Ak’Bol’s yoga temple of tranquility is back . . . and so is Moppit!

The gateway to Ak’Bol’s palapa studio out on the water. You could not ask for a more beautiful setting in which to practice yoga. The palapa looks bigger and more open than the original, and maybe a little farther off-shore. Beautifully done!

I took Moppit for a walk — sprint, actually — up the beach to Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort this morning. And wow! The over-the-water studio looks magnificent! A temple of tranquility.
Two of my favorite places on the water were decimated by Hurricane Earl — the Palapa Bar and Ak’Bol.
Now both are back! Kirsten Miglio and her husband Dale have been patiently rebuilding and now Kirsten will teach her first yoga session under the new palapa on Sunday!

Here are some photos of our walk toward Ak’Bol on a glorious Saturday morning:

Moppit spots the Ak’Bol palapa in the distance and breaks into a sprint!

Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The workers were topping off the roof today.

The view facing back toward the Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Since the hurricane, classes have been held on a “jungle” palapa platform just at the right in this scene.

And now, a little bit more about Moppit.

The many faces and charms of Moppit, supermodel of the canine jet set.

We love her.

Her companion for nearly three years, Sandy Rigby, recently passed away. They were a perfect pair. Although Sandy’s deliciously British accent led me to believe the dog’s name was “Muppet,” which would work just as well. When we first arrived in San Pedro, Sandy and I and Rose often did yoga together at Zen Belize.

It always warmed my heart when Sandy left the studio on breezy days to go windsurfing. Man I wanted to be like her when I grew up! Still do.

We’ve had Moppit for almost a week now. She’s giving us a trial run to see if we are worthy enough to be in her life.

I’ve never been big on anthropomorphic behavior.  Too many Disney nature movies of little squirrels shaking their fannies at Walt soured me for life. Until now. There is no doubt in my mind that Moppit is grieving. She walks around with her head down, tail tucked in, a listlessness that is so not like her.  In a word, Moppit was moping.

Even the folks at the San Pedro Animal Hospital commented on it when I brought her in the other day to have an eye infection checked out. They know Moppit as a bright and playful soul. And indeed, she perked up as soon as we walked in the door.

She has found a preferred spot in the cool darkness under our bed and there she remains much of the time, occasionally coming out for a snuggle. Occasionally coming out to bark at a passing dog then sauntering over for my approval.

Sometimes she is so still, I gently poke her just to make sure she’s alright. I’m learning, too. I haven’t had a pet dog since I was a child and shared a saintly golden retriever with seven brothers and my sister. Moppit is doing her best to train me. On her first night here, I miss-read all the signals and she ended up pooping in the house — in a remarkable act of consideration she went right next to the toilet. The message to me was unmistakable. Now I listen.

Today was different for Moppit.

She practically sprinted up the beach. Head high, cantering, playing in the water, playfully chasing butterflies and lizards. It was our longest walk yet and maybe the freedom of the open trail appealed to her. Maybe it was the homemade dog food Rose gave her this morning — she inhaled the entire dish. (And I’ll tell you, the smell as it was being prepared made me a bit envious ….)

For one morning, at least, she was back to being her old self.

We’ll build on that. Moppit was a garbage can dog, rescued by the Saga Humane Society here on the island and adopted by Sandy. She is tough beneath that charming exterior.

I do hope she decides to keep us.

Because we really like being with her.

Thanks for reading. Here’s a bonus picture of sunrise in San Pedro from two days ago:

It takes so little effort to roll out of bed and take in the sunrise, I should be ashamed of myself for how often I miss it. Got this one though. Makes me want to get up earlier more often. Then again, I think I’ll just lay still until the feeling passes . . .