De Boat In Belize!

After an epic journey from El Salvador we arrived in dodgy Rio Dulce to get on the boat, we were followed by a crazy westener with a pistol - ahhhh get us on board!

For the first 2 days the weather was shocking (rainy and very windy) so we were confined in our little 6ft by 3ft coffin/room/bed. The sun came out on day 3 much to our joy. We were on the boat with a lovely bunch of people from Sweden, Germany and Guatemala, they know how to have a good time!

We saw wild dolphins frolicking, a stingray, a barracuda, starfish, pufferfish, boxfish, parrotfish and other unknown beautiful colourful mad fish! This was all in the beautiful surroundings of the islands off the coast of Belize. My favourite stop was 'White Reef Island' which was actually an island of water surrounded by coral reef, it was stunning (and calm!).

For photos click here

3 become 2

Somewhat akin to that iconic Spice Girls song from the late 90's, 3 have become 2. Al has broken up with us after a passionate, and fruitful relationship which lasted over 3 months. Conventional wisdom seems to be correct on this one... after 3 months, its time to cut them loose, before they start wanting a commitment! Enjoy the travels Al Pal. See you in South America somewhere. Stay strong amigo!

Keep track of Al's travels here

El Salvador

After arriving at the border at late o'clock (it was all a bit sketchy) we managed to bribe our way onto a charter bus to San Salvador. Not the most pleasant city in the world, we left straight away the next day!

Continuing on a chicken bus bonanza we arrived in Playa El Tunco, gorgeous beach side village with amazing surf breaks and a great chill-out hostel/hotel/resort. We're doing a great job watching the surfers (despite being excellent surfers the waves are just too big for us!), reading, eating, whooping youngsters at table tennis and sleeping.

Many memories of El Sal are already sticking out for me: hours lounging in hammocks, seeing a chicken on a chicken bus, daily earthquakes! Will be tough to leave this chill-out haven, but I guess a week on a boat off the Belize reef is a decent consolation prize!

Photos of El Salvador, click here

Travelling in Style

Leaving San Pedro was a bit emotional, with 3 generations of our host family waving us off this morning. It's been great to have a home for a few weeks and really see how people live here in Guatemala.

In case you were wondering, the public transport system here is excellent (see photo). These buses are converted American schoolbuses. Apparently when the US school system is done with them, they sell the buses to Mexican companies. When the Mexicans are done with them, they sell them to the Guatemaltecas! They get re-fitted with new diesel engines (and very loud horns) and are truly the King of the Road here. Great way to travel, once you're not fussy about your personal space!

Hablamos Español

San Pedro La Laguna was the location for our much-needed Spanish course. While we could already order "dos cervezas por favor", we felt we needed just a little more. Now we can converse and banter with locals and tell chancers to "go way and rightly shag off" if we know they're ripping us off.

We spent the 10 days with a family (the Gonzalez-Ramirez's, don't y'know... from up the hill in Zone 2). They were unbelievably welcoming and helpful to us in our quest to learn the auld Español. We ended up going to a graduation for Rebecca (1 of 3 sisters), who was graduation from teacher training college.

Between classes and homely meals, we managed to find time to enjoy the beatiful volcanic lake (Lago de Atitlan). This photo of Fi out on a kayak gives just a taste of how stunning it really is.

Having to leave San Pedro was a weird feeling for us. We really have made it home for the past few weeks and had an amazing family taking care of us. Not only was it traumatic to say Adios to our family, but its also hasta luego to Al, who is off to El Salvador and Honduras while we stay here in Guat and Belize. "See ya soon buddy!"

See our Guatemala photos

Barack is my homeboy!

In the small Guatemalan town of San Pedro, we witnessed the election of Señor Obama to the White House. We settled into a bar with a tv, expecting a long night but it was all over so quickly. Pennsylvania is safe, Virginia has fallen, Ohio (always gets it right) has voted for our buachaill. Florida is the icing on the cake (obviously a little peaved about the gerrymandering of the past 2 elections)!

In this bar, we were surrounded by people from different countries and there was a palpable silence and respect for Obama as he delivered his victory speech. I have truly not seen that kind of respectful attitude towards the States in 8 years. Perhaps some international bridges will now be re-built and "America" will no longer be akin to a swear word.

Barack, maith-thú. You're some boyo. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!