Green Iguanas Galore
This morning Julian and I parted ways. We’ve realized that after so many days of travel and activity it’s helpful for me to have some down time alone, usually staying at our lodging place to read and write. So this morning I holed up in our Airbnb while Julian set off for a local church service and then on to the Green Iguana Conservation Project.
Our favorite breakfast hut was closed this morning, so I settled for a bowl of granola and yogurt. We procured these foods at a local grocery store the evening we arrived so that we’d have them on hand as needed. And of course I brought my loose leaf tea, infuser, and portable travel kettle with me from home because it’s rare to find a place that serves a good cup of tea.
Meanwhile, Julian was making friends with a bunch of energetic green reptiles. I think this was the perfect excursion for him to do without me!
Once I was sufficiently recharged and he said goodbye to his creepy pals, we met up for coffee and ice cream at Vivian’s Cafe. It was an adorable coffee and dessert shop, and I was eager to try their homemade ice cream. It ended up being more icy than creamy, so not my favorite, but we enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly service.
San Ignacio has so many restaurants and food huts that it would probably take a year to visit them all. We’re trying to find the ones with the best reviews and recommendations from locals. KO-OX HAN-NAH was our dinner spot. We tried a lamb dish featuring lamb raised on their own farm outside of town. It was served with coconut rice and a fresh salad. Tasty and filling, but not the best we’ve had.
Some more walking led us to Sweet Ting Bakery (imagine that!), where we had to try a slice of passion fruit cheesecake. It was delicious! We scoped out the rest of the display just in case we should happen to walk by again tomorrow…
One of the things we are enjoying about our stay in San Ignacio sans vehicle is that we are doing lots of walking. Not only does it enable us to justify eating multiple desserts, it is also giving us an authentic feel for the culture of this place. The poverty is evident in the dilapidated homes and businesses (often one and the same) on every street, nevertheless the sun is shining in Belize, the air is clear, and the people are wearing smiles on their faces. It is a delightful and welcoming place to visit!
