From the border we headed south-east to Belize City. After a couple of hours we arrived at the Radisson Hotel, where we had organised to keep our bike while we spent a few days on Caye Caulker. We were very pleasantly surprised with just how accommodating they were to two very sweaty motorbike riders who weren't even staying at the hotel. We paid $30 to keep the bike in their secure parking for three days, plus they let us keep all our extra luggage in their storage room and gave us a pass to the gym so we could shower and change!
Leaving the bike with its 24 hour security guard we walked to the pier and hopped on a ferry to Caye Caulker. After 45 minutes we arrived at the tiny island that was quite simply a little slice of paradise. White sands, azure waters and lush green palm trees were everywhere you looked. We had a glorious 2 and a half days here, including a day's sailing around the marine reserve where we swam with sharks, rays and eels and were treated to Belizean rum punch as the sun set and we sailed back to the island. Our hostel was a little on the grim side (it was called Dirty McNasty's - we were hoping it was going to be an ironic name but sadly it was not) however it was easily made up for by the glorious surroundings, yummy food and amazing sea life.
Back on the mainland we were thrilled to find our bike just as we'd left it! Then it was West into Cayo, supposedly the most beautiful of Belize's six districts. The road was fairly dull up until the tiny capital of Belmopan, after which it became very enjoyable and we started to get a real feel for the area. San Ignacio is located on the Maya river, and serves as an excellent base to explore the caves, waterfalls and Mayan ruins of the area. We stayed at Bella's backpackers which was idyllic, spending our first afternoon in the rooftop hammocks (getting some well deserved R&R after the stress of three days on a heavenly island, life is hard).
For our full day in San Ignacio we decided to take the bike up to the ruins of Xunantunich (pronounced 'shanantoonich' - a couple in our hostel had taken to calling it 'tuna sandwich' as it was easier to remember). They did not disappoint - we climbed the towering structure that overlooked the old Mayan city and it was quite breathtaking. And with the bike we saved a lot of cash without having to pay for transfers, plus having the freedom to come and go as we pleased.
The most amusing part was having to take the hand-cranked ferry across the river with the bike which was quite a novel experience!
In the afternoon we road down a dirt track to where the Mopan and Maya Rivers met, creating a beautiful swimming spot. There wasn't a single tourist down here, just dozens of locals splashing around with the children. But while mothers were washing clothes on metal boards in the river, their daughters were taking selfies with their friends in the water - the combination of old and new cultures between the generations was quite fascinating to see. We enjoyed being nibbled by the tiny river fish - an experience we've previously paid for in Thailand! Next up it's westwards into Guatemala, which we're extremely excited to see. We've heard the border is pretty straight forward, we'll soon find out!
