Empty Nest Travel - Oct 2 -9, 2022

Empty Nest Travel - Oct 2 -9, 2022 - Playa/Belize

Oct 2

Now our boy is in university and loving it, so we were comfortably able to start our winter travels again. This time, we decided to travel with only carry-on luggage - the decision-making was quite tough for me but it felt much easier having less to deal with and, realistically, we cycle through our favourite clothes anyway rather than caring about 'fashion'.

Belize 2015

Belize 2022

The first leg was a short, overnight flight from Regina to Calgary, then a morning flight to Cancun. The trip was nice, with a mildly busy Calgary airport and a surprisingly not-busy Cancun airport. Notable differences were we didn't have to complete the FMM migration form which designated how long you could remain in Mexico but they made more than a few random stops of travellers to check their bags - ours were scanned in a very half-hearted fashion and we were on our way.

We took the ADO bus to Playa and it looked and felt exactly as we left it. Our hotel for the night near the bus station only cost $35 including AC and was well-located and comfortable. After supper and 2 x1 drinks at La Taberna, we bought bus tickets for Chetumal and walked for a while on Fifth Ave.

Balcony view

Oct 3

The day began with a quick and delicious breakfast at Chilito Rojo before taking an almost 5-hour bus journey to Chetumal. We were on a Mayab bus which was not as fancy as the ADO and made a few more stops but cost 100 pesos less per person (374 pesos). Our hotel room for 2 nights was a corner suite at the Hotel Noor overlooking the bay. That evening, we discovered Ambar restaurant which would become our favourite!

Noor Hotel near the water taxi terminal

Beautiful view

Ambar Del Mar restaurant

Strawberry gin and tonic

Shrimp tacos

Shrimp cocktail

Strawberry Daquiri

Breakfast at Hotel Noor restaurant

Oct 4

I headed out to buy the tickets for Belize Waterjets ferry, then had one of those crappy experiences when my withdrawal from the ATM malfunctioned and didn't dispense the cash while still debiting it from our account. Grrr! I filed my request for investigation, said 'shit happens', went for a nice walk hoping to find a way to get some USD to use in Belize but only succeeded in finding a couple of cold tequila Paloma drinks in this less touristy city!! The day ended with another great meal along the waterfront and the hope for a successful travel day.

1 lb of langoustines

Oct 5

We had to check in 2 hrs before departure during which time we filled in immigration documents for Belize and passed through an immigration check and got an exit stamp. The departure was half an hour late but the ride was not as bumpy as we remembered. Belize immigration was very straightforward with just a couple of questions. Then came the debacle of finding a cooperative ATM. After 3 failed tries we resorted to a credit card advance and moved on.

When we arrived at Royal Palm, the view said it all and we felt back at home. We had a long video chat with Hayley catching up and getting instructions on the cats/house followed by a much-needed lunch at Delicia's Deli which still has Belizean meals at 2015 prices. Everywhere else though, it was apparent that inflation has hit the island hard. We were feeling really travel weary when we crashed hard and slept quite well despite the presence of 2 very cuddly/active kitties!!

Bear, Cooper and Oreo

Stew Chicken - 10 BZD!

The weekend was all about the island chicken and supply buying from the new grocery store near Royal Palm called Caribbean Chicken, La Divina Providencia (lovely Susana is still there) and Superbuy South.

By Sunday a storm front was passing through so we stayed close to home.