Sunday 5th - Monday 6th October. Our plan was to visit Placencia via the Hummingbird Highway on our way to Punta Gorda.
So we were up at the crack of dawn! Well, 6 o`clock anyway, had breakfast and went off to morning worship. We dropped my cousin Martha in Belmopan (we would be meeting up with her later), then we continued on our tour.
Driving along the Hummingbird Highway in Stann Creek was a treat. This was semi-paved when we used it but by the year 2000 it had been completed.
Sometimes along the way you will drive over strange looking bridges. These are remnants of the old and only railway that was built for taking bananas through Stann Creek district to the coast at Dangriga. It ran from 1913 through to 1937; that`s only for 24 years.
There was a few places we wanted to visit along the way. We didn`t have enough time to see the Blue Hole but managed to squeeze a peek into St. Herman`s cave.
Turning off onto a small dirt track and peering ahead, we didn`t know what to expect. Reaching there we were totally alone with no guide. We entered into the mouth of the cave that had carved stone steps leading down into the darkness, but we did not venture further having no guide. It would have been nicer to have heard a running comment about the cave`s history, the fauna and flora and anything else of interest as guides usually do for a fee. I suppose that`s one of the drawbacks of visiting when the rainy season is just ending.
Further along we found the entrance for the blue hole but we were behind quite a bit in our schedule so carried on a little disappointed. It would have been nice to have seen that blue sapphire pool surrounded by emerald jungle.
Continuing along the Hummingbird Highway we found ourselves driving in a valley between mountain ranges with Mt. Margaret peaks to the right. Take your time and drink in that view because it is the only main road in Belize that cuts through the mountains. You might even spot some interesting wildlife on the way, like some of the gigantic butterflies we saw at St. Herman`s cave.
As the road twists, bends and dips downward towards Dangriga, the stunning views are a feast to the eyes, so much so that it`s hard to keep them on the road.
I`m glad I did keep my eyes on the road. We spotted a large Tarantula crossing.
(If you suffer from Arachnophobia, please make for the red jeep and wait for us.)
This one was large enough to spot from a distance with his rust coloured abdomen, which you can notice better in the video, and pitch black legs. This was good because it gave us ample time to slow down, park, and start filming. Ever felt like David Attenborough?
I did a little research and this particular tarantula is common in Belize. This species is named Brachypelma Vagans according to you studious visitors, and to the Maya..."Chiwu". I wonder why they named it that? Maybe when the women folks found one in the house they took a broom and cried chiwu! chiwu! ;-)
Along the Hummingbird Highway, vast areas of citrus groves can be seen and little villages scattered about with people on foot along its verges. The road is soon to end at Dangriga where we bump onto the rough Southern Highway. This road tells another story on another page.
I hope you have enjoyed your virtual excursion of the Hummingbird Highway. The Best highway in Belize. I think so!
Stop off to see the wild life along the Hummingbird Highway
Turning off onto a small dirt track and peering ahead, we didn`t know what to expect. Reaching there we were totally alone with no guide. We entered into the mouth of the cave that had carved stone steps leading down into the darkness, but we did not venture further having no guide. It would have been nicer to have heard a running comment about the cave`s history, the fauna and flora and anything else of interest as guides usually do for a fee. I suppose that`s one of the drawbacks of visiting when the rainy season is just ending.
Continuing along the Hummingbird Highway we found ourselves driving in a valley between mountain ranges with Mt. Margaret peaks to the right. Take your time and drink in that view because it is the only main road in Belize that cuts through the mountains. You might even spot some interesting wildlife on the way, like some of the gigantic butterflies we saw at St. Herman`s cave.
I`m glad I did keep my eyes on the road. We spotted a large Tarantula crossing.
