Gales Point

Wait for me at the top of the hill!! He passed me and when we got to the top we looked left and made the decision to take the path which wasn’t a highway on the map. This left turn began a whole new trip an unexpected gift which turned into gifts which we will never be able to repay and hope to one day pay it forward. If you only read this post then you will live through what I call and will remember as Belize.

I groaned inside as my bike hit the rough dirt after a sleepless night my legs were not ready for what lay ahead, a Bumpy, Rocky, Sandy Dirt path, they call it the Coastal Highway and I call it a little piece of joy which makes one truly feel their heart beat.

As the terrain changed so did my attitude, I was happy to be working hard for every kilometer because if being on the dirt road meant no cars and stunning jungle and mountains views I would turn down every off the beaten path without hesitation.

Around 10:30 it started to get hot and we still hadn’t found food, water or made time for our workout which I recluctantly agreed to in my groggy sleepless morning state begging for another hour when I truly wanted about 6 more hours of solid sleep as Kevin sped up I chased after and the dirt road become a paved bridge with a beautiful underpass of a river and a rock jetting out of the side of the earth.

We stopped and after 5 minutes of just enjoying the view we kicked ourselves for not just taking the initiative to go down the side path and explore the water to take another shower because when the opportunity arises we know better than to decline the offer or else it might become 5 days turning into 7 and we suddenly can’t remember the last time we bathed. Honestly, we smell. We smell bad on the daily. I’ve stopped using deodorant because it’s now considered a luxury and I believe Kevin ran out on the 4th or 5th day of the trip. If we had a place to shower and rinse off naturally we found a way to workout and thus it made for a great pause from the bouncy dirt road and allowed us to keep to our health and fitness goals. In hated to admit to Kevin he was right after the work out and swim I felt rejuvenated and ready to ride. So ride we did. Ride, break for water, go pee, talk about not talking about food because we were both starving as the clock reached mid day. Pedal more swerve find a line with the least amount of rocks to save our bikes and also one which wasn’t sandy inorder to not expend too much energy pedaling. I was in full downhill biking mode pushing gas for the hills and shredding on the way down whichever line I see fit best controlling the bike perfectly until I slid out in the sand, ugh I thought, I hate the sand and where is a place to eat, don’t drink the water CJ you might need it later because we are going no where fast today. With the slow pace in observed everything and then the jungle turned to trees and the trees had something on them. Round balls in the greenish yellow color. I couldn’t put a finger on what they might be and we stopped to pick a few and try them. Kevin rubbed his hands together and said it smells like oranges. We peeled one to share and as soon as we out it to our mouths we both yelled orange! For the next twenty minutes we biked and picked oranges and laughed how the oranges we see are bright orange and these are what oranges are supposed to look like. Why do we color things I thought and what a difference the taste of fruit is when it comes right off the tree or was this again the I’m tired haven’t had a meal today anything taste like the best meal of my life situation.

As we stepped back on the bikes I could feel the renewed energy and slight hope that we were not far from completing this dirt road. We pulled up to the T in the road and a worn sign had a small arrow pointing left to Gales Point we turned right in hopes to make it further and then get food and find a place to camp. After the right turn a bridge appeared as did around 6 people, an unexpected sight for the heat of the afternoon and considering we hadn’t seen anyone besides a construction worker on this dirt road all day. One guy came out waving with a giant smile and we just felt at home.

After small talk, where are you from, what are you doing and this and that we discovered they we’re fixing the Gales Point water pump which hasn’t given the village water in 3 days and music to my ears, there is a lady who cooks decent food just 3 miles down the road plus an added bonus of a beautiful manatee lodge and view of the lagoon/peninsula. We turned around and didn’t look back. As the bumps became less prominent we waved at children, admired the school, library, church and asked everyone we passed where Alita’s house was because that meant music to our bellies. 3 miles later we parked our bikes, rang a small bell, and it was like magic as the food arrived at the table it fell silent and it was beautiful. Two beings madly in love, with their food. A basic need often taken for granted was finally being fulfilled in the late afternoon sun.

We played Yahtzee, went to the dock and then along came Dale and Kenny with the good news, the village has water once again. I am sure most of you cannot imagine going 3 days with little to no access to water, I have a hard time myself even though it is a reality at times when bicycling on unnamed, unpaved roads with no wifi or map.

Luckily Jay another village member allowed us to camp at his place with an ocean front view, it was 5 stars in camping terms and that night when I rest my head on the surface of my camping mat at 19:30 I was a solid Rock till 4:30 when Jay and his family started their morning shuffling around.

Side note: that night for dinner we ate Gibs nut, I leave the surprise to those who wish to Google or investigate what it actually is. Tasted like rabbit meat, a little fatty, and it filled my belly added bonus we got to chat with everyone and exchange stories by far my favorite thing while traveling besides the journey itself. How amazing is it that Dale takes no medicine and he even pulled off a stunning L sit style pull up. I was impressed and loved hearing about his garden and word for the year.

Jay served us an egg breakfast with coffee as the sun penetrated the clouds and as we sat chatting and admiring a butterfly that looked like a snake and owl Ken walked in and that was the start of us being late for the boat ride across the lagoon to go explore a cave. We trekked on flat land which eventually turned to jungle, then swamp which I ultimately ended up swimming in with my left leg as I missed a log during a crossing and then into the warm tempered cave which hosted bats, cockroaches, an eel in the river, shells and a lookout hole once you pass through the main chamber. We were even able to climb up the roots to get out if we wanted.

As we exited, Dale took this stunning photo which made me think of Jurassic Park and our boat driver and guide cut off a limb of a root to let us swing through the jungle. Ladies and gentlemen the movies do not lie and do not need to computerize these stunts. You can climb the roots, swing on them, and be childlike. As we picked up trash and caught the boat back to the peninsula we stopped to watch the manatees surface near their watering hole. It was an unforeseen and unforgettable adventure and pleasant morning to not sit on my saddle and bike. Thank you Dale and Ken for inviting us and supporting us in the boat ride and cave. Thank you Jay for the campsite and great conversations.

Sometimes life leads you in a mysterious way and it’s not till you truly open your eyes to see what is right in front of you that you realize you are right where you are supposed to be for a reason beyond your control. I am thankful for the Coastal Highway, for turning right and then making a left back to the place we almost overlooked. I am thankful for the kind souls whom have and continue to give me confidence and kindness on this journey, it started in Gales point and when I am struggling I think back to these two short days and I smile and my strength returns and I carry on. Much more happened within myself on that peninsula yet I haven’t come to terms with how to write it down or if I truly am ready to share my deeper inner thoughts for now I leave you with this, if you want a tiny piece of true life in Belize go to Gales Point and stay at the lodge or Jay’s AirBnB, it won’t be typical yet maybe you too will find something you didn’t know you needed while you are there.