Belmopan to Punta Gorda

Weds evening ended with delicious pizza at penny’s pizza, a leisurely stroll back to the B & B and time for bed.

Thursday morning we had a delicious breakfast at the B & B (pancakes, eggs, fresh-squeezed oj, bananas and a delicious baked delight…like oatmeal raisin bars, but no oatmeal!!!). We then took a walk and checked out the book store and the grocery store. Groceries are more expensive than we had anticipated. Walked back to the B & B, packed up and left Belmopan for Punta Gorda. Drove through the Mayan jungle and after a couple of hours took a detour on a dirt road to Hopkins Village for lunch. We used our Fodor’s book and found a tiny restaurant on someone’s front porch called Innes. I had fried chicken and Rick had fried snapper. Delicious, despite the lack of ambiance. Back on the road again, toured the village and then set off once again for Punta Gorda. A few hours and one “coke light” stop later, we arrived at our destination and found our apartment at the Sea Front Inn. Checked in, went for a walk, bought ice and came home for happy hour on our balcony looking out on the Bay of Honduras. Consulted the Fodor’s again to find a good spot for dinner. Emery’s is just down the road, but Hickatee Inn sounds better. We went in search of Hickatee on the southern end of town, but never found it in the dark (directions and street signs leave a lot to be desired). Returned to Emery’s to find it closed, so we joined everyone else in town at Grace’s. We waited for 2 hours for a burrito (Rick) and a shrimp quesadilla (Linda) while drinking Belikin beer and chatting with a large group of Canadians who were in town for a tour of “agricultural belize”. We ended up taking our food to go after 9pm, went back to our apartment under a light sprinkle of rain and ate, then off to bed.

Friday am we awoke to roosters crowing, dogs barking and, ugghh, more clouds. We tried the Sea Front Inn Restaurant for breakfast, but they no longer serve food without advance notice…not enough business. We drove around and found El Café, another family run, tiny eatery in town. We ordered and shortly thereafter the electricity and water went off. The owner promised us breakfast and shortly thereafter we were served pancakes and oj (Linda) and brown eggs, ham, Mayan fry bread and tea (Rick)… they must have gas or a generator. After breakfast we looked for a grocery store, but instead found the farmers market-type gathering and bought fresh veggies (onions, cilantro, okra, ginger, bell peppers), fruits (pineapple) and Warsaw Grouper (polish fish in belize???). Then off to the grocery store for staples, meat and oatmeal. Back to the apartment to store our purchases to find out that the entire country is without electricity or water for an indeterminate time period. We hoped not for too long since we just spent $100 on groceries (and the bags to carry them in!). We checked with the front desk and found out that there is a bakery just behind where we are staying. Walked over there, but they’re not open (even though the door was unlocked and the open sign on the screen). Walked back into town and found a grocery with more supplies and bread that we needed for lunch. The sun has broken through the clouds and our walk back to the apartment was warm and breezy. Lunch at “home” of sandwiches was delightful. I spent the afternoon napping…rick tried but was successful for only a short period of time. When he awoke, he walked to the north of town and checked out a house for sale. He also ran into a Rastafarian, about his age, with hair almost to the ground. His new friend encouraged some local kids up a tree and they picked a coconut and threw it down. Rick brought it home, split it open and we drank fresh coconut juice when I woke up. We crossed the street to the pier and sat there soaking my feet in the warm water for a while, enjoying the sunshine and breeze. We returned to the room to find the internet up, but not for long enough to update everyone. Decided to write an update and post it when the internet becomes available again…it’s definitely hit or miss!!! Happy hour and dinner at home tonight. Fresh grouper with veges, red potatoes and pineapple. Mmmmmmmmmmm! Did a little reading/tv and then off to bed.

Saturday started early with roosters crowing (again). We fixed breakfast (oatmeal) at home after determining the microwave was inoperable. Packed up and set off for another adventure. We traveled 40 km on a dirt road to Rio Blanco National Park. We were joined by a Mayan gentleman who served as our private tour guide. We took a short hike to the waterfall and took a dip in the crystal clear river. After our swim we hiked the area and Linda crossed the home-made 35 ft cable bridge over the river...yikes!!! We then returned to the park base camp, bid adieu to our incredible guide and headed back home. On the way back to town we stopped at the Uxberka Mayan Ruins (beautiful view from the top) and then had lunch with a Mayan family in their new "restaurant" (their front porch...tamales and panades). We made it home safe and sound and took a break for a while to initiate our new blog.