As the English Belize regional convention is being held on the mainland this coming weekend, we decided to use the opportunity to go across a few days earlier and do some sight seeing.  First stop after hiring a car in Belize city was San Ignacio and Santa Elena in Western Belize. The towns  are separated by a river and  have a positive local vibe, with a bustling market and stray dogs who follow you around the town. The food  was delicious  (See our food page)

Kingdom hall in Santa Elena.

View from where we stayed over.

Off to Xunantunich

Set on a hilltop near the Guatemala border is a Maya site. Getting there you have to cross over on a ferry. The view from the top was breath taking.

Saw him at the site – Hairy Dwarf Porcupine.

Du Plooys Lodge

On our travels we passed by this sign, so we headed to meet our long lost Belizian cousins. They are the only Du Plooy’s in Belize and have built an impressive lodge in the jungle with a beautiful botanical garden overlooking the Maya river.

Fruit bats at the lodge.

Herman’s Cave and the Blue Hole

Next stop was a swim in the Blue hole and a visit to Hermans Cave which we will need to return to as its 5km deep.

Past the 200 yard mark you need to be accompanied by a guide.

This picture does not do the colour of the water justice as its a beautiful blue colour.