Training Log Archive: Fat Rat

A transfer day.

Quick snorkel around the boat harbour and star bar - barracuda, rays, trumpet fish... No local nurse shark though - before back on the boat to Dangriga. Bus to the capital, Belmopan, then connect to San Ignacio. Dinner (and bed) really early, really getting into the typical Mexican food at this stage - tacos, burritos etc. the local fresh juices (lime, watermelon, organise) are delicious too.

Staying at Martha's Guesthouse, nice to be cool (air con) and clean (shower) after the last few days of camping.

Getting excited about the prospect of Indiana making the NBA conference finals... I may even be in Indianapolis when it's on.

C • Enjoying the tropics 1

A full day on an island (Caye) in the Carribean. Loving the accents.

Snorkelling on the barrier reef in the morning, 2nd largest in the world. Still not our Great Barrier Reef, but pretty good, felt slightly more like a garden with lots of these fan type plants. Lots of fish, colours etc. highlights were the rays and conch.

Afternoon was spent first paddling, then stand up paddle boards. For the kayak we paddled down past coco plum Caye then the next couple islands before going back to the resort overs bar. "Ready to go right now" is the song that will always remind us of the barman (well a worker helping himself to a drink) singing along whilst sitting under the thatch cabana of coco plum resort bar. Then, after the barman refilled my drink when I wasn't looking, we staggered our way right down to the other end of thatch Caye and our campsite before heading back to the boathouse.

Camping is tough, it's hot, windy, sandy, and no where to shower.

C • How are the sandflies? 2

Bus up to Dangriga, a pretty unprofessional and scary pickup from the resort, then out to our accomodation except we stayed in a tent.

Yum dinner with some fish cooked with tomato and some other veg.

Had dinner with, amongst others, a guy that coaches pilots in the Red Bull Air Race and was an awesome pilot by the sounds of it too. He also "acquired" (his words) one of only 6 Russian planes in the world ( something like this one).

Island is nice, though windy on the exposed side, it's a mile long, and at its widest its maybe 100m. Lots hermit crabs, sand, wind, blue waters... What you'd expect really. Nice, but not super exciting for an Aussie with its beaches/reefs etc.

Boat from Livingstone, Guatemala to Punta Gorda, Belize (via Puerto Barrio). Straight forward border crossing then pick up from our next accomodation, Hickatee Cottage. Place is a bit out of town, in some jungle, but no shops around so we borrowed their cruisers to ride in. Went to this cool Rasta's vege place ( Gomier's) and the food was delicious, an absolute highlight of the trip. He makes his own soy and stuff, super nice too, he gave us some freshly picked cocoa to take away and try to. Quick stop and tour at the local chocolate factory the. Back out to our accomodation.

Run from the accomodation around their jungle. No jaguars or tapirs, but plenty of really cool birds, though no Toucan). Did see a snake (on the ride not run, a skinny type of vine snake, looked anorexic, aussie snakes would do away with it in a second).

Up at 5am for an early paddle across to the other side of the Rio Dulce (it's big) to watch the Howler Monkeys. Noisy guys.



Then a trip down river on the ferry. Via a few points on the way, highlights including the 16th century pirate defence castle, some beautiful scenery including spectacular water lilies, and some hot springs to Livingstone for the night.

Up earlyish for a taxi ride through the busy Guatemala City streets to the bus station. Interesting city from the drive, city gives the impression it is big, busy, colourful, contrasting, smog-ridden, barred-up, scarred with gorges, and continuously inter plays close-knit concrete suburbia with iron sheet slums.

Long bus ride to Rio Dulce, a stop at a road house that did not suggest good eating ahead, but it was a road house. Rio Dulce is a busy Main Street that wouldn't look out of place in a busy Asian city, but off the main strip, it weaves its way around a broad river system and is quite pleasant. Made our way to a bar for a late lunch and beer (some Guat rooster labelled one - standard lager) before getting a boat pickup to our accomodation. Stayed at .... really nice place. Had a cabin over the water within a marina (US coast guard says its the safest place from hurricanes in the Carribean, so lots of boats (read Americans). Pool and some funky board walks. We headed out for a short run which was nice, just out on some dirt roads heading back towards Rio Dulce.

Arrived after usual long flights into Guatemala City. Intimidating place. Bit of trouble with our lack of Spanish, charades aren't our strongpoint either, but friendly hotel people picked us up for the short drive to our accomodation. Food was either really great, or we were just starving and appreciated real food, or both.

Pre departure quickie on BR w Sebba