Getting to San Pedro was an all day endeavor, but relatively painless, aside from my aching ears.  In the days prior to my departure I came down with a nasty cold that manifested itself in many different ways, from a sore throat, to congestion, to headaches, and ultimately massive earaches in both ears caused by the pressurized cabin in the airplane.   But I digress.   From the airport I took a short taxi to the ferry dock, and an hour and a half open air ferry from Belize City to Ambergris Caye.  Side note, ambergris is whale vomit.  True story.  Once in San Pedro, it was a quick cab ride to Pedro’s Hotel; my home for the next 4 days.  My room is akin to a prison cell in size, but with less amenities.  However, it is really all I need and I am happy with it.  Aside from the room size, it is a really nice place with a pool, a bar, wifi, hammocks and outdoor seating.  From what I hear the food is pretty good as well.  Once I settled in, I had a beer in the empty bar, hoping to meet people, but it was a ghost town.  At this point I was pretty much spent, so I took a tylenol PM and called it a night.

A awoke to a nose caked in boogers.  Latched on to my nostrils like barnacles to an aging ship.  Aside from this, my cold has largely subsided except for some congestion and a minor headache.  Nothing an advil and a sudafed can’t solve.  Once I got up, I head right into town.  I thought the lack of life at my hostel was an anomaly, but it seems to be pervasive throughout the island.  I knew it was the slow/rainy season coming in, but this is beyond what I imagined.  I walk surface roads to the far end of town and back via the beach just to get a lay of the land.  It is worth noting that San Pedro was the inspiration behind Madonna’s la Isla Bonita.  And while the island and its waters are chock full of natural beauty, it is a bit overdeveloped for my tastes.  So far my favorite part of the island might be that song.

Even though I am not enamored with this island yet, I am still having a great time seeing beautiful new places an trying the local fare.

Tomorrow I plan on renting a bike and going to parts of the  island my feet couldn’t take me.  Then once my congestion clears up, I plan on going diving and snorkling on Saturday.  I am sure these will change my perspective on Whale Vomit Caye.