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Published: September 30th 2010
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Okay so it’s been a while since our last blog and a lot has happened!!
We spent a lazy few days back in Lima, nothing too exciting, just soaked up a last piece of South America. Stayed in Miroflores this time and not downtown Lima which gave us a totally different feel for the city.
Anyways, we flew out of Lima, through El Salvador, and into Belize City! As soon as we boarded the plane to Belize the people changed, as soon as we stepped off the plane, the humidity smacked us straight away. As we drove into the city, the taxi driver warned us not to venture out after dark!!
We checked into the ´seaside breeze´ hostel, a dilapidated building run by an ex Californian Mitch who had definitely indulged far too much in illegal substances, he seemed harmless though. The room left a lot to be desired, we wandered down for a quick bite to eat, very poor and it was definitely the first time in the trip where I felt a little on edge. Spent a very hot night there, and first thing we were up and on the water taxi to Caye Caulker.
The island is truly an amazing place, got a golf cart taxi to our accommodation, with air conditioner and tiny balcony looking at the Caribbean. As we wandered the streets everyone wanted to introduce themselves and say welcome. Unlike in South America where everyone wanted a tip for helping you! The day we arrived was also Belize Independence Day, so a lot was closed, in the afternoon there was a parade involving the only two cars on the island (the police car and fire truck) and many decorated golf carts and locals dancing and singing and enjoying the local rum!
Next day we did our first day of diving in the Caribbean, in Hol Chan Reserve, in between dives, we went back inside the reef for some snorkel time as well in our surface interval. When you dive in Victoria you get a warm cup of milo on the boat, in Belize it’s freshly cut pineapple! Very cool to dive just in boardies, no wet suit required!! Saw turtles, rays, nurse sharks, barracudas and plenty of fish and corals.
The day after was the big day, the Blue Hole, left early at 530am for the two hour boat out
to Lighthouse reef, rough ride, but the dolphins swimming along with the boat made it worthwhile! The blue hole was a 40metre dive, down the wall of the hole, then swimming under a ledge through stalactites and stalagmites. Probably one of the most amazing things I have ever done! Was such an eerie feeling, we felt like astronauts in deep space. Had a little giggle to myself, think it might have been the narc!! Too much nitrogen when you very deep, gives you a nice little high! Because of the depth only had 8 minute bottom time and a dive time of 25minutes! Saw plenty of reef sharks (these ones have teeth unlike nurse sharks!) Because of the depth the water gets cold, so donned a wet suit for this dive! Did two more incredible dives after the blue hole, all in lighthouse reef, but only to 18metres over some amazing coral, sting rays and eagle rays, saw eels and an octopus as well, and millions of amazing colored tropical fish, had lunch on this little atoll in the middle of the sea.
When we got back to shore, that night we heard rumors of a possible storm on
the way. The next morning as we went for a walk, a mass exodus of tourists was happening, all on the dock waiting for the next boat to the mainland! After much discussion with locals and the fact it was still a tropical storm and not yet a hurricane we decided to stay. Not many tourists did. The locals spent the day, cleaning up anything that could become airborne and also boarding up windows, and pulling boats out of the water onto land. We spent the afternoon drinking rum, as storm fronts would come in, lots of rain and wind and then they would disappear before the next one arrived!
Late that night we watched the epic AFL drawn grand final as the storm went crazy outside!!
The next morning the island showed the effects of the wind but nothing to bad, as there was still a possibility of more to come we changed from our little wooden cabana to a concrete apartment! As it turned out the storm never worsened but we enjoyed two nights in luxury! Ha
We boarded the boat to the Mexican border, after a week in the most special place.
Cheap drinks (less than
US$2 for spirits and cocktails), no cars, amazing blue Caribbean waters, fresh seafood and super friendly rastas!
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andrea doering
non-member comment
wow
Thanks for taking time out of your amazing days to do your blogs..photos give us a little taste of what you are experiencing...parade looks fun..the children look beautiful...you get a feel of the country though the eyes of kids and those angels sure looked happy..so do you two..love mum Andrea