The Cayo District in western Belize

We waited at the bus stop by the zoo for just 5 or 10 minutes before a chicken bus stopped for us. It was a classic Belize bus - crammed with people of many colors, stopping on a whim, music and wind from open windows filling the air, views of the countryside dotted with colorful houses on stilts.

When we got to our nice hotel, the Aguada (PHOTO 1) we enjoyed a swim, then headed through the town of Santa Elena (PHOTOS 2 and 3) to the sister city of San Ignacio across the Macal River. After exploring a bit (PHOTO 4) and confirming our caving trip for the next day, we purchased fruit for dinner at the market (PHOTO 5).