Belize Airport -Then What?

Day One: Belize City, Belize Zoo, San Ignacio, Branch Mouth Park, Iguana Preserve,  Parrots Nest  So we get out of our seats, and prepare to walk off the plane. The kids thought we were 'special,'  because the way you actually get down from the airplane is to step down those white stair steps that have been pushed to the opening front side door of the airplane.  It's the kind that you see  'important people' use. (Y'know Presidents, and Celebrities)  Well we are neither- but we still felt 'important' being greeted by the flight attendants at the bottom of the 15 or so steps as we reached the tarmac. And then YES, it really hits you. We have landed in Central America, Belize. The heat, humidity, and tropical scents assault your senses immediately, and everything is great to take in. We left behind snowy Northern California-and came to Belize! (Experiencing a heat wave of sorts -we found out later). Welcome to 90 degree weather in April. Get out the sunscreen! Going through customs and then renting a car at Crystal Auto Rental was next.  One thing we learned at the end of this trip, was that we should've asked the rental place for their free cell phone and cooler to use which they do advertise, but don't remind you about. (oops on us) Especially the cooler. That would've helped a lot. We explored many parts of Belize on our own, and without a cooler, or being near any 'markets' for water/soda- the warm drinks in the car did not help to quench our thirst. Our first stop in Belize was to drive to the BELIZE ZOO. We needed to drive through Belize City to locate the zoo, and yes it is true what you read about the city. There really isn't much of a 'city center' at all, but as you drive through the city it is a good introduction to their culture, (clothes, faces, bikes, cars, small food stands, school kids in uniforms,-just a slice of the local Belizean life) So, onto the BELIZE ZOO. We had read so much about this in both the Lonely Planet, and Rough Guide books.  And since the zoo is on the way to San Ignacio it was a no brainer.  The zoo  is smallish, but landscaped so nicely with bamboo, and other natural Belizean looks, that this really was a  lovely first stop, and a great opportunity to see animals. And a quick fabulous beginning to our Belize adventures! (One couple we met a few days later, said they were heading to the zoo on their way out of Belize-to do a sleep over at the zoo and a night walk.  They'd be close to the airport for their departing flight.)  The zoo was  the only place we saw a Jaguar, and a Tapir. Later on during our Jungle Adventures we looked for both but found neither. We spent about an hour or so at the Zoo, and then drove the 72 miles  to San Ignacio, heading to our most wonderful and absolutely fantastic place of luscious rest: Parrot Nest.

Belize here we come!

TRAVEL DAY: Our family of four flew from SFO to Miami, and then on to Belize.  We chose to do an overnight from SFO so we could get some shut eye.  We flew American Airlines, and the flight was both fine and completely full. Our lay over in Miami was about 5-6 hours-pretty uncomfortable- and I will say that those airport floors are the worst, so hard to sleep on, and no lounging chairs to kick back in.  But even scarier is their speaker system. Every 15 minutes (And I do mean EVERY 15 MINUTES) an automated female voice announces over the speaker system what time it is. Seriously! (I thought only Chicago could sing about 'Does anybody know what time it really is?') Now  I'm not sure why it's important to know that at 3AM it is no longer 3AM, but indeed 3:15AM and then 3:30AM and on to 4:00AM and so on (snore.) But apparently that Miami airport is very pleased. . . they can keep track of time.  If anyone watches the 'EUREKA'  TV series, the voice that the airport uses is the same voice that is heard in Carter's smart house.
(I actually was quite proud to figure this out at 4:30AM.)
OK so finally it's time to leave  Miami, Florida and fly into Belize-we land around 10:10AM.
Excitement Adventure and Unknown Suprises await us!!