Belize

This was thursday we had already done Cozumel and loved the idea of not doing the excutions through the boat and doing our own thing. If only we would of know...

So we started off getting on our little boat to get us to Belize city which took us 45 min. but they told us it would take 15 so we were loosing time and they cut the day already an hour short to we were feeling pressed for time and to top it off I had to go to the bathroom. I thought not a big deal I will go when I get there. So we get there and off the boat and I am quickly realizing it is a whole different place a lot more poverty and people are starting to see me as money and not a person. So I getting kind of nervous but it doesn't stop us from talking to a local and asking about snorkeling. To which they say you have to be back when oh! we have got to hurry and they start running so of course we start following and running with them around the corner to a dock and she tells me to get in line cause this boat is leaving for Chris to follower her to get tickets. Everyone is looking at me since I am the one and only in line and they are wanting to go NOW! I am like I am waiting for my husband he is getting tickets we want to get on this boat. Really thinking this doesn't feel right what in the world are we doing. So what seemed like forever Chris comes running back and says she will bring us the tickets and our change. I think well that's super helpful but we still need to tickets to get on the boat and its pretty much leaving. Lucky Marie hurries and brings us the tickets and Chris asks for the change and she says there was no change so instead of getting a really good deal on this boat taxi we have now paid double. It was only ten dollars so what ever. We get on the boat and um, my want to start die. I am feeling like we have just got a boat to be sold as slaves and never see my kids again. The boat looked homemade everyone was starring at us. Then they told me it was a 45 minute ride to the next island. Remember I still have to pee! So I am dying on the trip over the bumpy ocean. That is just so breathtakingly beautiful what we can see from our little side peep whole of a window that is so not even edged. This made experience of being in Belize all the more real. So as Chris and I starting to collect ourselves we notice another group of four and found out they were on our boat as well. They were on the boat to get to a snorkel shop so we ended up following them and laughing about the whole experience. the picture is of us on this island. Before we went snorkeling in the Ba rrier Reef. Which those other people were going to go to a better snorkel area but because of time we all went and did the Barrier instead they were so disappointed. We were just happy to be safe and going snorkeling. There are pro's to not planning a thing. Even though next time I think we might do some more research. So when we got out there it felt like we were swimming in a sea aquarium the colors were so bright and the brain coral was incredible. We haven't gotten those pictures developed yet but when I do I will post them. The tour guide would swim down with a dead fish in his hand break it apart and release it under a rock then all these bright colored fish would come out and eat. The next stop he took us to we were told we didn't need fins cause it was so shallow and he threw more fish over board. Once he did that all these sting rays came out( like 40 or more). Then he says jump out. Everyone didn't even hesitate. I totally did. These guys were holding them and playing with them and I was peeing my pants ( not really!). Chris held me to try and keep me from being so scared in the water and I ended up in the middle of them all wishing I was on the boat. I learned I am terrified of sting rays. Lessen learned. I ended up just swimming on the out skirts and looking around. It was amazing but I don't mind glass between me and them though. All I could think is, isn't this the animal that killed the crocodile hunter. I guess that was super rare that that should happen. Still! It happened. Perfect afternoon.