide her with something more fortifying than couscous."

(Parenthetically, if you would like to peruse the menu, you can do so here.)

When The Professor took Julia to dinner at Harbour Sixty Steakhouse, I began to look at him in entirely different light. And it wasn't just because Emerson had decided to make sure Julia ate a decent meal, although it was a touching gesture.

Oh no.

It was this moment right here...

"Mr. Emerson watched, almost breathless, as she swirled the wine in her glass expertly, then lifted it so that she could examine it more closely in the candlelight. She brought the glass to her nose, closed her eyes, and sniffed. Then she placed the glass to her plump lips and tasted the wine, holding it in her mouth for a while before swallowing. She opened her eyes, even more widely, and thanked Antonio for his precious gift.

Antonio beamed, complimented Mr. Emerson on his choice of dining companion a little too enthusiastically, and filled both of their glasses with his favorite wine.

Meanwhile, Mr. Emerson had been adjusting himself under the table because the sight of Miss Mitchell tasting wine was the most erotic thing he'd ever witnessed. She was not merely attractive; she was beautiful, like an angel or a muse. And she wasn't merely beautiful; she was sensual and hypnotic, but also innocent. Her pretty eyes reflected a depth of feeling and radiant purity that he had never noticed before."

For me, this scene was critical in allowing me to see The Professor beyond his harsh exterior.  As their evening together progresses, we see Emerson unexpectedly drop his guard with Julia, allowing an honest admission to slip past his defenses.

"Antonio is very taken with you."

Julia looked up and smiled prettily. "He's very kind."

"You blossom under kindness, don't you? Like a rose." The words escaped his lips before he had time to consider them, and by the time they were pronounced and Julia had looked at him with no little warmth, it was far too late to retract them."

 

 

And swoon went this girl.

 

 

Next week, I'll be back to wrap up our tour of evenings out in Toronto, and you can expect a hell of a finale...

 

 



Until then, take care,
Jenn

Destination Toronto: Caffé Volo

 

"I'm not dressed for dinner, thank you very much." Her voice was satin over steel, and she arched an eyebrow at him. She had gotten over her initial shock at being surprised in his carrel and was now fully awake and fully annoyed at his tone.

His eyes passed over her slowly, pausing to regard her lovely figure and then resting for a long time on her sneakers.  He despised sneakers on women, for they were a waste of a perfectly good podiatric opportunity. He cleared his throat. "You look fine. I think the color of your blouse brings out the blush in your skin and the butterscotch flecks in your eyes. You look nice, actually." He smiled at her a little too warmly and looked away.

I have butterscotch in my eyes? Since when? And since when has he looked at them long enough to notice?

"There is a little place near my building that I frequent during the week, especially on late nights.  I'll buy you dinner, and we can talk about your thesis proposal, informally, of course. How's that?"

"Thank you, Professor."

Their eyes did not meet for long, but they met, and warm and somewhat hesitant smiles were exchanged on both sides."

Gabriel's Inferno, Ch. 12

~~~~~~~~~

This was one of my favorite chapters in Gabriel's Inferno and so when I visited Toronto, I knew my trip would not be complete without checking out Caffé Volo.

The place is easy to pass by on the street, blending in with its surroundings quite well. In fact, when my friends and I first approached it, we weren't even convinced we were at the right location.  Once we stepped inside, however, we quickly recognized the setting we had read about.

"The Caffé was a quiet but friendly establishment that boasted perhaps the longest and best beer list in Toronto.  It also had a very fine Italian chef, and so their food was some of the finest simple Italian fare on offer in the neighborhood.  The restaurant itself was small, only ten tables, which were supplemented in the summer by a patio.  The decor was rustic and included antiques, such as reclaimed church pews and old harvest tables."

I enjoyed a lovely evening there with good friends, good alcohol and good food. And yes, we requested a particular section...

"Gabriel liked it because they sold a particular kind of Trappist Ale that he preferred, Chimay Premiere, and it pleased him to have pizza in the Neapolitan style to pair with that beer. (As ever, he was impatient with mediocrity.) Since Gabriel was a frequent patron of Caffé Volo and more than somewhat persnickety, he was offered the best seating, which was a quiet table for two tucked into a corner near the large picture window that looked out on the madness that was Yonge Street at night.

Transvestites, university students, frat boys, policemen, happy gay couples, happy straight couples, celebrities slumming, yuppies walking their pretentious pets, eco-friendly activists, street persons, buskers, possible gang members, Russian mafia, a wayward professor or Member of Provincial Parliament or two or four, etc. It was a myriad of fascinating human behavior, it was live, and it was free."

Ever since my visit, I've wondered how many other fans of The Professor have wandered into the place requesting the same seat. I'm guessing at least a few and I'm guessing enough of us may have popped in by now to be easily identified upon sight. *giggles*

"Julia settled cautiously into her seat, which was a converted church pew, and pulled the lambskin rug that the waiter had draped over the back of the pew tightly around her.

"Are you cold? I'll ask Christopher to seat us near the fireplace." Gabriel moved to signal to the waiter, but Julia stopped him.

"I like to people watch," she said shyly.

"Me too," he admitted. "But you look like a Yeti."

Julia reddened.

"Forgive me," he hastened to add.  "But surely we can do better than a lambskin rug that has been God knows where. It probably used to grace the floor of Christopher's apartment.  And who knows what kind of shananigans went down on it."

Now, in the true spirit of shananigans, I'm breaking my self-imposed rule a bit and a sharing a portion of a personal picture taken from my night at Caffé Volo.  I think it's important to see that the essential details of this scene are factual (parenthetically it should be noted that the attractive arm you see there is my friend's, not mine. I wanted the window seat.) Please note one lambskin rug and one bottle of Chimay resting on the shelf above said rug. :)

Now, no evening out at the bar is complete without a little music...

"That's a beautiful song. Who is it by?"

"It's called You and Me by Matthew Barber, a local musician. Did you catch that line - the one about virtue and vice? I guess we know which term applies to each of us."

Seriously, if you haven't followed through and listened to this wonderful song, do yourself a huge favor right now.  I listen to this tune a lot and probably never would have known about it without reading about it in Gabriel's Inferno.

Many thanks to SR for two wonderful discoveries in one chapter.

Next week, we'll continue our series of evenings out on the town in Toronto.  You should probably pick out your best pair of shoes for a very nice dinner.

Until then, take care,
Jenn

Destination Toronto: Windsor Arms Hotel

 

 

 



"That meeting was a confederacy of dunces," announced Soraya, leaning against the banquette in the bar of the Windsor Arms Hotel.

Julia nodded, wondering if she was Ignatius Reilly, the protagonist of that book, or whether Gabriel was Ignatius and she was Myrna Minkoff.

The bartender delivered their martinis with a smile and a few dishes of tapas, "on the house." He winked at Soraya, who was a regular, and returned to the bar."

Gabriel's Rapture, Ch. 21

~~~~~~~~~

 

 

To be fair to those who may not have read "Gabriel's Rapture" yet, I'm afraid I can't reveal more from this scene than I already have. However, one of the things I've really enjoyed about the series is how real locations are constantly highlighted throughout the story. No matter how small the opportunity, SR manages to take us all on quite the virtual travel experience.

I don't know about you but if I can't be lounging on the beaches of Belize I can definitely think of worse places to visit than Toronto, and this time I'm speaking from experience. I had the opportunity to visit the city in 2011, and when I wasn't enjoying the company of great friends, I was out and about visiting various locations mentioned in the Gabriel series. I didn't get to see everything I wanted to, but that's OK because I definitely plan on making a return visit one of these days.

One of the places I didn't venture to was the Windsor Arms Hotel, but I can see after studying the map, that I must have walked by it on more than occasion.

The Windsor Arms Hotel is located in the Yorkville neighbourhood and was built in 1927.
Although run down by the 1980's, it was listed as a historic property by the City of Toronto in 1983. It was purchased and rebuilt during the 1990's and reopened in 1999. The Toronto International Film Festival was founded in the hotel in the late 1970's and the hotel's involvement in the Festival continues to this day.

The Windsor Arms Hotel is only mentioned one other time in "Gabriel's Rapture," revealing to us yet another special quality about the fabulous place.

"Underneath the jewel case she found a series of gift certificates for various spa treatments at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto, some of which had various exotic sounding names such as Vichy shower and seaweed and salt body wrap."

Gabriel's Rapture, Ch. 10

Doesn't that sound heavenly? As I contemplate such luxury, I can't help but be reminded about somewhere else we may have recently visited.  *taps chin*

A trip to the spa seemed like a perfect transitioning post from Belize to Toronto and I hope you will sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.

As March is a month centered around one particular Irish holiday (accompanied by a tad of alcohol consumption), I have planned several evenings outside of our Hobbit Holes.

This week we enjoyed martinis.  Next week, I'll be treating us to a round of beer. 

Be sure and dress for a night of shenanigans.


Until then, take care,
Jenn

Destination Belize: Farewell

 

"It seemed like forever, but it was really only a few minutes later when Julia emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in his Christmas gift. The black satin fabric accentuated the pink and cream of her skin, while the corset itself made her breasts look fuller and her waist smaller. Gabriel couldn't help but admire the exquisite hourglass that was Julia's now transformed figure.

His eyes hungrily regarded the merest glimpse of black lace panties, paired with black-silk stockings that were held up by a garter belt.  Finally and gloriously, a pair of black pumps decorated her feet.

Gabriel nearly had a heart attack when he gazed at the shoes alone.

"Bonsoir, Professeur. Vous allex bien?" Julia purred.

It took a moment for him to figure out why she'd made this linguistic choice, so taken as he was by her figure and her footwear.

Julia was wearing his beret.

When his eyes finally met hers, she watched him swallow hard.  She pouted at him provocatively and removed her hat, tossing it at him. After he threw it aside, she walked slowly, very slowly, to the bed.

"I really like my Christmas present, Professor."

Gabriel gulped, at a loss for words.

"Have you seen the back?" She pivoted her hips, watching him over her shoulder.

He reached out a finger to touch the laces that tied the corset, dragging his hand down to the panties that cut across her pert backside.

"Enough teasing, Miss Mitchell. Come here." He pulled her to him, bringing their mouths together in a forceful kiss.

"I'm going to take my time unwrapping my gift - with the exception of the shoes. I hope for your sake they're comfortable."

Gabriel's Rapture, Ch. 19


~~~~~~~~~


I've had such a wonderful time exploring Belize with you, but sadly it's time to say goodbye to this incredible place.  Before we go, let's stop by the souvenir store for an item or two to remember our incredible moments here. 


Postcards:

(My sincere thanks to those who created such lovely fan art.)

For Book Lovers:

 

 

For Gourmets:

 

 

 

 

For Music Lovers: 

 

For Entertainers:

For Art Lovers:

For Her:

For Him:

(Courtesy of IndiaRose)

For Them:

I'm afraid it's time to board our flight...

While I'm sure we'll all miss this tropical paradise, I've already prepared a recovery from our post-vacation blues.

I'll be back next week with the first installment in a new series of  Destination posts, and I look forward to sharing some new adventures with you.

Until then, take care,
Jenn

Destination Belize: Attractions

 

 

"Do you ever paint your toes?" Gabriel stroked Julia's ankle, before sliding his thumb along her instep.

They were reclining in bed, she with her head on a pillow, he lying at her feet. The gentle rhythm of the rain hitting the roof of their hut filled the warm, humid air.

“Sometimes. But it’s so cold in my apartment, when I get out of the shower I just want to get dressed.”

Gabriel frowned, but continued his foot massage.

“We have to move you out of that apartment.”

She sighed. “We talked about this.”

“You can paint your toes at my place.” He gave her a searing look.

She wiggled her toes. “Why wait? You can paint my toes here.”

“No.” He placed her foot gently on the bed.

“No? For a man with a shoe fetish, that’s very strident.”

“I don’t have a shoe fetish. I simply admire women’s shoes because they’re sexy and they enhance a woman’s attractiveness. And I’m not into feet.”

“Oh, really, Professor?”

“Oh, really. So no toe painting, Miss Mitchell. Or toe sucking.” He winked and slid his hand up her calf.

“That’s disappointing,” she pouted. “What else can we do on a rainy afternoon?”

“I have a few ideas.”

********

In one swift movement he covered her and pressed their mouths together.

“You’re very intense,” Julia breathed.

He was over her, inside her, his sapphire eyes focused and unblinking.

“I’m with a beautiful woman, having fantastic sex.” He increased his pace and moved to her neck, nipping and sucking at the skin.

“I feel like we’re the only ones in the world.”

“Good,” he mumbled, kissing across her shoulder.

“You make me feel beautiful.”

In response, he licked her breast until she began to groan.

“I love you.”

Gabriel lifted his head. His eyes glittered, then grew determined.

“Nothing can separate us,” he growled, quickening his pace.

“Nothing can separate us because I love you.”

Without warning, Julia felt the pleasure overtake her and she moaned incoherently. Gabriel continued thrusting until he too, was overcome.

“Nothing,” he whispered, as he lay on top of her, their bodies covered with a thin sheen of perspiration. “Nothing.”

 

 

Gabriel's Rapture - Outtake

 

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Water.

 

I need lots of water.

 

And air.

 

I need fresh air, preferably accompanied by a sea breeze.

 

So ... Umm ...

 

It looks as though Gabriel and Julia are still quite preoccupied with one another. I guess we better occupy our time in Belize with a tourist attraction ... or four.

 

Let's do ourselves a favor though, and begin our expedition in a place where we can cool ourselves off just a bit:

 

 

The Great Blue Hole

 

 



The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the mainland of Belize City.

The hole is circular in shape, over 300 metres (984 ft.) across and 125 metres (410 ft.) deep. The world’s largest natural formation of its kind, the Great Blue Hole is part of the larger Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Great Blue Hole is a world-class destination for recreational scuba divers attracted by the opportunity to dive in crystal-clear waters and see many species of marine life including tropical fish and spectacular coral formations.

The marine life in these areas include nurse sharks, giant groupers, and several types of reef sharks such as the Caribbean reef shark and the Blacktip shark. Dive excursions to the Great Blue Hole are full-day trips, that usually consist of one dive in the Blue Hole and two additional dives in nearby reefs.

And if you want an idea of what's underneath those beautiful waters, come on a virtual dive with me.  I promise it's worth your while and perfectly safe:

The nice thing about a virtual vacation is that we're not hampered by pesky, logistical things like distances and travel time.  Now that we've cooled off under the sea, let's head inland into the wilderness for a truly awe inspiring experience:


Caracol

Situated high on the Vaca Plateau, 500 meters (1650 ft) above sea level, Caracol is the largest Maya site in Belize. It was once one of the largest ancient Maya cities, covering some 168 square kilometers (65 mi²). At its peak around 650 AD it had an estimated population of about 150,000, more than twice as many people as Belize City has today.

Ancient Caracol was occupied as early as 1200 BC. Its greatest period of construction occurred between 484 AD and 889 AD when over 40 monuments were built. The largest pyramid in Caracol is Canaa (Sky Place), at 43 meters (143 ft) it is still the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize.

Caracol was first reported by a native logger named Rosa Mai, who came across the site in 1937 while searching for hardwood trees.

As you may have guessed by now, Belize is a country for nature lovers. I'm not entirely certain I can picture The Professor backpacking into the jungle, although something tells me we'd all be in very capable hands if he led us inside one.  Either way, I'm sure he would have a certain appreciation for our next stop-over:

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the biggest, protected destinations in Belize. The reserve was founded in 1990 as the first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar. Although roughly 60 of Belize’s 700 jaguars are believed to live in the sanctuary, your chances of seeing one are very slim. However, it’s an ideal environment for plant-spotting, bird viewing or seeking out other wildlife, and the trail system is the best developed in any of Belize’s protected areas.

Perhaps that's enough of the outdoors for the time being. Besides, what journey with The Professor would be complete without a trip to the museum?


Museum of Belize:

 

 

The Museum of Belize, located in downtown Belize City (Gabourel Lane), and on the grounds of the Central Bank of Belize, was the country’s first national museum, inaugurated in 2002. The Museum is housed in a refurbished British colonial prison built in 1857 and evacuated in 1993.

The Museum of Belize has retained its link with the past as each window of the structure signifies a cell that was built for one inmate. One cell has been restored to give visitors a glimpse of what prison life used to be like.

What used to be a dwelling for inmates is now where valued Belizean treasures are on exhibit. Both permanent and rotating collections are on display. Maya Masterpieces is a permanent museum collection that spans the ancient Maya civilization from 600 B.C. to A.D. 1500. Many artifacts displaying the legacy of ancient Maya achievements are exhibited. Rotating exhibits include “Insects of Belize” a colorful collection of butterflies, including the spectacular Blue Morpho, and “Stamps of Belize” which, features a stamp commemorating the Coronation of King George VI (1937).

 

 

"Without warning, she moved so she was straddling his lap and placed her hands on either side of his face, pulling him toward her. They kissed passionately for a moment before she took the mango and knife from his hand and placed a piece temptingly in her mouth.

He gave her a heated look before he brought their lips together, tugging the piece of fruit away with his teeth.

"Mmmmm," she hummed. "By the way, I don't think I ever saw the security video from our date at the museum."

She gently squeezed a piece of mango over his chest and began kissing and sucking across the droplet trail.

"Ah - ah --" Gabriel had trouble finding his words. "I've seen it. It's pretty hot."

"Really?" She sat back and languidly ate a piece of fruit in front of him, licking her fingers slowly.

"I'll show it to you later." He pulled her into a tight embrace, his hands sliding up and down her back. Then, when he couldn't stand it any longer, he tossed everything aside so he could lift her into his arms.

"Where are we going?" she asked, slightly alarmed.

"To the beach."

Gabriel's Rapture, Chapter 19

~~~~~~~~~

I have to tell you, I'm a bit relieved that Gabriel and Julia are leaving the hut for a little bit.

Next week will be our final one in Belize and no vacation is complete without browsing for souvenirs.  So while our favorite couple is busy enjoying the surf and sand, I'll be setting up shop.

I hope to see you there. I'm pretty sure you'll find something to take home with you.

Until then, take care,
Jenn