Why Belize?

Without a doubt Belize was the strangest and most bizarre port-of-call that we have ever visited. First of all, the water around the harbor is so shallow that cruise ships have to anchor a great distance off shore and require a 15 minute, high speed boat ride to get to port. The ride was particularly rough and bumpy and very hard on those of us with bad backs. Then, when you get to the port you realize that you are in a fenced off area that is known as the “Shopping Village.” It is full of little shops selling birds, beads and island trinkets as well as bars and a couple of restaurants. That’s it! Unlike the other Caribbean ports we have visited, such as St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Nassau, you can’t just wander through the city and enjoy the uniqueness of each little village. In Belize you are warned that if you are not taking a tour booked on the ship not to venture beyond the gates of the “Village” where there are lots of security guards, many with guns. I guess it goes without saying that Belize is not our favorite spot to visit. As a matter of fact I seriously question why the cruise ships even bother to stop here. Oh well, like we used to say about our motorhome, the inside of the ship always looks the same…nice and safe.