“It’s your country too” “Your Queen is on our money”

Getting to the border with Belize and I was stupidly surprised and pleased to hear English being spoken and the signs written primarily in English. Had temporarily forgot that Belize of course speaks English. And although was 7th border crossing was the first on this trip that I’ve ended up doing solo.

My first stop was San Ignacio (Cayo). It isn’t a major tourist area but is definitely on the route as is so close to Guatemala. Spanish is useful here as well, as its so close to the border alot of people still speak in Spanish. Major thing I did here was visit some more ruins Xunantunich. The ruins are an easy day trip and when you get the water ferry over the little river, you can use the handcrank to operate the ferry if you ask. Also on the way back from the ruins to Cayo it was the first time in Central America that I have seen a woman bus driver and a woman conductor/ayudante! The buses in Belize are also much more of a luxury than in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua……. They are still the old American school buses but it’s illegal for anyone to be standing up when the bus leaves the terminal, people que to get on the bus and there is actually a timetable. Luxury! When I got speaking to some locals on the bus, they couldn’t believe how the buses are in some of the other countries.

Got a new job

After a few days in Cayo, headed out West to Hopkins. Natives kept telling me it is one of the best places in Belize, if not the best. And I can see why. It’s got beautiful beach, it’s close to the jungle, it’s got good food and culture and ain’t too big. No Spanish is spoken here, but if you know any Creole then here is the place to use it. Spent a few days not really doing alot in Hopkins, hanging around and chatting with locals and surprising them when they realised I could understand Creole. Also went to a bar one night to listen to some live local drumming and singing. And spent one day hiking around Mayflower reserve. Got round to seeing 4 waterfalls in one day, watching a family of Coati feeding and had abit of a standoff with a group of wild pigs.

Hopkins beach

1 of 4 waterfalls

Just before a standoff with the rest of the family

After Hopkins, made the decision to skip Caye Calker, the main backpacking place in Belize and instead headed to Orange Walk. This is where the expensiveness of Belize really hit. Belize is generally an expensive backpacking country, buses are abit more expensive, food and accommodation more expensive and there is an exit fee. But Orange Walk hit hard as there are no dorm beds so had to shell out big for a private room. Tried haggling on the price, but just got laughed at. Clearly wasn’t gonna work. But the people of Orange Walk are great and friendly. In talking with locals kept hearing “This is your country too”. “Your Queen is on out money and she ain’t ever coming off”. “You know Belize used to be British Honduras?” In Orange Walk there is also a Queen Victoria avenue and a Queen Elizabeth park. Something the locals are proud of.
But my highlight of Belize was a day trip from Orange Walk to the Mayan site of Lamanai. 2 hours on a boat up the New River stopping when we saw a different bird, lizards, crocodiles, bats or anything of interest with our guide explaining things. Then got lunch before guided tour of the site and was really impressed with the guide, he knew his stuff and didn’t over egg anything. And to top it off had some rum punch on the trip back down the river.

Lamanai

"Your Queen is on our money"