Belize, which used to be called British Honduras, was our stop yesterday. The harbor is apparently quite shallow, so we had to "tender" in from the ship -- shuttle back and forth in catamarans. They were pretty big boats themselves, so it wasn't an arduous process, but it took about 20 minutes for each one to zip from the ship to the dock.
In the picture above, you can see our cruise ship in the distance -- we're the one on the right. A Carnival ship was in town the same time we were.
Dave and I took a trolley tour of the capital, Belize City. The tour took about an hour, and afterwards I re-walked the route and explored some side streets to get some pictures. (I find it impossible to take decent photos from a moving vehicle.)
A lot of the businesses were closed for the day, apparently because it was Boxing Day in Belize. They celebrated a day late because Christmas fell on the weekend, as I understand it.
Belize City strikes me as very safe and friendly -- I was never bothered by anyone as I walked around. A few guys offered to give me a taxi ride, and lots of people said hello as I passed them on Albert Street or Princess Margaret Boulevard.
It's not hard to find lingering traces of Belize's British past.
Some of the houses seem on the verge of collapse...
...but many are solid and colorfully painted. Sherwin-Williams must make a fortune in the Caribbean.
On the way back to the ship, I bought a bottle of the local beer, Belikin, and drank it perched on a wall near the street. I saw an incredibly mangy dog walk disconsolately past, tongue lolling. I felt so bad for him that I bought a can of Vienna sausages and went after him. I offered him one gingerly and he refused it! I don't know if he was so sick that he's just not very hungry, or maybe another tourist had already fed him. I wound up dumping the sausages near a wall, where something has no doubt eaten them by now.
Oh well. I tried.
I wouldnt stay at " angels" very long
ReplyDeleteThese photos look like the Belize that I would have imagined. Too bad about the dog but, good for you for trying.
ReplyDeleteThe part you walked seemed a bit run-down, for the most part. Perhaps the "good life" has taken the citizens' get-up-and-go away.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how often cruise ship people wander alone around town and off the beaten path.
ReplyDelete"It's not hard to find lingering traces of Belize's British past. Some of the houses seem on the verge of collapse." Did you mean to put these two sentences together? A rather unfortunate and inaccurate connection in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeletebless your heart for trying to feed the straggly mutt. I am afraid that I my have the same reaction to vienna sausages, even if I were starving but my old beagle loved them...of course she ate her own poo so maybe not a good example. Love the photos love the "patina" on old buildings! Yorkshire Pudding's comment made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like getting out there with the people.
ReplyDeletePoor dog; you can't save them all - but you tried to make things better. And that is really what matters when all is said and done.
ReplyDeleteI have friends who bought a piece of land in Belize and plan on retiring there. I understand it's beautiful with very friendly people -- your pictures are wonderful, Steve!
ReplyDeleteBelize looks like a sleepy laid back place. George Rex on the building and it's George V - that was a while back. And best of all, the very dilapidated house with the rusting roof.
ReplyDeleteAlphie