Unbelizeable

Crossing the border to get out of Mexico is almost as chaotic as to get in. Without anyone even looking at us we crossed the checkpoint and are suddenly in Belize. This time we decide to turn around and make sure we get our stamps but actually we could have left without. 

At the checkpoint for Belize we are surprised how organized and professional everything is all the sudden. Everybody speaks English fluently and in really short time we have our stamps and are good to go. The border staff even watched WWI (weird wrestling) with us and told us to eat the traditional coconut rice. 

Of course we listened to them and tried it at the first restaurant. It is simple white rice but instead of water it is cooked with coconut milk which makes it super delicious and a perfect side dish for fish. The streets are way better than in Mexico and driving is fun again. In the town Orange Walk where we decided to stay tonight night is a huge blackout and we check into our hotel in complete darkness. Without electricity the showers didn't work so we jumped into the dark pool. Also a Halloween parade was happening this night in town and music played everywhere. Just an hour later the

electricity was back. The next morning we visit a Mayan Temple and we are the only tourist here. So we could really explore Altun Ha and make cool pictures.

Also really surprising about Belize is the really cool Jamacian flare and the many chinese people who live here but it is also an expansive country in comparison to Mexico. From Belize City we take the ferry to Caye Caulker, a very chill island. Here we book a full day snorkeling with Salt Life Eco Tours. The 'Eco' in the name is not just greenwashing. While diving with sharks, sea turtles, sting reys and manatees we get asked to collect plastic from the ocean and also our lunch is wrapped in natural beewax paper instead of plastic. For all of us it is the first time seeing manatees (sea cows) and for me it is the first time to dive with sharks and sting reys. Our guides provide us with a lot information about the reef and its inhabitants. The Hol Chan Reef is actually the biggest living barrier reef. Only the Great Barrier Reef is bigger but a huge part of it is currently dead. ALERT: Please be careful with suncream! So many have bleaching ingredients or even hormones in them. This is bad for you and even worse for the environment. Use the App 'CodeCheck' to see all ingredients, their purpose and possible harm.

Daniel, our guide also told us that Belize is making huge progress in avoiding and banning plastic. We could even see this progress as there are a lot of signs to make awareness of plastic waste and plastic is banned from the island. 

Really happy with our short stay we three drive on to Guatemala.

I won a smoothie for collecting the most plastic while diving

Sign everywhere :)

I am famous for my diving tactic: the Frog