24 | November | 2010 | From Deadhorse Down

Day 93 – San Ignacio, BZ to Caye Caulker, BZ

November 24, 2010 5 Comments

Day 93 – San Ignacio, BZ to Caye Caulker, BZ 11/22/10 Mileage: 0 (Riding), 3 hours on a chicken bus.

Brian and I met for breakfast and chatted about our trips. He was staying in San Ignacio for a couple more days and I was heading for Caye Caulker. My original plan was to ride to Belize City, stash the bike and take a water taxi out to Caye Caulker. But instead I decided to leave the bike in San Ignacio at the hotel with Brian and take a chicken bus to Belize City. This way the bike was safe and I wouldn’t have to pay for and find safe parking for the bike in Belize City. So later that morning I caught a chicken bus (only $7!) to the coast. After arriving in Belize City, I walked to the waterfront to buy my water taxi ticket to Caye Caulker.

The Belize City waterfront…

Belize City

I had 2 hours until the next water taxi, so I walked around town for a bit. Now maybe there is a nice section of Belize City, but I can tell you it isn’t by the water taxi docks! The regular taxi drivers were also annoying, shouting to anyone within a 3 block radius who looks remotely like a tourist if they need a taxi. I must have been asked 125 times in ninety minutes…no shit! I stopped even responding after a while as it was just incessant! The water taxi ride out to the Caye took around 45 minutes and there was a nice sunset over the water. Once I arrived I immediately like the low key vibe.

Arriving at Caye Caulker

Rush hour in Caye Caulker….nice!

At night these crabs are lurking everywhere in the tall grass….don’t take any shortcuts barefoot!

The streets are sand and there isn’t a patch of pavement in site…awesome! There is also no need for a car as the island is quite small and golf carts are the preferred motorized transport…but a beach bike or on foot is the best way to get around. I walked around for a bit and after getting a room, wandered out for dinner.

Filed under Belize

Day 92 – Tikal, GU to San Ignacio, BZ

November 24, 2010 2 Comments

Day 92 – Tikal, GU to San Ignacio, BZ 11/21/10 Mileage: 64

It was absolutely pouring overnight, so much so that it woke me up a few times and that almost never happens. I got up at 6am and it was still raining, but luckily by the time the tour started at 6:30 it had stopped. The tour of the Tikal ruins was great and I’m glad I sprung for the guide. I’ll let the pictures do the talking…

This mound is what the structures look like before restoration….completly covered by the earth and jungle.

The tops of the temples visible above the jungle canopy.

These cute little guys are everywhere…called a coatimundi.

Here’s a shy howler monkey….couldn’t get a good shot.

The tour was over by 11 and after packing up the bike I was off to meet Brian on the road to Belize.

Brian from England and his BMW F650

The Guatemala \ Belize border…it was a snap and took only an hour total.

The bikes at the border…

We rode together across the Belize border to San Ignacio and found rooms at a hotel in town. After settling in we went out for dinner and a few beers.

“Main St.” in San Ignacio, Belize

Getting a beer at Flayva’s

I personally got offered pot and/or coke 3 separate times that night, but of course declined…I already had plenty… 😉 It was also weird to be back in an english speaking country after almost 7 weeks in Mexico and Guatemala, I kept saying gracias instead of thank you!

Filed under Belize, Guatemala

Day 91 – Flores, GU to Tikal, GU

November 24, 2010 2 Comments

Day 91 – Flores, GU to Tikal, GU 11/20/10 Mileage: 42

Brian and I met for breakfast and we discussed the possible routes going south. I also spent several hours getting somewhat caught up on the blog while I had an OK internet connection. In the afternoon I packed up the bike and left for Tikal which was only a little over an hour away. I got a room at the famous Jaguar Inn right at the entrance to the Tikal ruins. I also signed up for a 4 hour guided tour for the following morning as I heard it was well worth it. I had dinner at the Jaguar and used the wifi for a bit, but turned in early as the tour starts at 6:30am and I wanted to get a good nights sleep.

I totally goofed in not getting any pictures of the Jaguar, so here’s some pics from their website.