We really really like this town. There’s not a whole lot to do here really, except drink and lie around in the sweltering humidity producing giant sweat bullets. We managed this and also we met a couple of Canadians on the boat over from Honduras (Life and Francis) who lived there part time running a kayak tour company. They introduced us to Jack who is building a proa out of a dugout canoe with the intent of sailing to the Pacific via Lago Nicaragua and then up the coast to the north Sea of Cortez. So we had instant friends and drinking buddies upon arrival. Fun for us!

Another thing we liked about this town is the insane friendliness of almost every single inhabitant. Ruthie, who ran the guesthouse where we stayed called us “babies,” as in, “okay babies, you just let me know if you need anything;” almost everyone we passed in the street said the equivalent of “hey man, how’s it going.” And the signage. Nearly all of it is hand painted with often awkward illustrations and anomalous spelling.

I like the “ESTB.” part.

I believe this place also had rooms for rent. I’m not sure what the dollar sign is all about.

We heard that the owner of the hotel added the ‘no loafers’ part because of a good-fer-nothin’ son or some such. There was a ‘no vendors’ sign on the other side with a herb seller set up directly underneath but naturally, I didn’t have the camera with me that day.

All bars had some variation of the ‘spiritous liquors’ sign painted outside.

I love this one; look how she illustrated the styles of the blocks she offered. (You can view a larger photo by clicking the image.)

Condoms! Karaoke!!

The latest in oldies!

Val’s offered cheap lodging in addition to internet and laundry. Dorm-style rooms for $7ish apiece I think.

From Dangriga we headed up to Orange Walk Town which is near the ruins of Lamanai. It´s a small but important site with some interesting temples. The only problem is that it´s only accessable by boat, so you´re pretty much required to take a guided tour. The boat ride is nice though and we got to see a lot of wildlife.

The launching point.

Some guys in a dugout with a bicycle.

Fresh water crocodile.

A small toucan. I think it´s a Collared Aracari, but you birders out there can correct me if I´m wrong. We also saw a Keel-billed Toucan but couldn´t get a good picture.

The Mask Temple.

We left the Time Machine at anchor in the Estero de Jaltepeque in order to travel overland to Playa del Carmen for my brother Sage’s wedding. It’s a lot alarming to just leave the boat (we haven’t spent one night off it since we left) but we have a local guy keeping an eye on it and well hopefully it will be just fine. We are mostly south of the hurricanes. “Hurricanes hardly ever happen in El Salvador, and never in May.” Except last year, in May. Sigh.

We crossed El Salvador, made a major detour to a brewpub in the middle of Honduras run by a guy from Oregon. Yes. A brewpub. With homemade beer. Even porter!!

(!!!!!)

We caught a boat from Puerto Cortez, Honduras across to Dangriga, Belize. We’re pretty stoked to be in Belize (and not just because we discovered the grocery store carries canned butter) and might have to detour back by on our way back from the wedding.

Cloud forest, near the brewpub.

I’ll fill in the details in a future post when I have a keyboard that isn’t driving me batty with all the sticky keys.