Crossing the border was interesting to say the least, you have to get out of the car to sort immigration, including bag checks, vehicle needs spraying and new insurance... just bizarre. Just before the border there's an interesting area called the 'free zone' where you can buy all sorts of things cheaply - its like a duty free zone. Again, very bizarre place!
Our introduction to Belize cuisine was Chinese food... a LOT of it here... the Chinese also own most of the grocery shops as well. We feel like we've had enough Chinese to last us a very long time!
crazy Kevin and the crew
So we stayed a night at the Gulf Hotel in Ladyville and the next morning we woke up early to get the ferry across to 2 islands where Kevin was giving the talk - one meeting at 10am and the next at 6pm. Our first island was Caye Caulker, a tiny island with sand roads and everyone on bicycles sauntering around. The houses are mostly wooden and on stilts, totally different to Mexico, and everywhere is much quieter and relaxed. The kingdom hall is pink, but very cute and they've just got air conditioning, thank goodness! There's only one elder there, him and his wife have recently moved there from the US, so he has a LOT on his plate! The bros from San Pedro, the neighbouring island about 20 mins by boat go across to help out, and any visitors are asked to read the WT or do the talk! The island is beautiful, a little oasis surrounded by tourqoise water... just beautiful...
Caye Caulker
The Kingdom Hall - Caye Caulker
View from the beach
When we arrived at San Pedro a similar scene awaited us (population c.12/13000), white sands, wooden piers and a mass of palm trees lining a slightly bigger island. After a swim and a sleep in our accommodation which was right on the beachfront we were ready for our second meeting! The cong was lovely and despite a serious attack of mosquitos which left me seriously eaten up we loved San Pedro!
The next day we boarded a boat with Silvan - A Dive Master in San Pedro cong and we went snorkelling/diving. We went to a point called Shark & Ray Alley which was amazing - we saw nurse sharks, stingrays, a giant parrot fish, moray eels, barracuda, eagle ray, grouper fish, and LOADS of other fish, it was fantastic and it was mega hot, the water looked so beautiful with the sun streaming through.
After a quick change we were back in Belize City - anyone thinking of coming to Belize - try and avoid this place at all costs! Its eerie! We boarded a bus back to the Assembly Hall, Kevin placing magazines with all the people on the bus as apparently its rude to be reading something and not let the person next to you read it too... or to leave them with it after your done. But everyone loves the magazines here, and its a real protection for them to know that you're a Witness here. Its not uncommon for the Witnesses to be warned to leave a certain area if they know somethings going to 'happen' in that area or street. Of course they leave no questions asked!
So we left Kevin and Chris and the next day made our way to Placencia in the South of Belize. We arrived at the house we've rented and have basically not done much since we arrived other than sleep alot and watch movies as the weather has been really unpredictable - its humid but suddenly with no warning the heavens open and there is a HUGE downpour which can last for a while, or just a few minutes! Its crazy - i actually woke up to it this morning in quite fright thinking what an earth is that?! And its starting the thunderous downpour again as we speak!
The local shop doesn't have much variety in terms of fresh fruit and veg, and although you can get Special K and Andrex toilet paper you'll pay about £6 for the privilege! Also, the GREAT news is that they have Dairy Milk!!! But it cost me £4 for a medium sized bar - and it went in 2 days... an expensive habit! Mallika even found Palmers body butter yesterday which made her very happy - the queen of moisturising!
Our house is right on a lagoon with mangrove in it - Brett found out that he can fish there so has been out there just stood on the side a few times, he hasn't caught anything as yet, but one of the other guys caught a snapper and gave it to us so thats dinner tonight!
Apparently in the lagoon its possible to catch Barracuda, Grouper & Tarpon in there! Hilarious that out of all of these huge fish its possible to catch we have a dinner of a small snapper! ha ha So while Brett was engaged in his manly sport, Mallika and I went to explore the beach a bit - again SO quiet, there's just hardly anyone around - not really stray dogs like Mexico, just a smattering of tourists and the locals..
Placencia beach
Tomorrow we're heading back up to Ladyville to the District Convention for a couple of days and then Monday we're going back to San Pedro to look for somewhere to live for the next 4 months to join the cong there, we just loved it so much that we think we'll be really happy serving there... so watch this space!!!
Love the 3 musketeers x
oh yes i do like the look of st pedro. i can see myself there, on the ministry of course.
ReplyDeletemum saysxx
I think there should be more pink Kingdom Halls!!!
ReplyDeleteHey guys...if you still in San Pedro, say hi to Sylvan from us...he taught me to dive - got my open water and advanced tkt from him.. he's sooo cool hey :)
ReplyDelete