Belize does not have a cruise pier, so you instead use smaller commuter boats to reach the shore.
Each boat takes roughly 50-70 passengers and the whole commute is about 10 minutes.
Belize does not have a cruise pier, so you instead use smaller
commuter boats to reach the shore.
Each boat takes roughly 50-70 passengers and the whole commute is about 10 minutes.
In Belize we again boarded a bus and went inland.
Belize City is fairly poor...
...and situation does not improve much in the country...
...although we did see some nice farms.
After a 60 minute ride we arrived at a little settlement on the banks of the New River...
...where we took brief refreshments in a big hut...
...and boarded two river boats for a water ride to the ruins (28 miles on the river).
The ride along the river banks was pretty fast...
...and there was barely time to catch a photo of picturesque palm formations.
We were riding through wilderness, with the exception of one settlement...
...where we ran against a boat with local fishermen.
After 60 minutes we arrived at the archaeological site...
...and took a cobbled trail to a series of huts...
...where we took our lunch.
There we took a trail...
...that lead through a dense jungle...
...to the first temple...
...that was still being excavated.
Then through the jungle again...
...to the main temple...
...which we could actually climb.
It was a pretty tough climb...
...and the top was a bit crowded...
...but the view was definitely worth it.
Then we walked through an ancient ball court...
...to the last temple...
...that was surrounded by lush...
...and sometimes bizarre looking vegetation.
We climbed it again...
...and were rewarded by a view of the New River that brought us here.
On our way back...
...I took photo of various berries...
...that often grew in unexpected places.
Then back into the boats...
...and after 60 minutes of green tranquility...
...we spotted the reception hut again.
On our way back we saw a school...
...and a church...
...and houses rich...
...and poor...
...and soon we were in Belize City again.