Believe it or Not we are in Belize
Hmmmm. I will be quite honest here. 
On the list of places to visit in my lifetime, Belize probably would not have ranked much before age 90 on the order of importance. I’m personally fascinated with the history and cultures of Europe, the beauty of the tropics and Alaska, the opportunity for adventure in Australia and New Zealand, the mystique of the Orient, and of course discovering the true United States. While I am always open to travel ideas and places, Belize just did not seem high on the list. But May 31, 2007 I officially added Belize to the slow growing list of countries that I have visited.
Lets see:
USA
Canada
The UK - England, Scotland
Italy
Vatican City
Switzerland
Germany (airport time)
The Bahamas
The Cayman Islands
Mexico
And now…
Belize.
Sure, why not?
Our arrival in Belize was similar to the Caymans. We docked a mile or two out at sea and rode tenders onto shore. Today’s trip was different in that instead of meeting on the dock for our tour, they had us meet in one of lounges where we were then brought directly to a waiting tender to take us to our specific shore excursion. Today was “Private Island Beach Break”
This turned out to be the best thing we have done so far on the cruise. The tender took us away from the main land to a series of small islands (cayes) - where a private beach facility has been built (clear up a million or so mangrove trees from one bar of sand and you have pristine beach property). Upon arrival we were able to find our own covered table with chairs, lounges, etc to set up for the day. The island featured a protected swimming area (protected from waves by a large break-water), a restaurant, a bar, a play ground, restrooms, changing areas, a few vendors, and use of water toys for a small fee.
We had a lot of fun swimming around - but the water was pretty cloudy and officially we saw about 4 fish and one star fish while swimming (later, while waiting for the tender back to the ship we saw about two dozen fish near the pier). We also saw many little crabs residing in shells and corals.
For Alyssa the two highlights were using her floating swimming suit so she could “swim” on her own and the access to the play ground where she could use slides, swings, and a teeter-todder. She played for a good hour and swam for a total of about 90 minutes in between breaks for food, etc. Alyssa really had a good day and was fast asleep by the time we were onboard the tender back to the Carnival Legend.
Jule and I also got some rest taking turns with Alyssa.
For me swimming around in the perfect water and floating away was relaxing. For Jule it was lying on the lounge chair soaking up some sun. Either way, we both agreed that this was the best choice of activity we had decided on so far for Alyssa’s sake and one of the best days of weather as we had NO rain and plenty of sunshine, but a nice breeze to keep us cool.
What a great day. When we got back to the ship, I quickly showered and headed to the port while the ladies slept and relaxed in the rooms. The recommended tourist area of Belize City is about 4 blocks long in a shopping area set up for the cruise passengers. I walked slightly beyond this zone for all of 3 seconds and decided it was against my own good health to keep going. That and the security guard also suggested I turn and go the other way. Plain and simple, Belize City itself left a lot to be desired. The small shops would not even bargain and offered not much. I don’t mean to sound all high and mighty, but if it were not for the many adventurous activities to do in the area, this would be about as exciting, and clean, as stopping at a roadside rest area.
We spoke to another couple who decided to try to find a beach on their own and were brought to a mudhole. When they complained the taxi driver required $20 per person to return to the ship or else he would strand them. Another group apparently held up for $100 per person - but this is all hear-say. The point here is, why on earth would you gamble with your own safety in this of all ports. In Grand Cayman, sure, chances are pretty good you can grab a cab safely to a nice beach. In Cozumel, you probably can be okay. In Belize where they have security guards to safely keep you from the locals, yah, not a good idea.
Belize City was the first real experience of a port where other than the excursions approved by the cruise, the port is more or less a few shops and otherwise a place that the cruise industry would have ever agreed to stop in. But for us, it was great day on a secluded private beach with a lot to do, a clean facility, and great weather. The only improvement could have been clearer water to snorkel and see fish.
The best thing was that we met some friends in Belize. I was swimming around and came across Marcelino Oregel who was also swimming around. We were joking about the lack of fish and started talking a bit more and more. That is when Jule and Alyssa joined us and I noticed that this piqued Marcelino’s interest. It did, it turns out, because on the beach his wife Mada and 9 mo. Old daughter Sophia were waiting. This was their first vacation with Sophia and their first cruise in a number of years so Marcelino was still wondering if they had made a good choice with their vacation. Mada and Sophia came out to the water and the 6 of us hit it off.
The Oregels are from San Diego (one of the things we had in common, being from California). The more we talked, the more we realized we had in common. At the formal dining room, as I mentioned in a prior post, we were secluded under the stairwell at table 209. The Oregels were secluded under the stairwell at table 208 - just opposite of us! They too had hoped to mingle with other people since they were very social and nice folks. So we made loose plans to meet at dinner and see if the Mat’r Dee would find a way to seat us together. How exciting to meet such neat and nice folks!
That evening we did meet at dinner and did inquire with Yusuf, the useless Mater Dee (I don know how you spell that word - it’s French anyhow, so I will just give up and be good). Useless told us that there was nothing he could do for us. Hmmmmm. So we ate in solitary confinement once again but met the Oregels after dinner in one of the lounges for karaoke. They had previously met “Grandpa” a WWII vet from the European theater who could sing like a good karaoke Sinatra. Grandpa got up and sang a few songs, some bushy haired kid thought he was the next American Idol (he wasn’t bad, but if I were Simon - “You have no style. You are utterly boring!”) and some dude sang Elvis, for which I was grateful. We talked a bit more and had a great evening. Alyssa enjoyed dancing to the karaoke and officially we had our first completely successful day on the cruise. No breakdowns from Alyssa, a great fun excursion that kept us all happy, meeting new friends, and ending things on a fun note as well. Belize may not be my next vacation spot, but it will go down in memory as a place where we had a lot of fun.
Onto Costa Maya….
On the list of places to visit in my lifetime, Belize probably would not have ranked much before age 90 on the order of importance. I’m personally fascinated with the history and cultures of Europe, the beauty of the tropics and Alaska, the opportunity for adventure in Australia and New Zealand, the mystique of the Orient, and of course discovering the true United States. While I am always open to travel ideas and places, Belize just did not seem high on the list. But May 31, 2007 I officially added Belize to the slow growing list of countries that I have visited.Lets see:
USA
Canada
The UK - England, Scotland
Italy
Vatican City
Switzerland
Germany (airport time)
The Bahamas
The Cayman Islands
Mexico
And now…
Belize.
Sure, why not?
Our arrival in Belize was similar to the Caymans. We docked a mile or two out at sea and rode tenders onto shore. Today’s trip was different in that instead of meeting on the dock for our tour, they had us meet in one of lounges where we were then brought directly to a waiting tender to take us to our specific shore excursion. Today was “Private Island Beach Break”
This turned out to be the best thing we have done so far on the cruise. The tender took us away from the main land to a series of small islands (cayes) - where a private beach facility has been built (clear up a million or so mangrove trees from one bar of sand and you have pristine beach property). Upon arrival we were able to find our own covered table with chairs, lounges, etc to set up for the day. The island featured a protected swimming area (protected from waves by a large break-water), a restaurant, a bar, a play ground, restrooms, changing areas, a few vendors, and use of water toys for a small fee.
We had a lot of fun swimming around - but the water was pretty cloudy and officially we saw about 4 fish and one star fish while swimming (later, while waiting for the tender back to the ship we saw about two dozen fish near the pier). We also saw many little crabs residing in shells and corals.
For Alyssa the two highlights were using her floating swimming suit so she could “swim” on her own and the access to the play ground where she could use slides, swings, and a teeter-todder. She played for a good hour and swam for a total of about 90 minutes in between breaks for food, etc. Alyssa really had a good day and was fast asleep by the time we were onboard the tender back to the Carnival Legend.Jule and I also got some rest taking turns with Alyssa.
For me swimming around in the perfect water and floating away was relaxing. For Jule it was lying on the lounge chair soaking up some sun. Either way, we both agreed that this was the best choice of activity we had decided on so far for Alyssa’s sake and one of the best days of weather as we had NO rain and plenty of sunshine, but a nice breeze to keep us cool.What a great day. When we got back to the ship, I quickly showered and headed to the port while the ladies slept and relaxed in the rooms. The recommended tourist area of Belize City is about 4 blocks long in a shopping area set up for the cruise passengers. I walked slightly beyond this zone for all of 3 seconds and decided it was against my own good health to keep going. That and the security guard also suggested I turn and go the other way. Plain and simple, Belize City itself left a lot to be desired. The small shops would not even bargain and offered not much. I don’t mean to sound all high and mighty, but if it were not for the many adventurous activities to do in the area, this would be about as exciting, and clean, as stopping at a roadside rest area.
We spoke to another couple who decided to try to find a beach on their own and were brought to a mudhole. When they complained the taxi driver required $20 per person to return to the ship or else he would strand them. Another group apparently held up for $100 per person - but this is all hear-say. The point here is, why on earth would you gamble with your own safety in this of all ports. In Grand Cayman, sure, chances are pretty good you can grab a cab safely to a nice beach. In Cozumel, you probably can be okay. In Belize where they have security guards to safely keep you from the locals, yah, not a good idea.Belize City was the first real experience of a port where other than the excursions approved by the cruise, the port is more or less a few shops and otherwise a place that the cruise industry would have ever agreed to stop in. But for us, it was great day on a secluded private beach with a lot to do, a clean facility, and great weather. The only improvement could have been clearer water to snorkel and see fish.
The best thing was that we met some friends in Belize. I was swimming around and came across Marcelino Oregel who was also swimming around. We were joking about the lack of fish and started talking a bit more and more. That is when Jule and Alyssa joined us and I noticed that this piqued Marcelino’s interest. It did, it turns out, because on the beach his wife Mada and 9 mo. Old daughter Sophia were waiting. This was their first vacation with Sophia and their first cruise in a number of years so Marcelino was still wondering if they had made a good choice with their vacation. Mada and Sophia came out to the water and the 6 of us hit it off.
The Oregels are from San Diego (one of the things we had in common, being from California). The more we talked, the more we realized we had in common. At the formal dining room, as I mentioned in a prior post, we were secluded under the stairwell at table 209. The Oregels were secluded under the stairwell at table 208 - just opposite of us! They too had hoped to mingle with other people since they were very social and nice folks. So we made loose plans to meet at dinner and see if the Mat’r Dee would find a way to seat us together. How exciting to meet such neat and nice folks!
That evening we did meet at dinner and did inquire with Yusuf, the useless Mater Dee (I don know how you spell that word - it’s French anyhow, so I will just give up and be good). Useless told us that there was nothing he could do for us. Hmmmmm. So we ate in solitary confinement once again but met the Oregels after dinner in one of the lounges for karaoke. They had previously met “Grandpa” a WWII vet from the European theater who could sing like a good karaoke Sinatra. Grandpa got up and sang a few songs, some bushy haired kid thought he was the next American Idol (he wasn’t bad, but if I were Simon - “You have no style. You are utterly boring!”) and some dude sang Elvis, for which I was grateful. We talked a bit more and had a great evening. Alyssa enjoyed dancing to the karaoke and officially we had our first completely successful day on the cruise. No breakdowns from Alyssa, a great fun excursion that kept us all happy, meeting new friends, and ending things on a fun note as well. Belize may not be my next vacation spot, but it will go down in memory as a place where we had a lot of fun.
Onto Costa Maya….
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