You better Belize it!

Calling all fellow travellers!

Border crossings into Belize from Guatemala are simple and (almost) pain free!!

I couldn't quite believe it. Crossing the border into Belize was indeed one of the simplest and most professional I have ever encountered in Central America. Not only were the signs all in English and Spanish, the staff were super polite and friendly and there was even a tour guide waiting to welcome everyone handing out free maps and advice! The tour guide even admitted to not know the answer to one of my questions which I found such a revelation as the norm is to just fabricate.

I cant be so nice about leaving Guatemala. The immigration staff there tried to charge me to leave the country which I knew was a blatant attempt to rip me off. I responded by demanding a receipt for what the were going to charge me. Not knowing I understand Spanish fluently the immigration control officer whispered to his colleague "entienda" which means I "understood" that they were trying it on with me. I have to say it really bothers me that each Central American country I've visited they have tried to do the same when I leave. Especially given how much money I and other travellers bring into their country. OK rant over.

I exchanged some currency at the border and was surprised to suddenly see Queenies face staring back at me! It turns out that Belize is part of the British Commonwealth with English being the official language. I must admit it took me a good few days to remember to not speak Spanish to everyone.

Clearly they need to update her picture but its Queenie nonetheless!

My first stop was Belize City which is the capital of the country. I cant say its the nicest of places I've been to, I would be lying. Its looks as a capital city are deceiving as it just resembles a big town. However the sense of uneasiness I got here whilst walking to the ATM to get some cash out certainly reminded me that it was a capital city with its fair share of crime. In the space of a few minutes lewd comments were jeered at me by several local men. Thankfully I was with another two travellers so they left us alone. I was certainly glad I wasn't staying here. 


Instead I caught the shuttle boat over to one of the neighbouring tropical islands called San Pedro. Island myth holds that Madonnas hit song La Isla Bonita was inspired by a visit here! It certainly is nice but my goodness its touristy. There were so many Americans and everything was really pricey. Dare I say it, even more so than Costa A Lot Rica!


Whilst searching for accommodation we stopped at a bar to use their WiFi. The owner (An American) suddenly starting spouting advice to me on looking after myself on the island & to watch out for crime. I wouldn't have minded all of this but it was so over the top, especially when he went as far as showing off his hand gun that he had tucked into the back of his trousers...


NB: I experienced no sign of crime on the island and actually felt quite safe there.


I had lucked out with my arrival coinciding with the annual Lobsterfest that took place on the local islands to celebrate the first catch of the season. That evening was therefore spent consuming my weight in lobster - tequila lobster kebabs, creole lobster and coconut rice, grilled lobster with rice and beans, and lobster purée with nachos - all washed down with lashings of rum punch :D

I sure did!

After spending a couple of days in San Pedro I caught a local shuttle boat over to the next island Caye Caulker. In hindsight I wish Id gone straight to Caye Caulker instead of San Pedro as it is much more tropical and chilled out and way prettier with all its pastel hued buildings. 

Picture postcard!

The distances weren't quite correct...

They serve a good shrimp dish here

Watching the sun set

My time here was spent swimming in the bath (I have taken to calling the Caribbean sea this as its so warm) sipping rum cocktails whilst watching the sun going down and eating once again my body weight in seafood. 

My local drinking hole

Sunset 

The highlight of my time here has without a shadow of a doubt been snorkelling. As you may recall I first tried snorkelling in Costa Rica albeit with a life jacket and without getting my ears wet. This time around I managed to toss the life jacket away and overcome my fear of getting water in my ears and have well and truly mastered snorkelling! I am so proud of myself. I feel like I've suddenly joined an elite club to which I didn't have the confidence to previously join. I did a day trip with a local tour company called Ragamuffin that took us out to the second longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.


Amazingly I snorkelled amongst nurse sharks - YES I SAID SHARKS - these ones don't bite though, stingrays (I avoided these like the plague as I didn't want to emulate the late Steve Irwin) Jacks, Groupers, Moray Eels and various other coral fish. The BEST though was swimming with turtles! They weren't as big as the ones I've heard about but they were big enough and they were mesmerizing to watch. 

Nurse sharks and stingrays

Nurse sharks jumping out of the water (bottom left) to eat food thrown at them 

Turtle!

Little Marmaid A.K.A citygirltravels (bottom right)

Looking a little special here with my mask and thumbs up...

The boat I sailed on

All in all it was an awesome day, except for the fact that I managed to get third degree burns on my bottom from the sun. I had diligently worn a long sleeve white top to cover my body but had forgotten to apply sun cream on my buttocks which I didn't realise poke out the water when you snorkel. Needless to say my bottom now resembles a pair of boobs wearing a red bikini...not quite the look I was going for :(