La Ruta Maya – Costa Rica to Belize – Nov.17, 20112 to Dec. 21, 2012 Cycling along old, remote Maya trails until the World comes to her End on December 21, 2012
Our Hotel in Sayaxche kept a secret that nobody was aware of until he or she was trapped behind the high walls of the building, that was additionally guarded by heavily armed soldiers.
The nicely arranged garden around the pool area turned unexpectedly into a pre-historic jungle from which no-one was able to escape anymore.
Soon we were surrounded by giant creatures which immediately took hostage of our bicycles and some riders.
It was almost impossible to escape from their claws and jaws.
With a final gulp I disappeared into the dark throat of this ancient and long thought to be extinct creature, revealing a last glance onto the shocked fellow riders at the far end of the scene … Was this the end, although the real Doomsday is still 5 days away?
It was yesterday night at the ‘Del Rio’ when a sudden blast rocked us out of our post-dinner lethargy. A loud explosion followed by a bicycle that flew past the terrace in the upper floor of our hotel, with a tire and inner tube dangling from the rear rim. Usually a loud bang is nothing odd in a Central American country. It could be anything from a fireworks cracker to a gun that is often fired. However the shiny white bicycle frame high in the air, in a cloud of blue anti-flat slime, caught our attention. What has caused it to fly that high and who’s bike was it at all? Those who do not have a white frame were immediately relieved, however those with a white frame were in shock! First JJ came running to check for Jean’s bike, as she was doing some tire maintenance prior to dinner. Eventually the bicycle was identified as David H’s, from the still attached Doomsday plate #116. So, it was Cristiano’s duty to pass the message to David, who was already relaxing in his bed. With the determination of a Canadian Mountie David showed up at the scene and immediately started to cleanup the slimy mess and patiently started a second attempt to make his bike fit for the next day’s ride to Flores. Besides some blue stains on nearby bicycles, there were no more signs the next morning of the late night incident.
It is further to mention, that the locals must have inadvertently taken the tire blast bang as their signal to start a big and loud firework with more big bangs and sparks in the air.
Another easy and short cycling day from Sayaxche to Isla de Flores. 64km in 3.5 hours. Arrival at 10am. The day and the following are all to rest and relax.
Again a start into the morning mist, after crossing Rio de la Pasion on a ferry. The sunrise was as fabulous as yesterday. In addition to the spectacular colors you could hear the voices of the howling monkeys in the near distance. Unfortunately one couldn’t see them, but their shouts continued until the dawn was replaced by bright daylight and the birds started with their concerts.
The first 40km were on perfect pavement and the kilometers ticked down in almost no time. Smooth enough to fall back in daydreams while the sun burned away the remaining mist.If I didn’t miss a turn turn today, I should get on gravel in a few minutes. Yes, here it starts, I am on the right track! After riding on tarmac for the past 2 days, it wasn’t easy to control the bike on gravel. 2 times my front wheel slipped from the shoulder, forcing me to jump off the bike to avoid a fall. All went right and the final 20km on gravel to town were soon history. My Garmin and the flagging guided my directly to the ‘Hotel De Lago’ on the island in the lake. From here Belize is just one more cycling day away. Getting ready for my 5th bracelet and the doomsday arrival.
We will stay here for two nights. I got a double bed room for my own this time. Maybe a result of my other roommates complaining about my coughing and staying up late reading?!
This afternoon we will decide on and organize a sunrise tour to Tikal and the Maya ruins.
