September 25, 2014

After crossing the border in to Belize, Paul and I decided to grab a bite to eat in the border town, Corozal. Not as easy as it sounds. Most of the restaurants in town are Chinese owned and all closed. Forget to find something near the water with outside seating. After riding around for a good 30 minutes, we finally get lucky at the "Romantic Restaurant and Bar". Yes, Chinese food. I order Chow-Mein and a coke, Paul settles for a burger and a local Belikin. Hmmm...strange name for a beer.

The place is basically a large room with tables, chairs and chinese decorations. The waitress is not very friendly and doesn't seem overly eager do serve us. I have to get my own menu. Do I have to cook my own food, too?

We exit the place and are being approached by a 9 year old boy, selling oranges and chips from a basket. I let him sit on my bike and Paul buys an orange from him. His face lights up.

Fishing is not considered a sport here. — Fishing is not considered a sport here.

After a brief chat with two local cops (they give us advice to stay in the northern end of Belize City), and some snapshots from a fishing pier, we get on the bumpy road out of town towards Belize City.

And wouldn't you know it, they have speed bumps here, too. Only do they call them "Pedestrian Ramps". Sweet touch!

Paul cannot stick around and splits of at some point, heading to Punta Gorda, planning on catching the ferry to Guatemala the next morning. He is on a very tight schedule, and not able to enjoy the Belizean hospitality to its fullest.

Paul's bike on the way from Belize to Guatemala...thanks for providing the photo, Paul.

I arrive in Belize City just after dark. It's drizzling, and I decide on the not exactly inexpensive, Best Western Biltmore Hotel at the Northern part of town. Advice taken, boys.

Raining again...at the Best Western Belize City.

After getting settled in my room with parking right outside my window, I hear the pouring rain, thunder and lightning. All night looong... Glad, I found this place before getting wet.

The sun is blazing from the sky the next morning, when I take a dip in the hotel pool, have a cup of complimentary coffee, pack up and swing my leg over the seat again.

Destination: Placencia, a coastal town about half way between Belize City and Punta Gorda.

As I am riding through some fairly non-described landscape, my "reliable" Garmin tells me, keep straight. But there is a road sign "Placencia, Punta Gorda, left". Hey, who am I to question local road signs... and turn...left.

Up to this point, riding in Belize wasn't really, what I'd consider, adventurous.

The pavement quickly turned from asphalt in to dirt. Actually, it was a mix of rocks, gravel, mud, water puddles and sand. The road was still slick from rain the night before. Not too rechnical, but still challenging enough, keeping me on my toes. Niiiicccceeee!

I am starting to get excited! The ride lasts for about two hours and took me through coconut palm ochards, orange groves, narrow bridges and rock formations. The road was straight for the most part, with some ocassional turns. I repositioned my GoPro from cockpit, to helmet, to rear view to get the best angles possible. It was pure fun and adrenaline!

After getting back on the main road, I spotted a sign"Hoskins Beach". I follow a dusty road, and find a quaint little town right along the Carribean.

It is now 4 pm, and I make the on-the-spot decision to hang out here for 1 or two nights.

Hey, why not? A laid back, mellow vibe, low season, not many people...what's not to like?

I stopped at a place, "Tipple Tree Beya", owned and operated by Trisha and Doug, an English/American couple who had been living at Hoskins Beach for a number of years.

I settle in to a downstairs room, rustically decorated with shower, toilet and fridge. But best of all, it has beachfront.

Overlooking the water from a hammock on my front porch this morning, I am writing my trip report, as I am watching the rain fall from the cloudy skies...maybe I go for dip in the Carribean a bit later...