Guatamala Bound

Our time on the sleepy island of Caye Caulker was over.  Fred was there bright and early to take our bags down to the ferry. As we all strolled along the sandy streets past all the colurful shops and homes, we all commented on how we could have easily spent another couple of days chilling out here.  We were soon crammed onto the ferry with all  the locals going to the mainland for school and work.

Once we arrived back in Belize city we had a couple of hours wait before our bus picked us up for the trip through to Guatamala. Unluckily for some of us as Montazeuma's Revenge was about to hit a number of the tour group (me included).  It seemed that those of us who had shrimp with our lobster dinner at Happy Mick's restaurant the night before were to suffer the consequences.  Luckily the effects were not long lasting!!!

Once on our bus, we headed through the lush country side, and into the jungle and mountains towards Guatamala.  The border crossing here was not quite so easy, as the appropriate corruption money had to be payed before our passports were stamped.  Paulina advised that the amount of corruption money needed fluctuated each time she went through, depending on the whim of the guards at the time.

Once into Guatamala, there was a noticeable change in the scenery, more jungle and mountains, (and rough roads).  We arrived at our destination around 5.00pm.  Our accommodation was in the pituresque, cobblestoned town of Flores.  Our tiny little hotel room, (very neat and clean) had an amazing view out to the sunsetting over Lake Petén Itzá.

We  wandered the circumfrence of the island (only 20 minute walk) before heading into the centre of the village to look at the work of the local Artisians.  I love the fabrics and embriodery, it is going to be very hard to resist purchasing lots of this.  We found the local plaza and church and were lucky enough to see a wedding party lined up in front of the church. The bridemaids were all fussing over the bride befoe she entered the church.

The main form of transport around the island was the tuktuk, they scurried everywhere, carrying people and goods from one place to another.