WEEK 11 : 11 th Jan - 17th Jan 2002
Trip Distance (km) Quote of the Week Country
11,277 "Can't you give me eleventh place " - There were only ten prizes but Marty scored a free t-shirt in a cocktail making competition.
Mexico - Belize
Payer De Carmen - Tulum - Chetumal - Belize City - Dangriga

Memorable Moment

Ride around anything.

After 16 days of living in Cancun, we finally got moving south again and into Belize. After spending 7-8 weeks in Mexico, trying to learn a little Spanish, we were suddenly in a country that spoke English which also had a dollar equal to Australia's. As we rode toward Belize city we passed typical Australian vehicles which included a couple of old Bedford trucks. On our way out of Belize city, we were caught in the most horrendous traffic. No worries on the bikes. We managed to zip in between the traffic with ease, even passing a few cars on the footpath. In no time at all we had made it to the front of the congestion. Little did we know that "Cemetery road", (the main road out of Belize city to Belmopan) actually ran through the heart of the cemetery which suddenly put us at the front of a funeral procession, riding alongside a family carrying a coffin followed closely by a hearse. Not feeling particularly too clever we hesitantly rode past the funeral procession and through the road block the police had set up at the other end.

 

Pictures of the Week

Competition

Cocktail making In an attempt to expand its cocktail menu the Blue Parrot bar in Playa de Carmen offered it patrons a full sprits bar and mixers to concoct a winning cocktail. Sampling was encouraged and the winning mix received cash, naming rights and 24 cans of Dark Dog energy drink

Winner: Unknown but Martin did receive the coveted 11th place on the top 10 list

Highlight

Finally getting rid of the third bike and being able to move on and into Belize.

Risk Activity

Crossing the border without the appropriate paperwork from Mexico to Belize. Risk factor: 4/10.

Lowlight

Going to the Cockscomb Jaguar Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize to see six different breeds of wild cat in the jungle as well as monkeys, deer , wild pig etc. We walked the 3.5km trail in our motorbike boots and saw one parrot and a squirrel.

Road Tally

One bike centre stand. During some long awaited dirt road riding, a large rock flicked up and destroyed the spring mechanism on the stand. A careful search along the road located the springs but what proved more difficult was to find a welder in order to repair it.