Week 6 Belize

Week 6

Tuesday. Living up to the island motto, we did indeed 'go slow'. We spent all day relaxing on the island and didn't do much at all. I did learn today that steak on the island is pretty poor. I had the worst T-bone steak ever at Enjoy Restaurant and Bar. Roland also had a very odd jerk chicken - looked more like chicken stir fry! I knew we should have stuck to lobster!

Wednesday. Today we joined Benedict and his mate on their boat for a ride out to the barrier reef - with 6 others. 

sunken boat in the Caribbean sea

Benedict and the Captain

When booking the trip (100BZD each), we were promised fish lunch followed by lobster dinner. However he missed the caveat that if no one catches anything, there wouldn't be anything to eat!! Unfortunately we were all completely useless and we only caught 2 tiny fish and 1 little lobster.

We snorkeled with nurse sharks before heading to our own private island for much needed food. As the fishing didn't quite go to plan, there was a last opportunity to get more protein for the meal ... Conch/hermit crabs. Diving into the conch pit (which smelt gross), I was determined to get something - it wasn't that hard. After feeling around in the mud I picked up a large conch shell with a hermit crab living inside. I have always wondered what a hermit crab looked like....pretty disgusting close up!  Surprisingly it tasted quite nice!

After our meal we headed back to The Caye and chilled out for the rest of the evening.

I caught the biggest one!

Thursday. Very lazy day indeed. The island life was really rubbing off on us! We did manage to walk half way round the island until we couldn't go any further -  the path disappeared under the swampy, stinky mangroves. Mangroves always freak me out a little -  I keep thinking that someone is going to spring from the tangled roots and kill me!!!

Note to self, always lock the door, even when inside the room. Today the cleaning lady got an eyeful when she opened the door to our room (didn't knock) - me lying starkers on the bed! Didn't even say sorry!

For lunch we ate Ceviche - the first time this trip. It actually was a lot better than what I expected.

Friday. Rain rain rain, that is what it did all day! I was really amazed how Roland and I can amuse ourselves for hours on end ... as long as we have WiFi! The weather was kind to us and stopped for about 2 hours in the evening which was enough time to get some food. We ate at Wish Willy Bar and Grill and had a delicious fish dinner for 15BZD.

Saturday. Yay no rain! We got up early and headed out to get some nice breakfast at Happy Lobster (there is only so many days you can eat omelets). Feeling rather stuffed, we headed out to walk around the island, before the rain started again.

Conch graveyard

Lovely coconuts!

There is a storm brewing!

 We have found possibly the best cheap eat on the island. Run by a friendly couple who make the best fry jacks and burritos at only 4 BZD each. The fry jack stuffed with everything was delicious, and so was the burrito. If you find yourself in Caye Caulker you have to eat here! Emolyn's House Of Fry Jacks, located on middle street, conveniently next to the bakery (Cinnamon rolls are super!)

Sunday 6:30am. Thus thud thudy thud. This is what woke me up. The sound of the rain hitting the roof of the hostel. I have never seen rain like it! Roland was already awake complaining that he had been awake for hours because of it.

"I hope it stops soon....otherwise we are going to get drenched"

Luckily it did, just enough time for us to walk to the boat.

Again the boarder crossing from Belize into Guatemala was hassle free (just a 37.50 BZD exit fee) and 9 hrs later and we were back in Flores. We checked in with the travel agents El Zots to confirm our trip to El Mirador and most importantly, making sure our wellies were taken care of. We then headed to our hostel for the evening, Los Amigos, which was very nice and cheap at 120Q!

Monday. The alarm went off at 4:00am. It rained ALL night! I was a little worried how our 5 day trekking adventure would be like!

Adventure continued on El Mirador post ...