All the pre-trip concerns about Belizean rain were for nothing. While it did rain, it usually occurred during the overnight. That is until the final day in Belize. We decided to sign for the night time crocodile river tour on Mussel Creek. It was pouring a couple of hours before we boarded the canoe, but was holding out hope that the rain will let up.
The rain did stop eventually which gave us enough time to pull the canoe into the creek. We started paddling, then KABOOOOOM! The skies opened up again. It was pouring buckets. Cats and dogs coming down. The wind was pushing our rickety canoe all over the river. We were only 20 minutes into the 2 hour ride in search of crocodiles. We did get to see one, which was quite enough under these conditions. Our guide Russell was trying to remain calm throughout. It probably wasn’t until the rain water was filling up the canoe faster than he can empty it out that he admitted that the rain was too much to handle. Against the hard wind, we paddled desparately to u-turn back to our starting point.
We finally got back, but still had to wait another half hour for the truck to return us back to the Lodge. Karen, Russell, and I stood in the rain, hoping the driver would pick us up earlier. We had our phones, but there is no service in these parts of the country. Amazingly, our gear, tucked away inside Sealine pouches, and under Gore-Tex lined pockets remained dry. (Ahem… Sealine and Gore-Tex folks, please provide products for reviews in exchange for the plugs)
At 9:45, the driver arrived in his pick up truck. Russell shoved the canoe in the back, and we dashed into the car for warmth. When we got back into the room, the air conditioning made the place feel like winter back home. We ran into the bathroom, turned on the hot shower to keep warm. Meanwhile, it was probably 85 degrees outside.
Another thing… I think a tarantula bit me during the boat ride. Russell suspects it might’ve dropped out from his umbrella and latched on to my pinky. The finger was numb the whole day flying back home. It was such a perfect ending to yet another Jonathan and Karen trip.
