Blogs from Belize, Central America Caribbean - page 105

It has been quite tough writing this entry as we have found it difficult condensing things down. The blog is both to inform you of our travels and to serve as a travel diary for us. We have added some headings to the text to try make it easier to for people to pick what interests them. Of course for the people with little time we hope the photos and their captions will keep you satisfied. Arriving in Caye Caulker for Lobster Festival After a gruelling 24+ hours of travelling, involving 5 separate flights and 2 hours of 40 degree heat waiting to get through customs, we arrived at our planned destination, Caye Caulker (pronounced “Key Corker” by the locals). Unfortunately for us, we had arrived in the middle of the annual lobster festival and all ... read more

First class bus took us as far as Chetumal on the Mexican/Belize border. Due to a 3 hour wait for the connecting bus to Belize City we transferred to the 2nd Class bus station. Were persuaded to get on an old US school bus (also known by Gringos as chicken buses!!)that would take us as far as Orange Walk for the princely sum of $2 for a 2 hour bus journey!!This price included free Bob Marley and Venga Boys (played at full volume) all the way through northern Belize!! Air conditioning consisted of open windows, refreshments - mango on a stick bought from a street vendor!! Glad we hadnt opted to stay in Orange Walk (as this was going local big time and we werent quite ready for that experience!!). The subsequent chicken bus meant getting ... read more

Entering Belize was strange, I had to resist the urge to speak bad Spanish when talking with the locals, the first language of the country is English. We had taken the shuttle bus service offered by San Juan travel in Flores. Spent 1 1/2 hours on the border waiting for the three Israelis on the bus to be allowed in. New travelling tip in Central America don't travel with people from countries beginning with I. The Irish that I had spoken with had also had trouble obtaining VISAs - after the trouble in Columbia. Sharon, Lizette and I parted ways in San Ignacio. Near San Ignacio another set of Mayan ruins attract visitors, I have no idea whether these are more impressive than any of the other ruins I have seen but Sharon and Lizette needed ... read more

Frpm Guatemala, I made my way to the warm waters of the carribean. I took a bus into belize and a connecting boat to Ambergris/Caulker Cayes. Ambergris is the island used in FOX's "Temptation Island" show. It is a bit too touristy and commercial for me. I spent most my time in Caye Caulker. A small, very laid back island with fewer tourists and no traffic. Water is 75F and ideal for swimming. I spent one day diving around the Holchan Marine park. Saw several nurse sharks, sting rays, and plenty of tropical fish. But, the highlight of the belize was the a fastastic day of scuba diving at the Lighthouse reef, famous for the BLUE HOLE. It was made famous by Jacques Crousteau in late 70s when he dived here and said it was the ... read more

This blog entry will cover the Hel & Scott’s adventures in Central American, part of the 2000 trip, and covers Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama… This page is under construction. To see my sister following in our footsteps check out her blog - cuatro-gringos... read more