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Writing this, ahead of me I can see a local tourist attraction for Belizians - one of only 2 sets of traffic lights in all the country, fascinating I can tell you! Which is next to a wobbly, old suspension bridge that you risk your life on every time you cross. I'm in a busy little place called San Ignacio, which translates from Spanish as 'The Island', highlighting its remote nature in the Macal River Valley. Been relaxing here for a few days, learning Spanish, getting lost in Jungles and drinking lime juice that's nearly as good as Singapore's.

Final week in Belize

Simon Wadsworth
2006-09-04 18:53:17

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Writing this, ahead of me I can see a local tourist attraction for Belizians - one of only 2 sets of traffic lights in all the country, fascinating I can tell you! Which is next to a wobbly, old suspension bridge that you risk your life on every time you cross. I'm in a busy little place called San Ignacio, which translates from Spanish as 'The Island', highlighting its remote nature in the Macal River Valley. Been relaxing here for a few days, learning Spanish, getting lost in Jungles and drinking lime juice that's nearly as good as Singapore's.

I survived the pirate-island of Caulker one more day where no amount of doggy paddle stopped a tidal current washing me out to sea, before snorkling back inland. I became a pupil for an evening by hiring a kayak guide and learning more about the effects of hurricanes on the island and the habitats of wild seahorses. It's remarkable how seeing a creature so small can incite such wonderment.

Then to the music of the Ride of the Valkyries, I speedboated back to dryland and the familiar sound of 'taxi?', and went south to the Cocksomb Jaguar Sanctuary, passing through the lazy town of Dangriga for the night, where it's "good evening" from 2pm, and "good night" from 6pm.

Now here's the thing; this little fella isn't overly fit at the moment. Exercise this last year consisted of cycling to Uni (before my bike got stolen), 4 games of squash and 2 press-ups. So when I decided to save on a hefy taxi fare and walk the 6 miles to the sanctuary on a jungle road in the sun, with my entire rucksack, it was in hindsight, a mistake. Still, I need to get fit for New Zealand. By the time I arrived it was dark, and the solar powered lights had all but run out. Makeshift plain rice with apple, by torchlife was meal of the day, and I don't recommend showering in the dark if you can help it.

Waking up early at 5, I went for a walk to see if I could ...