Where in the World is Laurin?

Caye Caulker

Belize has about 10-15 inhabited cayes (key-z) dotted near their eastern coastline on the barrier reef (second largest in the world)  We chose Caye Caulker for its location and accessibility….but would have liked to have gone to one of the Southern Cayes as they are more remote and less busy.  But Caulker gave us everything we were looking for.  Known as the “backpacker;s caye” the culture is slow and laid back.  Just how Ben likes it.

We unfortunatley hit the caye during bad weather.  The small island, about a mile around, was pelted with heavy rain and strong wind.  Instead of staying 3 nights, we cut it down to 2 to enjoy more time in the sun on the mainland.  We eventually got sun, but the wind made it difficult to truly enjoy being outside (or go kayaking or snorkeling…my only disappointment of the trip!)

Highlights:

• Yuma Backpackers hostel with tons of hammocks
• De Real Macaw Inn: Tom the owner is so sweat.  Aww
• Habaneros: the most expensive restaurant on the island. We splurged and treated ourself to a gourmet meal.  The sautéed onions were to die for. YUM
• Amor Y Cafe: great, quick breakfast
• Roses: yummy salad and nachos (yes we are obsessed with nachos)
• Iguana Inn: a luxury hotel on the island we snuck onto and enjoyed their lounge chairs
• Pina Coladas all around
• “Go Slow Man” Caye Caulker slogan

Chaa Creek Eco Lodge, San Ignacio

After 3 nights in the bustling city of San Ignacio I was ready for a break.  I needed exclusivity, luxury, peacefulness and comfort.  Belize is known for their environmentally friendly culture and eco-focused businesses.  So why not choose to stay at one of the Top 10 Eco Lodges (in the world!) for a 2 night retreat on our vacation?

The Chaa Creek Eco Lodge sits on a private 300 acre estate in the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve.  About 15 miles outside of San Ignacio, this eco-lodge is nestled in the Belizean jungle with wildlife, sustainable agriculture, Maya ruins and the Macal River.  

This sounds expensive right? Well it is.  BUT there is a new option called the “Macal River Camp” where you pay per person/night to stay in a “luxury” cabin tent on the Chaa Creek property.  Yes you may not have electricity, but you get to enjoy all the ammentities the 5star cabana guests have as well. Win win. 

Highlights:

• Our own private tent/cabin on stilts looking over the Macal River
• Communal dining for breakfast & dinner with the other 8 tents in the Camp
• Infiniti pool
• Poolside bar service where we wracked up quite a tab
• Canoeing, hiking, butterfly farm viewing, organic farm harvesting, horseback riding…everything included
• New Years! We celebrate New Years with 16.5% wine and 9 strangers from all over in a tent 
• Howler monkeys all night long
• Staying at one of the top eco lodges in the world. Bam

Tikal, Guatemala

During one of our days in San Ignacio, we took a full-day trip over to Guatemala to see Tikal.  We went back and forth about whether to do this trip on our own or through a guide, but decided on the later.  Saving border problems, safety issues and transportation risk we shelled out some extra dough for a history-filled day in the Tikal National Reserve.

• Pacz Tours transported us over the border to meet up with our tour guide for the day: Juice
• The park is massive…it took about 4 hours to get through just the main trek.  
• We learned about the architectural style, the significance of the number 9 and the sound acoustics built into the different plazas
• Stairs, stairs, stairs
• Perfect weather: blue sky with puffy white clouds and an occasional cool breeze, especially on the top of each Temple

San Ignacio, Belize

No plans, no map, empty stomachs and a day on the school buses…we arrived in San Ignacio in desperate search for a bed.  From the first minute, we knew this town was going to be an adventure on its own.

• The central hub to all jungle-adventuring.  Whether its cave dwelling, rive tubing, Maya ruins, hiking, ziplining, canoeing…you name it, they have it. 
• Located 15 miles from Guatemalan border, on the Macal River
• Floods every summer so you can just imagine the state of the roads/city planning
• 1 main street: Burns Avenue
• Flayva’s Restaurant: $2 Rum & Cokes
• Pop’s: best hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot
• San Ignacio Hotel free wifi and pool
• Xunantunich: afternoon trip to the Maya ruin.  Breathtaking views from the top after a mighty climb up. Sweating. 
• Hanna’s:  busy, most popular restaurant in town. Dont order the burritos.  
• Martha’s:  best kabob in my life.  second best nachos in my life. 
• Lodging: first night at Elvira’s 1/10 rating.  Second night: Hi-Et, 6/10 rating. Third night: Western Hostel  9/10 rating.  Progressively better each night

Corozal, Belize (core - ah - zal) 

My number one recommendation when planning to travel “spontaneously” is to book your first night.  We are so glad we did and so glad we chose Corozal as our introduction to Belize.  

Corozal in a Nut Shell:

• Located 9 miles south of the Mex-Belizean border
• Small town but full of ex-patriots
• No beach, just sea wall.  But go to Corozal Bay Resort or Tony’s Inn to find white sand and some small waves
• Cerros Maya ruin - we didnt go but heard of great weekend bbqs on the ruin grounds
• Purple Tucan - yummy fajitas and good looking bar atmosphere
• Tony’s Inn - perfect dinner spot. Sit by candlelight under the Palapa on the water.  Uber romantic and the nachos are fantastic
• Blues Restaurant - nachos are decent, drinks are strong. Relax is comfy lounge chairs overlooking the water
• Say hi to Doug and stay at the Corozal Bay Resort: a great, family-run hotel that has 10 beach huts and 5 hotel rooms for their guests.  Unlike post hotels in the area, it had a beach (a mini beach) and a pool.  Doug, the owner, is a Canadian who moved with his family at age 7 and has been there ever since.  Yes, we bonded over our shared Canadian heritage.  

Highway 1

California

- roadtrip back to school - 

Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada

August 2010

you know you are a world traveler when you can meet people for lunch during your layover at any airport.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Reunited with Angela for lunch - thanks girl!