Mahahual at Costa Maya didn’t welcome us too much. Maybe we just had bad luck, but the people we met were quite unfriendly, the hostel we chose was pretty crappy and the atmosphere wasn’t too nice. Only the mosquitoes took good care of us and were around us all the time. We gave it still a try and chose to focus on the beach but it didn’t overwhelm us. Spontaneous as we are, we decided while sipping our coffee, that we go to Belize. As our clothes were at a laundry, we couldn’t start immediately but had to wait for them.
In the early afternoon we get them back clean. With some additional delays at the border we change our destination to a closer town in Belize at the sea: Corozal. And that’s all we know about this town: The name and that it’s located at the sea. As it is New Year’s Eve, we prepare ourselves to get into a huge beach-party with many people and loud music. And we shouldn’t be disappointed. There was a beach-party. With people. And music. It was a party of three. SJ, me and the dog of the hotel we stayed at. The music came from our music-player and we had fireworks…far away. But first things first. We arrived and had the impression that we were the only guests in the hotel…which we figured out a bit later was wrong but we were the only ones at the beach. …oh…the beach…we decided at the check-in before going to our room to grab a beer and drink it outside.
A few ours and several beers later we went the first time to our room but only because we had to prepare the party: Get to a gas station and buy something to drink and cheer as the bar closed already for the day.
We nearly had another guest at our party. But he/she was only interested in our beer and our snacks and finally we didn’t invite it as we didn’t know what kind of party animal it will become with too much beer.
As mentioned the dog of the hotel showed up but completely afraid of the fireworks which were far away but still to hear. We try to calm her down but she disappears after a few minutes and we only see her the next morning a little more relaxed. So, SJ and me watch the probably shortest New Year’s firework we ever experienced. It started about 5 minutes before midnight and the last rockets were fired somewhere around 5 minutes after midnight.
And that’s how we closed the year 2017 and started into 2018. Again a complete different event as we used to celebrate but far away to call it bad. It was amazing.
We go sleeping shortly before the sun rises as we talk a lot and forget completely the time.
With far too less sleep we head towards Belize City. With 60,000 inhabitants the biggest city of this small country, although not capital any more.
We spent far too less time in this country which is far different than its neighbor countries. It’s colorful, interesting and the people are so diverse. The former hideaway for pirates still shows signs of its past especially in their inhabitants. You could imagine some of them in the series Pirates of the Caribbean because of their appearance. …and you get surprised when you start a conversation with them. Not how you would imagine a pirate at all: Open, warm-hearted and friendly. For example we get invited to a small vacation-island at a gas-station by a group of Belizeans when they figured out we’re coming from far away. Unfortunately we have to decline that invitation as SJ’s flight back home is booked, will be in two days and the way to the airport is still long.
The border crossing to Guatemala is unique. Children help tourists to get through the whole process. And then there’s the exchange bank. Bank? Well, it’s a sleazy man sitting on a chair just in front of the border control desks who offers a horrible exchange rate. And he knows it. He says directly to you that he has one of the worst rates in the whole country. But he’s the only one who changes the currencies at this border. The officers do everything that you have to change your money at this local “bank“. I only change as much as needed to cross the border but I will lose the amount of a whole dinner because of that. Finally we’re in Guatemala and try to forget this experience as soon as possible. Flores should be a good opportunity to be able to do so. As it’s already quite late and dark, we don’t see too much on our way to Flores but we realize that the speed bumps are made as solid as in Mexico. Because of the darkness we feel them more often than we can see them ahead of time. Every torture has its end…and this time it ends on an island in the middle of a lake. Flores is an old city with many colored houses and narrow alleys. Really nice. Although I spent already a dinner at the border bank, we’re still hungry and find a cozy, little restaurant. While we wait for our meals, the world outside drowns…at least it seems so. Heavy rains turn the alleys into small rivers. We just arrived in time.
To be able to spend a calm last day together on this trip, we want to get to San Pedro Sula in Honduras. After seeing Chichen-Itza, one of the seven world-wonders, we experience another „wonder“: The big border-crossing closes daily at 6pm for twelve hours. No idea why. But it means, as we arrive shortly after 6pm that we have to turn around, drive 25 miles (40 km) through heaviest to the next big city to find a dry place to sleep. On our way there, we found another hotel but it was out of our range…dirty and shabby. Back into the rain, into a clean room, under a cold shower and get some sleep. The next day we finally make it over the border, which wasn’t as suspect as the one before but still weird.
Our last evening together is pretty calm with some local food, beer and nice talks. On the next morning at the airport we get surprised by a huge crowd in front of the check-in. 300 passengers and only two desks. As soon as SJ can drop-off her bag, she already has to get to the security control. A fast good-bye and a long hug later I let her go back home.
We laughed, danced and partied together on this trip. We were able to get to know new countries, cultures and people. We experienced small and big adventures together, shared stories, exchanged confidences and fathomed some mysteries out. Whenever there’s a chance again for a trip together: I’m ready!
