Kelly and Steve: June 2006

Yes I know the 'un"Belize"able', and "you better Belize it" are really dorky statement, but we were amazed at the number of t-shirts and other touristy items with those statements on them. I mean would you really proudly wear that shirt when you returned to the states? Anyways here are a couple photos of the local kids feeding the crocs. This is not a true tourist show, we old found out about it when the kids brother told us. In this lagoon there are several crocs ranging from 10-15 feet. Needless to say we did not go swimming there.

While riding around in the golf cart local children would often jump on the back seat for a free ride. We picked up this group of kids in town and they rode with us to the crocodile feeding.

Our Honeymoon
San Pedro, Belize, C.A.

Our honeymoon was great. This was Steve’s first international trip, and he is now planning another trip to Belize next summer, and is avidly researching a trip to Costa Rica. We arrived on Sunday afternoon in San Pedro via Delta and Tropic Air. We spend some time walking around the small town after we checked in at Ramon’s. It was very hot and we were so tired. We just ate dinner at Ramon’s then crashed.

Our hut at Ramon's

This is the cheesy painting on the wall of our room

Monday morning we took advantage of our free 4 hour electric golf cart rental from Ramon’s. We went to Cay Caulker. Then we were not sure what to do when we go back to the resort, so we chose to go snorkeling at Cho Han and Shark Ray Alley. That was a really spectacular trip. The snorkeling pictures were taken with a film underwater camera, so I am still waiting on them to be developed. Dinner was at Domingo’s, a semi local restaurant that was one of my favorite, although Steve did not like it very much.

Tuesday morning we booked a full day fishing trip on the flats with a local fishing guide, Daniel. We first fished for tarpon along some channel, with no luck. Then we moved to the flats near the mangrove trees. Steve fly fished for several hours for “the boney fish,” still with no luck. I was getting so hot that I asked to come in early. Steve was also hot and getting bored, so we asked Daniel to take us in. Our 8 hour trip turned into a 5 hour trip. Daniel was a good guide, but he was not exceptionally friendly or patient.

After fishing we rode to north side of the island in golf cart. This was a true adventure which we repeated may times. The road was horrible and the mosquitoes were EVERYWHERE! I must have been bitten 500 times. I began only putting deet on my clothing, then I finally rubbed it all over me. The good news is, those moistures do not itch as much as the ones at home. The photo to the side is of Steve holding his conch cheviche. It was a great dish that we had many times, and hope to cook at home. (I like the shrimp cheviche the best) We were going to attend Ramon’s beach Bar-b-que, but Steve fell asleep really early and I could not get him to wake up, so I just read and went to sleep as well...with no dinner.

Wednesday morning was spent riding the cart around town. We spend a bit of time looking in the local shops, but mostly we went to the back streets to see how the locals live. We also rode to

Captain Morgan’s on the north end of the island and took a tour of their place. It was really nice; I wished we would have stayed there. We thought we had a 5pm evening fishing appointment so we when to the dock, but due to some confusion Steve had not actually confirmed the trip. Steve spent the evening fishing at Hillyboo’s dock for tarpon. He had lots of fun, but still no success. I took great sunset pictures and talked to the local kids about fishing. I can not believe the knowledge that those 8-10 year old kids had. They could be tourist fishing guides; I would certainly pay them for a fishing trip.

This is Neri's Taco stand. Steve had chicken tacos for a late morning snack. They cost $1.00 US, and we got many more that 6. This is where all the locals eat at.

Thursday morning we took the cart to the south end of island. While there we called up the crocodiles and saw many iguanas. At 1pm we had a fishing tour.

On the way to the boat we purchased some very fresh fruit, right off of the fruit boat. We had the largest and sweetest pineapple ever. We also had apple bananas, mangos and black mangos. The fruit is something that I truly miss. Anyways, Hillyboos was going to take us out, but something came up and his co-worker Charlie took us out. Charlie was very knowledge about the island and ocean. Riding with him was truly a learning experience. Steve caught his first 2 “bonny fish”. He was very excited. We also caught several barracudas’ each. We had dinner at a Mickey’s, a restaurant recommend both by Charlie and Daniel.

When we woke up Friday morning it was raining really hard, but our trip was still on. The boat to Lamanai picked us up at our dock about an hour late (nothing unusual-everyone is on “island time”). We took that boat inland up the river, while covered with blue tarps to keep us somewhat dry. Then we took a school bus ride inland. This was an hour of the bumpiest ride ever (even worse than the golf cart, because I could not make the driver slow down when my bladder was full). We then got on another boat to take us up another river to the Laminai site. This ride also took an hour. When we arrived at Laminai we were greeted by a beautiful nesting toucan. I can not describe the beautiful colors of this bird and photos do not do justice to the bird. Then were walked through the jungle to the ruins. It was not too hot, maybe 90 or so, but due to the rain, it was really humid. Steve and I were really excited to climb the large pyramid. It was 140 feet to the top. The hike up was really cool and scary, but the view from the top was incredible. We had lunch at the picnic area, and reversed the entire trip. We arrived back on the island about 5:30. We had dinner at Carabos, a seafood restaurant near the center of town. The food was just ok; it was probably our least favorite meal on the island.

This is how cokes were delivered to the stores. I think someone on Amber Gris Caye must own stock in John Deere

Saturday morning was spent with Steve fly fishing, by wading in the water just south of the bridge that separated the north and south sides of the island. He had lots of fun, while the bone fish had more fun playing mind games with him. I walked around taking pictures and talking to the local kids. We were very excited to attend the 4pm crocodile feeding. A local teenager feeds frozen chicken to the crocs that hang out in a lagoon. It was interesting to watch, but I think he was dangerously close. We only saw 3 crocs, but they ranged in size from 8-12 feet. We did not see the large 15 foot one. They said she only attends the feeding about once a week. After the crocodile feeding, Steve spent more time trying to catch a bone fish, still no success. Dinner was at El Fogans. They were having a Saturday night special cook-out. Steve had a fish fillet and I had crab claws. We spend a bit of time after dinner “cruising town” in our cart. There was not much night life. I think all the tourist hung out at beach front bars and the locals just stood outside their homes and talked to each other. Oh, there was a rather big basket ball game going on just inside town. Many of the locals were in attendance.

Steve spends Sunday morning fly fishing, by wading in on the flats near the bridge that connects the north and south ends of the island. I took “the wheels” and drove around town. We ate a late breakfast buffet at Ramon’s. Then sadly we returned the golf cart and went to the San Pedro airport to board our Tropic Air flight. The really cool part of this flight was the fact that I was the co-pilot. Well I had no responsibilities, but I got to sit in the seat. I had access to all the floor controls, hand controls and steering wheel. Steve was so jealous! We then boarded our Delta flight and had a great ride into Atlanta. Customs was really crowded. It took us an hour and a half after the plane landed before we were in the parking lot.

It was a wonderful trip, but like always I am glad to be home…but can’t wait to go back!