Bored by Bus

3^rd December.

We decided to go to Belize by the relatively upmarket Linea Dorada coach which would take us straight from El Remate to the Marine Terminal in Belize City. Normally we’d go by the regular local bus services for cost and because you are much more in the country travelling local than going with lots of other foreigners and the middle classes. But, LD’s four hour journey would get us to the terminal for the 1.30pm boat to Caye Caulker, possibly even the 12pm if lucky. The extra £4 each would be worth it. Nothing like it.

The first hold-up was on the border when the Belize customs would not let into the country two Guatemalans travelling with North American evangelical missionaries. We waited for approaching two hours as they tried to sort the problem out with the Guatemalans eventually being allowed a two-week stay.

The next hold-up came after a tyre-bursting popping sound erupted from the rear. It was actually a break line and the driver changed from his driving ‘suit’ to overalls to fix it while an American passenger held his clean clothes. It was a good chance to talk to the American who has been living in Belize for a few years at Copper Creek near the Mexican border.

We eventually rattled into Belize, wincing at every new rattle and clank – the gearbox becoming the next contender to break down – nearly 3 hours late. We were happily in good time for the 3.30pm boat.