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July18

Crossing the Equator Into Southern Hemisphere

We entered Ecuador and soon found ourselves crossing the equator and entering the Southern Hemisphere, wow what a feeling! We have come a long way since dipping our toes into the Arctic Ocean in Alaska. It felt good to reach this milestone, our first equatorial crossing on the American continent. We did not go to the main tourist equator crossing but instead headed for a little known crossing where we had the spot to ourselves.

Crossing the Equator

Crossing into Southern Hemisphere

Milestone

We headed off the main PanAm highway, hoping to see some of the beautiful lakes in the area, but it was raining and soon the fog closed in. We saw the road ahead disappear into what seem to be a lake. We debated whether to continue as the road was a muddy mess, and we could not determine whether the road ended in the lake or the road was just flooded. Therefore, we turned back and camped the night at a hostel La Luna, beautifully located but also surrounded by fog. The following morning we decided rather than waiting for the fog to lift, we would head for Quito the capital of Ecuador.

Where Does the Road Go?

Road Falling Down

Out There is a Lake

Abandoned Home

Turn Around Time

Quito is a big modern bustling city where we planned to find a secure location to store our truck while we went to visit the Galapagos Islands. We finally found a parking lot that looked secure and booked into a hotel for the night. Then we searched for a last minute Galapagos cruise deal and the following day we were flying across the ocean towards the Galapagos.

Quito Capital of Ecuador

View from Hotel Window

Arriving on a Galapagos Island

The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin located about 1000km west of Ecuador straddling the equator. There are five larger islands (greater than 500sqkm), and 17 smaller ones and dozens of tiny islets. The last minute 8 day cruise we had booked on was departing from the Island of Santa Cruz. After landing we took a bus from the airport to the main town center Puerto Ayora and booked ourselves into a hotel.

Island Welcome Committee

Leading the Way

At the hotel Tom realized, he had left his video camera and glasses on the bus from the airport. We now had the task of tracking down the bus and trying to retrieve the camera. He was frantic, it was well after 5pm and when we took a cab to the bus depot, it was all locked up. Back in town, we found someone who knew where a bus driver lived, so we set off to track him down. It was not our bus driver but he agreed to assist us in tracking down the camera and glasses. We all headed back to the bus depot, where the tasks of entering the locked depot with the locked buses began.

Look at Me

Finally, we succeeded by climbing through a window of the first bus and finding his belongings, we were extremely lucky to have been able to find someone willing to help us.

We had arrived 2 days earlier than our cruise departure date, as Tom wanted to do some Scuba diving on the islands. He headed off to dive around Gordon’s rock and was thrilled as he saw lots of hammerhead sharks, turtles, seals and white tip sharks.

Tom Scuba Diving at Gordon Rock

White Tip Shark

Tom Swimming with Seal

Sea Lion

Seal Below School of Fish

Turtle

Time to Head for Surface

Finally, our boat arrived the Aida Maria and together with 16 passengers and crew, we set off to explore the Galapagos Islands.

Aida Marie

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Ecuador, Equator, Galapagos, Scuba

May6

Belize Scuba and Wilderness Wonders

Our video of Belize, a tiny country in Central America beaming with natural wonders, wildlife, and the 2nd largest reef in the world. We scuba dived, snorkelled and hiked as we explored this country. Watch it and you will know why you need to put this country on your bucket list. Enjoy

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adventurouspirits, Belize, diving, Scuba, Wildlife

Feb26

Belize Is Diver’s Heaven

We spent our final days of Mexico exploring the Palenque and Becan Mayan Ruins. We arrived at the campsite at Palenque, which was packed with “magic mushroom happiness” campers. Both young and old people either resting on hammocks hung beneath the palapas or simply lying stretched out on the coolness of the grass. Beat up campers and tents packed the campsite, we had not seen so many campers since we left Canada. It was a lovely campsite with a beautiful pool; all tucked away in the jungles which surround the Palenque Mayan ruins, birds chattered in the trees and howler monkeys screamed in the distance.

Life on the Road

Tom at Palenque Mayan Ruins

Palenque is one of the most extraordinary Mayan ruins and we loved it despite the fact I thought I was going to die climbing up and down those stairs in the sweltering heat. It was hidden away in the jungle before being discovered more than a 1000 years after it’s reached its apogee. The complexity of the culture is still being explored by archaeologists, hieroglyphics reveal some secrets, but we will probably never truly know all what happened within the walls of the temples, palaces and other buildings.

Palenque Mayan Ruins in Mexico

Palenque Ruins

As we drove towards Chetumal we past several more Mayan ruins and spent some time exploring others but our focus was now turning towards Belize and we were keen to explore a new country.

Becan Mayan Ruins Hidden in the Jungle

Becan Mayan Ruins

Belize is a tiny country, and home to the world’s second largest barrier reef. It is a Scuba divers paradise with warm waters, and a treasure house of marine and coral life. Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, harmless sharks and barracuda swim beneath the iridescent waters and we were eager to swim amongst these animals.

We arrived at the Belize border after lunch. It was a simple crossing that included the usual immigration and vehicle permit paperwork. However, it is mandatory to purchase liability insurance in Belize so Tom went off to do that. Tom made an error in his payment paying double what he should. The official quickly corrected it and made sure Tom got his money back and for his honesty, Tom gave him some money as a token of his appreciation.

Belize Birds

We then drove to the nearest town and booked into Caribbean Village campsite. We were preparing for supper when a man arrived at the campsite fence waving frantically to get our attention. It was the official from the insurance company at the border, he had driven to find us and was hoping we were at the campsite because Tom had left his drivers license at the office and he wanted to return it. He had specially driven to Corozal after work to find Tom. Welcome to Belize.

Henry Menzie the owner of the campsite was extremely helpful and full of great advice for traveling in Belize. We decided we would fly to Ambergris Caye, a 15-minute flight across the ocean to the town of San Pedro on the island. Henry would take care of our truck while we were away and the following morning he drove us to the airport.
We arrived in San Pedro early in the morning and headed off to find a hotel and arrange for some dive trips. We did not have to wait long. That afternoon we were heading out across the clear waters to do some scuba diving and snorkelling.

Arranging Dive Trips

We entered the water and the wonderful world of marine life, a turtle was the first to greet us, poking his head up before descending down. Large school of colourful fish swam amongst the colourful coral. We had never dived in such clear water the visibility was about 160 feet. It was fantastic. Once back on the boat we headed off to do some snorkelling with nurse sharks and manta rays. I felt some hesitancy on my part to jump into the water with a large creature looking exactly like a shark. After a pause, I jumped and watched in amazement as the large brown nurse shark swam past. Beneath me, the manta rays glided effortlessly through the sea grass and sand. Heaven does not get much better than this.

Nurse Shark

Manta Ray

Janet Pointing at Marine Life

The following morning Tom and I headed off to Ruby’s cafe to buy coffee and sticky buns, which we ate on the beach. Tom then left to do some more scuba dives. I spent the morning getting to know a little bit about San Pedro. What I learnt is that few tourists walk most whizz around in a golf cart, despite being able to walk the length the town in 30 minutes. What is that about?? That evening we spent with Bob and Mary from Utah who we met while diving. It was a wonderful way to end our stay in San Pedro, fun people, tasty meal and great wine.

San Pedro

Bob and Mary with us on the beach

Golf Cart Parking

We flew back to Corozal today and tomorrow we are heading off to see and explore more of Belize.

5 Comments

becan, Belize, Palenque, Scuba

Nov8

Scuba Diving in Sardinia

I did some great Scuba diving in the clear waters of Northern Sardinia with my son David.

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family, Italy, Sardinia, Scuba

Aug30

Traveling with Kids Again

Ho boy did we forget!! Traveling with children is not for sissies, it is tough going. Scheduling beach trips, meal times, potty stops and nap times with the urge to explore the island of Sardinia it is a reminder to Tom and I how easy we have it when we only have to schedule our days for the 2 of us and not 6 people which includes a 1 and 2 year old, but the laughs and giggles are wonderful.

Milan With Grandchildren

Milan Canal District after Rain

We watched in wonder as the thrill of our grandchildren discovering water, sand castles and swimming in the sea. Tom pretending he is a whale, squirting water into the air, blowing bubbles and diving under water to disappear, to the squealed of their delight. It is so wonderful to experience the excitement of childhood curiosity and innocence once again.

Between Grandfather and Grandson

Sardinia is a large island off the coast of Italy and is actually closer to Africa than Italy, Africa still draws us towards it. But we are a long way from life in Africa, as we tour Porto de Cervo where charter yachts for EU250,000 a week are docked, fancy cars and fancier people bask in the sun. We drive the narrow winding roads which along the coast, holding our breaths as every Italian appears to be practicing for the next grand prix. It is a daring driving even for us.

Streets in Verona Italy

Tom and our son David set off to Scuba dive in the waters of Maddalena Islands off the north coast of Sardinia, while Marzena, our daughter in law, the grandchildren and I spend a day relaxing at the pool. We are loving being with the family again and are enjoying the Italian relaxed and friendly lifestyle.

David Scuba Diving

Milan is bustling with people, I feel shabby in my traveling overlander’s shorts and t shirts. The Italian women dress with grace and beauty and it is obvious that I am in the fashion capital of the world a long way from the lifestyle of camping.

We head off for a day in Venice we were last there in 1974 when it was still a sleepy town, now it is packed with 1000s and 1000s of tourists. Little cafes and bakeries have been replaced by souvenir shops, locals replaced by tourists, gondolas compete with ferries and water taxis for customers, but still the charm is evident and we spend a wonderful day wandering through this remarkable town.

Romance in Venice

Homes in Venice

Light Filters across the Canals in Venice

Narrow Canals in Venice

Bridge over Canal in Venice

Gondola in Venice

We missed the train to Lake Como so the family decided to take the train going to the little town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore instead and it was a lovely mistake. Another charming town on another beautiful lake. Our time with the family is drawing to an end and we only have a week left. At night I wonder where and when we will be together again, South America seems a long way from Italy.