Ribbons of turquoise and green swirled together into the deep blue, as if painted by hand. It was another world, a round gaseous planet in a lonely universe. We drifted above it, circling and circling, forever caught in its orbit.
Far off the coast of Belize lies the mysterious Great Blue Hole. Perfectly round and impossibly blue, it’s a sunken world of wonder. Stretching 1000 feet across and 400 feet down to the Earth’s crust, this underwater sinkhole is home to massive stalagmites and sharks of all kinds. It’s known as a diver’s paradise — but the best way to see it is from above.
As we left Thatch Caye and hopped on the ferry to Ambergris Caye, we knew our time in Belize was coming to an end. For one last hurrah, we booked a seaplane flight to the Great Blue Hole with Maya Island Air.
Getting to the airport was an adventure itself, as the only way to get around San Pedro is by golf cart on narrow, dirt roads. We had the best time racing around potholes and dodging other crazy drivers like Super Mario or Disney’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
Having survived the journey, we were energised and ready to get in the air. Security was a breeze and we waited a short time before boarding the tiny seaplane with another couple. As we boarded, ducking and squeezing in, Patrick was smiling from ear to ear like a kid on Christmas. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so excited! As someone who loves planes and flying, this really was the trip of a lifetime for him.
From our view behind the pilot, we watched him flip on the switches and roll down the runway. Take-off was a bit shaky but exhilarating. Once we were in the air, we stayed just above the island, giving us an incredible view of San Pedro and the hundreds of golf carts darting back and forth like ants.
Leaving the island behind, we flew over the incredible barrier reef and the bright orange formations of invading Sargassum. We even hovered just low enough to see Spotted Eagle Rays gliding through the waves.
Entering the wild, untouched landscape of the Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole suddenly appeared out of nowhere. We circled around it a few times, and every turn revealed something new — the unnaturally perfect shape, the varying shades of blue, the waves rolling into the dark abyss. I felt like we were staring into a hungry black hole in space or the entrance to a lost world.
Seeing the Great Blue Hole from above was a beautiful way to say goodbye to Belize. Our honeymoon had come to end and what a trip it was.
We had spent a week deep in the rainforest and high in the canopy, birdwatching and river tubing.
We had explored the mysterious Maya ruins of Xunantunich, the dark passageways of the Actun Tunichil Muknal and the wild forests of Caracol.
We had traversed the stunning Hummingbird Highway, snorkled in the barrier reef and got up close and personal with the local wildlife.
It was an incredible experience. Belize will always be one of our favourite places and one I hope to return to one day soon.
thewanderingfellows 