There is more to belize than just the cayes - Lenka McAlinden

Imagine, if you will, two ordinary, inexperienced travellers, only ever venturing to foreign lands for a quick city break or a seaside holiday, setting out to independently crisscross through Belize. Well, that was us: Steve and I.Our meticulously planned journey did not start as smoothly as we would have liked, but it did start. Our quick detour to New York was a brisk introduction to independent travel and showed us what we are made of.Belize turned out to be everything Lonely Planet said it would be and more. And Steve and I turned out to love everything independent travelling threw at us: we got lost, ate a lot, took part in rituals, got invited to parties, overestimated our stamina, underestimated the sun, hitchhiked on a Sunday and, most of all, had fun.