BELIZE DAY 5 A SLOW SLOW TRIP HOME

I was awake and ready in plenty of time for the 8am-ish departure of the boat to Chetumal. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for the Belize immigration officer, who arrived at the terminal at 8.50am! I happened to be standing in the right position near his booth so was one of the first to have my passport processed, and by the time he slowly made his way through the line of others, it was close to 9.30 by the time we left the dock. I chose a seat next to an opening so as to have plenty of fresh air, but it also turned out to be the sunny side so I needed my hat and could have done with some sun lotion. Very little air came in and it was a hot sticky ride. They played another silly teenage movie - I guess they have to find something that will be finished within the 90 minute trip.
With the time difference, we arrived about 12 noon and first we had to leave all our hand luggage in a line so the sniffer dog could check it. Then we had to line up at immigration, but only to get the forms. It would have made more sense to give us the form on the boat as they had going to Belize, so it would be completed and ready to go. But why do things quickly when you can make a day of it? I was one of the first in the line, and had a pen in my bag so I got back and through fairly quickly - yay, a new 180day visa - the purpose of the whole trip accomplished! Next stop was customs where you hand in your form then press a button, if it lights green you walk in, if red your luggage gets checked. Very scientific! Unfortunately I got red, but he wasn’t very interested in my small bag, so I was out of there!
I walked into the “town”, found one of my fav iced coffees (it’s good to be back where Cafe Ole lives) and then further in and found a place selling rolls full of roast chicken for 20 pesos. Armed with lunch and some water, I caught a taxi to the bus station, where there were at least 20 people in front of me in the queue. I already had a ticket but as it was for open return, needed to get a seat. (Won’t do that again it was a waste of time if you still have to line up!). 40 minutes before the 1.30 bus left, I thought I’d have plenty of time but by the time I got to the front at 1.25 there were no seats left. Next bus 2.30pm. Oh well, plenty of time to eat lunch and relax.
The bus left on time and it was a comfortable trip, arriving around 7 and by 7,15pm I was home, so glad to be there.
A busy week coming up so I was in bed by 10.30.