To Belmopan

We knew this would be our longest day. It was to be flat, hot, and boring. So we were determined to make it all the way to Belmopan. We left at about 5am. Needing headlamps. But the benefit was getting in 50K by 8am! You can see below at the stats but we did 140+K. See the profile. The first 100K were totally flat.

Again I had been through the northern part just a few months earlier with María. So I’m including the pictures we took at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is famous for birders. But it’s also a major cashew growing region. The low ground with slightly brackish water is ideal apparently.

But being here during the rainy season there were less prospects for close in bird watching. With the large water expanse they keep themselves more remote from human settlement.

We however were there at the driest time of year. So the birds were close in. Unfortunately since I’m not a real wildlife photographer there’s not much to see from my pictures. Sorry.

Midway through the ride we stopped for a very pleasant lunch. But about 20K after that I started getting serious leg cramping. I was ahead and pulled over at the zoo entrance.

We’d gotten in the habit of carrying 3 or 4 liters of water. Consuming up to 6 a day. So I pulled out one of the liters and dropped in an envelope of electrolyte powder. I’d probably brought 30 or 40 packets. They’re a staple in all Mexican health centers to treat dehydration usually from diarrhea. By the time Ratna and Patrick caught up I was recovering. We proceeded on to Belmopan with no further problems. Arriving to our lodging slightly after sundown.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary