Charming Charlie (err… Patrick)

Thursday, Dec 29

Today was our earliest morning yet… and boy was it another long one! Our ultimate destination was Orange Walk, Belize, a town just south of the border between Mexico and Belize. After much deliberation we decided that it would be best to leave super early so that we would have no issues around the border (Cartels have to sleep too right??). So we hopped back on the ferry to Playa del Carmen, and from there we went to the ADO bus station which is two blocks away to buy our bus ticket to Chetumal. For the ~300km journey, it was only 500pesos per person and the ADO bus was awesome! Comfortable ride, bathroom included, and the a/c was on extra high. Too bad we missed the memo to bring a comforter for the ride to keep warm. After about 3.5 hours of riding through Mexico, and watching the spanish translations of Slumdog Millionaire and MamaMia (patrick’s fave!), we arrived in Chetumal.

Our initial plan was that we were going to stay there the night and then wake up early (again) to get the first bus across the border, but luckily Mr. Allen‘s charm came to the rescue! ADO bus gives out assigned seats and we were split up, but coincidentally Patrick sat next to our soon to be savior. Gerald, who has done our desired route over 20 times, became best friends with Patrick and next thing you know we ended up in his hired car driving over a less crowded section of the border. We were in and out through customs and immigration in 15 minutes, and after dropping Gerald off at the Corozal airport to jet to an island, we were in Orange Walk in less than 1.5 hours. Patrick is a good one to keep around! =) Lesson reconfirmed today – plans are only suggestions.

The ride into Orange Walk was gorgeous! As much as we loved Cozumel, the rural towns of Belize definitely take the cake. We were driving through fields of sugar cane and papayas, while chasing a big rain storm coming off from the coast. The light was breaking through the clouds so angelically, and we were even graced with a mini rainbow over the land – thank you for the lovely welcome Belize. When we got to Orange Walk Town, we were very surprised at its uniqueness.

 Papaya Trees

At this point though, we are absolutely STARVING! We haven’t eaten since 7am, other than the box of Andes Mints my mom sent off with me (thanks mom!).  Mother Nature was trying to hold us back because she decided to pour right after we checked in, but we braved the rain and walked several blocks to the local hot spot. Nahil Mayab, so marvelous. We literally binge ate and with a joint effort we ate an appetizer and 4 entrees. (wooooof) Definitely going back tomorrow! Lucky for us the Belizian dollar is 2 for 1 USD so we walked out only spending 35 bucks including tip #winning

You may be wondering why in the world we chose to go to some random town in the middle of Belize, and I was wondering that myself as we drove farther away from the water today, but as I lay in bed getting ready for tomorrow I’m so excited for our day! Orange Walk is most famous for its history – it hosts one of the most interesting and tallest Mayan sites, Lamanai. We are schedule to take a river boat up to the temple and then a tour through the grounds. We promise many pictures… signing off!

-Roya