Today started at 04.45 hrs.in Tulum. We had mislaid the tulips to get the 1.63 kms from Room 6115 in Block D, under Blocks C & B, past the tennis courts on the left and the Colonial Restaurant on the right, avoiding the Tope at 1.34 kms to emerge in the reception area, and all in pitch darkness.
We eventually reached the front of the hotel to see Jim Taylor’s tail lights disappearing in the distance, which reminded us of a joke he told us last night.

A duck walks into a bar and orders a beer. The barman says” Don’t be silly, we don’t serve ducks here…get out!”
The next day, the duck returns and again asks for a beer. The barman says” I told you before, we don’t serve ducks so get out!”
The next day, the duck returns and asks for a beer. The barman says ”I told you before, we don’t serve ducks. If you come in here again, I’ll nail your foot to the floor”
The next day, the duck returns and asks “Do you have any nails?”. The barman replies “No”.
The duck says “ OK then, can I have a beer!”

Yes, the morning drive was a little boring…remembering those jokes helped relieve the tedium of Tarmac……Tarmac….more Tarmac…Pemex….Tarmac etc etc. Then, a little bit of extortion at the Mexican side of the border but a most pleasant reception by the Belize authorities.. A complete contrast in scenery then followed as we drove past miles and miles of sugar cane, linked by small villages. We headed for the boat station on the New River for a fast trip upstream, around 25 miles to see the Maya ruins at Lamanai.



A fast boat indeed, just slowing for the odd crocodile, orchids and birds. Then we were at Lamanai. This was just how we imagined the 19th Century explorers first setting eyes on a Maya site. In particular, we felt the Jaguar temple was among the most impressive of any Maya ruins we had seen thus far. A distinct need for beer followed, and our driver took us further up the lagoon to “The Last Outpost”, a most charming small hotel with a perfect bar and restaurant. Mike Taylor kindly bought everyone drinks, both for immediate consumption and the return trip. He then challenged the boat driver to do the return journey in 35 minutes, compared to the normal 60 minutes. He achieved 42 minutes…and it was great!

Then into Belize City to prepare for a day doing absolutely nothing to do with cars and tulips!

By Mark and Olpha Gibbon

© Copyright 4x4xplore.com

Top of Page