Toronto to Belize and Back Again

Well, never thought I would do something like this but a good friend suggested to me it soothes the soul. I guess when I think about it is also a great way to remember all the different things we do. Mary Lou and I often lament on how boring a life we lead, but the other day some friends of ours commented on how they wished they could do all the things we have done, go all the places that we do. Well, next time we take to whining, the evidence to the contrary will be at our fingertips.

In the past few years we have been to Mexico, Cuba , San Andres (Columbia), and Dominican Republic among other places. We have travelled all through New England and the midwest following our son around at prep and college hockey, camping in the White Mountains, to Mount Tremblant, Florida and made our share of drives back home. Last fall we took a bit of a different trip to New York, basically with no idea what we wanted to do other than bike around the City. That turned out to be a wonderful experience and we saw parts of New York that I bet you even the residents don't know. All on bike. So, that got us thinking, maybe it's time to get away from the all inclusive format and get out to the guts of the countries we visit. After deciding Europe could wait for a couple of years we settled on Belize.

So why Belize you might ask. The answer is simple, "don't know". Well, maybe one reason is that I have been reading in International Living about the best places for Canadians to retire, and this keeps coming to the top of the list. The climate is great, beaches are beautiful and you can live there very reasonably, even find a cheap home or condo if you don't need to stay in the la de da areas. So, " why not Belize". The planning began.

After visiting the Toronto Travel show and talking to the reps from Belize, flying into Cancun seemed to be the best option. We could enjoy the area a few nights then travel down the coast through the Mexican Riviera into Belize, then back . To do this we would need two weeks, which will be the first time either of us has taken two straight weeks off work since we were married almost a century ago (that is except for the child bearing thing).

After waiting for the prices to drop by flying last minute ( TIP: doesn't work if you are going for more than a week) we booked our flights last week. Friday morning at 3:00 am we get up to get showered (that is if I even get to sleep) and head to the airport for a 6:20 am flight. We land in Cancun at 9:30 am. From there we take the bus into Town, hop a cab to the ferry to Isla Mujeres and get off the boat with only our knapsacks as we are travelling light ( well that is if you exclude our idods, cameras, mini stereo system, web book, water proof ipod case, mini flip HD video camera, power chords and chargers, batteries).

We have been to the island before back in 2005 ( on a trip Mary won as part of an employee award) spending half a day on a side trip from Cancun. We decided then that some day we would come back and stay. Well, this is some day. We are staying for two nights at a small Botique hotel called Hotel Las Palmas. The place costs $60 US for the night, has air conditioning, neat little courtyard, a shared fridge, and wireless. It is owned by a Canadian. Found this location on Trip Advisor and it got rave reviews. It is located at the tip of the island right in the middle of town and within a short walk to the best beach on the island.

We have high hopes for this place, and I am certain they will exceed expectations. I can tell it will be a friendly visit just from the tone of our email exchanges. Who knows, we may like it so much we hang around for an extra couple of days.

We will plan the details of the next leg of our trip while sipping a Carona in the courtyard at night.

I am certain that Mary Lou will want to hit all the nude beaches so I will pay particular attention to that.

OK. that's it for now.