Blogs from Crooked Tree, Belize District, Belize, Central America Caribbean

Our first floor balcony in Crooked Tree village is set amongst tall green trees with huge red flowers that really stand out in this lush green jungle of palms, pines, cashew nut trees and mahogany. The air is full of bird song, of parrots' squawks and buzzing wings of passing hummingbirds. Beyond this we can hear the primeval sound of howler monkeys calling to each other. The monkeys are perhaps a mile away today, they are getting closer - their calls carry for up to four miles. In the blue sky above, vultures are circling; something may be attracting them or are they just enjoying being able to effortlessly glide in the warm air? Getting to Belize took two full days and plenty of paperwork – much of it never looked at. When we turned onto ... read more

Reaching the boarder a little after six in the evening, we passed through with surprising ease. We were unsure why no one wanted to stamp our passports or search the truck so we pulled over at an auto insurance booth to ask about the Belizian boarder crossing formalities. They told us to cross back over the boarder and on the other side there was a blue booth that would collect our Mexican tourist visas and stamp our passports. From there we were told to go to the Banercito on the Belizian side to work out the car permit. Upon arrival we discovered it was closed and we were told to return at eight the following morning, so we headed back to the Mexican boarder city of Chetumal where we got a room ate some tortas and ... read more

This day was our only full day in Crooked Tree. It was my favourite day of our trip (followed closely by our day snorkling at the beach) because I was able to learn so much about Joe and his family, as well as experience the real Belize. We were able to see how people live, and were able to feel the warmth, first hand, of the people who had welcommed the Biltons 20 years ago. Sunrise & Scrambled Eggs Much to my chagrin, Joe and Ben decided to wake up at the crack of dawn to enjoy the sunrise over the lagoon. Joe snapped numerous pictures (only 2 of which I've included). Eventually, they came back and we all went for breakfast. Bird Sanctuary reunion After breakfast we drove over to the only real tourist thing ... read more