BELIZE - THE FINAL CHAPTER

Because I'm experiencing writers block, plus the fact that most of you are most likely getting bored, this will be the last entry about our Belize trip.  Lots of photos and some about what we did.

We went on a second norkeling adventure, this time with Avadon Divers out to the Barrier Reef.  The Belize Barrier Reef is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in size.  From Placencia it's a 25 mile boat ride out to the reef taking a little over an hour.  There were three other customers on the boat who were going to be SCUBA diving.  Once we arrived at the reef the divers were put in the water on the ocean side of the reef.  The boat then moved to the other side where we were put in the water.  With our guide, we swam along the reef at a depth of around 15 to 20 feet for about an hour.  The fish here were much more plentiful and the water much clearer than our first excursion to Laughing Bird Caye.  We saw a huge stingray and so many colorful fish, I can't remember them all.. After about an hour the boat came, picked us up and took us to our second spot near a small island.  We were put in the water on the windward side and I immediately saw two very large Spotted Eagle Rays swimming peacefully along the bottom.  It was a sight to behold.



We swam around the island to the leeward side we were were once again picked up by our boat.  After our second snorkel we made a stop at South Water Caye for a potty break before heading back to the mainland.

South Water Caye is a 12 acre island on the barrier reef that for a price, and high price I might add, you may stay in one of the small resorts.  A very beautiful setting.  

SOUTH WATER CAYE

Of course every trip requires eating at the local establishments.  Overall we had some great food and in large quantities  The helpings in most restaurants were huge as evidenced by our collective weight gain, which we won't discuss further.  Only one bad experience.  Although the food was good, the service was extremely slow at Wendys Creol Restaurant.  Seemed like they prepared the food for one table at a time.  Took over an hour for our meal to arrive.  To top it off, when I got home and checked my Visa statement, they charged me twice for the dinner.  Won't be going there on our next visit.



DINNER AT THE SECRET GARDEN

LUNCH AT LAUGHING BIRD CAYE

DE TATCH CAFE, ONE OF OUR FAVORITES

THIS IS WHAT A BILLION CALORIES LOOK LIKE

STUFFED FRY JACK FOR BREAKFAST

THIS IS AS CLOSE A CATHIE GOT

TO EATING A LOBSTER

Although we had a kitchen with all the utensils, we really didn't use it much.  Coffee and toast in the morning and chips and salsa in the afternoon.  Our excuse was that there was only room in the refrigerator for beer.  We did try for some healthy alternatives.

CATHIE AND HER WATERMELON

GARY AND CATHIE AT THE PRODUCE STAND



We had two days of rain but it really didn't bother us.  We still managed to enjoy ourselves and stay dry for the most part.

THE COWS KNEW WHEN TO COME OUT OF THE RAIN

I snapped this picture from a bridge overlooking this river.  Right after capturing this image, the ladies gave me the one finger salute.  I guess they weren't to happy.  Sorry ladies.

LAUNDRY DAY

The beaches in Placencia were really clean but much of the surrounding areas were not.  Lots of trash along the roadways and in the smaller villages.  Just kind of junky looking.

Are there bugs in Belize?  You betcha and just about every one of them found Gary.  They really loved the taste of his blood.  Cathie and Diane got bit a couple of time, and me?  Not once.  Besides the mosquitoes, there are sand flys and the bothersome, noseeums which are not stopped by screens over the windows.  Bring lots of Deet, which I only had to use on my visit to the wildlife sanctuary.  A good item to bring is a product called "After Bite" available at REI.  It takes away the itch and really works. Gary used a whole bunch.

PERHAPS HIS WHITE LEGS ATTRACTED THEM!

We heard they had something at the local pharmacy that prevented the bug bites, but the day we found this out was election day and the shop was closed.

TYPICAL HOME IN BELIZE

Lots of buildings had these roofs covered with palm fronds.  They are tightly woven together and really keep the water out.  We were told that the roof lasts for 12 years or so before having to be replaced.

Pelicans feeding on our beach in the morning.

 HEADING BACK TO BELIZE CITY ALONG

THE HUMMINGBIRD HIGHWAY

Driving in Belize was pretty trouble free.  Not to many signs telling you where to turn or the name or number of a highway, but there aren't very many highways to choose from.  Most roads are well maintained with pot holes only evident on the Hummingbird Highway.  As I mentioned before, making a left turn is different.  Pull to the right and wait for the traffic in both directions to pass before turning.  There are some place where there are left turn lanes.  They just happen to be on the right side of the road.  At every town, village and small settlement there are some very large speed humps.  They don't look like much from a distance, but their about a foot high and if you hit one at high speed, they will cause severe damage to your car not to mention causing it to go airborne, so lookout!

GETTING READY FOR THE FLIGHT HOME.

The Philip Goldson International Airport near Belize City is the country's main airport.  Small by most standards, it handles mostly small commuter planes and about 8 large jet flights a day.  So when we taxied out for take off, I wondered what was up when we stopped short of the runway for about 5 minutes.  As I was looking out the window I saw and airport employee with a large sack chasing a very large Igauna.  Wouldn't want one sucked in the engine.

JUNGLE FLOWER

We had a great time in Belize.  It was very relaxing and stress free.  Both Cathie and I agree that at some point we will be returning.  We couldn't have asked for more with our rental and the staff at Maine Stay.  With the best snorkeling ever and the unmatched experience of floating down a river inside a dark cave, this trip was one of the highlights of Gassaway's Adventures.

You can also see some more photos at Gary and Diane's blog.