Guatemala & Belize

Well the time ratio between the 2 countries was originally going to be split 25% in Guatemala and 75% in Belize, but this was not to be the case. I typed up my last journal report in Chetmual near the Mexican border, where I had to wait for 4 hours until the bus left for Flores in Guatemala. I headed up to the cafeteria for some food and I ran into a Sydney girl by the name of Talia. She had been waiting at the bus station since 9pm that night (nuts). So we chatted about our travels and the like and tried to keep each other awake before our 6am bus. We nearly jumped on a mini bus at 5am that was heading the same way, but I was convinced that there was a 6 star bus leaving at 6. It was a 6 star bus compared to the mini bus, but not like those I had caught in Mexico. It was a 40 or so seater bus and there were 6 or 7 of us on the bus to Belize City, 3 of whom were aussies, the third was Emma - she hails from Queensland, so the 3 of us chatted when we were not dosing off. To get to Guatemala we had to go to Belize City which meant that we had to go through 2 lots of Immigration and a relaxed Customs, and pay entrance and departure fees for both. The only gain out of it was a few more stamps in the passport. In Belize City we picked up a few more travellers that had come from Caye Caulker an island I went to later in the trip. A majority of the new passengers were from Australia so the nearly packed 40 seater had a ratio of 50% aussies. We also meet Matt an English guy who lives in Amsterdam. After a further 5 hours from Belize on a bus with no air con, it was time from the 4 of us to head for a beer. It was this idea for a beer that brought the 4 of us together for the trip, other wise we all may have gone our separate ways. After a few beers and exchanging travel plans which were all very different, we headed to a few of the hotels or hostels that the Lonely Planet recommended. After no luck we found a hotel that had 4 singles, a fan, a bathroom and on the lake! It was a steal at only $20 US a night. At this time it became clear that Talia would be our interpreter for the time we were together, as Matt and I spoke little to no Spanish. Emma was still learning but a lot more quickly than me. So the 4 of us headed out for tea and located a nice restaurant/bar that had happy hour from 6-10, with cocktails being cheap as cheap for 2x1.

Sunday was a time to catch up on sleep with there not being much in the previous 40 hours. So the plan to get in and out of Flores quickly had already halted, as the best time to do the Tikal ruins was a 3.30am, so we thought Monday would be the best time to do this. We walked around Flores, actually lapping the island before we had even realised as it was that small. Flores is and island on a lake connected by a bridge to the main land. So after a bit of a rest we headed to a restaurant that backed onto the lake for some lunch, swim and some beers. After we jumped out a storm rolled through quite quickly. It was really amazing, and much needed as it cooled the air greatly. It was quite funny how well the 4 of us connected considering our different back grounds. Matt did a visual psychiatric analysis on us which was a bit of fun and at times quite close to the mark. It also gave us some material to work with for the rest of our time together. From there it was out to tea for some drinks and cards. A 3.30 start in the morning hurt a bit, but we headed to the Tikal ruins which is set in the jungle, so we did not just get to see the ruins, but also wildlife such as Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Toucans and Banana Birds and the like, but I was hoping to see a (Jan Juc) Jaguar, but there was none in sight. We keep running on empty during the day. We had run into a few other travellers from the Land Down Under and the States who also were keen for a drink after getting back at 1ish. The good thing about Flores is that you could bar hop from 3 till 10 drinking at different restaurants/bars happy hours. We headed to one of the hostels in the end that the Americans were staying at for some drinks and food. It was a pretty impressive place with massive drinks and good food. I pulled the pin at 10ish as Matt and I had to be on a 6.30 bus this time back to Belize to get out to Caye Caulker.

I was heading there for the day and night following a recommendation from Matt Torney, but Matt had been there for a few days before Guatemala and was heading back to relax for a few more as he was only on holiday for a few weeks. After the 4 and a bit hour bus ride to Belize City we caught the water taxi out to Caye Caulker. It’s about 45-60mins boat ride out to the island. We found a cheap place to crash and headed down the street for a look and a few beers. There is a place at the end of the island called the split, and it was where the island was spilt in half by a hurricane in the 80’s. It’s a good area to swim and has a good bar down there. We spent most of our time watching a very drunk yank driving around on his jet ski like a clown and try to kill himself off the diving board a number of times. Caye Caulker is a pretty small island and yet it has a number of bars, all with happy hours. My favourite was one that I did not drink at but happy hour ran from 8am till 9pm. That was until I found one that was from 10am till everybody is happy! It was a pretty low key night and I was up early for a swim and then caught the ferry back to Belize City. From there it was to the airport for a flight to Lima via Miami, where I sit now in the American Airways Admirals Club writing this entry. I some how got in here after trying my Frequent Flyers card, but as I flew from Belize I some how got in here.

It was good to get to Caye Caulker though I had planned to stay more than one day and night and it’s somewhere I would like to go again if I have my scuba diving certificate. But the times with Talia, Emma and Matt in Guatemala where too much fun to leave and it was a great thing that I ran into them. It made my blow in and out trip of Guatemala to see Tikal so much more enjoyable.

Michael

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