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32<br />
my journey<br />
A journey to...<br />
Getting set<br />
for an islands<br />
adventure<br />
Belize<br />
Forest-clad highlands, ancient Maya cities, the largest barrier reef in the<br />
Western Hemisphere – Belize has plenty to surprise Martin Steady<br />
Nurse sharks<br />
come to say<br />
‘hello’<br />
MY MAGICAL MOMENTS<br />
I<br />
am exhilarated! From speeding round<br />
the northern point of the Ambergris Caye<br />
(‘tropical island’), we are forced to slow right<br />
down as we approach a narrow channel that was<br />
dug by the Maya 1,500 years ago.<br />
We inch forward and slowly ease a few yards to<br />
the right to brush Belize mangroves, then a yard or<br />
two left to caress Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Now<br />
at the narrowest point, arms extended<br />
I can almost touch Mexico and<br />
Belize from the boat at the<br />
same time.<br />
I’m on the way to Bacalar<br />
Chico Marine Reserve (42<br />
square miles), and am<br />
later alarmed at our noisy<br />
and aggressive ‘welcome’,<br />
delivered at full force by<br />
a very shouty cockerel. How<br />
rude! But what a pristine haven<br />
of wildlife this place is.<br />
At the top of the observation tower I soak up<br />
the views of the undisturbed lagoon and forest. I<br />
am presented with an already ‘ex’ tarantula, and<br />
am starting to feel almost hypnotised watching<br />
countless geckos. For those who are patient, there<br />
are loads of wild animals to see here, including<br />
crocs, deer, jaguars and other wild cats.<br />
Bacalar is genuinely an oasis of serenity.<br />
Our guide informs us that Ambergris Caye is<br />
the largest Belize island and one of the main<br />
destinations for visitors. We had flown<br />
the 40 miles this morning from Belize<br />
City before our adrenaline-charged<br />
high-speed boat ride, although we<br />
could have opted for one of the regular<br />
I adore<br />
these handsome<br />
people, singing their<br />
hearts out<br />
water taxis. The breathtaking Barrier Reef is easily<br />
accessible from here.<br />
Belize is nothing if not diverse: less than half the<br />
size of Wales and with just 350,000 or so residents,<br />
this tiny Central American nation has been<br />
independent from Britain since <strong>19</strong>81 and proudly<br />
celebrates its mixed-up heritage of Creole,<br />
Spanish, Maya, English and Garifuna.<br />
Back in San Pedro on the island’s<br />
southern tip, I’m not the first to<br />
fall in love with this wonderful<br />
town – it’s said to be the<br />
inspiration for Madonna’s<br />
hit song, La Isla Bonita.<br />
Our taxi from Mahogany<br />
Bay hotel into town is a<br />
golf buggy, which zips us<br />
into a centre where just<br />
about every tourist pleasure<br />
is catered for: shops, bars,<br />
restaurants, gift shops, tour agencies,<br />
beaches, boating – and then there’s the endless<br />
charm of the Caribbean.<br />
The greatest escape<br />
Belize is perhaps best known for its renowned<br />
Barrier Reef (all <strong>19</strong>0 miles of it) which is second<br />
only to the Australia’s version in length. It’s no<br />
surprise that snorkelling and scuba diving is the<br />
country’s top attraction, drawing about half of the<br />
annual 260,000 visitors. Did I snorkel? My pink,<br />
pickled skin answers that one! It’s an experience<br />
unequalled in its tranquility and emotionally about<br />
as far away from the office as I can get!<br />
Down the coast, Placencia has some of the most<br />
beautiful beaches you’ll find anywhere, a picture-<br />
The dreamy tranquility of San Pedro<br />
town and waterfront...Snorkelling in<br />
shark ray alley, surrounded by nurse<br />
sharks... Ethereal Garifuna singing and<br />
drumming on the beach complete with<br />
a humbling history lesson about the<br />
nation’s tortured past<br />
sellingtravel.co.uk
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