Travellingman reisverhalen - - Atalanta - Lamanai
Day 2: Maandag 12 mei 2014
Atalanta - Lamanai

I had my alarm set for 6 am, but for that time I was already awake. It was still dark. After a refreshing shower I went outside in the dark to smoke a cigarillo. In front of the hotel were already a lot of people waiting for the shuttle bus to airport. I went first for breakfast. That would be possible from 6.30 am, but was about 10 minutes later. I took a coffee some fruit and a roll. There is a shuttle every 20 minutes and I wanted to take that of 07.25 am, but I was just in time for the shuttle bus of 07.05 am. I was not the only one who sat in the bus, which was actually full. After 10 minutes the shuttle was at the domestic Airport and could I check in my luggage. Then to the passport control. An officer shouted here that it is not allowed to have weapons with you. I found it rather aggressive. After the pass control followed a safety check, which took a while. I had to go in departure hall E, which is on the other side of the airport. With a subway I went to the departure gate.

I did do some reading in a book before I was allowed on board. This was around 9 am. The plane took off a little too late, just after 10.15 am, but was in time in Belize. Partly I slept during the 2.5 hours flight. It is here again 2 hours earlier than in Atlanta. It took about 20 minutes to pass customs, and then retrieve my bag. Outside, I was greeted nicely. I was led to a small office opposite the airport and had to wait there for 10 minutes. Meanwhile I got some money from an ATM. We had to drive first 45 minutes to the departure place of the boat to my first stay at Lamanai.

At the exit of the airport, we turned left (right for Belize City). The first piece was still inhabited, but the further from the city, the area was inhabited. According to the driver especially because of savannah soil, where little want to grow. Yet it was pretty green. At the beginning of the ride, the driver pointed me even on a mahogany tree, the national tree, and two iguanas.

At the departure station of the boat, a beautifully decorated area, I took the boat. I had to wait here for another couple, which also went to the resort. After 10 minutes the Canadian couple arrived. It was already quite warm.

With a fast boat we sailed down the river. En route we stopped a few times to watch some birds including a few herons, but also we saw a turtle, crocodile, kingfishers, cormorants and more like that. The tour went through narrow passages, but also wider waterways. There are many different trees and water lilies.

In the end we were at the lagoon where my first stop was, the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. We first got a three-course lunch and then an explanation of the lodge. I also had to make a choice for the excursions that I wanted to do. You book the lodge as a package so food, room and excursions. I decided to have a night walk. The afternoon I had to rest and that was necessary, because I felt pretty tired. Still suffer from the time difference.

After the 3-course supper I went with 4 other guests on a guided walk around the lodge and towards the Lamanai ruins. We saw a Scorpion, a strange bird on the road, 2 toads, tarantula and some spiders. Nice walk. After some chatting with the other guests I went to my room. After some reading, it was time to sleep.

Initial publication: 24 juni 2014
Last update: 27 juni 2014
© A. Heeroma

  • Travel route

Belize tour
ğDay 1 Home- Atlanta
ğDay 2 Atalanta - Lamanai
ğDay 3 Lamanai
ğDay 4 Lamanai
ğDay 5 Lamanai - San Ignatio
ğDay 6 San Ignatio (-Tikal)
ğDay 7 San Ignatio
ğDay 8 San Ignatio
ğDay 9 San Ignatio
ğDay 10 San Ignatio (Caracol)
ğDay 11 San Ignatio - Placencia
ğDay 12 Placencia
ğDay 13 Placencia
ğDay 14 Placencia
ğDay 15 Placencia - Caye Caulker
ğDay 16 Caye Caulker
ğDay 17 Caye Caulker
ğDay 18 Caye Caulker
ğDay 19 Caye Caulker
ğDay 20 Caye Caulker
ğDay 21 Caye Caulker
ğDay 22 Caye Caulker - Home

  • Overige info

  • Belize








    Click photo to enlarge