BELIZE PART ONE

HAPPY CAMPERS ON OUR WAY

We had uneventful on time flights to Belize.  Changing planes in Houston was a breeze with enough time to get something to eat.  Upon arrival, Belize customs was quick and easy too.  Picked up the rental car and headed into Belize City.

Our bed and breakfast D'Nest Inn was easy to find with only one missed turn.  Here in Belize to make a left turn you must pull over to the right and wait for all traffic in both directions to clear before making the turn.  Our bed and breakfast was comfortable and air conditioned.  It's about 85 degrees and the humidity is about the same or higher.

After a good nights sleep we had a nice breakfast on the terrace before heading out towards our rental in Seine Bright Village, about 150 miles away.  It took about 5 hours to reach Seine Bright which in located in Southern Belize on the Placencia Peninsula.  About half of the drive was though some pretty drab scenery until we reached the capital, Belmopan.  Then we picked up the Hummingbird Highway which runs from Belmopan east to the coast.

Of course we had to stop for lunch.  We found this spot, just a roadside restaurant serving rice, beans and chicken.  We saw what looked like an non-native sitting a one of the outside tables so we asked him if the food was any good.  He said, "It better be, since I' m the owner."  Turns out he's from Canada and came to Belize a couple of years ago, met his future native born wife and the opened up their roadside restaurant.  The food was good, filling and inexpensive.

ENTRANCE TO OUR RENTAL

WE FACE THE BEACH

REFRESHMENTS

SUNRISE

This the the view from our deck overlooking the beach and pier.  We share this with just two other rentals here at The Maine Stay, and we rarely see anyone else.  We have 24 hour security here, but I don't think it's needed.   Anyway it's a worry free and  a very relaxing atmosphere.

GOOD MORNING

ONE OF THE NATIVES

 THE PRODUCE TRUCK

We bought fruit and vegetables from the local vendor.  The woman in the white t-shirt is Joyce.  She works at The Maine Stay and loves to talk.  She also likes our beer.

CAPTAIN AND CREW

LAUGHING BIRD CAYE

We took a snorkel trip out to Laughing Bird Caye with Splash Divers, one of the many outfits offering excursions here on the peninsula.  Laughing Bird Caye is a National Park which includes a small island and the surrounding coral reef.  Our guide, Prince, led us though the coral pointing out different coral formations, types of fish and lots of lobster.  Too bad it's not lobster season.  Everything is protected here and you aren't suppose to touch anything.  After about a hour in the water on the leeward side of the Caye (key) we got back on the beach for lunch.  BBQ chicken, scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, beans and some really sweet watermelon.

LUNCH

After lunch and some relaxation on the beach we went back in the water on the windward side for another look.  This time we swam around the Caya back to the leeward side.  Bigger fish on the windward side, most very colorful.  Saw a  large school of very small silver fish, much like you see on TV nature showes.  Very beautiful.

Did you know that if you snorkel with your face in the water for a long period of time, your bald head gets really sunburned?

LAUGHING BIRD CAYE FROM BOAT

HUSKING COCONUTS

There are two rangers who stay on the caye, which is about 200 yards long and about 50 yards across at it's widest point.  There rangers stay for 2 weeks and then go to the main land for a week.  They collect rain water to drink, eat coconuts and what ever supplies they bring from the main land.  There are plenty of coconuts on the caye. They have a TV that runs on a battery and is charged with solar panels.  There are not allowed to have guests stay with them (read girls) as is would keep them from their appointed rounds.

TO BE CONTINUED.........................