CENTRAL AMERICA. Mexico - Belize

As part of the 2013/14 world escapade I hit up Central America and did a little group tour thing from Mexico to Belize. 

The highlights included:

Chichen Itza. The popular Mayan archaeological site, known most famously for the El Castillo pyramid temple. A breathtaking Mayan structure shrouded in mystery. The encompassing archaeological site is sprawling, with many areas still not excavated, comprising of temples, Mayan ball courts, sculptures and sacrificial cenotes. The structures are all ornately decorated with brilliant carvings of fearsome creatures and bloodthirsty warriors. Although it is HOT and HUMID at Chichen Itza with a lack (non-existent) of shade. And as always for the best non-crowded photos and well non-crowded experiences try and get there the moment it opens at 8AM or laters in the after noon once the tourist crowds have subsided , after 3PM. 

Diving MUSA in Cancun. I couldn’t pass up the chance to do a dive here, whilst Cancun is home to the worlds second largest reef it does have a world first, MUSA. Made up of a collection of submerged lifelike human statues by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, it provides another dive spot for visitors. The long term aim of MUSA is to create a new living reef out of the underwater art installation. Today grasses and corals are beginning to grow over the sculptures creating an even more dynamic site to dive. The hope is that the MUSA reef will relieve the stress of the human footprint being placed on the natural one.

Cenotes. A large part of the Yucatan peninsula is made up of limestone, giving way to submerged large bodies of water. These insta-gorgeous pools of water dot the Yucatan peninsula and have grown ever popular over the years. Typically lush, where giants tropical trees and vines are met with streaks of sunlight streaming through illuminating the crystal clear temperate water pools. These somewhat secluded, other worldly pools create blissful playgrounds that feel relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. 

We moved on to Guatemala to visit another Mayan city - Tikal. Unlike Chichen Itza, Tikal is submerged within the jungle, it’s towering steep stone temples create a world fit for Indiana Jones, so much so the temples peaking over the tree tops became the backdrop to Starwars’ Yavin 4. Walking under the jungle canopy with monkeys, toucans and tree vines surrounding you as you explore the temples, learning more about the cultural life of Mayans in Tikal. 

Caye Caulker, Belize - This Caribbean paradise truly remains a favourite for me.

Here shirts are optional, but so is waking up for the day and doing much of anything at all. This island paradise knows no pressure of time, with a lack of big world problems the island's saying is 'Go Slow’, instead prioritising the golden everyday moments and being able to live them everyday. Without actual roads, only sand lies beneath your feet. Three kilometre long strips make up Caye Caulker and it's town, you could circle the island in 30 minutes. There are no cars or vehicles here, travelling is done by golf cart, bicycle or mere foot. It's actually quite scary as the silent electric carts creep up on you without warning, I actually wanted people to start shouting out at me 'get out the way'. Whilst this island is idyllic to say the least, it does lack in proper beach real estate, although there are piers to sit along and endless amounts of waterfront bars to sit at, replacing their stools for hammocks and swings. Whilst drinking alcohol and sitting on a moving seat is a questionable mix, they are usually the first to be taken. To make up for the lack of beach it's the water we gather here for, crystal blue and clear we want to be in it not just near it. Water activities are more than just a sport here, it's a massive part of life. The famed Blue Sink Hole lies just off Caye Caulker's reef. Take a sailboat out to the reef, swim with the rays, turtles, fishes and sharks in the protected waters where they make their home. The water is so clear the only way you could tell I was even in water is the fish in the middle of the photo. Rastamuffin tours were the perfect pirates to take us out on the sea.  Your other option being to sit back spending endless amount of hours in the shade of the palms or sway of the hammock, filling yourself up on fresh fruit or the abundance of seafood. Note* Try and make it for lobster season, we missed out by days, this was the only disappointment during the time spent here. From June 15 - February 15, lobsters are sold for pennies in comparison to home prices.  Coconut rum is the poison of choice here, it knocks you off your feet by being so sweet, I've seen it take out grown men like they're sixteen year olds on mixers.  Let the local Rastafarians show you their style of hospitality, one place in particular Wish Willy's. It's a backyard BBQ serving up way more than you can eat, with three BBQ's cooking simultaneously there's one for chicken, one for pork and one for seafood and veg. Willy is all about filling up his guests with good hearty food, you could recreate a carcass out of the bones left on your plate. Not to mention Wish Willy's has the hottest hot sauce in all the peninsula.

 In true style: 'Get that man more rum punch he's only had one drink tonight' - Willy.  Caye Caulker's vibe is one to be experienced for your own. For years it's been a hidden gem only backpackers played at, but more and more visitors by the cruise-ship load are making their way here. It seems more tourists make up the Islands population than actual locals these days. It's all still quite rawly Caye Caulker but there is no time like the present before 'go slow' becomes more like a moderate fast paced speed walk. 

Travelling across this part of the world is a fairy tale full of cerulean seas, lush forests, mysterious and moving Mayan ruins, where beauty and culture surrounds you at every turn. Not to mention the overall vibes these places were serving up, the heat, the music, the colours, the food, the people.