Terror on the High Seas

Thursday, 12/2/10. I check out of my hotel in San Jose around 9 am. My taxi driver from yesterday was on time and ready to go. We loaded up my suitcases and on the way, I asked him to stop for coffee as I had no change for a tip. He took me to a lovely coffee shop and we both got a coffee (decaf for me). He dropped me off at the one terminal, gave me his card and said to call him when I came back to Costa Rica. I thought to myself, it will be a cold day in hell before that happens, but I kept my mouth shut.

After I checked in, I asked where the VIP club was. She said they didn't have one at this airport. Darn! That was going to be my free breakfast. I ended up at Burger King and got an egg croissant for $6 and a juice for $3. I met a nice Belizian woman on the plane and we talked. I told her, since we had to change planes in San Salvador and had a one hour layover, that we should go to the VIP lounge there. She didn't know about it, so I showed her the ropes. She was happy, free food and drinks.

Arrived in Belize City with no problem but, naturally, it was raining. I got a taxi to the water taxi marina in plenty of time to catch the last boat to Ambergris Caye (pronounced Amber gree key). We left on time but it was raining like crazy and the chop was bad and it was dark. About 20 minutes out, the guy next to me said the boat captain couldn't see any lights because of the rain. The boat was cutting through the waves pretty good but it was still bumpy. I asked him if we were lost and he said he didnt think so because they had GPS. We did arrive at the first island safely and in another 20 minutes we arrived at my destination. Another taxi took me to my hotel which I am sorely disappointed in.

It is a very small space with room for two twin beds and a door wide isle down the length. No electrical plug, no TV, no anything. I put my two suitcases on the other bed and jumped in the one next to the window. Yes it is a hostel, but I have stayed in hostels all along the way and never were the conditions this primative. I'll see how much it is to move over to the hotel tomorrow.

I was asleep in about an hour.